Today we find our heroes at the fourth and final island of the main whirl islands where Misty will be competing in the semi finals and possibly the final rounds of the competition, however it seems not everyone will be able to cheer her on!
"Are you sure you'll be fine Ash?" Misty asked.
"I'm sure." Ash said, still feeling woozy. "I'll lay here, listen from the radio and cheer you on in spirit."
"Make sure to have more of this soup, it should help bring your energy back up." Brock reminded.
"Okay, now all of you get going and cheer Misty on for the win, I'll survive an afternoon in here." Ash sighed, lying back down.
"Alright, if you need anything send Pikachu to come find us." Casey said, as the quartet exited the boat.
A bit later
"And here we have our first competitors coming onto the arena, a water gym leader from Cerulean City in Kanto and…". The announcer on the radio continued as Ash sat up for a minute.
"Pi?" Pikachu asked in concern.
"I'm fine, just getting some water." Ash assured, as he made his way to refill his bottle, stopping at the window when he saw something outside. "No."
Outside the Magikarp Submarine owned by none other than Team Rocket could be seen in the distance, heading towards the center of the islands.
"Come on Pikachu, Brock might have the keys for the boat, but we have to stop whatever it is that they are planning." Ash said, grabbing Croconaw's Pokeball.
On the Magikarp Sub
"And you're positive you found the correct path to the chambers." Giovanni said with his usual demeanor.
"Yes sir. The map was clear and it led us right there." Cassidy said. "Butch and Jessie are already waiting for us down there with the equipment and we will take you down once you arrive."
"I will be there soon. Stay hidden until I arrive, the less people knowing of our actions the better." Giovanni said cautiously.
A few minutes later
"What are they waiting for?" Ash wondered, seeing the top of the sub hidden amongst some rocks.
"Croco." Croconaw said with concern.
"It's fine, we're just looking to see what they're doing here, nothing risky about it." Ash grunted, feeling weak for a moment.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Shh." Ash shushed, as he saw someone by the sub look their way. "Who is that?" Ash wondered, seeing a man in a black suit, accompanied by a woman with glasses entering the submarine. "Hold your breath, this is going to be a long trip." Ash said, as the submarine began to descend.
"Pi." Pikachu said, holding his breath.
"Croc!" Croconaw said, diving beneath the waves, quickly following after the submarine to try and keep Ash and Pikachu safe from drowning.
A long swim later
"Pah." Ash gasped, as he came up from air, hiding far enough from the submarine to keep them from seeing him.
"Lord Giovanni welcome to Johto." Jessie said with a salute.
"Jessie, But, this is Matori my second in command, her research has been pivotal in this project." Giovanni said, walking out of the submarine.
"Sir, if I may ask, what is it we're here looking for, I doubt many Pokemon could make it down here safely." Cassidy said.
"You are correct, only a truly powerful Pokemon can live down here, but as you fools were unable to aquire the rainbow wing from Ho oh, we must take drastic measures and assure that we are in possession of the Silver Wing." Giovanni said.
"The Silver Wing?" Butch asked.
"If Ho oh gives the rainbow wing, and the Silver Wing is the equal and opposite, only a legendary Pokemon like an Articuno could drop something like that!" James exclaimed.
"Close, the Pokemon in question is Lugia, but our plans do not require the capture of them today." Matori said.
"Who are you to tell us what to do?! If we find Lugia we plan on capturing it!" Jessie barked.
"With what army, we have more pressing matters to attend to here in Johto that don't involve your delusional plans." Matori commented coldly.
"Delusional?!" Jessie said.
"Jessie, you and Butch stay here with the submarine, we won't be long." Giovanni said, leaving with the other three.
"Come on, we can't let them get to Lugia." Ash said, as he, Croconaw, and Pikachu climbed onto dry land, sneaking their way over to Jessie and Butch. "Stop whatever you're doing Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed, feeling a huge wave of pain.
"It's the twerp!" Jessie called out.
"But he don't look too good." Butch commented.
"All the easier for us to capture his Pokemon. Arbok use Poison Sting!"
"Primeape use Thrash!" Butch exclaimed.
"Espeon come out and use Psybeam!" Ash called out.
Espeon easily tossed the two Pokemon to the side, as Jessie and Butch sent out their reinforcements.
"Shuckle stand in!" Jessie called out.
"Drowzee come out!" Butch exclaimed.
"Espeon use Bite! Croconaw use Water Gun!"
Espeon leapt forward, biting on Drowzee before tossing the fat psychic type at the two other Rocket Pokemon as Croconaw blasted Shuckle with a blast of water.
"Shuckle get them with Wrap!" Jessie exclaimed, tossing Shuckle at Ash and his Pokemon.
"Pi!" Pikachu exclaimed, sending a Zap Cannon at the quartet of Pokemon, leaving them sizzling.
"Come on, let's keep going." Ash said, glowing gold for a moment as he had to catch his breath.
"What is going on with that twerp?" Jessie wondered, noticing the glow and stumble.
A bit further in
"What do you mean wait out here!?" James asked in shock.
"Understand Lord Giovanni has his all under control and knows that Lugia won't come if all of us are there." Matori said, walking forward only for an outstretched arm by Giovanni. "Sir, I, what is it?" Matori asked, stumbling to keep her composure.
"Lugia will not appear to anyone, and the less conflicting personalities there are the better, I am the only one here who truly knows why we need their help and I have opened my soul for their grace." Giovanni said.
"Sir, please, if they decide to attack you." Matori said in shock.
"I have handled far worse." Giovanni said, descending deeper into the caves.
"Team Rocket, hold it!" Ash exclaimed, now glowing fully golden with his eyes a deep red.
"Is he okay?" Matori asked.
"Weezing, Victreebell get them!" James called out.
"Granbull, and Raticate lets go!" Cassidy exclaimed.
"Alright, if you want something done, you've got to do it yourself." Meowth said sharpening his claws.
"Pikachu use Zap!" Ash grunted, stumbling down as Croconaw caught him. "CANNON!" Ash shouted.
Pikachu leapt into the air, knowing Ash wouldn't leave until this was taken care of, sending out a massive blast of electricity, blasting the five Pokemon and three humans into the wall, creating a crater in the cavern wall.
"Let's go!" Ash grunted, stumbling once more before heading down the stairs the man had gone down.
Ash made it down the stairs to see the man in the black suit accepting something from Lugia.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Ash shouted, another painful pulse of energy.
Lugia let out a cry before flying back out of the cavern.
"You foolish child, you couldn't just stay away, what do you think would have happened if you came in before Lugia gave me the Silver Wing!" Giovanni snapped.
"I don't care, if you're working with Team Rocket, then you can't be up to anything good!" Ash said, catching his breath.
"Working with, oh you sweet foolish child, I don't work with Team Rocket or even for Team Rocket, I am Team Rocket. My name is Giovanni and my goals are far beyond even your understandings." Giovanni said with a cold expression.
"I know anything they do can't be good! Pikachu get him with Quick Attack!" Ash exclaimed, falling down.
"Haven't you been the least bit curious as to your ailment, I'm guessing this has only gotten worse the longer you've been in the area surrounding the Whirl Islands." Giovanni said, sending out his Persian to easily block Pikachu's attack. "You are linked to Ho oh now, as long as you hold that Rainbow Wing you will be."
"So what, are you just going to take it from me now?!" Ash said, trying to stand back up.
"Please, taking both without being given them both would be a death sentence, just as you staying here is." Giovanni said, grabbing Ash's Pokeballs.
"Get away from those!" Ash shouted as Giovanni returned his Pokemon.
"Like it or not there is a threat here in Johto to both your lives and my operations. And these two wings are required in his plan, so as long as you are alive, it is safe." Giovanni said, putting the Pokeballs back.
"Why, why are you doing this?" Ash grunted, falling down flat on the ground.
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and while we are not allies, you are of more use to me alive than you are dead." Giovanni said, as he lifted Ash over his shoulder. So despite normally wanting your Pokemon, I will instruct my team to return you to your boat safely. Watch over the Rainbow Wing and beware the frozen man's wrath." Giovanni warned as Ash passed out from exhaustion.
An unknown amount of time later
"Ash, how are you feeling?" Casey asked, lightly shaking him.
"Wh-what happened?" Ash asked waking up.
"You must have fallen asleep." Molly commented. "But you're definitely looking better."
"W-wait my Pokemon!" Ash exclaimed.
"Eating outside with the others." Casey said, pointing out showing all of Ash's Pokemon were fine and they were at another island.
"Where are we? Wait where's Team Rocket?!" Ash said in a panic.
"Ash, you've been asleep for a few hours, we returned after Misty lost and found you passed out on the bed with the soup finished." Molly said.
"Must have been a nightmare then." Ash said. "It was so strange, I think I even hallucinated their boss, and him saving me."
"Yeah, like that would ever happen." Casey laughed. "Come on let's see if you're well enough to at least walk on your own."
Elsewhere up into the air
"Sir, I still don't understand, that child and his Pokemon, they've been on our radar for months." Matori said.
"He would never come with us willingly, but he will when the time comes." Giovanni said. "And going forward if you ever question my authority again, you will never make it above grunt duty once I'm finished, is that clear."
"Yes sir, of course sir." Matori said, backing away.