"Ash, do you think it's a good idea to bring them with us?" Rosa asked as Victini floated about.
"Honestly, I'm not sure I could get rid of him if I wanted to." Ash admitted.
"You did offer for Victini to join us." Elliot reminded casually as the trio neared where the historic tour would begin.
"You hear that, Victini. Sounds mighty powerful." James commented from where he and the others were disguised.
"Powerful and rare based on the looks of it." Meowth aid.
"I can already hear the boss's praises, we'll poach that Pokemon and be on our way!" Jessie cheered.
"Alright everyone if you'll follow me, we can get this tour started." A tour guide said. "This castle was home originally to two brothers who brought Unova together through the help of a legendary dragon."
"Go go go." Meowth said as the trio joined the tour group under disguise.
"However the twin brothers had clashing ideals on how life should be led. The older brother believed in truth, while the younger brother believed in ideals." The tour guide said showing a mural.
"What happened to them?" Ash asked.
"From their fighting the dragon that had sided with them also split into two. A white dragon of fire sided with the older brother, and a black dragon of lightning joined the younger brother." The tour guide said.
"A black dragon of lightning." Ash said, remembering the storm when he first arrived in Unova. "What happened to the dragons?"
"The dragons began fighting against each other just as their heroes did." The tour guide said. "The two dragons were evenly matched with the fight at a standstill, causing the heroes to put aside their differences for their friends sake."
"So happy ending then?" Rosa asked.
"Unfortunately not, soon after the fighting had ceased, the sons of the two brothers resumed the fight with the dragons, resulting in the destruction of the original kingdom and subsequent disappearance of the dragons." The tour guide said.
"What are those?" Ash asked noticing a mural depicting three stones.
"These are the depiction of what was left in the wake of the destruction, believed to be gifts from the heroic dragons. A white orb to represent the truth, a black orb to represent ideals, and a gray orb to represent what was left of the dragon when it split." The tour guide said. "Now if you'll follow me this way, we can go over the historic lineage of the kingdom and its rebuilding after destruction."
Ash paused in front of the final mural, digging the Black Stone out of his bag and holding it up. "If you're really from the black dragon, why did something matching its description attack me, and why do I have you?"
"Pi." Pikachu said, sparks coming from his cheeks once more when he got close to the stone.
"Tini?" Victini said curiously looking at the stone as well.
Elsewhere in the castle
"Ghetsis, so nice of you to take my call." A man said, as a large man dressed in black appeared on a screen.
"Damon you best have a good reason to be contacting me after you lost the Zekrom we paid you for." Ghetsis said angrily.
"I received payment upon handoff, it is not my fault that your team could not keep the stone secured in time with delivery, allowing it to escape." Damon responded. "However, if you are interested, I also have come across this." Damon said showing the White Stone.
"I will have a team come verify and pick it up." Ghetsis said.
"Ah ah ah." Damon paused. "This one is going to cost double."
"I have already paid you for one stone that was not delivered, why should I pay you for a second one?!" Ghetsis demanded.
"Isn't it obvious, as it currently stands I hold one of the three stones, and the only one you know the location of, if you want it that badly, pay up." Damon said. "Half before I even let your team see it."
"I will send enough of my soldiers to expose you for who you are and then take the stone by force, your foolishness has no idea on how to even awaken the dragon." Ghetsis said, hanging up the call as a camera feed clicked on.
"Hmm, maybe I don't need to know how on my own." Damon said, seeing Victini. "And it looks like he's brought an old friend of ours." Damon added, noticing Ash repocket the Black Stone.
Back with the tour group
"So Ash get any inspiration?" Rosa asked, as they stepped outside.
"Not as much as I was hoping to get." Ash admitted. "Did you at least enjoy it Victini?"
"Tini!" Victini cheered, flipping in midair.
"Personally I would have preferred an audio tour." Elliot said.
"Is that really Victini?" A girl asked walking up.
"Uhh, what, what do you mean, you must be hearing things." Ash quickly lied, shoving Victini into Rosa's arms to make it look like a plush.
"Sorry, I'm Carlita." The girl said, introducing herself. "It's okay, I, actually have always wanted to meet Victini as he also comes from the original kingdom of Vale."
"Wait, this isn't the real kingdom?" Ash asked.
"Yes, weren't you paying attention to the tour?" Elliot asked. "After the original kingdom was decimated the people moved and rebuilt here, and while this castle is still the Castle of Vale, the city or rather town surrounding it is called Eindoak Town."
"No, I must have missed that part, sorry." Ash admitted. "Uhh, but yeah I guess you were right, this is Victini."
"Well then that's enough for us!" Meowth said, pulling off his disguise.
"Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed.
"Who are they?" Carlita asked.
"It's a long and weird story to explain." Rosa sighed. "Long story short, they're bad guys."
"And we'll be taking Victini with us!" Jessie exclaimed. "Venipede let's go!"
"And pilfering your Pikachu too." James added. "Tympole come on out!"
"Not happening!" Ash argued, grabbing a Pokeball.
"Allow me, no one shall harm Victini if I can help it." Carlita said. "Hydreigon come out and use Dragon Breath!"
A large dragon with three heads popped out with a might roar, unleashing a triple stream of blue flames, engulfing the trio and their Pokemon.
"Now Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called out, the bolt of electricity striking Team Rocket and sending them flying off.
"It looks like we're blasting off again!" The trio exclaimed as they disappeared onto the horizon.
"Wow Carlita, that Pokemon is amazing!" Ash exclaimed.
"If it's alright, I'd like to introduce the four of you to my mother." Carlita said. "If you want to know more about the original Kingdom of Vale she knows a lot, and about Victini too."
"That would actually be great, thanks." Ash said.
Authors Note
Exposition chapter is exposition chapter