Chapter 86 – Making it Double

The walkways shook violently as Charizard, Dragonite, Koraidon and Salamence landed upon them, surrounding Ash, Cameron, and their Pokémon. The sight of them, along with Ashachu, Hunter, Geyser and Axew, filled Ash with emotion. He hadn't noticed, but after they had all disappeared into the Ultra Wormhole, he had buried his fear and grief inside him.

Now it, along with a sense of pure relief and joy, burst from him. "A-Ashachu. C-Charizard. G-geyser. You're back. You're okay." He sniffed, a stream of tears suddenly pouring from his eyes. "Man, I was so...so worried!"

"Zard." Charizard greeted Ash in his usual affectionate manner. That is to douse him in fire with a flamethrower attack. Ash felt the searing heat engulf his body and dry the tears from his face. He was left covered in black soot.

"Pikapi."

No sooner however had he wiped the ash and soot away, however, did he find his vision obscured by something else – this time, yellow fur. Ashachu had leapt from Charizard's head, and onto Ash's where he hugged his face.

"Ashachu," breathed Ash. "Great to see you too, buddy. I'm glad you're safe."

"Pika Pikachu," he cooed.

A second later he was nearly knocked off his feet, as Geyser and Axew rushed over to hug him. Ash dropped to one knee so as to hug all three of them at once. "Man, it's so good to see you all." He giggled, as three tongues licked at as much of his face as they could reach.

Pikachu, meanwhile, jumped from Ash and onto Charizard's shoulder, where he hugged his neck with a happy cry of, "Pi-Pika."

Charizard wasn't quite as enthused. He turned his head and peered down at the rodent on his shoulder, before growling, "Hey, no offense Pikachu, but could you get the hell off me. Slimy here weighs a ton." The Flame Pokémon flicked his head, gesturing to Goodra who was still clinging to his back.

At the same time, Cameron and Lucario were doting over Hunter and Growlithe. The two parents were kneeling on the ground to hug the two younglings. Cameron was acting like Ash felt, crying heavily as he hugged his Riolu pup.

"Hunter...I thought we'd never see you again."

"Lucario," Lucario howled, as he nuzzled the top of Hunter's head and licked his right ear.

Hunter, who might ordinarily have been embarrassed by this, was almost as emotional about the reunion as his parents. "Dad, Papa. I really misused you guys," he mewled, struggling not to cry himself.

Dragonite and Flygon were similarly having an emotional reunion, albeit less dramatically. As soon as he had landed, and Geyser had jumped off his back, Flygon had embraced him, and buried his face in the larger dragon's neck. Now the two were holding each other tightly, their arms wrapped around the other's bodies. They were silent, as though nothing needed to be said between them.

"Alright ugly. Time to get off," Charizard growled, looking over his shoulder at Goodra. "I'm not a bloody Pokémon!"

"Hmmp." Goodra opened his eyes to glare at Charizard. "Who are calling ug-ahhh!"

Charizard stretched out his wings and shook his back, causing Goodra to side off. Unfortunately, this caused him to slide down and over the tail so that the flame at the end of Chari's tail made contact with...A particularly sensitive part of Goodra's body.

"YAHH." Goodra leapt into the air, clutching as his groin that was literally on fire. He then rounded on Charizard. "What the hell."

Charizard scowled right back at him. "Do you mind being careful. I need that flame to live."

"Yeah, and I need my balls, man," snapped Goodra, point a claw in Charizard's chest.

The flame Pokémon's eyes narrowed. "You're cruising for a bruising there, ugly. Has anyone ever told you, you look like a wet Salamence dick, all covered in goo."

"Come on guys, no fighting," whined Dragonite, looking up from Flygon at the sound of the commotion. "We're all on the same team here!"

Charizard snorted, a few embers flying from his nose, before turning his back on Goodra. Goodra just shook his head, before wandering over to give Cameron and Lucario a sticky hug.

It was at that moment that Ash felt a claw on his shoulder. He looked upwards and found himself face to face with Koraidon. He would have, ordinarily, jumped at being startled like this by a Pokémon but there was something about the Pokémon's pointed face and soft yellow and orange eyes that seemed…Calming.

Even without ever having met this Pokémon, nor even knowing what species it was, he felt that they could trust him. Ash couldn't explain why. Koraidon smiled at him before whispering, in a soft masculine voice, "Hola Amanté." He then proceeded to lick Ash with his dragon tongue...from under his chin, over his mouth and over his nose.

It was the sort of intimate lick Ash had only ever received from Pikachu before, and it really did make him jump. Luckily, Ashachu and Geyser were there to make introductions before things could get too weird.

"Oh dad, this is Koraidon. He helped us get here."

"He's the leader of a rescue team, back in his world. They help Pokémon who are trapped or in danger. Actually, it's a long story."

A smile quickly returned to Ash's face. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Koraidon." He reached out to stroke the Pokémon under his chin, having a feel of the feathery mane around his head. The sensation made the dragon type let out a little coo.

This little interaction only lasted a moment, before Koraidon stood up straight, holding up a claw to signal to the other members of his team. "Alright, attention everybody."

Salamence stood to attention in front of him, and Rayquaza, with Zamazenta still on his head, positioned himself in mid-air so he was looking down at him. Koraidon snapped his claws together, gesturing at Charizard and Dragonite. "That means you two as well, dragon boys, and the humans too."

Charizard scowled while Dragonite and Flygon looked at each curiously, before Dragonite shrugged. They both ultimately obeyed. Cameron stood up, curious as to what was going on, his arms still around Hunter. Hunter looked up at him and whispered something – presumably the same thing Ashachu and Geyser had explained to Ash.

"Okay, listen up everybody. The situation here is worse than we originally thought. Team Rocket, the human villains, have control of the immediate area. There appears to be some form of giant light screen barrier trapping us in the area. My guess is that they will attack this facility next, so we need to prepare for trouble..."

He snapped his claws again, pointing one by one to Dragonite, Charizard, Salamence and Rayquaza. "Dragon's, you're front line. My guess is they'll attack through that hole in the ceiling, so we make our stand here. Rayquaza, you keep over here, so you're out of sight of the window. It will be better if we can ambush them when they enter. Team Rocket has some type of psychic Pokémon with them, so if there are any ghost or dark types in those Pokéballs of yours, humans, now is the time. If we need to retreat, Geyser you'll be responsible for opening an Ultra Wormhole so stay out of the action."

"Dew." Geyser nodded and, to Ash's surprise, gave Koraidon a salute with his paw.

"Great," replied Koraidon. "Twinkle toes, with me!"

The dragon wandered a little way down the walkway, as around him the Pokémon gathered prepared themselves for a battle. Flygon and Dragonite took flight, rising into the air to hover around Rayquaza's head. The size contrast between them was impressive; the two dragon types were larger than Ash seemed almost like two Pidgey or Tailow compared to Rayquaza.

Ash turns his attention to Charizard, whom he hadn't really greeted yet. "Hey buddy," he said, patting the Flame Pokémon's stomach.

"Rwahh." Charizard dropped onto his all fours and placed his head in Ash's hands, allowing his trainer to pet him, rubbing along the bridge of his nose and between his eyes. At the same time Pikachu and Ashachu clambered back onto his shoulders.

"Koraidon said dark types," said Ashachu. "So Zoroark, could help us right. Sniveon can use Shadow ball, too."

Ash wasn't listening, having instead turned his attention to Geyser. "Hey buddy." He rubbed the Dewott on top of his head, and behind his ear. "Can you really open an Ultra Wormhole. To anywhere."

Geyser shrugged, gritting his teeth. "Sort of...well...I don't know. I managed to get us here."

"Are you thinking," Pikachu started to ask.

He didn't need to finish his sentence, as Ash replied "Yup," before he could finish.

If Ashachu, Geyser, Charizard or Axew had questions, they did not get the chance to ask them, as just then Koraidon called out again, "Twinkle toes, with me I said."

It took him a moment to realise who Koraidon was speaking too.

"Oh, I'm twinkle toes," Ash exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. He felt a twinge of embarrassment and annoyance, and his face flushed hot.

This was not helped by Pikachu's loud cry of "YES!" as though this were obvious.

Ash looked over his shoulder and saw Koraidon beckoning to him. Curious, he walked up the walkway towards him. Ashachu leapt off his shoulder and back onto Charizard as he did so. Koraidon beamed at him, as he approached, before pressing his muzzle affectionately against the side of Ash's neck as though he were a loyal Pokémon Ash had had for a long time, like Charizard. Ash recoiled in surprise, and Pikachu hissed.

"Piikaa."

Koraidon shot him a pouting and somewhat irritated expression. "You are doing a really good job of acting like you don't know me, I'm assuming there's a reason!"

Ash scratched the back of his head in confusion. "Err, a pretty good one, yeah."

Koraidon rolled his eyes. "Alright, where are we up to. Judging from your age, I'd say it's early days for you. Sooo." Then to Ash's surprise, he reached into a pouch in the scaled under his neck and withdraw from within what appeared to be a small book, which he flicked open and held up in one claw.

"What Pokémon are you," Ash murmured, drawing out his Pokédex to scan Koraidon. His eyes widened as a red error message flashed across the scene.

No Data Available

Koraidon hadn't noticed, his eyes were fixed on his little book, as he flicked between pages with a single claw. "Have we done the fight with Team Start at the academy?" He looked up from the book to find Ash looking at him blankly. He clicked is tongue irritably. "I take it that's a no!"

Koraidon returned his gaze to the book, his claw working furiously through the pages. "Right, so very early days." His expression softened as he reached a certain page, a wide smile spreading across his muzzle as though recalling a particularly precious memory. "The sandwich on the beach. Have we done that yet?"

Ash stared back at Koraidon, his mouth slightly ajar. He hadn't the faintest idea of what this Pokémon was talking about.

An irritated look crossed Koraidon's face. "Have we at least mated for the first time yet...Shared our first kiss... I take it that's a no on both counts. Damn it."

"Wh-what are you talking about," Ash demanded, starting to feel a little annoyed. "What's in that book, who are you."

To his great surprise, Koraidon's eyes filled with sadness. "Ash," he said softly. "Please tell me you know who I am?"

Ash shook his head. "N-no. H-have we met?"

Koraidon sighed and bowed his head. He sounded and looked sad, and when he next spoke, there was a wistfulness to his voice. "Put it this way. I've met you many times before. You're meeting me for the first time."

If Ash or Pikachu found this response to be strange, they had no time to react to it. Or really take it in. For at that moment, two things happened. First, Team Rocket had finally arrived, Mewtwo and his four masters, descending almost godlike, through the hole in the ceiling. There was a roar from the dragons, as they moved to attack the intruders, but they quickly found themselves short a number.

Second, Dragonite, doubled over in apparent pain in mid-air before dropping to the ground. He landed on the walkway and dropped to his all fours.

"DRAGONTIE," Shouted Ash rushing over to his fallen Pokémon.

At the same time, Koraidon shouted, "INCOMING...Take defensive positions!"

"What's wrong." Ash knelt down beside Dragonite, Pikachu dropping off his shoulder to help.

He put his hand on the Dragon-types side. He was shaking, and his scales were moist with sweat. Tears streamed down Dragonite's face, running over the bridge of his nose and pooling on the concrete beneath him. All around a battle had begun. Charizard, Ashachu, Geyser, Flygon, Axew, Lucario and Goodra had launched into action, throwing themselves over the railings towards Team Rocket.

"Dragonite," Ash cried, a little more urgently. "Speak to him."

"Pika Pikachu Pi."

Slowly, Dragonite turned his tear-soaked face towards him and Pikachu. "I-I didn't tell anyone, because I didn't w-want to cause problems with Ch-Charizard, b-but...Ah." he was cut off as he winced. "Fuck, it's time."

"Time," repeated Ash. "Time for what."

"I-I'm preg-nant," gasped Dragonite gritting his teeth. "I'm l-l-l...Laying an egg!"

Ash's eyes widened in shock and at the same time Pikachu let out a little gasp. Neither had been expecting Dragonite to say that.

"WHAT?"

"Pika..."

They didn't however have a lot of time to process it, owing to the battle going on around them. And to use the term battle, in this context, was generous. Mewtwo raised his right paw, holding up his three fingers. The Pokémon charging at him, Dragonite, Hirosaki, Flygon, Koraidon and the others, stopped in mid-air caught in nets of blue aura that shrouded their bodies. Mewtwo then extended his arm, as though throwing an invisible ball – which in a way his was. The dragons and Pokémon hanging in the air, were thrown backwards, crashing into the wall behind them or else into the walkway.

"What the...CHARIZARD, ASHACHU," cried Ash, looking wildly around, trying to find his partners. "GEYSER!" Charizard had crashed into some trees and disappeared below the walkway, and he couldn't see Ashachu anywhere.

"Pikachu!"

He and Pikachu rushed over to the side of the walkway and looked over. Far below he could see an orange flame against an otherwise sea of green. "At least Chari's alright," he mumbled, before shouting again, "ASHACHU! GEYSER! AXEW!"

"Pika Pikachu. PIKA PIKA." Pikachu climbed on top of his head and stared calling out.

Ash whipped around. Dragonite was still doubled over on all fours and Cameron was tending to both Lucario and Koraidon who were laying on the walkway. Lucario was laying still, while Koraidon had pushed himself up, but not yet managed to climb back to his feet. He was staring up at Mewtwo, glaring at the floating Pokémon.

He heard Cameron shout to his Pokémon. "Hunter. Hirosaki. Goodra! Where are you guys."

"Well," said one the Rockets. A familiar, trill female voice. "Now that, that rude little interruption is out of the way we must do the introduction. Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double," continued an equally familiar male voice.

Ash ran to the other side of the walkway, and his heart sank as he recognised the five figures surrounding Mewtwo. Four humans and one ivory coloured cat like Pokémon, each wearing jet packs. Jessie, James and Meowth, along with Butch and Cassidy.

Before Jessie could launch into the rest of the motto, Cassidy flew in front of her, pushing her out the way, snapping angrily "You don't even know how to say the motto."

At the same time, Butch pointed at James and rumbled in his low, gravelly voice, "I'm the one who has the next line!"

"To protect the world from devastation," said Jessie through gritted teeth, as she shoved Cassidy back.

Cassidy quickly returned the favour, nudging Jessie in the ribs with her elbow, causing her to double over so as to momentarily steal back the spotlight for her. "To infect the world with devastation," she spat.

It was one of the strangest renditions of the Team Rocket motto Ash and Pikachu had ever been forced to witness, with each of the two Rocket teams, trying to outdo each other with they believed the correct lines to be. James and Butch turned to each other aggressively and started yelling their respective next lines.

"To unite the peoples of our nation."

"To blight the people in every nation."

Jessie and Cassidy practically had each other in a headlock over their next lines.

"To denounce the evils of truth and love."

"The goodness of truth and love."

Then James and Butch were nearly butting heads of theirs.

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

"Wrath to the stars above."

Ash might have found the situation amusing if it weren't for the direness of the situation. He just watched, opened mouthed as each pair called out their names and prattled off their various final lines of the motto.

"Jessie."

"Cassidy."

"James."

"Butch."

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."

"Team Rocket circling earth all day and night."

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight, fight, fight."

"Surrender to us now or will surely loose the fight."

By the time Butch delivered the last line, each of them was panting heavily. Meowth shrugged and mumbled, "Dat's right," while Mewtwo grumbled and buried his face in his palm.

"Would you lot mind just skipping the motto and enslaving us already," came a grumbling voice from behind. Charizard had managed to extract himself out of the trees and shrubs and pull himself back onto the walkway. "Listening to you is worse than the actual torture."

Cassidy's eyes narrowed and she glowered at the fire lizard. "Do it Mewtwo!"

Charizard suddenly found himself pulled into the air, blue aura once again shrouding his body, as he fell victim to another psychic attack from Mewtwo. It felt as though an invisible set of paws had wrapped around his throat. He couldn't breathe. "No," he wheezed. "This is much worse."

"STOP IT," shouted Ash. "Let him go!"

"Pika PIKACHU."

There was a general outcry from the other Pokémon and Cameron. Cassidy snapped her fingers. Although Mewtwo continued to hold him in the air, Charizard felt the pressure around his throat ease, and he was able to breathe again. He gasped, sucking in great lungful's of air.

Cassidy laughed. "Alright Mewtwo."

Mewtwo raised his paws again, and the remaining Pokémon were lifted psychically into the air. Including Pikachu, who was yanked off Ash's shoulder. Cries of distress and protest echoed through the conservation area.

"Hmmm and what do we have here," simpered Cassidy as she surveyed the captive Pokémon hanging in mid-air. She made a gesture to Mewtwo, who nodded.

A split second later, Charizard found himself being stretched out, his claws and foot paws pulled in opposite directions, and his tail laid flat in mid-air. He grunted and growled in protest, squirming as much as he could, but found he had little freedom of movement. "Rwagahhh. Let me go!"

And then, to his horror, he felt something moving inside of him... "Oh no! NO!" The egg, held inside his rear, slipped out, as though pulled out by an invisible set of paws. Which, in many ways, it sorts of way. Charizard roared and thrashed worse than ever as he felt it removed from him, and saw it float past his head towards Cassidy.

"Give it back. Don't you dare touch my Egg! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU ALL..." A shot of orange flames burst from his jaws but didn't hit anyone. The egg flew into Cassidy's open arms.

"Get off, that egg hasn't even hatched yet," shouted Ash, trying desperately to think of what to do.

"RAYQUAZA," bellowed a hanging Koraidon. "Are you going to do something or just float there."

Ash hadn't really noticed it until now, having been distracted by Dragonite and the battle going on around him. But Rayquaza was floating frozen in mid-air, not moving. Squinting, he noticed the Dragon's eyes had turned blood red. It made his stomach turn over – there was only one thing that could mean.

"Pokémon control device," said Butch in his gravelly voice, confirming Ash's worst fears. He held up his left hand, on which he was wearing grey metal gauntlet. "This gauntlet produced EM Waves."

"Not powerful enough for every Pokémon," added Cassidy. "But enough to take out the biggest threat in the room and leave Mewtwo to deal with the rest of your Pokémon...I'm afraid you'll all be taking a little ride with us now!"