Chapter 11: Just Like Old Times.
Ash coughed, his eyes watering as he shielded Latias with his body. Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity, ready to unleash a powerful Thunderbolt to clear the air. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice muffled by the dense smoke.
Above, a section of smoke parted dramatically, revealing Jessie, James, and Meowth descending from their balloon on a rope ladder. "Prepare for trouble," Jessie announced with a wicked grin, her voice echoing through the fog.
"And make it double," James added, his eyes gleaming with greed as he took in the sight of Latias.
Through the thick cloud of smoke that still surrounded him, Ash's battle instincts took over. "Pikachu, Latias," he shouted, his voice strained, "Get ready for battle!"
Latias's feathers ruffled as she took in the situation, her eyes sharp with determination. She knew that the smoke was a tactical move, meant to disorient and confuse them. Pikachu's cheeks pulsing with a bright electricity, he leaped from Ash's shoulder, his little paws finding purchase on the damp earth as he began to charge up his electric attack.
The smoke thinned more, the words of Team Rocket's motto hanging in the air like a malevolent fog. "To protect the world from devastation," Jessie's voice grew clearer, the sound of the rope ladder's rungs clanking against the side of the balloon as they descended.
"To unite all people within our nation," James continued, his voice strained with the effort of climbing down the rope.
Ash's eyes narrowed, his grip tightening around a nearby branch to steady himself as he glared at the descending figures. Team Rocket had always been a nuisance, but what did they want this time? "You guys are the last thing we need right now," he muttered, his voice tight with anger.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love," Jessie called out, her descent halting mid-air as she took in the sight of Ash's fiery gaze. The motto trailed off as she saw something in his eyes that she had never seen before—a love that burned brighter than any fire.
"To extend our reach to the stars above," James continued, his voice faltering slightly as the smoke cleared, revealing the unmistakable bond between Ash and Latias. For a brief moment, even the eternally greedy Team Rocket member felt a pang of something akin to jealousy.
But they were Team Rocket. They will take what they want, regardless of circumstances. The three villains reached the ground, and the smoke fully dissipated, revealing the clear determination in Ash's stance. Latias, in her Latias form, stood protectively in front of him, her psychic powers flaring slightly. Pikachu was poised at Ash's side, his tail electric with anticipation.
"Jessie!" declared Jessie dramatically as she stepped off the latter and into the ground.
"James!" said James in an equal tone as he stepped down next to her.
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!" Jessie declared dramatically, a smirk playing on her lips as she aimed a Poké Ball at the trio, James stepping forward, his gaze lingering on Latias with a gleam in his eyes.
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" James said, his voice cold and calculated, the motto taking on a new meaning as he stepped into battle stance.
Meowth leaped from the ladder, landing with a grace that belied his size. His eyes, sharp and gleaming with mischief, took in the scene before him. He knew that the odds were stacked against them, but the promise of victory and the thrill of the chase was too tantalizing to resist. "Meowth, that's right," he said, his voice a sinister purr that sent shivers down the spines of even the bravest of Pokémon.
As the trio of villains stood united, ready to strike, Wobbuffet emerged from his Poké Ball, his round body bobbing with excitement. "Wobbuffet!" he exclaimed, his usual cheerful tone seemingly incongruous with the tension in the air.
For a moment, all was still. The wind blowing awkwardly through the leaves was the only sound that pierced the silence, dissipating the remaining smoke. Team Rocket waited, expecting Ash to react to their challenge, but instead, they found him looking at them with a peculiar expression—his eyes squinted, his mouth slightly open, as if he were trying to solve a puzzle. His hands rested casually on his hips, and Latias and Pikachu mirrored his confusion.
"What's with the weird look?" Jessie finally demanded, breaking the silence. "You know the drill."
Ash blinked, shaking off his thoughts. "It's just been a while since I heard your original motto," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of nostalgia. "You guys have been improvising a lot lately."
Jessie's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. "Well, we like to keep things fresh," she huffed, trying to cover her embarrassment with a snarl. "But enough chit-chat. We're here for the Latias, and we're not leaving without it."
Ash's expression grew hostile as he took a protective step forward. "What did you just say?" he growled, his eyes narrowing.
Jessie's smirk faltered. "We said we're here for the Latias," she repeated, her voice a little less sure than before. "We know you've got something good there, twerp. Hand her over and we'll spare you the trouble."
Ash's hostility grew, his eyes blazing with a fury that Team Rocket hadn't seen from him before. "I thought you guys had retired," he spat out, his voice laced with disdain. "What's with the sudden comeback?"
Jessie's smug grin slipped for a fraction of a second, but she recovered quickly. "Retired?" she scoffed. "We're Team Rocket! We never retire—we just take a break to come up with better schemes!"
James nodded eagerly, his eyes still locked on Latias. "And with a Legendary Pokémon like this one involved," he said, his voice dripping with greed, "now is the perfect time to get back in the game!"
Meowth, growing impatient with the banter, took a menacing step forward. His claws grew longer, the sharp points glinting in the dappled sunlight that filtered through the trees. "Give us Latias and Pikachu now, or face the wrath of Team Rocket!" he snarled, his whiskers quivering with malice.
But Ash had never been more fearless. He had faced down countless adversaries in his quest to become a Pokémon Master, and even the thought of losing Latias filled him with a fiery resolve that surpassed any challenge he had encountered before. He stepped protectively in front of her, his grip tightening around her hand. "You won't lay a hand on either of them," he declared, his voice firm and unwavering.
Meowth's whiskers quivered with rage. The sight of Ash holding Latias's hand with such tenderness was more than he could bear. "This isn't right," he hissed, his fur bristling. "We can't let this...this...farce of a relationship continue."
"What did you say?" Ash's voice was low and dangerous, his eyes never leaving Meowth's diminutive form.
Meowth's feline eyes narrowed into slits. "You heard me," he spat. "This... this 'relationship' of yours is an abomination. It goes against everything Team Rocket stand for! Pokémon are supreme, with the capacity to rule the world, and should not lower themselves to human levels!"
Jessie and James exchanged a look, torn between their duty to Team Rocket and the undeniable bond they had witnessed. Yet, loyalty to their cause was deeply ingrained. With a nod from Jessie, Wobbuffet leaped forward, his plump blue body propelled by an unusual burst of speed.
Next, James released his Pokémon from the confines of its Poké Ball. "Yamask," he called out, and a ghostly figure materialized in a flash of white light.
Ash's fury grew with each passing moment. "You don't know anything about our relationship," he snarled, his voice filled with a passion that seemed to resonate through the very air. "You're just a bunch of thieves who've never felt anything real!"
Jessie and James shared a look, unsure how to respond to such raw emotion. They had faced Ash's wrath before, but never like this—this was personal. The bond between him and Latias was something they hadn't anticipated, something that didn't fit into their black-and-white view of the world.
Ash stepped forward, his hand still wrapped protectively around Latias's. "You don't get to decide what's right for us," he said, his voice shaking with anger. "We're in this together, and we're not going to let you or anyone else tear us apart."
Latias's eyes, which had been wide with shock and fear, now narrowed into slits of determination. Her psychic powers began to swirl around her, the air crackling with energy. The bond between them was unshakeable, and she would not let anyone threaten it—not even Team Rocket.
Ash looked to his shoulder at Pikachu, the trust in his gaze unwavering. He knew his little electric mouse would have his back no matter what. The two had been through countless battles and adventures together, and this was just one more challenge to face side by side. He turned back to Team Rocket, his eyes blazing with the fire of a thousand suns. "We're not backing down," he said, his voice steady and firm.
"Fine," Jessie sneered. "If you want to do this the hard way..." She reached for a Poké Ball at her belt and tossed it into the air. "Go, Seviper!" The serpentine Pokémon emerged, its fangs bared and tail crackling with venom.
Ash felt a pang of regret for not having his full team with him, but he had faith in Pikachu. "Don't worry," he murmured to Latias, his grip tightening around her hand. "We've got this."
He called out to Pikachu, "Thunderbolt!"
Pikachu, ever ready to defend his trainer, leaped into the air with a fierce cry. His red cheeks sparking brighter as the electricity within him grew to an intense crescendo. The air around him crackled with the promise of power, and for a moment, he was a living embodiment of the lightning he was about to unleash. The electricity coalesced into a thin, yellow arc that streaked towards Team Rocket with the speed of lightning.
Jessie watched the approaching Thunderbolt with a smug smile, knowing she had the upper hand. "Mirror Coat, Wobbuffet," she ordered, her voice ringing out with confidence. Wobbuffet stepped forward, his body suddenly enveloped in a breathtaking aurora borealis. The ethereal lights danced around him, casting an eerie glow over the battlefield.
The electricity from Pikachu's attack struck the shimmering barrier, and it ricocheted back, a spectacle of light and power. Pikachu's eyes went wide with shock as he realized his own attack was being redirected at him. The air crackled with energy as the bolts of electricity grew brighter, the colors of the aurora melding with the yellow lightning in a dazzling display.
"Dodge, Pikachu!" Ash yelled, his voice cutting through the tension. With lightning-quick reflexes, Pikachu twisted in mid-air, narrowly avoiding the mirrored attack. He landed on his feet, his body still sparking with energy.
Jessie's smile grew wider. "Not so fast," she purred. "Seviper, use Poison Tail!"
Seviper hissed, "Seviper!" its tail blade glowing a vibrant shade of purple as it swiped through the air towards Pikachu. The electric type's eyes widened, but before the venom could touch him, Ash bellowed, "Defend with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu's body pivoted, his own tail transforming, gleaming with a metallic aura. He swiped it upwards in a graceful arc, the iron clanging against Seviper's blade with a sound that echoed through the forest. The force of the impact sent Seviper reeling back, but it was only a temporary reprieve. The serpentine Pokémon, unfazed by the rebound, lunged again, his tail a whirlwind of deadly intent.
The battle was intense, the air thick with the smell of ozone and the cries of the two combatants. Ash and Latias watched, their hearts pounding in their chests, as Pikachu and Seviper danced a dance of steel and venom. Each time Seviper struck with his Poison Tail, Pikachu would counter with his Iron Tail, the clangs resonating like a metallic symphony of defense. The ground beneath them trembled with each collision, the earth itself seemingly drawn into the fray.
James, his eyes glinting with malicious intent, knew that this was his chance to strike at the heart of the bond between Ash and Latias. He called out to his Pokémon, his voice sharp and commanding. "Yamask, use Shadow Ball!"
The ghostly figure of Yamask raised its arms, a dark sphere forming in its hands. The ball grew larger and larger, casting a pall over the battlefield, the very air seeming to darken around it. Latias, caught off-guard by the sudden turn of events, could feel the malevolent energy building as the Shadow Ball grew in power.
In a heartbeat, Ash's instincts took over. He saw the attack aimed for Latias, and without a second thought, he threw himself in front of her, bracing for the impact. The Shadow Ball shot forward, the darkness swelling until it was all-consuming. The moment before it hit him, Ash's eyes found Latias's, filled with a fierce determination to protect her, no matter the cost.
The collision was explosive. The Shadow Ball's impact sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing, knocking leaves from the trees and sending a spray of dirt and debris into the air. Ash felt the searing pain as it struck his back, the force of the blow lifting him off his feet and slamming him into Latias. He felt the warmth of her body beneath his as they hit the ground, a cushion against the harshness of the forest floor.
Pikachu, locked in his battle with Seviper, watched in horror as the Shadow Ball struck Ash. His heart lurched in his chest, his mind screaming to break away and help his trainer. But his body was in the throes of battle, his instincts telling him that he couldn't leave his opponent unchecked. With a guttural cry, he swiped his Iron Tail at Seviper again, the clang of steel against scales ringing out.
Latias, on the other hand, was free to act on her fury. The sight of Ash lying on over her, wounded and struggling to breathe, filled her with a rage that was unlike anything she had ever felt. It was as if all the pain of her past—the loss of Latios, the fear of Alto Mare's destruction—coalesced into a single, burning emotion. Her eyes blazed with a fiery determination that could have melted the coldest heart.
Gently, she pushed Ash aside, his body heavy with exhaustion. He looked up at her, his eyes clouded with pain, but the concern in them was all for her. "Are you okay?" he managed to croak out, his voice a mere whisper of the shout it had been moments before.
The anger within Latias grew to a crescendo as she cradled Ash against the rough bark of a nearby tree. His eyes searched hers, filled with the kindness and warmth she had come to cherish. But she could see the pain, the agony of what he was enduring to protect her, and it fueled her rage. With a snarl that was more beast than beauty, she clenched her eyes shut, and the tears that fell were not of pain, but of anger and frustration.
As she levitated back into the air, she felt the power of the Eon Pokémon surging within her. The air grew thick with psychic energy, and the very fabric of the clearing seemed to quiver with anticipation. Team Rocket watched in awe as Latias's eyes grew brighter than the stars, a deep blue hue that seemed to pierce the very soul of any who dared to look into them. The rage that had built within her was palpable, and the leaves around her began to rustle as if caught in an invisible storm.
With a roar that seemed to shake the very earth, she unleashed her Psychic attack on Seviper. The snake-like Pokémon, caught off guard by the sudden shift in the battle, had no time to react. It was as if an invisible force had plucked him from the ground, and in the blink of an eye, he was hurtling towards Team Rocket's balloon. The impact was tremendous, the balloon's material giving way with a sickening rip as Seviper's fangs and tail blade pierced it. The once majestic airship began to deflate with a mournful whine, the gas escaping in a hiss that mirrored Jessie's own disbelief.
Team Rocket screamed as their balloon fell over them like a net, the fabric billowing down to entangle them in a tangled mess of wires and metal and fabric. The sudden weight of the deflating balloon sent the trio stumbling, their Pokémon crying out in alarm. The once proud symbol of their infamous team lay in ruins around them, a stark reminder of their failure to capture Latias.
Through the chaos, Latias's gaze fell upon the burner that once filled the balloon with hot air, a glint of malice in her eyes. The burner, a device of human ingenuity that had once propelled their vessel into the skies, now lay vulnerable and discarded amidst the wreckage. Her fury had not abated; if anything, it had only grown stronger. Her eyes narrowed, and she took a deep breath, her chest expanding with power.
With a roar that seemed to split the very air, she unleashed a beam of yellow energy, her Dragon Breath attack. The beam struck the burner with the precision of a sniper's bullet, igniting it in a fiery explosion. The heat washed over Team Rocket, the flames licking at their clothing and Pokémon, the force of the blast propelling them into the sky like rag dolls thrown by an angry child.
"TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" they shouted, their cries echoing through the forest as they soared into the cerulean expanse above.
Ash, though in pain, managed a grim smile as he watched his foes disappear into the distance with the twinkle of a star and a brief whimper from Wobbuffet. "Looks like they got what they deserved," he murmured to himself. Latias hovered over him, her eyes a mix of concern and anger. The battle had taken a toll on both of them.
Her chirp was faint, but the worry in it was unmistakable. It pierced through the silence of the now still forest like a crystal bell. Ash reached up to gently touch her face, the warmth of his skin soothing against hers. "I'm okay," he assured her, though his voice was strained.
With a grunt, he pushed himself up, his muscles protesting the effort. Pikachu jumped over to Ash, his eyes wide with concern, his little body vibrating with energy, ready to help. But it was Latias who stepped in, her hands sliding under Ash's arms. Her touch was surprisingly firm, and she helped him to his feet. As she did, she focused her psychic powers, a gentle pulse of light emanating from her palms.
Ash felt a warmth spread through him, the pain from the Shadow Ball's impact receding like a tide retreating from the shore. It was as if the very essence of her love was seeping into his wounds, mending the torn fabric of his being. He took a deep breath, feeling the strength return to his limbs as the bruises faded. Latias's eyes remained closed, her expression intense with concentration, her body trembling slightly with the effort of the Heal Pulse.
When she opened her eyes, the rage was gone, replaced with a gentle tenderness that took his breath away. He looked into the pools of her eyes and knew, without a doubt, that he had found something special. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Latias leaned in, her soft features a picture of concern and affection. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, she hovered there, her breath mingling with his, and then her lips met his in a kiss that was as gentle as the first light of dawn. It was a kiss filled with the promise of forever, a silent declaration of love and protection that transcended the boundaries of species.
Ash melted into the kiss, feeling the warmth of her love wash over him like a gentle summer rain. His mind swirled with emotions; as had become the norm, whenever he and Latias share a kiss, a heady mix of exhilaration and trepidation. Being in love was a strange and wondrous feeling, a rollercoaster of highs and lows that left him both breathless and grounded. He knew that every moment with Latias was a gift, a precious jewel to be cherished.
When they finally parted, Pikachu leaped back onto his shoulder, his cheeks a bit less electric than usual, the battle's toll showing on him as well. With a soft chirp, he nuzzled into Ash's neck, his tiny paws petting at Latias's hand as if to say, 'Thank you'.