Hello, again, mgunnels3 here. Welcome back to Ash's Unova Journey, My Version. And well, I only have a little to say at the end of this chapter, so let us start.
Chapter 30: Crisis at the Roggenrola Cave
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
In a cave somewhere:
"Humph, that was too easy to think that the leader of these rocks was beaten that easily," A colossal Pokemon with tusks that looked like axes said as he picked up a dark ball. A much smaller duck-like Pokemon was watching, monitoring, this said.
"Well, You had my help. If it weren't for me and my type advantage, you'd struggle even to catch that thing," The duck Pokemon said with a snicker as the big Pokemon looked at it.
"You just joined, and yet you're feeling right at home now that our masters have gotten into your old mind more," the larger Pokemon of the two said with a smirk.
"Joining you was the best thing to happen to me now to get back at the twerps, especially them taking my siblings, and I'll never forgive them for turning them against me," the smaller Pokemon clenching its wing. The giant Pokemon smirked.
"Well, let that anger out, kid; let it cloud your mind. Follow Team Rocket's every word and accept what they put into your mind. You'll be much stronger now to make our new Pokemon here cause havoc for his former friends," the taller Pokemon said as the two Pokemon laughed evilly. One of the Pokemon that was the youngest amongst the Pokemon in the cave ran out before they saw it.
We joined our heroes as they were having lunch just a few feet from the cave shown earlier.
Ash's Pokemon were either relaxing or waiting on lunch to be ready as Pikachu was trying to rekindle his relationship with Snivy to no avail.
"Come on, Snivy. You heard what Emolga said. What happened wasn't my fault. It was Team Rocket," Pikachu said, trying to plead his case, as Snivy crossed her arms.
"I believe that, Pikachu, but I'm not seeing your feelings for me. Not after the time she did that to you. I'm at peace with Emolga as she owes me for saving her in more ways than one, but our relationship is still rocky after that day," Snivy said, looking away as Pikachu's ears drooped as she walked off to cool off near a tree.
"Come on, Snivy, don't be so hard on him. He did try to fight it," Emolga said, sitting in the tree above her. "Give him another chance. He was only expressing his love cause of Attract, and as I said, he was fighting it. You saw me kissing him since he wouldn't fall for it quickly. You, of all mons, know that a Pokemon of the opposite gender will express their love regardless of who they are in love with, and I was following orders. I know that won't make you feel better, but I had to say that," Emolga said, trying to convince Snivy. Snivy sighed.
"I know you still owe me, Emolga. It's because of you. Our relationship is rocky," Snivy said as Emolga interrupted.
"I already agreed to help you all and point out any mon's that Team Rocket has. My days as a member was gone. You were there," Emolga said as she flew down to Snivy. "I am not that Emolga, not the one who tricks Pokemon anymore," Emolga said as Snivy nodded.
"That I agree with you, Emolga; just remember what you said there 'cause if you break my or Misty's trust, you will be released," Snivy warned Emolga, who held out her paws in understanding.
"Look, I would rather be on this team and group over Team Rocket besides..." Emolga said as Snivy was curious. "This group has piqued my interest in terms of battles. While spying on the battles, I had to admit it was what I wanted before joining Team Rocket. You've seen what my original trainer was like, but I still have memories that are wiped from all that brainwashing they did. I only remember my older sister and a few siblings," Emolga looked down as Snivy sighed and saw that she wouldn't be getting more out of Emolga.
"I won't press it. Emolga, you'll get them back if they haven't erased those memories for good," Snivy said to Emolga as Emolga looked at Snivy after what Snivy said.
"I'm not sure how much was taken from me, Snivy. I know my older sister is in the city with the gym we're going to, that's it, and a younger sister that lives nearby," Emolga explained to Snivy Snivy was curious but let it go as lunch was ready.
Ash noticed everyone was eating, but Pikachu was still heartbroken to eat. "Hey Pikachu, you okay? You look down," Ash asked. Pikachu looked at Ash and just smiled.
"Look, I'm fine. I rather not talk about it if you want more. Talk to Snivy or Emolga, but I rather not talk about my relationship issues, huh?" Pikachu noticed that something was heading their way fast. Whatever, it is crashed into Pignite, sending him back along with his poke-food flying.
"HEY! Watch where you're running," Pignite said, unhappy that his meal was interrupted.
"S...Sorry, but I need help, and I see your group is looking strong enough," The rock Pokemon said. They could tell that it was a rock type cause of its looks. Ash looked it up. It was a Roggenrola, one of the region's rock types.
"Sure, but what's going on? I can understand you before you ask, and we can get whatever is happening to you," Ash said to the Roggenrola the Roggenrola was surprised by this but nodded.
"Thank you recently. A pair of Pokemon was visiting the cave I live in with my dad and brother, but suddenly he lost to these two Pokemon, and now they're going to cause some problems in the cave we live in," Roggenorla said. Its voice sounded like a female one. Hence, it makes sense she would be very stressed out as Emolga overheard this.
"A pair of Pokemon. What did they look like?" Emolga asked. This also caught the other Pokemon's attention as Emolga had her paws crossed.
"Well, one looked like a big dragon with a double ax on its tusk, and the other looked like the bird over there," She pointed at Misty's Ducklett, catching him and Ducky the Swanna off guard as Emolga sighed.
"So Buizel has stepped down for now, and Haxorous is next. He's just as dangerous as Buizel. He joined the team shortly before I did, and Team Rocket sent the Ducklett brother on a mission with him," Emolga said as Ash looked up Haxorous and found out it was the evolution of Axew.
"Hmmm, I wonder if he might be related to little Axew and Scraggy?" Ash said as Emolga noticed.
"Maybe he did have a mate that is a Scrafty? If so, it might be him, as we have both, but he was probably caught at least four months ago," Emolga said as Misty interrupted.
"Um, Ash, we can worry. Let's do that later. Let's help it out," Misty said as Brock nodded.
"Yeah, we can't just sit here wondering things that may or may not be true," Brock said. The group nodded as they followed the Roggenrola to the cave. The group noticed that the two Pokemon Boldore guarded the cave as Ash scanned them, seeing they were part of the Roggenrola line.
"Friends of yours?" Ash asked as she nodded.
"They're usually only guarding the cave if needed. It's mostly to warn poachers or trainers. They're usually not bad, but something is off with them," Roggenrola noticed they were in the way of a defensive state, even reflecting on the cave's entrance.
"Is there another way around if we head straight forward and try to break it, it will alert them inside?"Brock asked as Roggenrola nodded.
"Yes, a secret entrance on the other side of the mountain that only my brother and I knew about was what I used to get out of there," Roggenrola said as Ash translated for her as she showed them a way around the cave, it was a big enough cave they noticed as one of the two guards went to report to their leader.
Ducklett and Haxorous were glad to see most of the Pokemon of the cave either submit to them or forced to, thanks to their new friend Gigalith, the group leader. Who is helping the group with resources in the cave as Ducklett relaxes on a nearby rock?
"Too easy aside from two Roggenrolas, one of which has left. This mission was easy pickings," Ducklett said with a yawn while holding his wing to his beak.
"That one that left isn't worth the hassle of joining us anyway. As for the other one, he's held captive by the Boldores. So he won't get through until everyone is ours," Gigalith said, not even caring that it was his son, as that made Haxorous smirk.
"Good, you're taking on your new role as Team Rocket's newest Pokemon. Well, Gigalith, good, you will lead the rest of them when their work is done to be captured by us and join our cause," Haxorus said as he was interrupted.
"Sir, we got trouble," one of the Boldore ran to them, catching their attention.
"Report guard," Gigilith said.
"Your daughter was seen, and she has three humans with them," the Boldore said.
"Oh great, she must've brought the twerps and Emolga to us," Ducklett said as he sighed. "Well, this makes our day better, and to think that this day would get even more boring," Ducklett said with a smirk as Haxorous held his claw out.
"No, Ducklett, our orders ensure we get enough of this not to battle. We can leave that to the Roggenrola and the Boldore, not us," Haxorous said as Ducklett pouted.
"Awe! You're no fun besides. I wanted to see what's all the hubbub about them. And why my so-called siblings joined them," Ducklett pouted as he joined team rocket cause he would do what he wanted in return for following their orders.
"I'll send my fellow rock types after them. The rest will help with the mission at hand," Gigalith said as the gem on his head glowed, giving orders to many Boldores in that direction.
"Good, you'll be rewarded more when our owners take you in being captured in the first step," Haxorous said with a grin as Gigilith nodded in agreement.
"Good, this old life of mine was boring anyway. I can see why the kid here wants to be a part of it," Gigalith said as Ducklett humphed as he wanted to do this himself. The group arrived at the second entrance.
"Here it is hoped they haven't spotted us," Roggenrola said as Ash nodded.
"Hopefully, we don't have to use our team if we have to. I'm sorry if we do," Ash apologized as Roggenrola shook her head.
"No, I understand right now. Everyone is probably under my father's orders," Roggenrola said as Emolga interrupted.
"If they're under his orders, they are too far gone. Once the leader is under Team Rocket's control, they'll find some way to convince the others to join or attack whenever possible, so we'll need everyone on the team to fight. I hate to say that 3 of them are still young," Emolga rambled on.
"I understand that Axew and Scraggy are young, but it might be the only chance we have if need be," Ash said. They entered the new entrance of the cave. The moment they set foot, the group noticed some Roggenrola and Boldore coming their way as Brock stepped in.
"Move; I'll handle them" The group nodded as they started to move. Brock sent out Steelix to prevent the Pokemon from going after them. "You will have to deal with me, not them," Brock said as the group tried to use Bulldoze's "Iron Tail and Iron Head," he managed to land some damage on the Roggenrola. As the Boldores stepped in sturdier than the "Bring it," Brock was ready for more coming up from their knocked-out state.
Meanwhile, Ash and Misty. Misty was concerned for Brock back there, handling them on his own. "I hope Brock will be okay. We don't know how many will be sent in that direction," Misty said, worried about what will happen.
"I agree. I don't know what Pokemon he has, and given how they're acting, they'll fight until they either were damaged or worse," Emolga said.
"Brock is a rock-type gym leader who knows how to handle himself. He has a Steelix handling them," Ash said, helping their worries go away as another group of Boldores came their way.
"Uh-oh, these are the tougher ones," Roggenrolla said as Misty stopped before them.
"I'll handle them. You guys go on ahead, Emolga. You can stay or go. It's up to you," Misty said as she pulled out two pokeballs.
"I'll stay just in case. I owe you that much," Emolga said as Ash translated. Misty nodded. She sent Gyrados and Frillish out of their balls. Emolga was beside Misty.
"You got this, Misty. We'll catch up once you deal with them," Ash said. Misty nodded as he ran off deeper into the cave. "Alright, time to show you why I'm a water type specialist. Hydro pump and Water Pulse, you two" Gyrados used a Hydro pump, and Frillish used Water pulse as the Boldores took damage. Still, they had weak armor and sturdy ability meaning it'll take more than that to take them down. "Oh, I see, relying on your abilities, huh, I see why you're the tougher ones, but you're not going to beat me." The Boldores used Rock Blasts and stone edge as the Misty fought back as the battle continued.
Ash and Roggenrola were near, Gigalith and the Rocket Pokemon duo when Roggenrola noticed her brother was severely injured by himself as she ran to him. "Careful, it might be a" Ash interrupted.
"Trap," As Haxorous launched a Dragon Pulse at the group, the Roggenrola got out of the way.
"Haxorous, I knew we'd meet at some point," Ash said as Gigilith laughed and walked over.
"Your friends are beating the weak ones. The best ones are with Team Rocket," Ash noticed that a massive rock was coming their way, much more menacing than its evolutionary line.
"D-Daddy, why?" Roggenrola questioned, almost hurt from letting them attack her.
"You're not worth being called my daughter. Our plans are almost done here. These two beatings showed me that I was a fool to be so soft. I gave them access to the cave. You broke the rules not to let humans in now. You're not considered my daughter," Gigilith said to his daughter. Even though it is hard for her to cry, you can tell she would if she could.
"That's enough. You're brainwashed to say that," Ash said as he heard a chuckle as a Water Pulse was blasted near Ash. It was nearly hit Roggenrola if Ash hadn't taken it.
"So it is true this human can understand us. I'd think that Buizel was exaggerating about that, and you took it as a chump," Ducklett said as he flew over, as the Water Pulse left a mark on Ash's back. Still, he wasn't going to let them see it.
"Ducklett, why'd you betray your brother and sister like that?" Ash was interrupted by Ducklett.
"Don't waste your breath with me, twerp. Any reasoning with me or getting to the old me will not work. Unlike that weakling Emolga, I've let my mind be taken under their command," Ducklett said to Ash, who was taken aback by what he had just said.
"That's enough, Ducklett. We don't need to bother this twerp soon. Our mission here is almost done," Haxorous said as Ducklett growled at him.
"Shut it and let me have my fun, Haxorous. This wasn't part of the plan, Haxorous," Ducklett said, angered.
"What plan?" Ash asked.
"Not that you will know. We won't tell you. Gigalith gets your pawns and has them attack the twerp so we can leave," Haxorous commanded as he nodded and sent more Boldores and Roggenrola to the group, as Ducklett wanted to join in.
"We have our orders, Ducklett. Our mission is complete. We will be taking our leave," Haxorous said as the group of new Pokemon who were part of the operations came.
"Ugh, fine, you deal with them, but I'll be back to deal with you one day, Ash. You and Misty will pay for turning my siblings against me," Ducklett snarled. Ash was going to stop him, but the Boldore and Roggenrola stepped before him.
"Let's move Gigalith to your new home and new family," Haxorous said. 'And I will be letting our bosses know what you were planning on doing, Ducklett," Haxorous said to Ducklett, who sighed and nodded as the group left to an underground tunnel beneath them.
"HEY! GET BACK HERE," Ash screamed, but it was too late. The group of rock types had their orders. "No choice, alright, Dewott, Swanna Pignite, Axew, Scraggy, come on out," Ash sent them out as Snivy joined beside them, as Pikachu did. "Now the battle is on even ground," Ash said as the Rock types attacked Ash's Pokemon. "Dewott water pulse on the Boldore, Snivy leaf blade on another one, Pignite Brick break on the Roggenrola, Swanna Ice beam on them too, Scraggy low kick on the Roggenrola, Axew dragon Claw help your brother out, and Pikachu thunderbolt and Iron tail on the last Boldore!" Ash commanded, hoping this would work. The Pokemon nodded as they were fighting as moves clashed.
Even under Ash's command, these Pokemon were tough. Scraggy and Axew barely managed to beat the Roggenrola they were facing even with a bit of battle experience though Axew was getting some knowledge from this same with Scraggy. Everyone held on as Pikachu and Snivy beat their respected Pokemon Pikachu and noticed a massive Rock blast heading toward Snivy. It was so fast that Pikachu used Iron Tail to destroy it before it reached her.
"T-Thank's Pikachu, I owe you," Snivy said as she was surprised by this.
"Consider it my way of showing you that I still love you, Snivy, and as a fellow Pokemon," Pikachu said as Snivy admitted that this was a part of him, showing that he still cared about her. As she nodded as the group of Boldore and Roggenrola were knocked out. The rock types dispense off, and Misty and Brock made it just as Ash fell on his knee.
"Ugh, man, that hurt," Ash said as Misty and Brock ran over to him.
"Ash, are you okay?" Misty asked with a worried look on her face as Ash nodded.
"Yeah, that Water pulse from Ducklett packed a punch, but I should be fine," Ash said as he noticed that Roggenrola was running to her brother, who was a Boldore Brock went over to heal and help him out.
"There, you should be okay now," Brock said as the Boldore brother nodded 'Thanks' He mustered as his sister was happy that his only family now was fine. Ash returned the rest of the Pokemon aside from Pikachu and Snivy. The group, including the two rock-type siblings for some reason as both of them, asked Ash and Brock a question that none expected.
"Wait, you want to come to join us, both of you?" Ash asked. As Roggenrola nodded, as did her brother, as Roggenrola said.
"Ash, is it yes I," Roggenrola said as her brother chimed in.
"Same goes for me but for the guy who healed me," Boldore said to Ash, who translated to Brock.
"I understand why you would like it to cause of what happened there, isn't it," Ash said as the two siblings nodded.
"We technically have no place to go now, especially with the rest of our group being brainwashed," the Boldore said as he was the brave one for his sister. Brock and Ash nodded and took out a regular Pokeball for Ash and a heavy ball for Brock, as Ash noticed.
"Hey, I haven't seen that ball in years. Brock thought you'd used it by now?"Ash said to Brock, who shook his head.
"No, I wanted to use it on a Pokemon that I felt could use it, and it'll work," Brock said as the group two there their respective poke balls at the two rock types as they were captured without issue. As Roggerola was sent to the lab as Brock let his newly caught Boldore out, Ash had questions and was the only one who had answers.
"Alright, tell me what those two were after in the first place. they couldn't have gone through all that trouble just for your father and the rest of the group?" Ash questioned him as he looked up at Ash and said.
"Well, our cave is protected for a reason. It has a massive amount of Ore that can be used to power my evolutionary line-up. But also power up many machines and cities as you humans would call it," Boldore said as the group was surprised.
"Okay, that's scary. Still, I wonder how much they took. Must be a lot," Misty said as Boldore nodded.
"From what I know, half the mine was gone by the time I was attacked, probably all of them. Luckily, my sister and I have enough in us to function without problems," Boldore said as Ash sighed with relief.
Just as Ash was about to say something, the Larvesta egg that Ash got started to glow. The group noticed and ran to it; it was about to hatch.
Back at the Team Rocket base.
"You idiot duck, you almost blew our mission," Jessie scolded Ducklett, who was ready to blast her with a Water Pulse.
"Hey, how'd I know that the twerps were nearby? Besides, I'd join to get back at them, not just follow your orders," Ducklett retorted.
'You'll get that chance when our Zoroark is finally under our control Ducklett, and besides, you did your mission. Now with this Ore, we can control more Pokemon and strengthen our grip on her for good, and soon will be a massive attack on all Pokemon, not just wild ones," Meowth said as the Ducklett said.
"If it means to get back at my siblings, I don't care what you do to me. I'm just a laid-back duck when it comes to boring stuff that isn't fun to me," Ducklett said.
"Seem's like you need another boast to your dark ball Ducklett," Giovanni said on the screen as the group bowed to him. "I've gotten the report, and you nearly revealed everything to the time for you to go back in your tank for a few month operations is now on hold as the tournament is approaching. That's an order, and you three ensure Ducklett's attitude is handled. We don't want another Emolga screw-up, do we?" Giovanni said more like ordered.
"Come on, boss sir, I can handle it. Stop giving me boring UGH!" As Ducklett held his wing on his head.
"You're lucky I'm giving you a small jolt to your ball, Ducklett. I have control of all your Pokeballs in the facility one more outburst like that, and I'll crank it up further now. Time for a personality change to ensure that you won't act like this again," Giovanni said as Ducklett's wings fell to his side, eyes glazed out.
"Yes... boss," as Ducklett went to his tube where his dark ball sits to be brainwashed further.
Stay tuned.
And done this chapter was a bit longer than I'd planned, but yeah, it's done, and now we can start the next chapter of Act 2 from this chapter onwards. Please continue to read and review this story as I write this not only for you readers but also for myself to enjoy writing. Don't hesitate to ask for a request again on this story, guys. The next chapter is the Archen episode. See you guys next time.