Greetings, Mgunnels3 here, and welcome back to Ash's Unova Journey My Version. We are officially in the third act of the story now, ladies and gentlemen. I have a lot of things planned for this third act in the story and a long story arc. With that said? Let's begin this chapter, shall we?
Chapter 50: Reunion in Losthorn Forest
"Human Speech"
"Pokemon Speech"
'Telepathy'
We joined our heroes as they headed out of town to a well-protected forest with Virgil.
"So, will you tell us what is going on, Virgil? It sounded like it was an emergency?" Ash asked Virgil, who sighed at this and nodded at this.
"It might be if our sources told us," Virgil told Ash. "We are heading to Losthorn Forest, a place here in Unova that the league recently protected after an attack on it four months ago," Virgil said to Ash. Ash and the others were curious. "I only know is that one of the Pokemon was attacked there, and many Pokemon had trouble trusting humans cause it," Virgil said. Ash's Servine was listening to this and was curious about this.
"So, who was taken at the forest?" Servine said to Virgil as Ash translated this to Virgil.
"All I know is that one of the parents of the Pokemon was taken by an organization," Virgil said, which made Ash worried about this now but not as worried as Servine, which Ash noticed. The group arrived at the forest as league members were protecting it. Ash and Virgil told them who they were and their connections to the league.
"You are allowed to check on the Pokemon, and you can interact with them, Mr. Ketchem, but captures aren't allowed unless they want to be caught," One of the league officials said to Ash and the others, who nodded as they were let in. Ash and the gang noticed that the forest was still recovering from four months ago's attack.
"Man, this place is a mess," Misty said to Ash and Virgil as Servine looked around, more worried.
"What's wrong, Servine? You've been worried about something ever since Virgil mentioned someone being taken," Ash said to Servine. She looked down. She was about to say something when the group heard a voice call out.
'Ash, is that you?' a young female voice called out to Ash and the others. Ash, Pikachu, and Brock recognized that voice as a young black fox with red on her head and tail ran over to the group.
"Zorua," Ash, Brock, Pikachu, and Servine said his name. Zorua wagged his tail upon seeing them.
"It's good to see you again, both you and Brock, Ash? But who is this other human? She doesn't look like Dawn?" Zorua said, who led the group through the forest.
"This is Misty. She's one of my traveling companions from Kanto and, like Brock, is a gym leader, which is," Ash was interrupted by Zorua.
'I know who Virgil is, Ash. He's been checking the forest since Momma was taken,' Zorua said to Ash as this took aback Servine.
"Wait, the Zoroark we know that Team Rocket has is your mother, Zorua?" Servine said to Zorua, who instantly recognized who she was and nodded sadly at this.
"Snivy, it's been a long time, and yeah, my mom was taken protecting me from the same fate as her," Zorua said in Pokespeak, which, little to Zorua's knowledge Ash understood them. Servine was about to ask about something, but she heard a voice call her name.
"Snivy, is that you?" A young female voice called out to her and walked over to Servine. It was a young spring deerling fawn. Servine smiled at this.
"It's been a while. Deerling is my mom nearby; I was about to ask if she's around?" Servine asked Deerling, who sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, she's still lived here, even after you evolved, cousin; you still are exactly like the way you were before you left, stating the obvious and all," Deerling said to Servine.
"Wait, Servine cousin?" Ash said as Deerling and Zorua were surprised to hear Ash say that as if he could understand them.
"Yeah, Deerling here isn't technically related to me. Her father and my mother used to belong to the same trainer who was a gym leader before retiring," Servine explained to Ash and the others and then turned to Deerling and Zorua, who was still shocked. "He has a translator so that he can understand us, but the others don't have one, so you might want to use your telepathy to speak to them, Zorua," Servine said to them.
The group was talking, unaware that someone was watching them from afar. It was Buizel and Zoroark who were planning what to do next.
"So, the twerps are here? They didn't expect us to be here because this place is sacred to Pokemon and known to humans. What do you say, Zoroark, you recognize that human?" Buizel said to Zoroark, who growled at this and shook her head. "Look, I know that this is your first mission, and Team Rocket made you the third in command but remembered that I'm in charge," Buizel said as Zoroark sighed and nodded.
"Sorry, sir," she said to Buizel, who nodded.
"Remember, we are here not only to take the forest for our masters but capture Serperior for our goal," Buizel said, reiterating the mission, which Zoroark nodded at this. The two of them went to where the group was heading.
Meanwhile, Deerling was taking the group to where Servine's mother was. All the while, many of the Pokemon of the forest were watching the group. Given what happened before they came to the forest, Ash and the others were trying not to show that they would cause trouble for them. Ash noticed a big shiny Serperior was in the middle of the forest, tending to a bunch of Pokemon.
"Mom," Servine said, running to the Serperior, who turned around and smiled upon seeing her daughter and hugged her, which Servine hugged back.
"It's good to see you, my little snake, and you have a trainer as well?" Serperior said to her daughter, who nodded at this.
"Long story, but yes, Ash, here is my trainer. He's also an acquaintance of Zorua's," Servine said to her mother. Serperior nodded at this.
"Pleasure to meet you. Zorua and her mother told me what you've done for them, and you've earned my trust from this, and thank you for taking care of my daughter," Serperior said to Ash and the others. Knowing that Zorua would translate as Servine whispers, Ash can understand her via a translator.
"It's okay, Servine. I can still translate that for the rest of the group," Zorua said to Servine and Serperior, who nodded. 'Let's leave them be for a bit to catch up. I'll show you all around. Just be mindful that most don't trust humans because of what happened,' Zorua said as the group nodded. Servine and her mother nodded at this and caught up for a bit.
The group looked around for a bit and noticed that a Cottenee was flirting with many grass-type females, who made Deerling grunt in annoyance.
"That's Cottenee, he's more of a flirt, and it's getting on many of my friend's nerves," Deerling said as she sounded like Servine back when she was a Snivy.
'He's also a childhood friend of mine. His father belongs to a gym leader as well. Outside of his flirting personality, he's not bright regarding battles,' Zorua said while interrupted by Deerling.
"More like he's using grass-type moves on me during them, forgetting that I have Sap Sipper as my ability," Deerling sighed as Cottenee noticed the group and floated over to the group.
"Zorua, I have taken these humans you told Deerling and me about?" Cottenee said as Zorua nodded at this.
"Yeah, the boy with the hat, Ash, he's the one who saved momma and me and is also Snivy's trainer, or should I say Servine," Zorua said to Cottenee, who was blushing upon hearing his friend evolved. Only to see Pikachu was not happy seeing him falling for his girl.
"Now, now Pikachu, we are not going to cause trouble; that and you two are having a relationship," Ash was interrupted by Pikachu.
"Don't mention that Ash and I will behave but treat her as a friend, please," Pikachu calmly told Cottenee while yelling at Ash.
"Noted," Ash and Cottenee said to Pikachu right on cue. They see Servine running over to the group, upset. "Servine, what's wrong?" Ash asked Servine, who was out of breath.
"B-Buizel is here," Servine said to Ash. Ash and Zorua were surprised by hearing this and ran off to where her mother was, only to see Serperior quickly taken down and captured in a dark ball. Standing next to Buizel was Zorua's worst nightmare, her mother.
"Too late little Servine. She's ours now, and soon the forest will be as well," Buizel said to Servine and the group as Zorua growled at Buizel. "Don't bother, young pup. We have no interest in you anymore. Your mother is our's now and has no recollection of you," Buizel said to Zorua, to which Zoroark nodded, snickering.
"This is bad. Is Zoroark now fully under Team Rocket's control? And I've seen how strong her powers can be. We need to move now. This is a no-win situation," Ash said to the group. They wanted to protest, but Ash was right. Even Zorua, Cottennee, and Deerling agreed.
"You have less than an hour twerps that much I can give you unless you want your Pokemon under our control. You've learned from our last battle, but none of us will be holding back this time," Buizel said to Ash and the group as they ran off. Zoroark wanted to cause harm to them, but Buizel stopped her.
"Leave them. This is our first big mission next time. We'll let them think they win, as we can use that to our advantage," Buizel said to her, who smirked at him Buizel shared the same smirk as they started to unleash their manipulation's powers throughout the forest just as Ash and the group got out. The entire forest was under Team Rocket's control now as the two of them left something metal-like in the middle of the woods.
"So much for a friendly reunion amongst friends and family," Servine said aloud.
"Ash, you better tell me what in the name of Arceus is going on. When we talked about Pokemon going missing, you never mentioned anything about this," Virgil said to Ash, who sighed as he saw Deerling and Cottenee looking down and a bit hurt.
"I'll tell you everything that I know, but you won't like what you are about to hear," Ash said to Virgil, who nodded. Ash explained all that he knew from what Emolga told him. The only problem was that she needed to tell Ash what Team Rocket planned to do with said Pokemon and the locations.
"I see, from the sound of things, that Team Rocket is after something or someone, and it's not Zorua from its sound?" Virgil said to the group, and Ash nodded at this.
"Meloetta?" Zorua said, which caught everyone's attention.
"Huh? Meloetta?" Both Ash and Virgil said.
'Buizel mentioned the last time I saw him was when he took my Momma from me. But I never understood why they needed to find a Mythical Pokemon not native to this area?' Zorua said to the group, which made Ash and the others curious.
"I can ask Emolga later, given that she sadly will be returning to their control, might as well get as much info before she becomes Team Rocket's pawn again," Ash said.
"Is that wise to keep her on the team? Emogla is still under their control even after leaving. Think about it, Ash?" Misty said to Ash, who shook his head.
"It's our only chance, and she still needs to be turned. The most we can learn about it, the better," Ash said to Misty.
"I'll leave that to you guys. I have to report this to the league. Sadly any issue like this happens. Help as much as you can. Losing Losthorn Forest is big, given that it's as big as Pinnwheel Forest in both Pokemon and resources," Virgil said to the group.
"Okay, Virgil, I'll do my best at that, but if you need help, let us know as well," Ash was interrupted by Virgil. "Right now, I'm more concerned about Zorua, and even though Buizel said that she's not the primary target, she might still be in danger."
Virgil got into his plane and headed off as Ash and the others returned to Nimbasa City to heal Zorua and her friends from what happened. While the three were recovering, Ash called Professor Oak and explained the situation and Zorua's situation.
"I see. This is a terrible situation, Ash, more than we've bargained for," Professor Oak said to Ash as Zorua walked over to where Ash was hearing this. "Sadly, there's nothing I can do about the attack on the forest," Oak said as Ash looked down, as did Zorua. "However, for Zorua, I can think of a way to help her."
'Whatever it is, I'll take as much help as possible,' Zorua said as Ash picked her up so Oak could see Zorua, which she didn't mind as she trusted Ash.
"There is a small residence in Pallet Town that can be your home, but only when your mother is free from Team Rocket's control, given that once things return to normal. I feel that many Pokemon won't be as forgiving towards you and your mother, given that she was also the cause of all this. No offense," Oak said to Zorua, who looked down. She knew that might be the case.
'And the other reason I have taken there is more?' Zorua asked Oak.
"You might have to travel in your Illusion as a human unless you want Ash to catch you," Oak said to Zorua, whose eyes widened upon hearing this, and shook her head.
'What do I need to do? My Illusions of being human haven't been used since I met Ash,' Zorua said, not wanting to be captured.
"I'll take the necessary steps to make you a temporary trainer and contact the league over there. As for anyone who will see through you or use a Pokedex on you by accident? There is a device that I can send off to you to stop that, but it will come at the cost of your human Illusion being only temporary for certain days," Oak said to Zorua, who was thinking about this but nodded at this.
"It will take a couple of days to get it. Once I do, I'll send it via phone. Until then, I suggest that you stick with Ash and the others. Ash is a good human and knows what is right. Take care, you two, and best of luck on your Journey. As for Meloetta, I'll look into more about her and why she is needed," Oak said as the call ended.
"You okay?" Ash asked Zorua, who looked at this with a tear.
"I was hoping that this reunion wouldn't end like this. Now my home is gone, and now I have to be around humans other than you and your friends," Zorua said as Ash patted her back. Normally, Zorua would've growled at this, but she let it go now, even giving a slight purr.
"Is your Illusion going to be enough to talk and not use Telepathy?" Ash asked Zorua, who nodded at this.
"Since we parted, I had a feeling that something like this would happen, so I try to speak human but only in my Illusions," Zorua was interrupted by Nurse Joy, who brought Deerling and Cottenee to where Ash and Zorua were.
"These two are now healed, sadly. They have no place to go. Your friends filled me in on what is going on," Joy said to Ash and Zorua, who nodded as Joy took her leave to tend to the other Pokemon.
"So, you're joining Ash on his Journey. It seems Zorua?" Deerling said to Zorua, who nodded. "Can we come with or join your team?" Deerling asked Ash, who was shocked by this, as did Zorua.
"I understand why, but I still have to ask anyway," Ash asked Deerling and Cottenee.
"To get stronger and get back at what they took from us," Cottenee said, only to be whacked by Deerling's hoof.
"Stronger like our parents remember Cottenee, not because they took the girls you like," Deerling said to Cottenee, who apologized.
"I understand, but currently, my team is maxed out, so you two will be sent to Oak's lab, but not doing anything while away but trained by my Pokemon," Ash said as the two were curious about this. "I have some grass types I've captured over the years of my Journey as a trainer will be happy to help get you two to say their level of battle," Ash said while turning to Zorua, who smiled at this.
"I have no issue with this, and if it means that I'll see you two again at some point, why not," Zorua told Ash.
"Neither do I," Both Deerling and Cottenee said as Ash pulled out two Pokeballs and tapped them, catching them without hassle before being sent to Oak's lab.
"Now, Zorua, what should we do about your human Illusion form?" Ash asked Zorua, who was thinking about this.
"I was thinking something close to a mixture of Misty and Dawn, given that I'm a girl," Zorua said.
"I think that's a good idea, but right now, I'm sure you are tired from all of this, and we can handle this tomorrow," Ash said to Zorua, who yawned and nodded.
"Yeah, Pokemon ones I can handle easily. But human Illusions can take it from a young pup like myself," Zorua said as Zorua walked off with Ash to the room where Misty and Brock were. Ash explained the situation of Zorua to them as Zorua was curled up in a ball on one of the beds.
"That's the situation we are in? Zorua will be traveling with us for the foreseen future," Ash told Misty and Brock.
"This could benefit Misty and me as you don't have to translate, Ash. But I admit having her with us outside of that is good for her safety," Brock said to Ash.
"I've also added Cottenee and Deerling to the team as they wanted to join anyway, which I happily obliged. But right now, we need to talk to a certain Electric-type about what she knows about all this," Ash said as Misty let out Emolga, only to be stared down as if she did something wrong.
"I didn't do anything wrong. I swear," Emolga said as Misty let loose on Emolga upon hearing this.
"We just encountered Buizel and Zoroark in Losthorn Forest, and now the entire forest is under their control. Explain what you do know because it seems like you aren't telling us everything," Misty yelled at Emolga, who covered her ears from the yelling.
"Misty, we aren't getting anywhere with this by yelling, Emolga. It's important given that once you are Team Rockets again, we won't have this chance to know what they are doing?" Ash said to Misty and Emolga as Misty calmed down. Emolga sighed at this.
"I'll tell you what I do know," Emolga said as Ash was ready to translate all this Emolga took a deep breath and sighed as Servine watched with her arms crossed and Zorua watched. "If you want Zoroark and the others, including myself, freed, you must break the source. Zoroark's dark ball," Emolga said.
"Wait, I thought Buizel broke you free by shattering yours," Ash asked Emolga, who shook her head as the others were curious.
"It only temporarily freed me. Yes, we have our dark balls, but to ensure our loyalty to Team Rocket, we linked them all to her Pokeball, that power you've seen Buizel and many others use that comes from Zoroark's power," Emolga explained to the group. Ash translated to Misty and Brock.
"So, if we break Zoroark free, we can free them all. Sounds simple enough at first," Misty said as Emolga shook her head.
"Did you ever wonder why Team Rocket has been brainwashing her?" Emolga said as it dawned on the group.
"To ensure that she couldn't be broken free easily," they said in unison as Emolga nodded.
"Exactly, they went to great lengths to ensure she would remain theirs. Sadly Buizel is the only exception. His dark ball is being held by his master Giovanni who calls the shots and does not question his orders. Buizel has family here in Unova outside his mate, who is under Team Rocket's control, a son from what I've heard but not seen," Emolga explained to the group.
"Wait a minute, why explain this now? We are off-topic, Emolga?" Ash said to Emolga.
"Cause that is the next place they will hit, but I feel that they will wait until after I've been converted back to Team Rocket to strike," Emolga said. Ash and the others were now worried about this another Buizel out there. And what if he was already under their control? But Ash knew that right now, the attack on the forest was all they knew about beforehand, so it didn't happen.
'What about Melotta?' Zorua asked, now tired of this going nowhere. 'What does she have to do with this?'
"That's a name I wasn't aware of. Sorry to say, Zorua, all I knew was to attack specific areas of Unova. That is what we were all ordered to do? Now that you mention it, I think it was to draw her out, but as to why I have no idea?" Emolga said as Zorua growled at her. "It's the truth; I swear I may have been Buizel's third in command at the time only to his mate being second in command, but he never told me what this was about, I swear," Emolga said truthfully, which Zorua calmed down seeing that Emolga was telling the truth.
"We can't let them take over more areas of Unova, but we can't be at each other's throats either," Ash said to Zorua and Emolga, calming Zorua down, and nodded. "Good. Until then, we should be going on our normal Journey and trying to stop this as much as possible," Ash said as everyone in the room nodded.
Emolga sighed at this and then noticed that Buizel was watching this and gestured to come out, which she left.
Things have gotten dicey for our heroes, with a new friend traveling with Ash and the others. What else does Team Rocket store for them and Unova as the Journey continues?
Meanwhile, Emolga as she met where Buizel asked her to be.
"Ugh, why does he have to come at this situation," Emolga told herself. "Come on out, Buizel. I know you wanted to talk to me. Now show yourself," Emolga said.
"Giving away our plans to the twerps, are we now? Your lucky that I'm not making you Team Rocket's now for that, Emolga," Buizel said, coming out of the bushes. Emolga's electric sacs spark with electricity which Buizel held out a paw to indicate one moment. "That is not why I am not here, Emolga, so calm down."
"Calm down, CALM DOWN. YOU LIED TO ME, BUIZEL. YOU SAID THAT YOU HAD TAKEN MY LITTLE SISTER TO FORCE ME TO RETURN TO YOU, AND YOU ARE ASKING ME TO CALM DOWN," Emolga yelled at Buizel.
"You have tomorrow free to see your older sister and watch her battle. Tomorrow night you will return to Team Rocket or Zoroark, and I will make you," Buizel said to Emolga, who looked like she's seen a ghost type. "And you aren't wrong. That will be your next target, with my mate, of course not me," Buizel said before walking past Emolga, who couldn't say anything. "Tell the twerps more of our plans, and your Dark ball will be sent to the boss without any chance of breaking free. Do I make myself clear, Emolga?"
"Crystal, sir," Emolga said with a tear in her eye as Buizel left. Emolga fell to her knees. "What do I do now? I have no choice but to follow their orders. If my ball goes to Giovanni, I won't be freed from Team Rocket," Emolga said, gripping her paws.
Stay tuned.
Done and done, man. This chapter took longer than I thought to write. What a way to start the third act! With a new traveling companion and two new Pokemon for Ash, huh? Trust me. I have more planned in-store capture-wise for Ash. As for Zorua. While I have a name for her. That said, we are off to Nimbasa city gym for a two-parter. As Bianca is up first in this gym battle, and then Ash. I have something different planned for these two gym battles. Until then, see you all next time.