Chapter 19: Chaos, Despair and Terror

The moon bathed the ocean in an eerie silver glow as three colossal airships cut through the night sky. The vessels, each emblazoned with a massive crimson 'R,' hovered toward their targets—Fire Island, Lightning Island, and Ice Island. Below, the waves rolled gently, unaware of the chaos about to unfold.

Inside the command center of the lead airship, Butch stood before a row of monitors, arms crossed, eyes scanning the screens with cool calculation. The operation was proceeding exactly as planned.

"All units, prepare for deployment," he ordered into his headset.

The airships' hatches groaned open, revealing rows of black-clad Team Rocket grunts, their parachutes strapped tight. The red interior lights cast them in a menacing glow as they lined up at the edges.

"Go," Butch commanded.

One by one, the grunts leaped into the night, becoming shadowy figures against the moonlit sky. They free-fell in eerie silence before their parachutes deployed, carrying them down toward the islands. Some aimed for the jagged cliffs, others for the dense forests, their silhouettes blending seamlessly into the darkness.

Back in the airship, Butch turned to the captains, whose faces flickered on the command screens. "Prepare the cannons."

"Yes, sir," came their synchronized replies.

Heavy panels on the ships' underbellies slid open, revealing high-powered energy cannons. Their barrels rotated, locking onto the highest points of each island—the sacred peaks where the legendary birds were said to roost.

Butch's lips curled into a smirk. "Fire."

Blinding beams of energy erupted from the cannons, striking the summits with devastating force. The explosions sent shockwaves through the islands, shaking the earth, splintering trees, and scattering flocks of sleeping Pokémon. Raging fires erupted on Fire Island, while an avalanche of ice cascaded down Ice Island's slopes. Lightning Island rumbled as jagged rocks tumbled from its cliffs.

The Pokémon of the islands cried out in panic, scurrying from their nests, stampeding through the forests in blind terror. The once-serene landscape had erupted into chaos.

Butch's eyes flicked over the monitors, unimpressed. "Not enough. Fire again."

The cannons roared once more, their blasts striking deeper into the mountains.

Then, it happened.

From the heart of the destruction, three piercing cries echoed through the night—cries filled with fury.

From the flaming cliffs of Fire Island, a golden-winged titan emerged, its feathers burning like a living inferno. Moltres soared into the sky, its eyes gleaming with rage as it took in the sight of the invading airships.

From Ice Island, a magnificent blue avian burst into the open, its wings spreading a shimmering frost. Articuno rose above the devastation, surveying the chaos with piercing, unrelenting fury.

And from Lightning Island, a jagged-winged force of nature stormed into the skies, its body crackling with electric power. Zapdos shrieked its wrath, its very presence igniting the air around it.

Butch's smirk widened. "Now we're talking."

He activated his communicator. "All units—engage the targets!"

The Rocket grunts, now spread across the islands and still stationed in the airships' open hatches, sprang into action. Poké Balls flew in every direction, bursting open in flashes of red light. A swarm of Pokémon—Honchkrow, Crobat, Houndoom, Rhyperior, and Electivire—filled the skies and the forested landscapes below, their trainers shouting battle orders.

Moltres responded first, screeching in fury as it flapped its wings, sending forth a blazing Flamethrower. The inferno roared across the sky, narrowly missing a squadron of Fearow and Crobat, but catching a few unlucky Pokémon in its path.

Articuno countered with a furious Blizzard, blanketing the battlefield in ice. The temperature plummeted in an instant, and several Flying-types found their wings coated in frost, sending them spiraling down into the forests below.

Zapdos, filled with pure rage, unleashed a Thunderbolt so massive it illuminated the entire archipelago for a split second. The attack struck multiple targets at once, sending Rocket Pokémon screeching as they tumbled from the air, paralyzed or unconscious before they even hit the ground.

Butch, watching the carnage unfold, clicked his tongue. "Persistent pests."

He turned to his operators. "Deploy the AG Disruptors."

From the ships' underbellies, several massive missle-guided nets shot out, their metallic fibers crackling with electromagnetic energy—designed specifically to suppress and contain the legendary birds upon contact.

Articuno twisted in midair, barely dodging as a net whizzed past, its edges sizzling with electricity. It retaliated with an Ice Beam, freezing another net in mid-flight, sending it crashing into the ocean below.

Zapdos, sensing the trap, flapped its wings violently, creating a powerful gust that sent two nets flying off course. A third nearly caught it, but the thunderbird surged forward in a burst of lightning speed, escaping by inches.

Moltres, its instincts razor-sharp, unleashed a column of Fire Spin that engulfed an incoming net, reducing it to molten scrap before it could reach its target. The firebird then soared higher, dodging another attempt with fluid precision.

Butch's smirk vanished. He clenched his fist. The Legendary Birds were proving their superior strength and skill. "Hmph. So they're not going down that easy."

Through the monitors, he could see the battlefield shifting. The Rocket grunts on the ground were struggling against the sheer power of the legendary Pokémon. Their Pokémon were dropping like flies, despite their numbers. Even the airborne units were finding it difficult to gain control.

Butch exhaled sharply through his nose. "Fine, then."

He activated his communicator once more. "All units—engage again! I want those birds grounded!"

The grunts regrouped, releasing even more Pokémon, determined to overwhelm the legendary trio with sheer numbers. The battle in the skies intensified, filling the night with flashes of fire, ice, and electricity.

Moltres screeched as it launched another Flamethrower, setting the sky ablaze. Articuno retaliated with Ice Beam, creating frozen barriers to block incoming attacks. Zapdos let loose another Thunderbolt, striking multiple opponents at once.

The airships loomed overhead, their cannons preparing for another round of fire. The battle was escalating, growing more chaotic by the second.

And in the midst of it all, Butch's voice rang out one more time.

"All units—DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!"

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

The night was alive with chaos. Explosions rumbled in the distance, their shockwaves shaking the very air. The once-serene ocean now reflected the fiery glow of battle raging across the elemental islands, as if the heavens themselves were at war.

Amidst this escalating destruction, within the ancient shrine of Shamouti Island, a deep, resonant voice cut through the air like a whisper from the past

"Disturb not the guardians of Fire, Lightning, and Ice,

Lest destruction consume the land, sea, and skies."

Ash and Melody's heads snapped toward the source of the voice.

From the shadows of the shrine's stone pillars, a Slowking emerged, its movements slow yet deliberate. The moonlight cast long, eerie shadows over its form, giving it an almost ethereal presence. Its solemn gaze was fixed on the ancient stone tablet, its eyes reflecting the glow of distant flames.

Ash's breath caught. His mind flashed back to that night at school when Mewtwo had spoken to him. "Did—that Slowking just talk?!"

On his shoulder, Pichu squeaked in alarm, gripping his jacket tighter.

Melody, however, remained unfazed, arms crossed with an almost knowing expression. "Relax, it's just Slowking. He's the guardian of this altar."

Ash exhaled, but his mind was still racing. In class, he had learned that some Pokémon—those who had mastered their psychic or aura abilities—could communicate telepathically and even develop intelligence on par with, or greater than, that of humans. But hearing one speak so clearly in the middle of this crisis sent a shiver down his spine.

Ash quickly collected himself and stepped forward. "Slowking, what do you mean by that warning?" he asked respectfully.

Slowking finally turned to face them, his gaze steady yet grave. His eyes flickered toward the distant horizon, where the unnatural lights of battle had begun to stain the sky. Fiery embers flickered over Fire Island, eerie blue frost glimmered over Ice Island, and violent sparks crackled in the air over Thunder Island

Slowking's voice was steady, yet there was a grave undertone to his words. "The Titans of Fire, Lightning, and Ice—Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno—are under attack."

Ash's fists clenched, and Melody's expression hardened.

"The three you see beyond these waters are no ordinary Legendary Birds," Slowking continued. "They are ancient beings, unlike the other Legendary Birds scattered across the world. These Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno are woven into the very foundation of this region's balance. They hold back the forces of nature, suppressing violent volcanic eruptions, ceaseless thunderstorms, and unnatural hailstorms that would otherwise ravage the Orange Archipelago. Should they fall… the disasters they have been holding back will be unleashed all at once."

A cold shiver ran down Ash's spine. He had read the destructive power of Legendary Pokémon before—but this was different. This wasn't just a battle. This was a threat to an entire region.

Melody's voice broke through the heavy silence. "But… who would even dare attack them? And why?"

Ash shared her concern. "Yeah… what could anyone possibly gain from this?" he muttered, his gut twisting with unease. 'Who's behind this? And do they even realize what they're messing with?'

The weight of the moment pressed on him, and he knew they couldn't just stand around. "We need to tell the community elder. Maybe they can help us figure out what to do."

Melody nodded. "Right, let's go—"

But before they could move, Slowking raised a paw, stopping them in their tracks.

"Ash," he said, his voice carrying an unusual weight. "That's your name, isn't it?" He had overheard everything Ash and Melody discussed—about the festival and their personal struggles.

Ash hesitated for a second. "…Yeah?"

Slowking's gaze deepened as if he were analyzing something beyond just his name. Then, he shifted his focus to Melody. "Have the three treasures been delivered to their respective shrines for the festival tomorrow?"

Melody blinked. "I… I don't know. Why?"

Slowking's eyes darkened. "Ash, the time to gather them is now."

Ash frowned. "Wait, what? Why?"

Slowking turned back toward the distant islands, his voice solemn. "Should the worst come to pass—should the Titans fall—then the Great Guardian of the Waters will arrive. And when it does, the Song of the Legend must be performed, just as it was written."

Melody stiffened. Her breath caught. "You mean…"

Slowking nodded. "The treasures must be placed at the shrines when that moment comes."

Ash tensed, his heart racing. "Hold on—I'm not the Chosen One for the festival. That's not my role."

Slowking studied him in silence for a long moment. Then, his voice came—quiet, knowing, yet firm, like the quiet before a storm. "This is no longer about the festival, Ash."

The words hit him like a blow to the chest. Ash felt the air tighten around him, and a lump rose in his throat.

Slowking's gaze remained unreadable, but his next words pierced through Ash's defenses with unrelenting clarity.

"If you truly believe that hard work defines strength more than destiny," Slowking said, his tone neither harsh nor gentle, "then don't let something as trivial as not being the Chosen One stop you from doing what is right."

Ash's breath hitched. His hands clenched involuntarily, as though the weight of Slowking's words threatened to break him from the inside out.

He wanted to argue, to push back, but… there was no time. Destiny versus Hard Work could be debated some other time. But now, the longer they stood there, the worse things could get.

"…Fine," Ash muttered, his voice tight as he exhaled sharply, frustration and uncertainty boiling beneath the surface. "But I'm doing this because I choose to."

His eyes met Melody's. He had to focus. He couldn't let the pressure drown him, not when the safety of the islands was hanging in the balance. More importantly, the safety of his friends. "Let's go."

Melody nodded in silent understanding, her face reflecting the urgency that Ash could sense. As they moved, Pichu's tiny form hesitated for a moment, ears twitching nervously. The tension was unbearable. Without warning, the little Pikachu scampered into Ash's backpack, seeking the comfort of the familiar.

Without another word, Ash and Melody raced out of the shrine, heading toward their next task—one that could very well decide the future of the Orange Islands.

As the sound of Ash and Melody's hurried footsteps faded into the distance, Slowking remained motionless, gazing after them until they were gone. The air around the shrine felt heavier now, charged with an unseen tension.

Slowly, he turned back to the ancient stone tablet, his deep-set eyes narrowing as he focused on the worn inscriptions carved into its surface. He traced a gentle paw over the scripture as if seeking reassurance in its meaning.

His gaze lifted to the horizon, where distant flashes of fire, lightning, and ice illuminated the darkening sky. Their cries, though distant, sent an eerie shiver through the night air. The Titans were already in turmoil.

Time was slipping away.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

At the fringes of Shamouti Island, all was quiet. The howling winds swallowed the distant roars of the Legendary Birds, their cries fading into the crashing waves.

A dark, towering ship loomed over the dock like a shadow cast upon the sea, its hull emblazoned with the crimson "R"—a symbol of fear and control. The hum of its engines vibrated through the metal, signaling a presence unwelcome and unforgiving.

Inside the ship's bridge, Cassidy stood with her arms folded, eyes sharp as she observed the island growing larger before them. Beside her, Dr. Namba adjusted his thick glasses, hunched over the controls like a vulture picking apart its prey.

"The island is the key," Namba muttered, his voice laced with anticipation. "If the villagers manage to contact the authorities, we risk interference. We must ensure total isolation."

Cassidy smirked, her lips curling with satisfaction. "Then let's make sure that doesn't happen."

She snapped her fingers. "Deploy the signal jammer."

The ship rumbled as a massive metallic disk rose from the mechanical bay, its polished surface glinting under the moonlight. It rotated with precision, locking onto its target—Shamouti Island.

A low humming filled the air, growing in intensity.

Then—boom.

An invisible wave exploded outward, spreading across the island like a creeping fog.

It struck every electronic device at once.

Inside Class 1-2's the Hotel

"Blaziken, Flare Blitz—go!" Morrison clenched his fists, his eyes locked on the screen.

Ritchie grinned, fingers poised over the controls. "Not so fast! My Pikachu's about to—"

The screen froze.

A red error message flashed.

"Connection Lost."

"Nooooooo!" Morrison threw his hands in the air, flopping backward onto the bed. "I was about to win!"

Ritchie frowned, refreshing the page. Nothing. "That's weird… The Wi-Fi's completely out."

Gary scrolled through a research article about Legendary Pokémon migration patterns, his eyes flicking between data charts.

Until—his tablet screen went blank.

"What the—?" Gary muttered.

Goh groaned beside him, waving his dead phone in frustration. "Come on! I was just reading an article about Mew sightings—ugh!"

Gary tapped his screen repeatedly, irritation flickering in his sharp blue eyes. "The entire network just died."

Inside Dawn, Chloe, Serena, Misty and Chrysa's Room

A dazzling Pokémon Contest played on their screen—until the video suddenly froze, buffering endlessly.

"Wait, what?" Chloe tapped the screen.

"No, no, no—not now!" Dawn whined. "We were so close to seeing the final routine!"

Misty scowled, arms crossed. "Seriously? Did someone forget to pay the hotel's internet bill?"

Serena sat on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear.

"So yeah, Mom, everything's been—"

Static.

Then—call disconnected.

Serena stared at the screen. "Huh?"

She checked her signal. Zero bars.

Something wasn't right.

Back on the ship's bridge, Cassidy smirked as she watched the control panel.

A holographic map of Shamouti Island blinked in front of her, marking every communications signal as offline.

She turned to Dr. Namba. "The island is cut off."

Namba's raspy chuckle sent a chill through the air. "Then let's make sure no one gets in our way."

Cassidy tapped her earpiece. "All units, move in. Secure the village. Take down the local authorities first. No exceptions."

The ship's cargo bay rumbled open.

Dozens of Team Rocket grunts spilled out onto the docks, their boots stomping in perfect unison. They moved like a well-oiled machine, splitting into three groups:

-One team targeted the local authorities, engaging them in Pokémon battles.

-Another rounded up villagers, their voices laced with harsh threats.

-The last team infiltrated the hotels, dragging tourists from their rooms.

The takeover had begun.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

The disconnection of electronic devices from the internet created an odd silence, but it didn't last long. Heavy footsteps echoed through the corridors, growing louder with each passing second. Then, without warning, the hotel room doors burst open, slamming against the walls with a deafening crack.

Dark-clad figures stormed in, their boots thudding against the wooden floor. Their faces remained obscured beneath the brims of their hats, but their intent was unmistakable.

Ms. Chrysa instinctively stepped in front of her students, arms outstretched like a mother bird Pokemon shielding her chicks.

"What's the meaning of this?!" she demanded, her voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through her veins.

The lead grunt scoffed, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Surrender, Lady."

Chrysa's eyes hardened. "Not happening."

She was just a math teacher. She wasn't a battle-hardened trainer. But that didn't matter. These were her students. And she would not—could not—let anything happen to them.

Heart pounding, she reached into her pocket and yanked out her only Poké Ball, her fingers gripping it tight before she hurled it forward.

A burst of white light filled the room—then, Psyduck materialize, blinking cluelessly.

The Rocket grunt snorted. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me."

Chrysa clenched her jaw. "Psyduck, use Water Gun!"

Psyduck tilted its head.

"…Psy?"

A single beat of silence.

Then—wham!

A Golbat swooped down from behind the grunts, wings slicing through the air. It struck Psyduck with a sharp Air Cutter, sending the poor Pokémon crashing against the wall with a pained squawk.

Chrysa gasped. "Psyduck—!"

But she never got the chance to run to it.

Rough hands seized her from behind, gripping her arms tight.

"That was pathetic," the grunt sneered, tightening his hold.

Dawn, Serena, Misty, and Chloe froze.

Misty's hands balled into fists. Every instinct in her screamed to fight, to lash out, to do something. Her eyes narrowed as she stepped forward, but Chloe's hand on her wrist was enough to make her pause.

"We can't win this," Chloe whispered, voice barely audible over the sound of Chrysa struggling against the grunts. "Not yet."

Dawn's breath was ragged. Every muscle in her body shook with the need to resist. But one look at their captors—their sheer numbers, their cold, calculated expressions—made the truth sink in.

They were outmatched.

She gritted her teeth so hard it hurt.

The lead grunt smirked. "Smart kid. Now, move."

Another grunt shoved Chrysa forward. The girls had no choice but to follow as they were forced out of the room, the heavy door slamming shut behind them.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

The town plaza, usually a place of community and warmth, had become a scene of fear and oppression. Beneath the dim glow of the streetlights, Rocket grunts stood in rigid formation, their silhouettes looming over the captive villagers like shadows ready to consume the light.

People clung to one another, trembling, their breaths short and panicked. Parents held their children close, shielding them from the masked figures that had torn them from their homes. The elderly murmured in hushed voices, whispering desperate prayers. Shopkeepers and fishermen, people who had spent their lives on this island, looked around in helpless confusion, their livelihoods now under the iron grip of Team Rocket.

Tension crackled in the air, thick and suffocating. The only sounds were the restless shuffling of prisoners and the occasional barked orders from Rocket grunts patrolling the perimeter. No one dared to resist—those who had tried had been subdued too quickly, their Pokémon stripped from them with merciless efficiency.

A young boy's cry echoed through the plaza, his parents trying desperately to calm him down, fearing they might anger their captors. The hopelessness in the family's eyes mirrored that of the villagers, who were now prisoners in their own home

Forced into the crowd, Dawn, Serena, Misty, Chloe, and Ms. Chrysa struggled to steady their breathing. Their eyes darted from face to face, searching for any sign of hope amidst the sea of worried expressions. Then, they spotted them.

Gary. Goh. Ritchie. Morrison. And the rest of the class.

Their expressions were dark. Morrison was visibly fuming, his body tense as if he were barely containing the urge to lash out. Ritchie, though calm on the surface, clenched his jaw, his sharp eyes scanning the grunts for an opening. Goh looked uneasy, his mind racing through every possible scenario, while Gary kept his head down, calculating.

But someone was missing.

Dawn twisted her head frantically, scanning the crowd again. A knot of dread tightened in her chest.

"Wait—where's Ash?!"

Serena's heart pounded. Her breath caught in her throat.

He wasn't here.

He should have been here.

Serena's eyes snapped to Goh, desperation flickering in them. "Where is Ash?!"

Goh hesitated. His lips parted, but no words came at first. Then, with a grim look, he finally answered.

"He went for a night walk an hour ago."

Silence fell between them.

Chloe's stomach dropped.

Ash was out there. Alone.

And Team Rocket didn't know it.

For now.

Chloe exchanged glances with Dawn and Serena, the same realization dawning on them all.

Ash still had a chance.

If he was still free, then maybe, just maybe—he could stop this.

:･ﾟ(ꈍᴗꈍ)･ﾟ:

A/N: I've chosen not to follow the approach used by Lawrence III in the movie, where he relied on overpowered devices that could independently track, weaken, and capture Legendary Pokémon. Instead, this time, Team Rocket's Pokémon and grunts will be the ones doing the fighting.

-Areyem Meyera