Chapter 24: Basal's Group Strike

At a large cavern, Touya's girls were held up by boards with their hands and legs shackled. Linze, Elze, Yae, Yumina, Sue, Leen, Hildegard and Lucia were captured along with Delia as they showed Ash's mother around Brunhild. Touya, Ash and the creatures were in hot pursuit. "My, my…" awed Wardack as she approached Sue. He lifted her face by the chin. "This must be the Sushie that my son was so hot and bothered about. I can see why." Sue shook her head before trying to bite Wardack's finger.

"And she's rather feisty," Jessie sneered. Seeing her, Delia gasped.

"I didn't think you'd go this low, Jessie," she spat.

"And the twerp's own mother's here," Jessie sneered. "I didn't think I'd have a chance to humiliate the twerp in front of his own mother. This is quite the opportunity. Perhaps... she could have her twerpish son hand Pikachu over." Delia growled, disapproving of Jessie's role.

"Though, I think she's more for a role to breed more children if what you claim is true," Balsa believed as he appeared. Yumina gasped to the sight.

"Count Balsa!" she realized. Balsa turned to Yumina with a wicked grin.

"Princess Yumina Ernea Belfast…" he noticed. "Not to mention your little cousin." Sue shivered at the mentioning.

"Now, now, Count Balsa," Zabune voiced. "You can have this old woman. Little Sushie and Yumina will be mine to handle!" His laugh came with his appearance, making Yae and Elze nervous.

"Zabune?" realized Elze. Sue trembled in fear.

"You're working with Team Rocket and the former aristocrat!?" snapped Yae.

"Let's just say that we made a few deals to get what we all want," Zabune stated as he cupped Sue by the chin. "Including what I've been after this whole time." Delia did not want to see Sue being touched by the man she was afraid of.

"Take your hand off of her!" she demanded.

"Considering the position you're in," Balsa grinned. "Your words are meaningless." Looking more, he found Lucia. "My goodness, Mochizuki Touya also prefers the young princesses like Princess Lucia Rea Regulus."

"What, does that make us chop liver?" growled Leen.

"No, but what we have in mind will make you obey us," Dacia added. As the girls were about to learn what they're about to endure, Touya, Ash and Pikachu arrived following Pikachu's ability to smell Delia's scent.

"Good work, Pikachu," Ash whispered.

"Delia's scent is that potent, your nose rivals K-9 units of police," Touya complimented. "Still, why here?" Suddenly, Meowth's tail was seen.

"Looks like Team Rocket might have had a role in their capture," Ash assumed.

("Why am I not surprised?") mulled Pikachu. Meowth peeked and raced after Ash and Pikachu.

"Pikachu, use-" started Ash but Meowth wove his arms.

"No fight!" he mewed. He reached the boys and struggled to breathe.

"What have you done with my mom, Meowth?" demanded Ash.

"Trust me, I wouldn't have stooped to dis level just for Pikachu," Meowth dismissed.

"What do you mean?" questioned Touya.

"Dat Count Balsa hired us ta get dat Prime Minister and his family," Meowth briefed. "He neva told James and I about dat prince being obsessed about dat tiny twoipette!" The name made Touya pause.

"Count Balsa?" he repeated. "I thought King Tristwin executed him by now!"

"But why would he want Team Rocket, Wardack and his family?" asked Ash. "Though, if they got Mom and Sue, we need to attack now."

"Hey, I hear ya," Meowth agreed. "Some of what dat Zabune says is too creepy dat I want no part of it!"

"But you are a part of it," Touya mentioned. "Though if Balsa and Zabune are doing this, time we became executioners." Ash and Pikachu nodded before stepping up.

"Just stay back, Meowth," Ash spoke. "I have family and a fiancé to rescue." With Pikachu on his shoulder, Ash proceeded on before Touya followed.

"Since when did da twoip have a fiancé?" questioned Meowth. Inside, Balsa faced Yumina as she became terrified of what he would do.

"I now have the princesses and everyone from the mansion," Balsa sneered. "And with you all restrained, there's nothing you can do." That's when Touya, Ash and Pikachu made their entrance.

"Then, we're free to do what we want," Touya voiced. The royal family, Count and Jessie turned to see Touya, Ash and Pikachu.

"The twerp!" snapped Jessie.

"And the Grand Duke!" snarled Wardack. Pikachu growled to the sight.

"It's bad enough that you want Pikachu, Jessie!" growled Ash. "But to kidnap my mom? That's low!"

"Oh, are you gonna cry?" taunted Jessie. "Because it doesn't matter. It's time you grew up by yourself." Ash lowly growled.

"And it's quite a surprise to see you still alive after your death sentence, Balsa," Touya added. "Poisoning the king because you were afraid of peace deals with the Kingdom of Mismede and targeting Princess Yumina and Sue, I was expecting to hear the news that you were executed."

"Funny that you should say that," Balsa grinned. "I had been lying underground to get back at you for ruining my claim for Belfast… but apparently, it wasn't enough. You had to ruin another family from Lihnea to boot."

"Apparently, the idea of being slaves to the Kingdom of Sandora was too much for Count Balsa to accept," Wardack pointed out. "Which is why he hired Team Rocket to bail us out." Touya shook his head.

"You went through all of this trouble for a gaggle of death sentences," he scoffed.

"It's gonna make your fall all that harder to endure," Ash added. Balsa drew a sword from his side.

"It's about time you were silenced!" he bellowed as he swung. Touya brought Brunhild out before he parried Balsa's strike.

"You had no business in Lihea, you brat!" shouted Wardack as he had a dagger in hand.

"Use Thunderbolt!" ordered Ash. Pikachu leaped and used Thunderbolt, shocking the former Prime Minister. He dropped his dagger and fell onto his back, stunned.

"Father!" cried Zabune.

"And that's not all!" smiled Ash as he aimed his arm behind him. "GATE!" Gate opened where Kohaku, Treasure, Bajra and Heracross arrived. "Heracross, use Mega Horn!" Zabune raced after the dagger, but Heracross was too fast and bulldozed the fake prince with a glowing horn. The blow knocked Zabune down as Heracross's horn crashed into Delia's shackles, breaking the chain.

"Thanks!" cheered Delia. "Can you break the anklets?" Heracross used his horn again, breaking the anklets. "Good work!" Wardack came after Ash before his dagger was raised. Touya saw it and reacted.

"PRISON!" he chanted. A force field emerged around Wardack who bounced and fumbled the dagger.

"What the hell!?" he gasped.

"Don't worry, father!" voiced Zabune. "I'll get you free!" He raced after Wardack where Ash had his hand out.

"SLIP!" he chanted. Zabune's foot was aglow before he stepped on it, slipping on nothing as he fell head over heels.

"Zabune!" cried Dacia. Out of nowhere, Muk attacked Dacia from behind and slammed her to the ground.

"When did that Muk arrive!?" gasped Jessie. "Oh, never mind. I'll have to attack!" She brought out a bazooka before Bajra saw it and breathed a flame. Out came Wobbuffett. Its body was aglow when the flame sailed overhead. The rubble fell onto Wardack who couldn't break free as the debris crushed him.

"FATHER!" cried out Zabune.

"Wardack was already past his prime, Zabune," Ash voiced. "And soon, you'll be joining him." Kohaku faced Jessie and roared at Wobbufett. It got scared and returned to its ball. Jessie seemed miffed at her Pokémon's retreat.

"Of all the times I need you," she snapped. "You choose to run?!" She turned to James who stood at the wall. "And what about you!? Why are you hiding in the corner!?" James just pointed to Treasure overhead. Jessie blinked before turning to Treasure.

"PRISON!" he roared. After a flash from both Jessie and Treasure, Jessie felt surrounded by a barrier.

"No fair!" she complained. "Let me out!" Zabune rose the dagger as he sprinted to Ash.

"No prince other than me shall claim Sushie!" he roared. Hearing Zabune, Ash glanced to the fake prince. He didn't flinch.

"Accel," he whispered. Zabune lunged at Ash to stab, but Ash stepped to the side at the last possible moment. When his foot touched the ground, he bashed Zabune with his shoulder into the chest. Zabune started to fly, but Ash grabbed his arm before pulling him into a headbutt with the head. Zabune's nose burst, blood gushing out as he sprawled on the ground. Ash grinned at seeing the result. "No wonder Misty and Brock call me headstrong."

"That's not exactly what they meant by that," Lucia doubted. Touya aimed Brunhild at Balsa's head. Quickly, Balsa seemed to panic.

"Listen, it was a better idea to leave the Kingdom of Mismede alone!" he pleaded. "They have no reason to ask for help from the Kingdom of Bel-" Touya stabbed Balsa in the chest.

"You think I wouldn't overlook the broader picture of you going after Princess Yumina after poisoning King Tristwin?" he scowled. "Your borrowed time is up!" He pulled the trigger, and a bullet ripped through his chest before he fell. The girls and Pokémon turned their heads away as Balsa fell to the ground, blood staining his chest. "Goodbye, Balsa." Zabune started to rise, but he stopped when he felt blood.

"Blood?" he gasped. "My blood…" He faced Ash who glared back. "No one… No one makes me bleed my blood!" He charged at Ash with the dagger again. Ash aimed his palm out.

"Shimmer forth, Light!" he chanted. "Dazzling Brilliance: Flash!" A flash of light blinded Zabune. He spilled himself and his blood to the ground. "Touya!" Nodding, Touya flipped Brunhild to Ash. He pointed the gun to Zabune as his eyesight began to restore, now staring down the barrel of Brunhild.

"You can't kill me! I'm a prince! I deserve everything!" Ash pulled the trigger, blasting the hand and forcing the dagger to drop. Zabune grabbed his wounded hand.

"Don't worry about me killing you. After all, you're dead to all of us." Treasure flew to behind Zabune with Sue freed by Heracross that she stood by and behind Ash.

"GATE!" roared Treasure. Gate opened. Heat vapors licked the back of Zabune's head.

"Now, wait…" he irked. "I want to know! Why?! Why did Sushie choose you?! Why did she have to love you?! Why couldn't she love me?! WHY?! TELL ME WHY!" Ash tossed Brunhild back to Touya.

"You mean that after all the pain and torture you did to all of the girls beforehand, you still don't know!?" he questioned. "You don't know how to communicate to someone!? Or protect someone!? Or help someone!?" Zabune looked gobsmacked at how Ash's and Sue's relationship worked. "Some people are too spoiled for their own good." He took Sue away for Heracross to bash Zabune into the Gate as he fell into nothing but magma. He screamed at his fall. Fortunately, Gate closed before anything else occurred. With Wardack and Balsa dead, and Zabune gone, Dacia surrendered.

"Why don't you just kill me like you did my husband and son!?" she cried. "Everything is gone from my world!" Yae, freed like the other girls, faced the widow.

"First off, you didn't do much," she briefed. "All Touya will do is get you the rest of the way to Sandora. I'm sure they'll understand your situation." Pikachu nodded as Muk slugged off.

"But know this," Ash scowled. "Even if you do come free, any harm to my friends or family, and you'll be joining them." Dacia shuttered at the threat.

"I'm surprised that you never raised a hand to help Balsa against Touya and Ash," Linze addressed James.

"Well, I did until the point they talked about killing the twerp," he replied. "I mean, we're after rare, valuable and powerful Pokémon, but killing trainers isn't the way to go… and then, Zabune… I never heard of someone so willing to violate little twerpettes like he did. I lost all nerve to help out." Linze palmed James's shoulder, hoping to know that she understood his trouble.

"You backstabber!" snapped Jessie. "You and Meowth should've been helping me get the payback to get Pikachu!" That's when Delia grabbed Jessie's hair, dragged her away and threw her to the ground. Pikachu jumped on Yumina's head to watch.

"I've been looking forward to doing this for a long time, Jessie," Ash sneered as he fitted new gloves with brass around the knuckles before he cracked his knuckles. Jessie became nervous.

"You… wouldn't… dare…" she stuttered.

"Since Day One of my journey, you've been following and attacking me everywhere just to get Pikachu and any other Pokémon you wanted to get your hands on…" reminded Ash. "And now, it's payback time." Delia reached Ash.

"Mind if I join you, honey?" she requested. "I've got a special punishment for people who attack and threaten my son." She cracked her own knuckles as well.

"You can't do this!" argued Jessie.

"Oh?" interested Ash. "Give us one good reason why not."

"Because of the law!" pointed out Jessie. "You know you can't hurt people physically!" Ash and Delia looked to each other.

"That's true," Delia agreed.

"She's got a point," Ash added. "We can't hit people with punches or kicks…" The notion that Ash and Delia wouldn't assault her made Jessie smile. However, Delia looked back to Jessie.

"Just one issue: that law applies back in the Pokémon World!" she reminded.

"And since you seemed to forget, Jessie," Ash sneered. "Let me remind you, we're not in our world… so all bets are off!" Jessie gawked to the comeback.

"B-B-B-But… you can't!" she stuttered. "You just can't!" Delia appeared annoyed with Jessie's reply.

"What is it now?" she urged.

"Because…" she gulped. "Because… because… Because it's me! No one should be allowed to hurt me! I'm Jessie, the most beautiful woman to have ever lived! A goddess reborn!" Ash realized Jessie was grasping at straws.

"That is just the lamest excuse I have ever heard," he mulled. "And if you were, Brock wouldn't come after you. He doesn't worship criminals."

"Using your own ego as a shield is truly pathetic!" groaned Delia.

"And it's not gonna protect you from us," Ash added. "You've had this coming for a long time… and now, it's time to pay!" Jessie screamed before Ash and Delia pummeled the Rocket woman to the brink of unconsciousness. Touya used Gate to send Jessie and Dacia to Sandora while Ash used his own Gate to send James to a dungeon elsewhere. Outside, the girls smothered Touya and Ash with hugs and kisses to his face. Sue was thankful that she no longer had to deal with Zabune again.

"That was a quick rescue," Lucia awed. "Touya, it makes me glad that you'll be my husband soon."

"And mine," Yumina added.

"I think we're all grateful that Ash and Touya got us free," Elze smiled.

"That's for sure," Delia agreed. "Though, how did you find us?" Ash presented Delia's lost heel.

"Simple," he replied. "We found your shoe and Pikachu caught your scent."

("The sweet smell of Mom's feet can't hide from my nose,") Pikachu teased from Lucia's head. Delia plucked Pikachu and petted his head.

"You clever little thing!" she cooed before kissing him on the head. Pikachu squealed happily from the kiss.

"Seeing that, I do wonder who Delia's real son is," Leen teased. Ash gave Leen a side-eye. Treasure opened Gate once more and everyone returned to the mansion. Hearing about what happened, those involved with the wedding offered to give Ash and Sue a few extra days. They appreciated the offer. Ash showed Delia and Oak the rest of his Pokémon while Linze also showed Jigglypuff. Delia learned about Ash's time with Touya and the girls, including learning magic and uncovering the scandal involving the late family. She also learned how at first sight, Ash and Sue fell in love with each other.

"It sounds like you had a fun time," Delia giggled. "Perhaps, you'd like to hear a story of my Ash when he was a baby." Ash gawked while the others became excited. He walked outside with Touya and Kohaku following.

"It's embarrassing, I know," Touya sided. "Look at the bright side: Balsa, Wardack and Zabune are dead and sent to Hell- Zabune literally- and you'll have Sue as your wife."

"Yeah…" sighed Ash. "Still, it's funny how it started with Misty saying I couldn't love anyone, only to soon be married to a girl that I fell for."

"Da redhead twoipette said dat!?" gawked Meowth. Ash and Touya turned to James and Meowth. James wore a tunic and slacks instead of his Team Rocket uniform.

"You two again?" gulped Touya. James wove his hand.

"Don't bother putting up any defenses," he tried to call off. "Listen, after Jessie sided with that freak who wanted to violate the twerpettes, I said that it was enough. I won't allow something like that to happen."

"So, you're done with Team Rocket?" guessed Ash.

"It's most likely that they wanted to list us as dead," James believed.

"In otha woids, we have nowhere ta go," Meowth finished. Touya felt compelled. He could imprison James and Meowth since their posters are still hanging around.

"I might just incarcerate you two since you're still a target," he optioned. "Or I could assign you elsewhere."

"What do you mean?" wondered Ash.

"Well, Meowth could benefit from staying among the Kingdom of Mismede," Touya pointed out. "With all of those demi-humans, he could fit right in." Meowth blinked to the idea.

"Demi-what?" he mewed.

"Oh, so Olga, Arma and others there could have Meowth as a someone of their kind?" guessed Ash.

"Well, kind of…" shrugged Touya. "James, I can easily come up with. King Zephyrus Roa Regulus has openings for servants and could be a great home for him." James clasped Touya's hands in begging.

"Listen, I'll go wherever you assign me, as long as it's not a dungeon!" he pleaded.

"Okay, okay!" gasped Touya. "But tonight, I'll have you at the Silver Moon Inn." He handed James a pair of slips. "Tell Micah that the Grand Duke of Brunhild is vouching for you to stay until you leave for your destinations." James bowed to the offer.

"Thank you, twer- I mean, Grand Duke," he corrected himself before turning to Ash. "You can tell Pikachu that he's a free Pokémon. I'm sure you two will find success from here on out." Ash nodded before James and Meowth left for the Inn. All that was left for Ash was the wedding with Sushie Ernea Ortlinde.

TO BE CONTINUED...