Chapter 81 – The three-team scheme

Meanwhile, aboard the Halberd in the skies of Alola…

Gozu raised a hand into the air and gestured towards Jessie, James and Meowth, who immediately moved into position behind him. Meowth adopted a buttle like stance, his claws retracting from his paw, long and razor sharp, his legs spread apart, back slightly lowered and tail raised. Jessie and James mean each extracted Pokéballs; black and embossed with the Rocket R.

Jimmy frowned and glanced at Galdion his voice coming short and sharp. Gladion voice the thing he was think, "Hey what on earth are you…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Gozu had used his other hand to toss the Pokéball he had selected from out of the briefcase into the air. It rose up, burst open and released a flash of light. In a split second the thin, weasel like form of a Weavile appeared in the middle of the flight deck.

A split second later, leaving it no time to take into account its surroundings nor registered what was happening, it was besieged upon. Meowth charge forward, crash tackling Cleave to the ground and digging his claws into his fur, while Jessie and James tossed their Pokéballs likewise, sending Frillish and Amoongus into the fray.

A series of yelps, grunts and squeals echoed throughout the flight deck and cleave fought to threw Meowth off him, the two cat like Pokémon wrestling on the floor in a fury of claws, fur, and teeth. Each seemingly trying to rip the other apart. But with Meowth's reinforcements it did not last long.

A Combination of Amoognus's stun spore to paralyse the poor Weavile, and Frillish's tentacles wrapping around his neck and body to both restrain him and pull him to his feet.

"Excellent," granted Gozu. "Well done."

"Capturing Pokémon is our speciality," said Jessie, in a simpering sycophantic voice, while James added, "happy to be of assistance."

Jimmy blinked a few times, unsure of what he had just seen. "Wait, since when does Meowth battle?"

"Forget that, since when to do Team Rocket win," added Gladion. "C'mon Cleave, you're stronger than that."

Cleave gave a disgruntled cry, his voice muffled due to the tentacle around his throat, pressed against his voice box.

Gladion glared at Gozu. "What the hell are you doing to him, let him go!"

"Oh, you'll see," Gozu replied menacingly, before turning back to his subordinates. "Has the equipment been prepared."

"Armed and primed sir," said Butch. "Cradily!"

"Cray." One of the plants like Pokémon at the forward console stretched out a tentacle hitting blue switch somewhere at the top of the console. A panel in the ceiling sild open and a cynical glass tube with a circular metal base descended.

"W-What's that," asked Gladion, a sense of foreboding in his voice. The anger and defiance from earlier had gone.

"Those people in the Aether Foundation down there are assuming that we need their Cosmog in order to complete our plan," said Gozu. "But we don't. We have a perfectly good substitute for it, right here…Hahahaha. Throw him in."

"Frill." Frillish tugged on Cleave, dragging him over to the tube. The Weavile let out a snarl but paralysed and ensnared there was nothing he could do.

His trainer, on his behalf, call out Cleave, and moved towards him only to be grabbed by the scruff of his neck by one of the Rocket Grunts guarding him and Jimmy. Frillish pulled Cleave inside the cylinder and effortlessly tied his paws to a set of restrains hanging from above. The Crystal Cylinder slid closed around him.

"Behold Team Rocket science at its best," said Jessie proudly.

"The Cosmic energy converter." James finished her sentence for her.

"The Aether Foundation was developing something quite similar until the president's daughter took their only Cosmog from them, except for cruder," Jessie continued. "You see, Cosmog have the power to open Ultra Wormholes. Gateways to other dimensions but have little ability to control their power on their own."

"But with dis device," added Meowth. "We get control."

Jimmy felt confused. None of what was happening around him made any sense. "But if that device is for Cosmog, why are you putting Cleave in it…" He did not like the look of the twisted grin that Gozu gave him in reply.

"That Weavile in there is carrying an egg. Not just any egg. He was impregnated by A Lunala, the final evolved form of Cosmog. And that egg should have enough Cosmic Energy to open the portals…"

[Pokémon]

It was as though the skies of the Alola Region had split open. A spiral of dark storm clouds had appeared all of a sudden criss-crossed by lightning bolts, and claps of thunder boomed. And across the heavens they appeared, The Ultra Wormholes.

One above each of the four Islands; Melemele, Akala, Ula'Ula and Poni. As well as an additional one directly over Aether Paradise. And from out of them, fell the Ultra Beasts. On Melemele Island a Buzzwole, on Akala Island Stakataka. Ula'ula was visited by Kartana and Poni Island by Pheromosa.

Across the nation warning went out. News Teams gathered, cameras out and the branch chief of the local International Police took to the airwaves with an urgent press conference…

"The public is warned to be on the lookout for a rise in appearances of Ultra Beasts. We are recommending that people shelter in place if possible, and if you are outside get indoors as fast as possible. Do not leave cities or towns and take Pokémon with you if venturing out. If you encounter any unrecognised Pokémon, assume it will be hostile and do not approach. Report sightings to authorities…"

The island of Alola was not however, undefended. No sooner than the Ultra Beasts fallen into this world than did the four Island guardians appear to challenge them. Tapu Koko on Melemele, Tapu Lele on Alaka, Tapu Bulu on Ula'ula and Tapu Fini on Poni Island.

"Ahh so I see you have returned," Tapu Koko exclaimed as the great buff bug like Ultra beast flexed its muscles.

The Melemele Island guardian had interposed himself between Buzzwole and the Island Kahuna, Hala who had been taking a stroll along Mahalo trail when it had fallen from the sky

Now it spoke to the Ultra Beast as though they were old adversaries. "I thought I told you what would happen if you set a spindly leg in this universe again didn't I."

The Ultra Beast made no reply, but instead puffed out it's chest in what was supposed to be a threatening pose before it charged at Tapu Koko….

[Pokémon]

The Ultra Beast, however, were not the only things to materialise in the skies of the Alola Region. Something much larger came descending from the portal directly above Aether Paradise. Another great metal beast in the visage of an Ultra Salamance, with a great graceful half-moon shaped wing, and a rotating head with four turrets.

"No…No, that can't be right," Phycho exclaimed in some surprise as the great metal beast appeared overhead.

"Where did that come from," added Soleria.

Phycho fidgeted, drumming his fingers together. No longer was he calm and collected. "Impossible. It crashed. We were lucky to have escaped."

Misty too was confused, though about something different. "Wait, what is that thing."

"It's the Centurion," Soleria replied, clapping a hand on Misty's shoulder. "It was an experimental vassal built for long distance travel in the Ultra Space…But it was destroyed. It shouldn't be here!" She turned back to Phycho . "Captain this is bad. Can we get into contact with the others?"

[Pokémon]

The Centurion and its crew weren't the only players in this game. A third flying Mecha had also appeared, this was shaped like a sailing ship except that it was made of metal rather than wood, and its sides were lined with jet engines. The Plasma Frigate had returned.

Ash took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He found if he focused on his breathing and not the three metallic flying monsters around him, any one of which could blow him and his Pokémon to atoms in a split second, it helped.

Pikachu gripped him tighter and behind him, Flygon whipped his head this way and that, before shutting his eyes and withdrawing his neck and limbs closer to him. As though he were trying to retreat into himself.

"TEAM ROCKET," Ash repeated into the microphone. "….And you've brought some friends….Who takes Aether Paradise takes Ultra Space, but bad news everyone cause guess who!"

He tried to strike his gym badge pose for empathise but could only manage to open his arms out without losing balance. The roar of the wind and of the three vassals engines was nearly deafening and he could barely hear himself think. Good, because this was not a speech was particularly proud of. He had no idea if it would work.

"Listen you're all just floating about up here, could you quieten down a bit because I AM TALKING." A pause as he took another deep breath, then continued. "Now the question of the hour is, who's got Aether Paradise, answer I do! Next question, who's coming to take it from me." He stretched out again his arms before shouting, "COME OOOON! Look at me. I'm just a stupid kid, a little twerp with nothing but my Pokémon. No plan, no backup, and no weapons a damn. Oh, and we don't have anything to lose except each other. So, if you're sitting up here in your silly little Mechas with all your silly advanced weaponry, and you've got any plans about taking the Aether Paradise, tonight. Just remember who's standing in your way! Remember, every black day I ever stopped you and then…AND THEN. Do the smart thing…Let somebody else try first!"

Ash held his breath, his eyes darting between the Halberd, the Plasma Frigate, and the Centurion. Now was the moment of truth…He had won against these trainers before. Utterly defeated them before. Now it was time to see if he had left an impression or would be laughed off like a stupid kid. Part of him felt like doing a Flygon and just closing down, but he knew he had to continue to look at his enemy.

And then it happened. The whine of engines, getting louder and louder as though they were powering up and each of the three vessels begun to move backwards, away from him and away from Aether Paradise…

[Pokémon]

Aether Paradise, down below…

"That should keep them squabbling amongst themselves for a while," said Zacian, her eyes fixed on the tiny dot that was Ash and Hirosaki, her head craned far back so she could see.

She, Cameron, Zoroark, Lusamine and Cameron were gathered in the conversation area of Aether Paradise, watching the scene unfolding above through the giant glass windows above, from one of the walkways. All around attendants and employees worked to round up the Pokémon, preparing to get them somewhere safe.

Fortunately for Cameron, he was reunited with Lucario, and also with Ash's Axew. The latter of whom had found safety and security on top of Zoroark's head, most his body hidden in the long mane of hair that flowed from the back of the illusion fox's head.

"The more time we can buy to get as many vulnerable Pokémon somewhere safe, the better," said Lusamine.

"How are you going to get them out of here," demanded an incredulous Cameron. "The boats can't get past the shield wall."

"Doesn't matter. If we can get them into Pokéballs, they can be placed in the PC system and transported to the Pokémon Centre in Hau'oli City. The stronger Pokémon can help defend the foundation."

"Great," replied Cameron. "Do we have any other plans?"

Lusamine pursed her lips. "We need to get to the main control room. Come with me."

[Pokémon]

Meanwhile on Akala Island…

The cities and towns of the Alola region became ghost towns as the residents retreated in doors. Doors were locked and bolted, windows sealed, and Pokémon centres, hotels, businesses, and office buildings became temporary refuges for those left on the street.

Only those brave or foolhardy trainers and their partners curious about the goings were on the streets, gathering at the beach front to try and get a view of the chaos above the Aether Paradise, or else catch sight of an Ultra Beast.

The Hano Grand Resort on the beachfront just outside Heahea City, normally an exclusive retreat for those with money to burn, had temporarily opened its lobby and dining rooms to trainers and those without anywhere else to go.

Alola's crisis had temporarily united trainers completing the island challenge and wealthy tourists from Unova and Johto, whom normally might never interact, but at this moment all huddled together against the storm. With the exception of one guest…

Hano Grand Resort boasted three exclusive penthouse suites on its top floor, all of which were temporarily occupied by the Marco Cosmos's Chairman Rose. Although normally upbeat and friendly in his public persona, he scowled by the window as he watched the masses pouring into the usually exclusive venue.

Strangers to his world almost as much as the Ultra Beasts who now fell like stars from the heavens.

"Well, this is certainly an unfortunate turn of events," he said to the only other person allowed within his personal sanctum, save for the maids and butlers who serviced him. That was his secretary and vice president of the company, Oleana. "Were we ever officially informed that the Halberd had been stolen?"

"We were advised of security breach at army base," Oleana replied. "But not more than dat."

"They never mentioned that the Halberd had been hijacked by Team Rocket?"

"No!"

"Unacceptable. There will have to be legal recourse. Though that can wait until we return to Wyndon. But for now, what is the news from the field."

Of course, the chairman knew all about the hijacking of the Halberd. Two of the Marco Cosmos subsidiaries were military subcontractors engaged to help design and build the thing, Marco Cosmos Tech, and Marco Cosmos energy, and of course it was partly insured by Marco Cosmos insurance.

Although much of the project was highly classified, even from contractors, Rose had sufficient wealth an influence to know what was going on in even the highest levels of world governments. What donations and influence couldn't buy, a few well-placed spies and enough money changing hands soon would.

He did after all have, trillions of Poké tied up in the project, in contracts and intellectual property. But that was not his most pressing concern at this moment in time. Right now, he was more interested in what Oleana had to say.

"From what we can determined there are three villains involved," she said, in her sharp east European accent. "Team Rocket control Halberd. Team Plasma is present also. The third vessel is called the centurion."

"Ah yes." Marco Cosmos Tech was also partly responsible for the design of that particular Mecha. "That also was stolen by the remnants of Team Flare. Another instance of government carelessness! If memory serves Team Flare were defeated by the First Order of the military."

"Dat is correct," replied Oleana. "At least as far as the reports we've obtained goes."

"So, who is in command of it now?"

"Not in any of field reports, I'm afraid."

Rose considered this for a moment, raising a hand to stroke the stubble on his chin and jawline. "And the third group is Team Plasma. I always thought of them as a rather ridiculous villainous team. Rather inept despite having some rather radical and dangerous ideas. Didn't their operatives try to gain access to the Energy Plant some months back?"

"They were arrested," said Oleana.

"That's right!" There was a flash in Rose's eyes. A small unit of Plasma Grunts had attempted to break into this secret facility in the Galar Region, though had been stopped by a combination of security and police. The three had all died while awaiting trial for trespass, two in custody and one while on bail…from natural causes obviously. "Can we communicate with the Aether Paradise."

Oleana shook her heads. "Team Rocket knocked out communications! There's a laser barrier around the facility."

"Then we will need reinforcements," said Rose.

Oleana nodded. "I have already given the word."