Trials of the Elite Four(AAMAYL/AdvanceShipping)

**Annhialator Zero** · 20th June 2007, 10:45 AM

Erk. If I was Pikachu at this point I'd try and defend Sceptile to prevent him (In the off-chance he survives) from slicing him into pieces

**Master_in_Training** · 20th June 2007, 3:26 PM

-By the way, Pikachu's only a front man(er, Pokemon) for Operation AaMayL. Want to make a wild guess who is the real mastermind? Now that's two interesting quizzes for you to answer.
-Just filler here. But you might get interested, especially at the end...

EF25:Planning Way, Way(times infinity) Ahead

We leave Ash and May for now to check on the two-timing king. Somewhere near Fuschia City, Max and Hikari are camping out in the open. They let all their Pokemon out to stretch their limbs.

Max is seen feeding his Camerupt and Kirlia some special pellets, from a recipe he borrowed from Brock. Barboach and Crawdaunt(just evolved) are swimming around in a small pond nearby. Hikari's Pokemon, meanwhile, are already fed and asleep.

Sceptile, feeling distant to the other Pokemon, was perched on top of a tree just above the others. Max's Grovyle, Rose, looked upwards at Sceptile. She has a twig on her mouth as well. But at the end of it is a small rose. : P

Max strode over beside Grovyle, and looked at Sceptile. "Come on, Sceptile, you've got to get hungry sometime or another..." Sceptile just turned away. Max sighed. "How does Ash do it?"

Hikari, who was inside her massive orange tent, went out, straightening her hair. She is already in her PJs, ready to sleep. "He must be really upset that he's far from his trainer. That's what I call loyalty."

Sceptile continued looking at the stars(I hope everyone's okay. I wonder if Boss is well with May? And Blaziken, uh, er...)

A/N: Wow, the feeling is mutual... Poor Rose, though...

---

After the S.S Mollusk left Viridian City harbor to its next destination, Ash and May said farewell to their new friends. Jack and his gang are going straight to Johto, while Ash and May are going for a little detour for Pallet Town.

The couple walked the countryside between Pallet Town and Viridian City. Ash still has Heracross flying around for exercise. But so May wouldn't get angry with him again, no training stops for now at least until they reach Pallet Town.

After thirty minutes of walking, the two are now on top of a hill. Just below them is the familiar sight of Pallet Town. Ash, forgetting about May with him, ran all the way downhill, Heracross and Pikachu right on his heels. May sighed, and followed suit.

At the doorway of the Ketchum residence, Ash recalled Heracross as he and Pikachu stopped to take a breather. This is when May just caught up to them. Before he could knock on the door, it burst open, knocking Ash aside, to reveal Delia, who went on to hug May!

"Uh, M-mrs. K-ketchum," May stuttered, from beneath the older woman's embrace, "you're hugging the wrong person..."

But Delia only smiled. "I think you're just the right person, May," she said. "After all, it won't be long until you become a Ketchum, too..." May blushed deeply.

"MOM!" Ash shouted. Both women stared at Ash, who was sitting on one of Delia's flower shrubs after being knocked by the door. He, too, was blushing.

"Now, now, young man," Delia said, letting go of May and waving her index finger in Ash's direction, "is that how you question my intuition?" Ash just hung his head in defeat. Delia then turned back to May, completely forgetting about her son. "Now, we've got to talk about the wedding arrangements..."

"We-wedding?" Ash stuttered.

---

At the family room(also living room), Delia is sitting in the comfortable chair, while she made Ash and May sit next to each other on the couch. Pikachu is sitting on May's lap.

Ash was tightlipped, May is just silent as she is listening to Delia's rambling about "their future", and Pikachu just looked on with suppressed laughter. Mimey, who was in the kitchen, returned with drinks, to serve to everyone.

"It should be the most beautiful and most wonderful of wedding gowns," Delia was saying. "It should be held right here in Pallet Town's cathedral. Oh, with all the places you've been travelling to, and all the people you've met, I have to get started mailing the invitations..."

May was starting to get interested, which made Ash even more embarrassed. "Excuse me, I, uh, have to get some things from my room..."

Delia shook her head with contempt. "You won't find those things under your bed anymore."

Ash stared. "What?! But I've got to return them to Br- Whooopsss..."

"AHA! I knew IT! I knew he was a bad influence on you! Good thing he isn't travelling with you anymore..." Ash hung his head.

(In Pewter City, at Brock's house, the breeder shivered and sneezed, feeling some sort of draft...)

"I took them to Professor Oak's so he can get rid of them... Go ahead if you want to get them back, I hope he already took care of them..."

Ash went out to go to Professor Oak's lab. May started to follow, but Delia stopped her to continue their discussion.

---

Ash knocked on the door of the lab. It was closed, even though it was only noon. But Ash could hear voices inside. He knocked a little harder. Finally, the door opened to reveal Professor Oak, wiping his nose and mouth with a piece of cloth.

"Oh, Ash! I wasn't expecting you too early..." Ash narrowed his eyes to look at the cloth. The part where Oak rubbed it on his nose was slightly red. "Come in, come in..."

Professor Oak took Ash inside, then closed the door. The lab was empty, except for Tracey and Gary, who are huddled in a corner, reading something. They are looking serious, but the drool fom their faces tell otherwise.

CONTINUED...

-Brock's been a bad influence. I call it Brock-itis. And it's catching!
-That's exactly how my parents reacted when I came home to introduce my GF.
-The reason for the amount of fillers is because I want this fic to coincide with another Pokemon fic of mine: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3527365/1/
EDIT:Sorry, Encyclopika, I have a little problem with the computer. I tried loading all the time, and when the message was finally sent, I found that it was double-posted.

**flamingoozaru** · 22nd June 2007, 2:38 PM

Hmm, the main man would be Charlizard? Wait, no, Blaziken! Delia plans very ahead, way way ahead. I like the part where Ash says it was Brock and suddenly Brock felt it, that is so anime-ish. So the book wasn't disposed, Oak, Tracey and Gary are reading it...

**Master_in_Training** · 22nd June 2007, 2:59 PM

-No comment on Charizard.
-Who said it was just a book/magazine?

EF26: The Brock-itis Outbreak

It took Ash quite some time to pry away the materials from the older men's hands.

"You guys should know better," Ash said with a tone of disapproval in his voice, snatching the magazine away from Gary's grasp. "Gary, I thought you said that you were beyond this..."

Gary shrugged. "Hey, we're only human. Cut me some slack..."

Tracey nodded. "True. Even I can't resist these things."

Oak cleared his throat. "Ash is right, though, boys. We should act more mature."

Gary and Tracey looked at each other, then focused on the older researcher. "Give me a break, gramps. You're the one who was itching to get it out of Mrs. Ketchum's hands..."

Oak gave a sheepish laugh, while Ash shook his head. 'And these guys were supposed to be the biggest influences in me...'

---

Ash placed all of Brock's stuff into a duffel bag. These materials include, but not limited to, magazines, CDs, pin-up posters, need I say more...?

Before leaving, Ash stopped by the corral to check on his Pokemon. His entire Pokemon family are eagerly awaiting his return.

"Okay, guys, I've got some new friends I'd like you to meet." Ash called out all his Pokemon(save for Pikachu, who was with May).

The new members, Feraligatr and Gengar, stood above the rest.

Cyndaquil(Now I feel like the low man on the totem pole...)

Bayleef(And I'm in between.)

Feraligatr gave his fellow Johto starters a huge grin(It takes patience. Someday, you guys would evolve, too.)

Gengar(And- HERE!) A bouquet of flowers materialised out of his hand, and gave it to a blushing Ambipom.

"Okay, listen up, you guys," Ash spoke up, trying to get their attention. "Two more competitions and all our dreams will come true." At this everyone cheered.

"We are going to Johto next. Gengar, you can stay here to get better acquainted with the others. Donphan, sorry but you have to stay too. Pikachu, Feraligatr, Heracross and Staravia are coming along. Anyone else wants to come?" Everyone voiced their notion to join the team. Ash smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, guys, but there's only room for two more."

Ash looked around at the dissapointed faces of his Pokemon. "Look, you guys, I wish I can take all of you along, but I can't. The "six Pokemon" rule, you know..."

---

Ash left the lab, duffel bag full of naughty paraphernalia slung on his right shoulder. On his way back to his house, he looked for a nearby phone. He placed a videophone call to Brock in Pewter City. On his first try, the line is busy. But on the second, the breeder answered, and he looks like he's been ruffled or something.

"Wow, Brock, what happened to you?"

"Yeah. Well, just a minute ago, your mom called."

'Uh-oh. I think I know what she wanted,' Ash thought.

Brock continued. "It seems that she's a little angry that I tainted her son's future." Ash laughed nervously. "What did she mean by that?"

"Like I told you, she found out that you've given me these," Ash held out the duffel bag for Brock to see, "things. Heh, I wasn't the only one affected. I found Tracey, Professor Oak and Gary looking like they're worshipping these or something..."

The two of them exchanged laughs, before Ash continued. "May and I are going over there before we head for Johto. I'm going to return these to you before it causes any more trouble."

---

Ash re-entered his home to find that Delia is still conversing with May about the wedding. Ash cleared his throat to announce his arrival. He was merely given a glance, then they returned to the conversation. Ash sighed, and went up to his room.

Closing the door of his room, Ash sat on his bed, and opened the duffel bag. "Now, let's see what's so interesting about you guys..."

After a few minutes, Ash walked back out of his room, shaking in nausea. 'I shouldn't have looked... Auughh...'

---

The two trainers said their farewells, but not before Delia voiced making some calls to Petalburg, which, for some reason, scares Ash. As they go back up the road going to Viridian City, leaving Pallet Town, May wonders what was in the duffel bag Ash was carrying.

"Eh? Oh, just some stuff I'm going to return to Brock." Ash slung the bag further to his right, so that May, on his other side, wouldn't try to cross-examine Ash.

Pikachu(Quoting Charizard: This gets pretty interesting.)

Ash and May leave Viridian City and to Viridian Forest. But, even with their pace of travel, they decided to camp out in the forest. Blaziken's jealous rage was still unmanageable, that she was left alone on one corner of the camp. Even all her teammates are still scared of her.

After a meal Mrs. Ketchum packed for hem, Ash and May immediately went to sleep side by side, but on different sleeping bags.

Pikachu(At least we don't have to move them...)

Swellow(Tsk, tsk. Pikachu, I never knew you to be promoting such things.)

Pikachu(Hey, I'm only following orders. I like that Ash and May are together, but the whole Operation AaMayL was not my idea.)

Feraligatr(Then, whose idea was it?)

Swellow(Yeah. Who?)

Pikachu(I'm not telling. All I'm saying is this guy expects too much in so little time.)

Feraligatr asked Heracross(Do you know anyone who fits that profile?)

Heracross shook his head(Nope. Not a thing.)

At this, both Feraligatr and Heracross stared at Staravia(Do-don't look at me! I don't know him either!)

Feraligatr sighed as he leaned on a tree in a sitting position. Pikachu went to his spot on top of Ash's sleeping bag. Squirtle is on May's other side, and Munchlax and Torkoal leaned against Feraligatr. Heracross, Swellow and Staravia perched themselves on the tree over all of them. Blaziken fell asleep practicing, still distant from the others. Espeon, the only Pokemon not remotely scared of her, was curled up next to the fighting-type.

---

At midnight, Feraligatr snapped awake He let out a big yawn. He looked around, and found that all his companions are still asleep. After looking around, he saw the duffel bag that Ash was carefully guarding. Making sure that his trainer is sound asleep, the Big Jaw silently swiped the bag from beside Ash. But his move awakened Pikachu, and Munchlax and Torkoal.

Pikachu, whispering(He-hey! What're you doing?)

Feraligatr gave a large grin. He, too, spoke in whisper(I want to know what Ash has in this bag of his. Could be food.)

Pikachu sighed. When Feraligatr makes up his mind, there's no convincing him otherwise. The three Pokemon looked over the larger Pokemon's shoulder as he opened the bag.

A/N: Words won't be enough to describe what happened.

Pikachu(YOW! Is that how the humans- BRRR!)

Feraligatr shook his head so fast(THE HORROR! THE HORROR!)

Torkoal burst into sobbing fits again(Auughh! MY EYES! IT BURNS!)

Munchlax(I think I lost my appettite!)

Feraligatr(At least we Pokemon don't mate like that. Wait. How do Pokemon mate again?)

---

"Welcome, you guys!"

The cheerful, yet hollow, voice belonged to Brock. It was early the next morning, and Ash and May made record time in reaching Pewter City and Brock's family house. Brock took Ash aside as Lola, the breeder's mother, ushered May int the living room.

Ash handed the duffel bag to Brock. "Here. They caused a lot of trouble for me."

Brock took the bag just as Flint walked in. Ash tried to grab the bag back again to hide it, but Brock said, "Don't worry, Ash. Dad here is the one who gave me these stuff..."

Flint nodded. "I left these along with Onix to Brock before I left on my journey."

Brock burst into mock-tears again. "Those are the few things he's left me that was worthwhile..."

Ash sweatdropped at the older men. Their conversation was cut short when Lola popped her face in the living room door, to check on the three of them. "What are you boys up to?"

Flint was feeling uneasy. "Uh, nothing, dear." Flint followed his wife into the living room.

Ash stared at Flint walking away, and turned to Brock, a wry smile on his face. "Like father, like son..."

Brock sighed and shrugged. "Runs in the family."

"Other than looks?"

"Ha-ha," Brock said sarcastically.

---

Ash and May couldn't stop by for lunch, since there won't be enough room for a family of twelve and two trainers to eat. After saying their goodbyes, the two set off back to Viridian Forest and to Tohjo Falls.

CONTINUED...
-And you thought Sceptile's evolution/rejection was traumatic...

**flamingoozaru** · 22nd June 2007, 3:10 PM

Wow, that is a lot of stuff.

Originally Posted by Ash

And these guys were supposed to be the biggest influences in me...

This gave me a quick laugh, how sad, funny and true all at the same time. So Ash never did look till now? At least he was grossed out by it, the pokemon looking at it was the funniest, guess great minds think alike. And Feraligatr is right, how do they mate?

**Master_in_Training** · 25th June 2007, 6:04 AM

-With the implication of Egg Groups in the games, a jumble of ideas comes to my head on the Pokemon mating.
-This is Part 1 of the "End of Rocket" saga. See the link in my previous chapter for more information.

EF27: Too Many Baddies to Handle

We next see our favorite couple running towards a freshwater ferry that would safely cross the wide river of Tohjo Falls from the east(Kanto) to the west(Johto) sides. Ash got the tickets from the booth, and, handing them to May, they boarded the ferry just in time.

They took the boarding at a run. Only when are they on the boat did they stop to take a rest. At that moment, the boat left port. They barely made it in time.

May leaned on the guardrail to support herself while she catches her breath. "That was close."

Ash slumped on his back. "You can say that again." Pikachu slumped next to him, also lost his breath.

Pikachu(That was close. Happy?)

Ash stared at his partner. "Whoah, Pikachu, why so tense all of a sudden?"

Pikachu stared at him with contempt. Then he reached below Ash's arms to the Pokeballs containing Feraligatr and Torkoal. The two Pokemon came out.

The three Pokemon all looked at Ash, then at each other, then... BOOM! Pikachu used Thundershock, Torkoal Ember and Feraligatr Water Gun.

A confused, charred and soaked Ash just looked at his Pokemon. "What was THAT for?!"

Pikachu and the other Pokemon burst into angry tirades. They were speaking so fast that even I couldn't translate. Ash tried to calm down his Pokemon, but he doesn't even know why they were angry in the first place, so no dice.

A/N: The rest of the team doesn't know about the trauma. Ash is lucky Pikachu didn't tell them, or else, D-DAY...

Ash recalled Feraligatr and Torkoal back into their Pokeballs. He then picked another Pokeball from his belt, and from within it came Heracross. Ash decided to get his mind off his rampaging Pokemon by training again.

He and May, and their Pokemon, are the only passengers on the ferry. At first, it sort of made the girl nervous, but.

"Hey, what's wrong, May?" Ash asked her, turning away from Heracross.

"Nothing. Just, well... Okay... Don't you think it's a bit weird that we're the only passengers on this ship?"

Ash and Pikachu looked around. Aside from a few sailors, May was right. They were the only passengers on the ship. "No brainer. Even though Tohjo is a passing point between Kanto and johto, it's not exactly a beehive of activity."

"I guess you're right..."

Returning to his training session, Ash had Heracross practice Focus Punch onto a metal plate he picked up. The plate sounded before shattering into bits and pieces. Heracross is improving bit by bit, and Ash is happy about it.

Unknown to our heroes, one of the sailors kept shooting looks at them and whispering to his companions. "The Boss says to get the boy's interest. Maybe if we hurt them or-" he was saying.

"NO!" one of his companions snapped, though silently. "The Boss also said not to hurt him, or his companions."

The first sailor grunted. "Fine. What's wrong with the Boss anyway? Why is he so interested in a brat like that?"

---

The boat reached the Johto side of the river, and Ash, May and Pikachu stepped out. Ash looked at his Gear map. "Newbark Town is not far from here. Might as well drop by and say hello to Professor Elm."

The two of them walked along the wooded path towards New Bark. Ash remembered the first time he set foot here in Johto, and stole a glance to the left of their path. It was a small pond, where Ash first saw the legendary Suicune. May followed his gaze. But, of course, the illusion that was Suicune was gone, so she wondered what Ash saw.

"What is it?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing."

As May and Pikachu walked on ahead of him, Ash stared back at the pond. For some reason, he's not getting a good feeling.

---

From one Pokemon lab to another, Elm's lab is a welcome difference to Rowan's. Ash joked, "If we're lucky, the professor would fit our visit into his hectic schedule..."

May shook her head amusedly at Ash's attempt at humor as he continued. "Professor Elm was Professor Oak's student. He's pretty absentminded about anything but his research."

Ash knocked at the front door of the lab. But on the first thump, the door slowly opened. 'Boy, this looks familiar...' "Prof? Are you here?" There was no answer. Ash, sounding alarmed, pushed the door all the way.

Ash and May stared at the bound form of Johto's regional professor on the ground. He looked at them pleadingly, and Ash ran right over to untie the Professor. May watched as Ash took off the gag on Elm's mouth. Elm gasped for air before he could speak.

"Thieves!" he exclaimed. "Jumped me when I was just returning from a seminar. Two men in black. They took some of the research papers Professor Oak gave me."

"Where are they?" Ash asked.

"They're already gone. I don't know where they went."

Ash turned to May. "May, call the police and stay here with the Professor. Pikachu, you also stay here to protect them. I'll go after those thieves." Ash took three Pokeballs and called out his flying Pokemon. "Swellow, Staravia, Heracross, go out and scout for suspicous characters!"

The three Pokemon flew off in different directions, above the city traffic. Just as Ash started to follow in Staravia's direction when he heard Swellow's call. Ash dodged the ongoing busybodies trying to go in Swellow's direction.

Swellow is leading Ash into NewPark(a pun on Newbark). From a distance Ash could see his flying-type nosedive an Aerial Ace towards the trees. When he reached the spot where the Pokemon dived, and spotted a middle-aged man wearing a lab coat. However, the trainer could see a telltale "R" on the shirt underneath.

"Team Rocket!"

The Rocket Grunt looked at the direction of Ash. He only replied with a grunt, and took out a Pokeball containing a Sandslash. "Swellow, use Aerial Ace!"

Swellow, hovering above, dived downwards again towards Sandslash. The latter curled up into a ball, to protect himself from the attack. To avoid the spikes, Swellow immediately barrel-rolled and swooped out of the dive.

The Grunt sent out another Pokemon, a Piloswine. The Swine Pokemon launched an Icy Wind at Swellow. Reacting fast, Ash sent out Torkoal. The Coal Pokemon protected Swellow from the ice-type attack with Flamethrower.

Swellow perched himself on Torkoal's shell. "Another Flamethrower, Torkoal!"

Torkoal fired Flamethrower, but Sandslash, in between Torkoal and Piloswine, curled for a Rollout. Spinning fast, the Mouse Pokemon deflected the attack.

"What did you guys do with Professor Elm's files?" Ash shouted.

The Rocket only smiled mischievously, though he didn't answer. He only had Piloswine use Earthquake. While Ash struggled to maintain his balance, Swellow, grabbing Torkoal by the edge of his shells, flew them both upwards, safely avoiding the attack.

While his Pokemon are in the air, Ash ordered, "Swellow, release Torkoal. Torkoal, use Rapid Spin!" Swellow let go of Torkoal, who withdrawed himself into his shell. In midair, Torkoal spun very fast, spinnig right in the direction of Sandslash. The two spinning Pokemon clashed with enormous friction.

"Okay, Swellow, Aerial Ace!" Swellow dived, and, instead of targetting Sandslash or Piloswine, targetted Torkoal. The streamline of Aerial Ace protected the flying type from Rapid Spin. But the force of his attack violently pushed Sandslash backwards. Sandslash broke out of his Rollout, and smashed backwards onto Piloswine.

Swellow and Torkoal stood unfazed from attacks while their opponents are both knocked out. At that moment, Staravia and Heracross arrived, along with a squad of police officers. The latter has received reports of disturbance in the area. The Rocket only cursed under his breath. He threw a briefcase in Ash's direction. "You wnat it? There! My mission is just to distract you, anyway."

The Rocket threw some smoke bombs to the ground. Smoke began to fog the area. Swellow and Staravia used Gust to blow them away, but by the time they finish, the thief and his Pokemon were gone.

Ash picked up the suitcase as an Officer Jenny approached. 'What did they mean?' Ash asked himself.

"Young man, are you alright?" the officer asked.

Ash nodded. "That thief broke into Professor Elm's lab. Have you checked there? The Professor might be hurt. My friend is looking after him now."

"The Professor and his Pikachu is already taken to the Center/hospital. But we haven't seen anyone around him, though we found this..." Jenny held out a green piece of cloth. Ash stared at it for a second until he realised what it was. A bandana...

"May!"

CONTINUED...

**flamingoozaru** · 25th June 2007, 11:44 AM

Oh noes! Team Rocket has kidnapped May to lure Ash! That's not good! The pokemons revenge was funny thought.

**legendarytyson** · 25th June 2007, 4:44 PM

I've just finished reading what you wrote so far, and your fic is getting off to a pretty good start. I like the idea of Team Rocket capturing May to lure Ash into a trap. Hope our hero can save her. Otherwise, good job.

**Master_in_Training** · 27th June 2007, 5:58 AM

-The gang will be notified aboput the situation. They will immediately jump in and join the search. But before that, Ash will run into(literally) the most unlikely of allies.

EF28: Unfriendly Reunion

It is around six in the evening. Ash sat in the hospital, outside the room where Professor Elm was kept. The briefcase the Rockets "stole" is on his lap, and the police have just delivered it back to him to give to Elm. But that's the least of the yopung trainer's problems.

Ash cursed himself, for letting Team Rocket kidnap May. But the question is why. As the doctor came out from Elm's room, Ash asked if he is okay.

Pikachu is by Ash's side as usual. This is what happened. The accomplice of the Rocket Ash fought was still there when Ash left to find them. All Pikachu could remember was some brownish powder coming from above, then he knocked out. When Pikachu woke up, Ash was now holiding him, back from the search. And May is gone.

"He'll be fine, just some minor bruises and abrasions on the wrists, caused by the rope that tied him."

"Thanks, doc," Ash said in relief. The doctor let Ash into the room. Elm is seen trying to sit up on the only bed in the hospital room. An intimidating nurse walked past Ash to scold the Professor.

"No, no, NO!" the strict nurse said, trying to settle down Elm. She placed a hand on both of the Professor's shoulders and pushed him back into a sleeping position.

"But I have to return to my re-" He stopped at the look on the nurse's face. Then Elm retreated back onto a lying position.

Ash choked back in laughter, but returned to being serious as he approached Elm. The nurse turned to him. "Sorry, but the patient needs more rest."

Our hero is not one to stand up to the large and intimidating nurse. Ash placed the suitcase next to the Professor on a small table and excused himself. He'll talk to the Professor later. Right now, he's got bigger things to worry about.

---

At the hospital lobby, Ash placed an emergency call to Pallet Town. Professor Oak tried to greet the trainer with enthusiasm, but was only met with Ash's serious tone.

"What's wrong?" the elderly professor asked.

"Professor, May's been kidnapped," Ash said calmly, but Oak could sense Ash's insecurity. "By Team Rocket."

"Oh, my. Don't those three ever give up?"

"No, Professor, this time it's different. The Rocket who kidnapped May is not Jessie or James."

Oak was lost in thought before he could reply. "Hmmm. This is very peculiar. Why would Team Rocket want to kidnap May? Is it because they want to get to you?"

"I was wondering about that, too. But what have I done anyway to get on their nerves?" Oak looked at him skeptically. "Oh, alright, the Whirl Islands and Lake of Rage incidents could count, but that was a long time ago. If they're after me for that, they should have gone after me long ago."

Ash banged his fist on the phone table in shame. A few passersby, Pikachu and Professor Oak, were all alarmed. "I feel stupid, that May was kidnapped because of me. I wish I could-" He made a motion of passing a finger across his throat.

"Calm down, Ash!" Oak said alarmingly. "There's no sense brooding about it now. What we should focus on is how to find and rescue May."

Ash calmed down at his mentor's words. "You're right. But how?"

"I suggest sticking with the police for now. As for me, I'll use my contacts in the PLA to help with the search. Also, maybe you should try contacting all your friends. They would probably get worried as well."

"Thanks, Professor Oak. I'll do just that." Ash signed off.

---

The police part wasn't easy. Try as Ash might, he couldn't get them to let him join in the investigation. So he decided that this case is in his own hands. Before leaving Newbark, Ash decided to check on Elm again. However, the Professor couldn't reveal anything concrete about the kidnappers, other than proving Ash's theories about Team Rocket.

At the break of dawn, Ash and Pikachu went onto Route 29, heading to Cherrygrove City. The greater ground he can cover, the closer he can get to rescuing May, even though he doesn't know how to start. He and Pikachu were running towards an intersection when...

BAM!

---

May woke up, but found out that she was blindfolded. From behind the blindfolds a voice sounded. "Such a treatment for our guest. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

The blindfolds were taken off, and May could now see where she is. She was inside a dimly lit room, sitting on a couch. To the front of her is a large desk, with a large chair behind it. The chair swivelled around to face May.

"Welcome."

"Who are you?" May asked. She tried to move, but found her hands and feet tied up.

The man behind the desk replied, "Don't be alarmed. I'm... A friend."

"Who are you?" May repeated.

Sensing that May is still acting scared, Giovanni turned to the two men behind May. "Leave us." May turned around, and before the two men could head out, she can see that they are wearing the infamous Rockets' uniform.

"You must be part of Team Rocket," May assumed, her fear worsening.

"You can say that..."

---

"OWWCH!" Ash fell backwards from the collision, while the people he collided with fell to the other.

Ash shook his head as he turned to apologize. "I'm really sorry. I was sort of in a hurry so-" Then he realised who he bumped into. It was Jessie and James and Meowth. "YOU!"

Jessie and James took this as a cue. They stood up, and said a motto:

"Prepare for trouble."

"And make it double."

"To protect the world from devastation."

"To-"

Ash interrupted them as he stood up. "I've got no time for you guys. Wait, I do. What did you do to May?"

Jessie was a little irritated at Ash for interrupting their motto, but this time it was Meowth who cut in. "Sorry, twerp, but we-"

"I said, CUT IT. Now WHAT DID YOU DO TO MAY?" Ash repeated, glaring angrily at them.

The Rockets looked at each other, then joined in a huddle. "Boy, is the twerp ticked," James commented.

"What happened to the twerpette anyway? Aren't they supposed to be travelling together?" Meowth sounded.

"Well, it's your fault, Meowth on deciding to get here through Mt. Silver! Now how are we going to explain this to the Boss?" Jessie said abruptly.

"Hey, according to the map, Route 46 is close to Mt. Silver, and passing there was a good idea."

Ash is getting impatient. The answer to rescuing May is right there in front of him, and all they do is drabble. "Pikachu!" The little rodent nodded, and delivered a Thunderbolt attack to snap the trio back to reality.

"HEY!" a shocked Jessie retorted angrily.

"There's more where that came from if you don't tell me where you took May," Ash said coldly.

Meowth shook his head to remove the cobwebs from his eyes. "Look, twerp, we don't know anything about your sweetheart being kidnapped, okay?"

"Somehow, I don't believe that," Ash muttered.

Pikachu is more than agreeing towards Ash.(Yeah.)

Meowth turned to his nemesis. "Look, can you find it deep in your hearts to trust us this time?"

(No. And you know pretty well why...)

"Yeah, yeah, I know. But this time we're legit. Cross my Meowth heart, and hope to, uh-" 'Great. I have good taste in comebacks...'

Pikachu began charging up for another Thunderbolt, when James held up his hands in surrender. "If we surrender to you, can you let us explain everything?"

Ash hesitated, thinking it might be a trap. To prove that they are surrendering, James took out the Pokeballs holding Cacnea, Mime Jr. and Carnivine, and rolled them to the ground to the front of Ash. The latter braced himself, thinking that the Pokemon might come out and attack. James motioned for Jessie to do the same.

Ash is still at a loss for words, and so does Pikachu. To confuse the latter more, one of Jessie's Pokeballs opened up by itself to reveal...

She-chu(STOP! Please, listen to us!)

Pikachu just stared at the female Pikachu standing in front of him.

CONTINUED...

-Bet you never saw that coming.
-Another clue for the mastermind's identity:
Spoiler:- Your Spoiler Here:

**Annhialator Zero** · 27th June 2007, 11:00 AM

Charizard has returned

(NO CAKE!?)

**flamingoozaru** · 27th June 2007, 12:35 PM

Yes, I guessed right, it was Charlizard! And the no cake thing, very funny. And Jessie is She-Chu's trainer, no way...

**Master_in_Training** · 28th June 2007, 5:20 AM

DING! DING! You got it right! Your prize: none... Mwuah-ha-ha...

EF29:The Plot Thickens

(May's conversation with Giovanni happens the same time Ash meets Jessie and James in the last chapter.)

"Who are you?" May asked. She tried to move, but found her hands and feet tied up.

The man behind the desk replied, "Don't be alarmed. I'm... A friend."

"Who are you?" May repeated.

Sensing that May is still acting scared, Giovanni turned to the two men behind May. "Leave us." May turned around, and before the two men could head out, she can see that they are wearing the infamous Rockets' uniform.

"You must be part of Team Rocket," May assumed, her fear worsening.

"You can say that..."

Suddenly, a shadow appeared behind May. The shadow used Psychic to free May from her bonds. As the girl rubbed the part where her hands chafed, she turned around again to see a Slowking.

Slowking(Do not be alarmed. He is the Boss of Team Rocket. But he means well, for now...)

A little calmer that a Pokemon was vouching for Giovanni, May relaxed. But she kept on guard, in case Slowking was unsavory himself.

Giovanni stood from his desk and walked to beside Slowking. "This Pokemon here, has asked me to do a little favor for him. The fact alone that the matter he discussed piped up my interest. It is about... The fate of the world..."

"World?" May asked. "What do you mean?"

Slowking sighed(Let me begin. Ancient prophecies tell of an extraordinary Pokemon, the Alpha, that will soon be summoned to this world.)

"Slowking told me," Giovanni followed the Pokemon's speech, "that certain characters are going after the Alpha, to get the power for themselves."

Slowking(Such desire for the Pokemon's power will mean the end of the world.)

"I may be a criminal mastermind, but I won't like it either when the world is destroyed. I mean, who would? That's why I answered his plea."

May is trying to fit all these in her head. "But what does it have to do with me?"

Slowking(I'm sorry, we should have started on that. I hail from an island in the Orange Archipelago. Nearly five years ago, a prophecy was fullfilled. Three titans, of fire, ice, and lightning, waged a colossal battle. Even the efforts of their powerful guardian wasn't enough. But the Chosen One was able to fullfill the prophecy, and quelled the fighting of the titans.)

"This Chosen One," Giovanni added, returned to his desk. He took out a folder, and handed it to May. "Is described right here. Recognize anyone?"

May looked at the files, and down to the verse of the prophecy. Only one line caught her eye:

The world shall turn to Ash

"This really means Ash?" May asked.

Both Giovanni and Slowking nodded. "If you read further, the prophecy describes the Alpha as well..." May read the verse properly:

Alpha will appear, and Darkness he will be engulfed

Efforts of those who serve he

Will be all for naught

The Chosen One

Use the greatest power of Nature, Fire and Water

To quell the god's anger.

"So you see, your friend Ash is the Chosen One, the only person capable of stopping the first prophecy we told you about. I asked for my agents to, er, bring you here, so he can-" Giovanni was cut off by an explosion coming from the outside.

May felt herself trembling from the explosion. So did Giovanni, since the whole castle rocked violently. The Boss narrowed his eyes. "Right on time..."

Slowking shook his head disapprovingly(I told you to evacuate this area. My prediction is about to come true. Team Rocket will be destroyed.)

Giovanni smiled. "I just want to see this other Boss for myself." He pressed the intercom on his desk. "Send out the squads immediately for defense and counter-attack!"

The voice on the other end of the line said, "Yes, Boss. Right away."

Another explosion, and May was thrown off her seat. Giovanni looked at her, then pressed a hidden mechanism under his desk. The bookcase to the left of his desk opened to reveal a small lift.

Giovanni helped the young trainer to her feet, and led her to the secret compartment. May, still holding the files on the prophecy, was shoved into the small area. Giovanni also pushed Slowking inside. The two were barely able to fit inside, and no room for Giovanni.

"I want you to take those files to your friend. If my hunch is right, my best agents will be coming along shortly with him."

"But, what about you?"

"It's like protecting a family," Giovanni interrupted, smiling strangely. "The Rockets aren't the only ones helping me. My other allies will be coming along shortly."

Without another word, Giovanni closed the hatch.

---

The scene shifts to a pond. There, Ash listened to the trio's story, but he still doubts about their not having involved in May's kidnapping. Team Rocket, though sincere, still kept something from Ash: the fact that Giovanni asked them to look after him. They covered it up by saying that they quit Team Rocket and decided to follow him to...

"Keep in the show."

'Cut it out with breaking the 4th wall, will you?'

'Can't help it. You're the one making us break the 4th wall, ya know...'

Ash was wondering who Meowth was talking to, but James cut him off. "So, the twerpette is kidnapped? But by our- I mean, Team Rocket?" he asked, after Ash finished with his side of the story. 'Why would the Boss do that? He didn't even tell us anything about it.'

Ash nodded. A-chu, meanwhile, is conversing with She-chu. Ash's Pokemon still can't believe that the latter Pikachu is on the side of his greatest enemies. Quoting A-Chu: 'I feel like a Romeo...'

She-chu(If you don't trust them, you don't trust me either, do you?)

A-chu(N-no! It's not like that. It's just that- Well, your trainer and mine have shared some bitter history together...)

She-chu bowed her head as A-chu looked at her(Brother Meowth told me that alreeady. But I still trust them.)

'Brother Meowth?' A-chu thought incredulously. Just then, She-chu raised her head, and her eyes met A-chu's. A-chu's heart felt like it just melted.

A-chu sighed deeply(I spent too much time travelling with Brock...)

She-chu smiled at him. Meowth sighed in relief. "He-he, maybe after all this," he placed a hand on both A- and She-chu's shoulders, "we might become in-laws..."

A-chu looked at Meowth(Don't push it.)

Ash, however, was still not convinced of Jessie and James' sincerity. But... "Okay, I'll trust you, just this once. Can you guys take me to where you think your cohorts took May?" The two older trainers nodded, but Jessie turned to ME again.

'Call me old again, and you'll be sorry...'

'Sorry, Ma'am...'

---

Ash and J2 are now taking a boat to Rocket Castle, south of Johto, with Meowth as navigator. In no time at all, they reached their destination. But are they too late?

CONTINUED...
-HEADS UP:
Spoiler:- your spoiler here:

-And for those interested, these are the allies Giovanni told May about:
Spoiler:- your spoiler here:

**flamingoozaru** · 29th June 2007, 4:08 PM

Wow, Giovanni turned good... Ash is in the Pokemon 2000 plot again? And Mask... who is he? All these questions, She-chu and Pikachu romances and fourth-wall breaking! This is so cliffhanger...

**EarthBorn** · 29th June 2007, 4:59 PM

Apart from the slight confusion I had in comprehending the last chapter (it happened all to quickly and all, I think that the chapter was a little rushed...), I'm mildly surprised upon Giovanni's unlikely alliance.

BTW, Spoiler:- possibility:

**Master_in_Training** · 30th June 2007, 3:42 AM

-That chapter wasn't rushed, this is. BTW, you were mildly surprised? Mind telling me why?

EF30:Under Siege

The boat containing our heroes came to a stop. They all looked like they were frozen in place, after seeing the sight before them.

The castle is engulfed in smoke. At the harbor were several large, unidentified(from their distance) Pokemon, being fought back by several Rockets and their own Pokemon.

Meowth peered from the stern. "Eh, did we miss a party?"

"Full speed ahead, Meowth!" Ash ordered.

"Roger, Cap'n! Brace yourselves!" Meowth pushed the accelerator violently forward, forcing their boat to gain immense speed. Jessie and James held themselves from the sides, but Ash stood firmly by the bow.

"So, brave leader," Jessie shouted over the roar of the boat's outboard, "where do we jump in the battle?"

Ash looked back at her and grinned. "We go head-first." J2 looked at each other, and sighed.

"He never got rid of his reckless streak," Jessie mouthed.

"And ten movies prove it," James added.

After gathering dangerous speeds, our heroes' boat crashed into the castle's harbor. After the collision, the three trainers now have a clear view of the battle that was going on.

The castle's defense forces, led by Butch and Cassidy, are fighting off an army of Pokemoin of many types, led none other than by Bomb and Wire! The latter forces are gaining the upper hand. But they all looked frozen in place after noticing the new arrivals. This prompted Jessie and James to take Ash's place on the boat's bow.

"Prepare for TROUBLE!"

"And make it DOUBLE!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all peoples within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"JESSIE!"

"JAMES!"

They were interrupted oince again by Ash, who ran into them to jump to shore. "ASH!"

Ash turned back to them, surprised that they used his actual name. "Sorry, guys, but we've got to act, fast!" Ash turned to Pikachu. "Let's go, Pikachu! We've got an old score to settle! VOLT TACKLE!"

An electrically-charged Pikachu dashed towards one of the many Magmortar under Bomb's control. The larger Pokemon was launched backwards by the attack, hitting another Magmortar, like a domino.

Jessie thought, 'I've got to get She-chu one of those!' She called out Seviper, Dustox and She-chu. An Electivire tried to use Thunderpunch on them, but, in the nick of time, Wobuffet let himself out of his Pokeball to Counter the attack. The Electivire was knocked backwards. Wobuffet's allies cheered for him, while he blushed.

James took out Carnivine and Cacnea. Mime Jr.(like Wobuffet) let himself out of his Pokeball, much to James's dismay. Two Magmortar used Fire Blast on James' Pokemon, but Ash had called Feraligatr to counter the attacks with Hydro Cannon.

"Thanks, twerp," James said as he picked up Mime Jr.

Ash sighed. "I thought you guys would have finally resorted to calling me by name... Never mind. Feraligatr, stay here and help the Rockets. I'm going inside and find May!" Ash dashed past the defenses with Pikachu into the castle's interior.

Ash kicked the castle's doors to find more -Mortars and -Wires fighting more of the castle's defenses. Ash sent out Torkoal to use Smokescreen. He doesn't have time to fight them for now. He has to find May first.

The trio, trainer and two Pokemon, ran up the hallway, through the stairs and to the offices. Finally, he reaches Giovanni's office. Ash kicked the door open, to reveal an ominous sight.

The floor of the office is cracked open to a huge crater. Ash peered below to see two trainers engaged in a Pokemon battle. The first one, Ash recognizes from his 2nd encounter with Mewtwo, is none other than Giovanni. The other one, is a strange sight.

He is a little taller than Giovanni. The mysterious trainer is wearing a billowing black cloak. The most recognizable feature was the mask he wore. It was like formed from jagged pieces of ice, but instead of blue, the mask is colored red.

Giovanni had a Kangaskhan fighting against the Mask's Blastoise. Blastoise fired a powerful Hydro Cannon at his opponent, instantly knocking out Giovanni's Parental Pokemon.

"You are awfully slow now, Gio," the Mask said, in a hollow voice. "It's a fluke that you became a Gym Leader."

Giovanni recalled Kangaskhan, furious at the other trainer. "My skills aren't like they're supposed to be. Tell me, where is the Azure Flute?"

'So that guy must be the boss of Bomb and her cohorts,' Ash thought.

"It's in a safe place," Mask replied. He recalled Blastoise, and took out Meganium. "I was surprised you're willing to put your organization on the line just to face me again."

"It's an old score I want to settle," Giovanni answered, narrowing his eyes. He called out Magmar.

Mask shook his head and laughed evilly. "You are weak as always. Meganium, Frenzy Plant!"

The ground beneath Magmar began to vibrate. Several vines shot out of the floor, trying to snare the Pokemon. Magmar tried to use his Flamethrower to deflect the attack, but no dice. The vines snared Magmar, lifting him up into the air, forming ike a crucifix. A larger vine shot out of the ground in front of Magmar, and, to Ash's and Giovanni's horror, dropped its full body onto Magmar, crushing the Pokemon.

Magmar fell to the ground after the vines disentangled. Giovanni grimaced, as he recalled Magmar. Mask took no notice of this, as he looked up, towards their only spectator.

"So this is your big plan to stop me, old friend?" Mask asked evilly. Giovanni turned to where his opponent is looking. "A young boy? You are getting soft, especially in the head."

Giovanni locked eyes with Ash for a moment. Mask called out his 3rd Pokemon, a Blaziken. The Blaze Pokemon jumped high to Ash.

'Oh, great...' "Pikachu, use Thunder! Torkoal, use Overheat!"

Ash's two Pokemon immediately jumped into action to defend their trainer. But their efforts were not useful at all, as Blaziken easily dodged the attacks. Giovanni reacted by calling his Golem. The Megaton Pokemon tackled Blaziken in midair, saving Ash from any attack.

"There's a secret compartment where I took your friend!" Giovanni called to Ash. "Use it to escape. I'm sure you can see her there!"

"But-"

"GO! I'll explain everything later, I promise!"

Ash ran around the crater and around the desk. He found the switch for the secret compartment. He pressed it, and the bookcase opened. Ash, recalling Torkoal, and Pikachu, took one last look at Giovanni's battle and jumped into the hatch.

Giovanni turned back to the battle. his Golem is now locked in close combat with Blaziken. "You do know pretty well that what you're planning to do... It will destroy this WORLD!"

Giovanni couldn't see the face, but he could sense an evil smile from behind the mask. "Now where's the fun in THAT? Blaziken, use Blast Burn!"

From between the two Pokemon, a powerful explosion erupted. The explosion engulfed Giovanni and Golem, but Blaziken and Mask were able to jump high right away, the Pokemon picking up his master. That explosion was enough. The entire castle crumbled in its foundations.

---

Outside, the Rockets stood perplexed as their base was destroyed right in front of them.

Feraligatr(ASH!)

"Uh-oh, now both our Bosses are gone?!" Meowth cried.

Wire smirked. "The Boss has already left. We should go, too," she said to Bomb.

"Hey, WAIT!" Butch called angrily. "What did your Boss do to ours?"

Bomb turned to the Rockets, and gave them a sinister smile for all of them to see. "He's gone. And with it: Team Rocket!" The two recalled their Pokemon, and in an instant, disappeared into thin air.

---

Ash and Pikachu found themselves sliding downwards in a tube-like passage. Behind them, wildfire(from the explosion above) was chasing them. Ash and Pikachu reached the end of the passage, landing on earth just as the entire passage imploded.

Ash covered himself and Pikachu from the explosion. When it was all over, Ash rose from his crouching position. He finds himself in an underground cavern, perhaps below the Rocket Castle.

"Pikachu, are you alright?" Ash asked his partner.

(Yeah, I'll manage.)

"ASH!" The young trainer turned around to the source of the voice, to spot May running up to him, followed closely by Slowking. She hurled her arms around him.

"MAY! Man, am I glad to see you safe," Ash said, relief in his voice.

Slowking cleared his throat, to get their attention(The cave is collapsing. Perhaps we can save the reunions for later?)

"You're right," Ash replied, not even recognizing the Pokemon, though Pikachu looked surprised to see him. The cave ceiling above them indeed looked like it is about to collapse. Ash took May by the hand, and led her deeper into the cavern, followed by the Pokemon.

After a few minutes, they spot a small underground spring. "This could take us outside, but," Ash pointed to where the spring opened up to a cave mouth, which was blocked, "we're caved in."

"We can use our Pokemon to-" May started to suggest, but befor she can even finish, the rocks gave way, to reveal a Swampert and Empoleon, accompanied by Ash's Feraligatr!

Pikachu(Ash, help has arrived...)

With the help of their rescuers, Ash, May and Slowking swam out of the cavern.

CONTINUED...
-Mask is based on the Mask of Ice, BTW.
-If you notice, Mask's Stage 2 starter Pokemon came from three generations, like Ash's, and corresponding to the weakness of Ash's own Stage 2 Pokemon.

**EarthBorn** · 30th June 2007, 5:40 AM

Good chapter and nice job with the action.
Actually I was mildly surprised because I thought that someone in this story was going to turn their sides, due to such erm...circumstances.
I didn't think it was going to be Giovanni specifically though.

**Master_in_Training** · 30th June 2007, 4:27 PM

EF31:Aftermath

(FLASHBACK, earlier, in the Olivine Harbor)

"We're going on a raid to a small uncharted island, where there is a disturbance. Prepare back-up in case needed."

The commanding voice belongs to the Officer Jenny in Olivine City. Just as you heard, the commotion attracted the attention of seaside towns Olivine and Cianwood. She was barking orders into a radio, on a police speedboat. Just as she was preparing to depart for the site to investigate with a police squad, Brock and Hikari arrived on the harbor to stop her.

This time, the situation being dire, Brock didn't make any advances to the officer. Or maybe it's just because his Toxicroak is just standing by...

"WAIT!" Brock called to the departing boat. He, Toxicroak and Hikari ran up to the gangplanks alongside the boat.

Jenny immediately applied the brakes. Even before he was sure they'd stop, Toxicroak hurled Brock into the air right onto the boat's deck, much to the breeder's dismay.

After recovering, Brock ran to the side of the ship, just as the officers looked at him quizzically. "YOU CRAZY FROG! What are you trying to do? Kill me?"

Toxicroak shrugged(Maybe... Think of it as thanks for your putting a bad influence in my friends...)

Hikari sighed. After the little incident, Jenny emerged from the boat's control cabin, looking sternly at Brock, still shouting at his Pokemon.

"I'm sorry, but you have to get off," Jenny said. "No civilians allowed."

Brock lowered his head, trying to apologize. "Listen, my friends could be right in the center of that incident. We have to-"

"I admire your concern for your friends, but-" She looked at what was unmistakably puppy-dog eyes from Brock. "I'm gonna get kicked from my job for this..."

'YES! And it's going to be like a lo-'

Hikari called them back at the harbor, interrupting Brock's fantasy. "So you're allowing us to go after all. Now, can you help me aboard?"

Minutes later, Brock and Hikari stood at the bow of the ship. They nodded at each other as they held a Pokeball in their hands. The white flashes from the Pokeballs landed in the water.

"Go, Swampert!"

"Empoleon, time to show up!"

Two Pokemon appear by the side of the boat. One is a large, finned pokemon with sensor-like eyes. The second one is a dark-blue penguin with something that looks like a crown in place of her beak.

"Go on ahead of us to find Ash and May," Brock ordered to his Swampert.

"You help out, too, okay, Empoleon?" Hikari added.

The two Pokemon saluted, and dived into the salty water.

---

As they swam ahead of the cruiser, Swampert turned to Empoleon(I think I see something! It looks like- Like-)

Empoleon(A Feraligatr!)

Sure enough, Ash's Feraligatr swam into view in front of the other two Pokemon. the Big Jaw was surprised at the newcomers. The three Stage 2 Pokemon stared at each other for a few seconds until Feraligatr spoke.

Feraligatr(Who're you guys?)

Swampert(We're looking for Ash and May. Who are YOU?)

Feraligatr(I'm looking for them, too. You guys good OR bad?)

The other two looked at each other and nodded. Empoleon(We came here with the police.)

Feraligatr(Then that makes you the good guys. Come on, we have to find Ash and May. They might have taken to the water to escape the explosion.)

The Big Jaw led the other two Pokemon to the land mass underwater that is the foundation of Rocket Castle. Feraligatr just kept swimming around the rocks, when Swampert detected something with his radar. Swampert swam ahead of Feraligatr to point to a pile of rocks at the rock face. Some of the water was fltiering through the rocks, meaning there is an opening behind them.

Feraligatr, Empoleon and Swampert used Focus Punch, Metal Claw and Rock Smash to break the rockslide.

(END FLASHBACK)

After the battle, all the Rockets escaped from boats. Jessie, James and Meowth took the boat they used. Feraligatr dived in earlier to try and find his trainer and friends. As the trio pondered on what to do, another speedboat came up to them from the mainland Olivine. On it were Brock and Hikari and Officer Jenny!

'Uh-oh,' Meowth thought. 'The rest of the Merry Twerps have arrived with the fuzz...'

"Team Rocket!" Brock shouted to them, as their boat slowed down beside the Rockets. "Where are Ash and May?"

'Didn't we do this bit before, with the twerp-Boss?' Meowth mouthed, with a huge sigh. "Look, we're the good guys this time!" he called back.

"I highly doubt that," Hikari said, crossing her arms.

The police began boarding the several boats carrying the Rockets. Many more "fuzz" arrived to help confine the criminals, who, surprisingly, didn't resist. Must be because they think Team Rocket is indeed gone, with Giovanni along with it...

Only J2 were struggling from their handcuffs. "I'm telling you, we're the good guys!" Jessie shrieked, so loud that everyone had to cover their ears.

"The twerp can back us up," James added.

"And where is Ash? And May?" Brock repeated his previous question.

James and Meowth looked at each other(Jessie is still screaming her head off), and bowed their heads. "We- We don't know..."

Brock didn't like the tone of their voice. He looked back at the ruins of Rocket Castle. 'Come on, buddy, you've gotten through worse stuff than this...'

As if on cue, three splashes could be heard. Hikari ran toi the side of the boat where she heard them, and cried out, "ASH! MAY!"

Brock ran to his friend's side. His Swampert is leading the other three Pokemon, Empoleon, Slowking and Feraligatr, towards the boat. On the latter two's backs are Ash, Pikachu and May, all out of breath, but alive.

---

First-aid was applied to the trainers. When May finally opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by police officers, Brock, Hikari, Team Rocket, Pikachu, Feraligatr and Slowking. They all breathed a sigh of relief.

"H-hey, guys," she said weakly. "What's up?" As she stood up, and the blanket covering him slipped off. Then she remembered. "Where's Ash?"

Brock and Hikari turned to each other, and away from May. The latter could sense something's wrong... "N-no... Ash..."

Just then, a voice sounded behind Brock. "What? Did someone say my name?" Ash appeared between Brock and Jessie, shaking his head. He, too, was wearing a blanket like May's.

Brock put a fist in front of his mouth to clear his throat. Hikari turned around so May couldn't see her face. But the eyes were a telltale sign of their moods.

"Not FUNNY," May said crossly.

Brock shrugged, and it revealed his suppressed grin. "Eh, we thought we want to see what the expression on your face would be like..."

Jenny turned to J2. "Now, for you three..."

"Uh, can't we negotiate something?" Meowth pleaded.

"Wait," Ash spoke up. Everyone turned to him. Ash shrugged off his blanket as he continued. "If weren't for them, I couldn't have found this place... And May." Ash turned to his former nemeses and smiled. "I owe them one."

Suddenly, halos "magically" sprouted above the Rockets's heads. Everyone sweatdropped at the sight. Jenny cleared her throat. "Still, they are criminals. But... I'll let the court decide that..."

All three Rockets jumped high in the air for joy.

---

After Ash and co. escaped, a lone figure is seen flying towards the castle ruins, on a Salamence. The Salamence landed on the same part where the explosion supposedly killed Giovanni.

"We are too late," the Salamence's trainer, who is Drake, said. A Lapras came up behind him, carrying Prima and Glacia.

"This... Is horrible," Prima said, after getting off from her Pokemon.

Drake called out a Tyranitar. "Quick, use Rock Smash!" Tyranitar pummeled his fists to the ground. In a few seconds, the limp figure of Giovanni was seen beneath the rubble. Drake picked him up, and took him on Salamence's back.

"I'm sorry, old friend," Drake said to the unconscious Rocket as Salamence took off. "We are too late."

Glacia, from the Lapras riding the water below them, called Drake. "What are we going to do now?"

"The competition must go on. The fate of the world depends on it."

CONTINUED...
-HEADS UP:

Spoiler:- Your Spoiler Here:

-Here's something for you that would smell of Advanceshipping:
Spoiler:- Your Spoiler Here:

**flamingoozaru** · 1st July 2007, 6:03 AM

Wow, nine babies? Pikachu you sly dog! Wonder what Brock said. And Giovinni vs Mask and lost, he must really be good. Something really bad is about to happen right?

**Master_in_Training** · 1st July 2007, 7:10 AM

-BTW, EF31 is the last part of the "End of Rocket" saga.
-Here's some real spoilers to the overall plot:
Spoiler:- MAJOR SPOILER:

EF32: Pikachu's Been Busy

The police cruiser dropped the rest of the prisoners in the Whirl Prison. J2 and Meowth are going to mainland Olivine to face an unknown sentence, but not before Ash and co. bade them luck.

But even before they arrived, we take notice of another party. In Cianwood City, there is a festival(or more of a carnival) to commemorate two large events: the P-1 and, of course, the Bruno's Cup.

Amidst the preparations of the two events, a grim scene arrives at a private hospital. Johto Elite Bruno is seen conversing with Drake near the entrance of the building. Behind them, an aide was wheeling a gurney, carrying a bandaged Giovanni.

"This situation seems dire," Bruno was saying. "I never thought Team Rocket would go like this..."

Drake nodded as he watched Giovanni taken inside. "We must finish all this quickly. We must find the one who can suceed Mask's powers so he can be defeated."

"What of our boy?"

"He's already on his way here, with his friends. In fact, I want to talk to him right away."

Bruno leaned on the column on the hosppital's porch. "This Cup will probably take a week to finish. You think we can still make it?"

"Let's hope so."

---

Officer Jenny dropped off our heroes on their next destination: Cianwood City, the site for the Bruno's Cup. Slowking accompanied the Rockets earlier on their behalf for their trial in Olivine City.

When the foursome arrived on the harbor, it was nearly midnight. The excitement of the recent adventures must have made them lose track of the time.

Brock looked up his Pokegear for information. "There's a hotel in the north portion of this island. And it says that trainers who are coming to participate in the Bruno's Cup will get free lodging."

Both of the girls's eyes sparkled. "Then what are we waiting for?" Hikari asked. "Let's get checked in RIGHT AWAY!"

The boys and Pikachu sweatdropped, but May was more than agreeing with Hikari. The two literally pulled their companions further into the city.

Even at the late hour, the entire city is alive. People line the city streets, going to the center of the island, where the site for the competition will be held. "Wow, a city that never sleeps," Ash commented, with a huge yawn.

Brock, too, yawned. Both of them didn't cover their mouths, much to May's and Hikari's dismay. "Maybe it never sleeps, but I do. And I need it right now..."

The foursome headed in the direction opposite of the sightseers. As they walked past the festival site, they could see there were kiosks, banners, all the things you could find in a festival. May was wishing that she should have been born with eyes on all sides of her head, as she kept turning around to take in the view. Hikari, meanwhile, had her attention caught by a poster on the wall of the nearest stall.

"Look, guys, aside from the Cup and P-1, there's also a conte-" Brock shut her up with a look. But Ash caught on, as he read the poster.

"Contest!" he finished for Hikari. Ash turned to May. "Why don't you enter, May? So there's something to occupy you with while I fight in the Cup?"

Hikari looked at May apologetically, as Brock shook his head. Ash, however, took no notice of this. May quivered her lip, but she said, "S-sure, Ash. I'll join the contest..."

"Great! Let's-"

"Uh, Ash," Brock interrupted, "shouldn't we be checking in the hotel first? It's late, and you said it yourself, we're all tired."

Ash looked at his friend quizzically. "Uh, sure, I guess..." But then his youthful enthusiasm kicked in, and he took May by the hand and they ran ahead of the others. Brock turned to Hikari to scold her.

"Don't you remember what May asked us in Pallet Town?"

"I'm sorry, I forgot," Hikari said gloomily.

"Don't apologize to me, you should apologize to May. Now, maybe Ash might find out about all this because of you."

---

Even though Cianwood is composed of many tall buildings, the Trainers's Hotel towered above them all. The magnificent white building stood fifty stories high, supplemented by a lavish garden on the east side and a large adjoining resort to the right..

Ash and May checked in ahead of the others. May must have put the concept of contests out of Ash's mind for a while. It seems that the hotel serves a buddy/relationship policy. So, to lighten the mood(and to continue his schemes of playing Cupid on Ash and May), Brock suggested...

"You're sick, Brock," Ash commented airily.

"Either that, or you've been posessed by a devil. A perverted devil," Hikari added.

'I think that happened a long time ago,' May thought.

Brock placed an arm around Ash, and pulled him aside so the girls won't hear what he has to say. "Come on, don't you want to spend some more time with May?"

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Of course I do, but-"

"If I remember correctly, you were more than eager to travel with May alone to Sinnoh," Brock added.

"We were alone just because you and everyone else didn't come along!" Ash retorted.

"Oh, yeah... I forgot..."

---

Still, Brock managed to bribe the hotel Maitre for the desired rooming arrangements. And so, Ash and May go in one room, and Brock and Hikari in the other. Luckily for the latter pair, their room has two bunks. But for the other two, well...

"How come someone who can't make any advances towards any girl make the most perverted of plans?" Ash asked himself as he entered his and May's room. To add insult to injury, the room that the bribed hotel helpers took them to a honeyroom suite. Pikachu jumped off May's hold and onto the red-blanketed(it's Valentine-themed) queen-size bed. The little mouse immediately fell asleep at the center.

May wasn't listening as she strode around the bed to the dresser. She looked at herself in the mirror. Signs of stress are appearing under her eyes. Then she remembered something. The prophecy... The Boss fo Team Rocket wanted her to give Ash the files containing the verse, but the folder was lost when she and Ash were escaping underwater.

She was lost in thought that she didn't notice Ash until he grabbed her from behind. Ash held May closer, and May could feel his chest pressing against her back. "I'm so sorry, May. I know Team Rocket kidnapped you to get to me... I didn't want to put you in danger."

"Ash," May started weakly. "I-"

"Don't say another word," Ash said shortly. "I want to keep travelling with you, but, if it means that-"

"Wait, Ash," May said suddenly. She turned around, so she and Ash are facing each other. "Team Rocket did kidnap me to get to you, but this time they din't mean any harm." May struggled free of Ash's embrace, and turned to the bed. "He- The Boss, I mean, Giovanni, he wanted to talk to you..."

Ash was surprised. "But why?"

May sat down the edge othe bed, and gazed into Ash's eyes. "It's about-"

---

"Touch me, and you'll regret planning this perverted scheme," Hikari practically shrieked.

"Hey, girls younger than me are not my type, okay? You should know that already."

The room Hikari and Brock were sharing was as big as Ash and May's, and they have two beds. Brock sat on one bed, while Hikari lay on the other. Toxicroak(on Hikari's request) was in between the two beds, alternating turning from one trainer to the other, his crooked smile sjowing, due to amusement.

---

Because of May's storytelling, she and Ash both slept late. Brock, assuming that his plan worked, left them alone. Besides, the Bruno's Cup won't begin until 4 days from now. So it was about late afternoon until the couple finally woke up.

Ash still had his head swimming from all the details May told him about the night before. To get his mind off things for a while, Ash began training Heracross again. He and the others also let out all their Pokemon free to explore the city and(to a certain extent) the island.

It is now the second day on their stay in Cianwood. Majority of the Pokemon are at a small park, with a cliff overlooking the sea, being looked after by Brock, May and Hikari. Torkoal was just basking in the sunlight, dangerously close to the cliff's edge. Feraligatr is also there, and Toxicroak was leaning beside a tree, away from the others, as usual. Swampert was unbelievably close to Blaziken(uh-oh, Sceptile better return, quick). Espeon was playing with Squirtle, and Empoleon was showing off her Aqua Jet to children. Swellow and Staravia are perched on top of the tree above Toxicroak.

Pikachu, meanwhile, picked up a familiar scent. He darted away from the others, in the direction of the aroma. He spotted a nearby stand serving fried dumplings. As he held up his nose in the air to savor the smell, the proprietors turned around for Pikachu to see their faces. Team Rocket!

"Prepare for your stomach to rumble," Jessie said, in her hand a bottle of mustard.

"Make it a special double, double serving, at least," James added, holding out a fan that he was using to fan the smoke out of their grill.

Pikachu(You guys again?)

"You got that right, buddy," Meowth said, appearing above the Rockets' kiosk, wearing an apron. She-chu appeared beside Meowth, and jumped to Pikachu's side.

"Wrong, wrong, wrong, WRONG," Jessie suddenly said. "We can't make a jingle that way..."

"It's the worst we ever came up with," James agreed.

Pikachu sighed. Just then May arrived. The ex-Rockets looked up at her. "Ah, the twerpette. Just the girl we want to see..."

"Team Rocket? What's wrong?" May asked. "I thought you guys were going to face a trial?"

Jessie shrugged. "Probation. That's the most rewarding sentence they gave to us. And then we decided to-"

"Go into the fast-food business," James finished. "Here, try one," he added, handing May a plate full of steaming hot dumplings. "On the house."

May poked a tooth pick into one of the round treats, and swallowed it whole. It was delicous. "Wow. You guys should continue on this. This food tastes great!"

Jessie and James looked at each other excitedly. Meowth cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, just as Brock and Hikari approached. "Anyway, where is the twerp? We have something to show him."

"Ash is training," Brock spoke up. "I hope you guys are going to stop hounding him for Pikachu now."

"No, no, we're above that," James said. "Au contraire, we're the ones who are going to give something to you guys this time..."

On cue, Meowth went to the back of their kiosk. Seconds later, he reappeared, carrying a box full of... Pichus!

"Whoah!" Hikari said suddenly. 'Those are-"

"The fruits of She-chu's labor... Guess who's the father?"

All eyes were trained on Ash's Pikachu, who, in turn, turned to She-chu(You mean- I- I-) Pikachu couldn't finish, as he fainted right on the spot. May scooped both Pikachus up.

Brock peered at the baby Pokemon. "Eight. How is that possible in such a short time?"

"You're the breeder, you tell us how," James countered. "And... It's not eight, it's nine..." He took out a small incubator, containing what was unmistakably a ninth Pichu egg. Pikachu, who just revived from his shock, fainted again when he saw his ninth offspring.

James gently pushed the incubator containing the egg towards May. "It's time this one is given to you."

"Wh-wha-? But why?" Both Pikachus jumped off May's arms, so she can be free to hold the egg.

Meowth turned away, to hide his smirk. But he winked at Brock. "So that you can start training for your future..."

May was still a bit puzzled, but Brock got the idea. He, too, was grinning. 'Nice, Meowth, real nice...'

---

Ash, meanwhile, is strolling the various stalls in the Cup site, Heracross by his side. Many of the stalls were for various Pokemon wrestling firms, all there to enter the competition. Ash didn't even notice it until a large white mass tackled him from behind.

CONTINUED...

Spoiler:- "33 preview":

-'The title is a reference to how busy Pikachu's been, considering how short the time he spent with She-chu is', Meowth commented. 'Tsk, tsk, you should set a better example, especially now that you're a father...'
Meowth's speech is broken off, and all we could see is a yellow flash of lightning...

**flamingoozaru** · 1st July 2007, 3:00 PM

So, the Elite Four challenge is just a disguise to find someone to defeat the corrupted Pokemon Master Mask. The reference to the first chapter returns, the May lost every contest thing... And Brock must have said something sick, I do not want to know, it sounds really bad... A little advanceshipping, Team Rocket's new motto is hilarious and how did Pikachu reproduce nine times so fast? Did it happen on board the ship? Great chapter, I wonder when Ash will find out about May...

Thread: Trials of the Elite Four(AAMAYL/AdvanceShipping)

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