Join my p@treon for more chapters
p@treon.com/Tempest_29
BOOM!!!
"Pidgeooo!!!"
Seizing the moment when Pidgeotto's vision was impaired, Archer launched a surprise attack. Golbat swooped in and struck with a powerful Wing Attack, sending Pidgeotto plummeting from the sky.
"Golbat, Leech Life!" Archer commanded, pressing his advantage as Pidgeotto fell.
Green energy pulsed around Golbat's fangs, extending into elongated energy fangs as it pursued the falling Pidgeotto.
"Scy!"
At that moment, a blur shot upward from Ash's side. It was Scyther. Though still reeling from the earlier Flamethrower, the Bug/Flying-type hadn't been defeated. Seeing Pidgeotto under attack, it immediately propelled itself skyward.
Scyther's blades glowed with a brilliant crimson light as it executed a perfectly timed slash, connecting directly with Golbat's body. The impact sent the Bat Pokémon crashing to the ground.
Seeing his Pokémon fall, Archer quickly withdrew Golbat into its Poké Ball. Simultaneously, Ariana recalled her injured Muk.
Meanwhile, Pidgeotto continued to fall. Ash rushed forward, managing to catch his faithful Flying-type before gently setting it on the ground.
Scyther landed nearby, breathing heavily. The damage from Houndoom's Flamethrower was clearly taking its toll. Archer narrowed his eyes as he assessed the situation.
SCREECH!!!
A deafening cry suddenly emanated from the nearby crater, accompanied by an intense wave of heat. The Team Rocket Executives instinctively raised their arms to shield themselves from the scorching air current.
Then, Moltres emerged from the pit, its magnificent flame-covered wings spread wide. The Legendary Fire Pokémon surveyed the scene below, then with powerful wingbeats, ascended rapidly into the sky before disappearing into the distance—clearly attempting to escape while it had the chance.
Ash watched Moltres depart with relief. In its current condition, fleeing was the best option for the Legendary Pokémon. It couldn't afford another battle.
"Hey Archer, what should we do about Moltres escaping?" Petrel asked, though his tone suggested he wasn't particularly concerned.
"It doesn't matter. We already know where it's headed," Archer replied calmly. "Let's deal with our troublesome friend here first."
Ash frowned at this revelation. Where could they possibly expect Moltres to go? he wondered.
"I'm all for that plan," Proton sneered. With his temperament, it was obvious he wouldn't let this opportunity slip away.
"What are we waiting for, then?" Ariana added impatiently.
"Weezing, Sludge Bomb!" Petrel and Proton commanded in unison.
"Vileplume, Energy Ball!" Ariana ordered.
"Houndoom, Dark Pulse!" Archer commanded.
The four Executives stood together, their respective Pokémon positioned before them, each unleashing their most powerful attacks simultaneously. Ash's eyes narrowed as he watched the multicolored energy beams racing toward him. There was no path to dodge—his only option was to counter.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!
A tremendous explosion rocked the area, the sound reverberating through the sky long after the initial blast. The shockwave sent tremors across the forest, startling all the wild Pokémon in the vicinity. Flocks of Pidgey and other less courageous Pokémon burst from the trees in panic, taking flight to escape the disturbance.
Dense smoke filled the air, forming a mushroom cloud that hung in the sky. The surrounding vegetation had been completely devastated, leaving nothing but scorched earth and destruction in all directions.
Meanwhile, two figures were rapidly approaching from the distance...
BOOM!!!
"Whoa!!!"
Even deep in the forest, the two running figures felt the powerful rush of air against their faces, causing them to instinctively pause and brace themselves. Their ears rang with the sound of the distant explosion.
"What on earth was that?"
The pair was none other than Brock and Misty. They had been searching for a special berry to help heal Jigglypuff's throat when they'd heard the succession of explosions and rushed toward the source.
"I don't know, but we'd better check it out!"
Brock frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. Disregarding the potential danger, he raced forward with Misty close behind.
They soon spotted a clearing ahead through the trees. As they emerged from the forest, both trainers froze at the shocking scene before them.
The landscape was completely devastated—broken trees littered the ground, which was marred by numerous craters and fissures. Scorched patches of earth testified to the intensity of the battle that had taken place.
WHOOSH!!!
A sudden gust of wind rushed past them. Instinctively raising their arms to shield their faces, they looked up to see a massive airship slowly ascending.
Hanging beneath the vessel were several transparent spheres connected by black chains. Inside each containment pod was one of Ash's Pokémon, all struggling desperately to break free.
In the lowest sphere, Misty and Brock spotted Ash himself. His clothes were disheveled and covered in dust, his signature cap nowhere to be seen. Despite looking exhausted, he was pressing his hands against the glass, clearly trying to find a way out.
"ASH!!!"
Misty cried out in horror. They recognized the airship immediately as belonging to Team Rocket. Though they didn't know why Team Rocket had appeared here, it was evident that Ash had battled them—and lost.
Without hesitation, Misty sprinted forward, tears forming in her eyes as she called out to her friend.
"ASH!!!"
"Don't worry about me!" Ash shouted from inside the sphere. "I'll find a way out! Take care of yourselves!"
His voice was barely audible as the containment pod was pulled into the airship's hold.
Misty stopped in her tracks as Ash disappeared from view, tears streaming down her face. Brock rushed to her side, but they both knew there was nothing they could do. The airship was already too high to reach, and they had no way to pursue it.