While phasing through the forest, the team gradually reached the rocky outskirts that marked the base of Mt. Moon. The dense canopy above thinned out, replaced by jagged stone formations and uneven ground. Yet, instead of feeling relieved after hours of walking, an unsettling stillness settled over the area.
It was too quiet. Ash slowed his pace almost instinctively. The wind barely moved. Even wild Pokémon cries were absent. 'Something's off…'
Without drawing attention, he released Riolu from its Poké Ball. The small Pokémon padded silently at his side, ears twitching, red eyes alert. Pikachu was already perched on his shoulder, tail slightly raised, while Ralts floated close behind him, its posture unusually tense.
To everyone else, it looked casual—Ash just letting Riolu stretch its legs.
Yellow glanced back curiously. "Found something?"
"Maybe," Ash replied lightly. "This area might have rare Pokémon. With Pikachu and Riolu, we can block escape routes if anything shows up." That explanation was enough. Yellow nodded, completely convinced.
But Ash knew better.
It wasn't just the forest. His aura sense was reacting—uneasy, distorted, like ripples in still water. Something unnatural was nearby.
They were just starting to discuss camping options when hurried footsteps echoed between the rocks. "Hey—!" A man wearing glasses stumbled toward them, breathing heavily, panic written across his face. "A-Are you trainers?"
"Yes," Misty answered first, her posture immediately guarded. "What's wrong?"
"A group of Team Rocket members," he said between gasps. "They drilled into Mt Moon. I heard them talking—they're searching for something inside."
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly. "A moonstone?" The man shook his head quickly. "No… something else. I don't know what."
That made Ash frown. 'So it's not random.'
"Maybe, I'll—" Misty began, but Ash's sharp glance stopped her.
"Leaf, Elsa, Yellow," Ash said firmly, turning to them. "You three contact Professor Oak or the authorities. I'll go in with Misty." Leaf hesitated. "Ash—"
"Our numbers are limited," he continued calmly. "Splitting like this is safer."
"I'll teleport to Oak's lab directly," Yellow said without hesitation, already releasing Alakazam. "Just don't engage fully before backup arrives."
Ash nodded. "We'll avoid prolonged combat. Alakazam, sync coordinates with me." The older Pokémon nodded with an almost human seriousness.
"Be careful," Leaf said, hugging Misty tightly. "And take care of this idiot too." Ash opened his mouth to protest—then closed it again.
Elsa stepped closer, meeting Ash's eyes. "Next time, I'll stay behind too. Don't do anything reckless." She then leaned in and whispered something to Misty, making her blink in surprise.
In a flash of psychic light, the three disappeared.
The forest fell silent again.
"So." Misty said, turning to the man, "where are they?"
He swallowed and nodded. "This way." They moved quickly, keeping their steps light despite the rocky terrain. The cave entrance loomed ahead—unnatural markings along the stone walls, clear signs of drilling.
Too late. "Zubat, use Supersonic!" A shrill cry echoed—
Before the attack could land, a yellow blur shot forward. A crack of thunder split the air.
Pikachu landed smoothly, electricity still dancing along its cheeks as two Team Rocket grunts collapsed, their Zubat scattering in panic. "Nice timing," Misty muttered, already moving.
She struck fast and clean, disarming the remaining goons before they could react.
The man exhaled shakily. "I-I'll restrain them." Ash turned away slightly, scanning the cave interior instead. 'Focus. This isn't over.' But turning back, he turned stunned. The Team Rocket grunts were stripped naked and then were tied in a very, well, salted way. Making him think, When did people in this world also develop this kind of fetish?.
Whatever Team Rocket was digging for… it wasn't small. Although, he still maintained an avoidable distance at the moment. And Mt. Moon wasn't done hiding its secrets yet.
Following the man through the narrow hillside path, Ash and Misty finally slowed as the terrain opened up slightly. Ahead, partially hidden by uneven rock and sparse trees, stood a small clearing carved unnaturally into the mountain's side.
Three trainers were gathered there.
Two of them stood apart, clearly subordinates—one flanked by a towering Machamp, the other with a Crobat circling above him in tight loops. The third man stood at the centre. Black hat. Sharp eyes. Hands calmly tucked into his coat. He definitely had that commanding tone to it. That even made Ash silent. He was not foolish enough to charge out here.
The two trainers were speaking to him with deferential tones, their posture almost respectful. Too respectful.
Ash and Misty immediately ducked behind a thick tree trunk. The man who had guided them here was motioned to stay back, fear written all over his face. He obeyed without question, retreating down the slope the moment Ash gestured.
'That one's the key,' Ash thought. 'He's in charge.' Before he could plan further, a sudden chill crawled up his spine.
Aura—spiking.
"Down!" Ash moved on instinct, shoving Misty aside as a dark sphere slammed into the tree they had been hiding behind. The impact exploded into splintered bark, steam, and shredded leaves.
Shadow Ball. Ash almost felt his heart rate spiking.
After all, that thing almost killed both of them. "Come out, Gyarados!" Misty shouted, already reacting. A massive serpentine form erupted from her Poké Ball, coiling protectively as its roar echoed across the hillside.
"Heh," the Crobat trainer sneered. "Mice from the federation."
His Crobat screeched overhead, joined by a Pidgeotto released with a snap of a Poké Ball.
Pikachu leapt forward instantly, sparks dancing along its cheeks. Riolu appeared above them, landing silently on a tree branch, red eyes locked coldly onto Crobat.
"Well, well," the Machamp trainer chuckled. "That Gyarados looks well-trained." He released Nidoqueen beside Machamp, its heavy steps cracking stone.
"Let's see how long they last." The man in the hat spoke calmly, not even turning fully. "Handle them. Quickly. Alliance forces may arrive soon." Misty released her Poliwrath beside Gyarados. "Looks like they're in a hurry."
Ash smirked. "Then let's not keep them waiting." The smile dancing on his lips definitely looked like a sneer to them.
The Crobat trainer snapped first. "Crobat, use Shadow Ball!"
The attack shot straight toward Ash—
And shattered.
A blue blur intercepted it midair, Riolu's downward chop [Brick Break] cleaving through the attack like mist. One of the moves that Riolu has mastered under Ash's training on a daily basis, it was basically one of the best in his arsenal.
"Pikachu," Ash said calmly, "Quick Attack." Pikachu vanished in a flash.
"Sandslash, intercept!" The Crobat trainer barked.
Claws flashed—
But Riolu struck first. [Counter] The attack was quick.
The impact sent Sandslash skidding back across the ground, barely maintaining balance. Though it looked completely fine out of it. Thanks to his high defence.
The Machamp trainer grinned—until he noticed the sky.
Pidgeotto had climbed high, Tailwind stacking twice over its wings.
"Wait—!" Too late. Before they could react.
[Brave Bird].
A blue streak smashed down, slamming Sandslash into the earth with explosive force. The trainer didn't even get a second command out.
Crobat also could not keep up with Pikachu's speed; his Quick Attack landed.
Crobat screeched, barely stabilising after Pikachu's Quick Attack—but Pikachu was already charging. Slapping his tiny cheek pad, he let out an electric eruption. [Thunderbolt].
Crobat crashed hard, sparks dancing across its wings as it went still. Silence fell—broken only by Gyarados's low growl and Poliwrath cracking its knuckles. "…Oh?"
The man in the black hat finally turned. His gaze swept over the fallen subordinates, then settled on Ash. "Interesting," he said slowly.
"That boy's command timing… and those Pokémon." He glanced sideways. "Lint. Think you can handle someone like him?" From the cave entrance behind them, a familiar figure stepped forward.
Ash's eyes narrowed. 'It's him.' The boy from the Pokémon Center met Ash's gaze briefly—recognition flickering—before returning his attention to the man.
"I can," he said calmly. No fear. No arrogance. Just certainty. "Good," the man replied. "Show me." Before the battle could form—
A massive shadow loomed overhead.
Gyarados descended, its presence alone forcing the remaining Pokémon to hesitate.
The man's expression darkened. "Tch." A sudden flash of psychic light erupted beside Ash.
Yellow appeared first.
Then Professor Oak.
"As I suspected," Oak sighed, eyes fixed on the man. "So it was you after all… Simon." The man clicked his tongue. "Still chasing me, old man? I'm here for the Mega Stone."
"Mt Moon doesn't have one," Oak replied sharply. "And this area is under federation protection."
Simon smirked. "It's here. And I'm close." Oak didn't answer.
Instead, he released a Poké Ball.
The air itself seemed tense. Dragonite appeared beside him, power radiating off its body in heavy waves. Ash stared, breath caught. 'So this is it… Champion Dragonite.'
For the first time since the encounter began—
The mountain felt truly alive.
.