Finally face to face

After a few more check-ups Joy finally released Lapras from her care and officially gave her to Ash, which he happily accepted. Now that he had Lapras he didn't have a reason to stay on Tangelo Island so he went ahead and grabbed some takeout for himself and went to the water.

There he met back up with Gyarados who jumped out of the water looking satisfied since he got to swim in warm waters.

Gyarados leaned in bumping into Ash with his head as Ash grabbed him, "Yeah yeah I know, by the way here I have a new friend now," Ash said as he threw out the Pokeball into the water.

Lapras came out and stretched her flippers then almost immediately saw Gyarados and became scared running back over to hide behind Ash but he was on a bridge so she hid under the bridge.

Ash looked down, holding onto the dock so that he could see Lapras, "Sorry that one's on me, you don't need to worry, Gyarados is a friend he won't hurt you."

As he said that Gyarados leaned his head in and gave a smile, well the best smile he could, which didn't really help but she still went out since Ash told her to.

Ash hopped onto her back which was much more comfortable than sitting on Gyarados, he still let Gyarados out just to, you know, scare away any Pokemon that tried something and so that he could enjoy the water.

Clefairy went back to her Pokeball because she wanted to after eating and Pikachu went into Ash's bag because he didn't like sailing, he preferred just sleeping.

His next destination was obvious, he would be going to Sunburst Island, so he pulled up a map and held it out for Lapras to see what direction they would go.

After she started moving Ash got comfortable and had his phone fly next to him as he pulled up his internet, "Ok then, time to binge-watch Horizons,"

—

{Meanwhile}

In pallet town a few minutes ago Tracey arrived in Pallet town inside Oak's laboratory with Oak sitting not 5 feet away from him eating some soba.

They were going to say something until they noticed Abra on his shoulder then seeing her teleport out leaving Tracey standing there nervously.

Tracey could hardly believe it, "You're really real.."

Oak looked at Tracey, "Ok, hello there."

"Oh Professor Oak, I'm a Pokemon watcher and I would really like it i-i-i-i–i-i-" Tracey started but ended up stuttering halfway through.

Oak scratched his cheek, "Em, did Ash perhaps send you?"

Tracey snapped out of it and looked at the Pokeball he had in his hand, "O-oh yes, Ash told me to give this to you, well he didn't say that but I heard him say you wanted this and who am I to say no to my hero Professor Oak," Tracey started and started rambling about Oak and about halfway through Oak lost track on what he was talking about.

"So can I have it?" Oak said interrupting Tracey.

"Oh right here," Tracey said carefully, handing it to him, fanboying as his skin slightly touched Oak's hand.

Oak looked at it, "Very interesting, I'll start my investigation in the morning when the proper equipment is ready."

Then he looked at Tracey who was looking at him with his eyes shining, "Err, is there something else you need?"

Tracey took a deep breath then did a 90-degree bow, "Please, Professor Oak sir, let me become one of your assistants!"

—

{In the League building}

Lance was on the phone talking with an angry Clair and a few upset elders from his clan.

"What do you mean you gave away 1 of the eggs from that super large Aerodactyl, do you have any idea how much effort it took to get that big Aerodactyl to agree to breed!" Clair said angrily

Lance rolled his eyes knowing his cousin's tendencies, "Why do you care, hasn't your Aerodactyl hatched already, besides I still have 1 for myself."

One of the elders spoke up, "In all due respect that's not the problem, yes the Aerodactyl gave birth to twins in the form of those eggs, but the problem is that you gave it away without consulting us."

Lance really had to hold back a big eye roll, last time he checked he was the head of the dragon clan but he didn't say that, "Well I have my reasons and the one I gave it to deserves it."

"Who could possibly deserve an Aerodactyl over the rest of the clan?" Clair asked.

"Well, those Aerodactyl didn't come out of thin air did they," Lance said putting on a smile as he could see the elders lose all that bravado.

"W-wait so you mean…" another elder said

"Yes, the agreement for those Aerodactyl is I would get them but he would get one of the Eggs from the big Aerodactyl, and I doubt you want our clan to lose its prestige as the most trustworthy and honorable dragon tamers," Lance said with a smile,

"Of course, I can call him and tell him to return the egg if it's so important, but that wouldn't look too good for us, so you know what sure just tell me," Lance said leaning in close to the screen, "What should I do?"

The elders looked at each other and realized they put themselves in a corner, so they had to swallow their pride, "Very well we accept your reason," they said through gritted teeth, 

"But next time you better consult us," one said, trying to conserve what little remained of their pride.

Clair just heard Lance's explanation and immediately accepted it, she more cared that Lance didn't get bought by some rich person to sell their eggs to without informing them first, so she went back to take care of her new baby Aerodactyl.

—

{Ashtwo}

Ash was on a boat with a few other Rockets, namely Enid and Jay, Owari was at the front of the ship, and Jessie, James, and Meowth Plus Cassidy and Butch along with a few dozen rocket Grunts.

Owari was the one who took the lead since he was higher rank although he was only treated as the rank of captain instead of Spy which still made him the 'highest' rank there.

Ash did a few things before he left, he stole another batch of Eggs from the Egg station and replaced them with the duds, then he also bought some more duds from the guy using the excuse that his Muk liked eating them. 

Which he believed immediately since that was actually really normal. They had a whole dump filled with Muk and that's where they usually throw the eggs away. So he got them without any questions.

Then he went through all the dudes taking their stuff getting a good amount, then running through the eggs separating the ones he found interesting, and in the other pile, he took those DNA points as well.

And then after all that he sent the Eggs that he didn't want but were still alive over to a Pokemon orphanage that the Rangers controlled, of course he didn't go himself he had Gastly do it at night.

And that's basically what his preparations were, he didn't alter any eggs yet since he wanted to do everything at once, besides the eggs he wants aren't going to hatch anytime soon.

But finally going back to the topic at hand this ship was going to the Sevii Islands, more specifically to island two to meet up with Aster under Giovanni's orders.

Ash was sitting alone with Meowth on his lap as he waited but unfortunately, it seems he can't get a moment of peace.

Jay snuck up and pulled Ash into his arm, "Yo, Bro isn't this so cool we're like on a super serious mission!"

Enid was brooding in the corner like always scoffing as she looked at everyone, 'it is only natural I as the main character get sent to a new location to expand my renown, but if only these side characters weren't here too.' she thought like this wasn't 100% her fault.

Ash sighed and took Jay's arm off of him, "Yeah, but we still don't really know much about what we are going to do or how this is going to work."

"Pshh, that's fine let's just stay in a team and we'll be fine my guy!"

"Wait no way, he needs to be on a team with us," James said, cutting into the one-way conversation and Meowth nodded along as well, still looking at Ash's Meowth with heart eyes.

"Wha no way he's been friends with me and Enid way longer," Jay argued back

And for the first time, Ash and Enid had the same thought, 'Friends is a strong word.'

They kept arguing and Jessie was over sitting next to Cassidy and Butch just watching, sure she liked D. after they went on that mission together but she wasn't as interested in having another 3-man + 1 Pokemon team.

Jay and James started a Pokemon battle but Owari got everyone's attention, "Everyone listen up because I will only be speaking once!"

Most grunts went into a saluting stance as he walked past them, "Listen, we are going to Two Island, our mission? During the cover of night, we will raid the 'raiders' to get rid of their operation."

"For those of you that don't know or don't remember most of them are pathetic, but their strength lies in their so-called 'boosters' you will be seeing Pokemon do things that are physically impossible, but that is why we will go together during a surprise attack."

"Now our main mission is to capture or eliminate the higher ups and secondary is stealing more information on the research and potentially finding a cure or at least a way to treat it, any questions?"

Jay raised his arm but Owari ignored him, "Good, now then about the place we are going, the Sevii Islands are under Executive Archer's jurisdiction however he is currently on a mission that will not be disclosed, so instead we will be meeting with Admin Aster in Island two where the recruits from the islands gather."

"Something important you all need to remember, Aster is known as a convincing man, he is powerful and also manipulative, he will try to charm you, get you on his side, and have your loyalty, don't fall for it, nothing in this world comes without a price."

"Now then we will be arriving at 1700, all of you be ready, you can form squads if you want but do it on your own you aren't children, and D. you're with me," Owari said before finally walking back to the bridge.

Jay and James sighed, "Aww, Bummer bro,"

"Yeah but I guess we can't do anything if that's his order," James said as they both gave each other a handshake and walked back to where they were, and James had to grab Meowth to drag him back since he was bawling his eyes out since he won't beagle to be with Ash's Meowth.

Enid however was even more salty, 'How is this possible, I as the main character should be the one taking the spotlight and having people fight to have me, grr, I swear on my title I will take the glory.'

–

About an hour later at about 5 PM, they arrived off the shore of Two Island, everyone was instructed to go to the base on the island but Owari went directly to the Joyful Game Corner and he had Ash follow.

When they arrived Owari walked up to the front desk where a middle-aged man who Ash recognized as the actual owner of the Joyful Game Corner.

Owari walked up and handed him a paper. As soon as he read it Ash could see the color leave his face, he took a gulp and nodded, "Yes I'll get the…boss."

He walked to the back room and a minute later a a bit of scuffling a man that Ash only recognised from the picture that Dr. Akihabara showed him, it was Team Rocket Admin Aster.

Aster smiled, "Hello, you must be Owari, the Boss has told me much about you, come let us talk in a more private room."

Aster went into a nearby room and Owari and Ash walked behind, meanwhile there a young girl, wearing a maid outfit when she probably shouldn't, quickly walked in and put a few cups of tea down then quickly tried to escape.

But before she could escape Aster called out to her, "Hey doll, you know we can't have tea, you should know better I trained you better you know,"

She shivered and gilped, "Y-yes sir, it's just the baked goods you like are being made I will go and get them in just a moment!"

Aster sighed and waved her off as she ran away, then Aster looked at them, "By the way, who's that next to you?"

Ash gave a bow, "Everyone calls me D. I was asked by Owari to join him,"

"Yes, he's one of the more competent grunts, he had a 100% record at the moment and is the main reason we have so much information on them," Owari said.

Aster hummed to himself, "Oh, well then good to know," he said smiling to himself looking Ash up and down, "How many Pokemon do you have and how strong do you think you are?"

Ash looked at Owari, "I only have 3 Pokemon, a Meowth, Muk, and a Drowzee, I think my Muk is the strongest since the others are only for utility and I say I may be strong enough to take on 4-5 of the official Gyms at most." Ash lied.

Aster smiled, "Oh impressive for someone your age, your quite smart and powerful huh, no wonder you are competent," he noted that down or later, "But we're getting off track let's leave personal matters for later,"

He smirked and leaned forward, "Let's talk about when and how we will attack, tell me what you know."