Into the volcano

The sun was down, most people went back to hotels or homes leaving the streets illuminated by only the few street lights around the town and the occasional person that partied too hard.

Ash was walking down the street, he left the gang using the excuse that he was going to look for information about the gym since he wasn't tired, at the time Yellow had already fallen asleep so Ash left Pikachu as well since Brock and Misty were more willing to just stay.

Of course, he was kinda telling the truth, his real goal was to go to the volcano. And he was going to do something that any sane person would call stupid.

When he eventually got to the base of the volcano he saw Blaine's hotel, it looked full but also not completely booked, which made sense with the idea that they were next to a volcano, not many people would be too willing to Climb that far up.

Anyway, Ash took the long way around to reach the other side which was mainly covered by forest and such, he thought about going to the Pokémon Mansion for a bit but chose not to, at least not for now.

Instead, he released Charizard and hopped on to fly up to the top of the volcano, as he went up he could see signs that construction had taken place to some of the Lava of the volcano, probably since the whole thing was destined to erupt and destroy Cinnabar Island in about 2 years. 

As he was flying up Ash wondered if he could do something about it later, at the moment nothing came to mind but he had 2 years to think of something so he didn't stress on it.

As they got higher up the temperature became hotter, so before anything he took off his hat, Jaket, and bag and put them in his storage, then he covered his body with Aura to protect himself.

The Aura coat he put on would protect him from the extreme temperature, but he wasn't confident in taking a lava bath so he wouldn't try it.

Eventually, they got to the very top of the volcano where Charizard landed and Ash jumped off to look inside. The volcano was obviously covered in hot magma, but what he didn't expect was that there were still small islands with some Pokemon.

Well, he says some Pokemon but it is really just some of the Geodude line and some Magmar all chilling in the Lava like it was a hot tub.

Charizard also seemed pretty excited as he took the opportunity and jumped in the magma to relax in a nice hot environment, and none of the Magmar seemed to be annoyed by his sudden inclusion.

Ash shook his head as he had a smile and walked down on what appeared to be a makeshift pathway from the rocks, as he didn't he looked around the place with Aura to find what he was looking for, unsurprisingly he found a lot of Ore deep inside the cave and inside the magma.

He expected as much so he brought out the Pokeball he borrowed from Brock, ​​Graveler. Being rock he was also fine with the extreme temperatures and Graveler is known for their ability to find ores, especially the one he wants.

So Ash would send Graveler to dig up ores until he found the one he needed, meanwhile, Ash asked Charizard to dive in and see if he could find some as well. 

And of course, Ash made sure to avoid spots that would cause unnecessary problems, you know like breaking through the volcano or accidentally activating it, that would be bad.

–

{Team Rocket Base}

Enid and Jay walked into the base, Enid looked annoyed since her hope to have a super special mission, a main character like her subjected to grunt work when she should be out getting promotions, getting powerful Pokemon, and collecting her reverse-harem members of which she wants no less than 10.

Jay looked happy as he walked in holding the Pokeballs, he and Enid battled, and although he lost it was closer which only made Enid more frustrated.

They walked in to report and handed the Pokemon to the Grunt charged with refilling the stocks, then he gave them a paper to prove they completed the mission and left.

Enid immediately walked away from Jay but Jay caught up to her, "That was a pretty good mission right!"

Enid didn't respond so Jay kept talking, "How about we get some lunch, we need to do that report thingy, if we work together we can fish it quickly right!"

Enid scoffed at the idea, maybe if Jay offered to do all the work she would consider it, but how could the esteemed Jade beauty be seen on a date with a peasant low life?

But that thought was immediately shattered when Jay continued, "I want to have another rematch as soon as possible!" 

The idea that Jay wasn't interested in her truly made her scoff and walk off not even seeing where she was going, and the whole time Jay followed like a Puppy.

This continued longer than it reasonably should have; they stumbled to the shop where Ashtwo walked out with his computer in hand.

Enid noticed him at the last moment, she knew she wouldn't be able to move so she embraced it, thinking this was one of those lucky accidents that all main characters get to progress.

But Ash noticed them and moved out of the way as Enid tripped and fell to the floor, "Careful you almost made me drop my computer."

Enid got up after a bit and looked angrily at Ash, before she could say anything Jay slapped Ash on the back, "Hey Bro, your back I guess your mission went well!"

"Yes," Ash responded

"Hey do you want to join us, we were about to go for lunch, then maybe have another battle!" Jay said happily

Enid got back to her feet, "I never agreed to this, but I suppose I can if you beg-"

"No thanks," Ash cut her off, "I need to turn in my report so I can't,"

Then he walked off leaving both of them standing there, Jay shrugged, "Bummer, anyway we should do our report right."

"W-what, why are you still dragging me with this?" Enid blurted out.

Jay tilted his head, "Hmm, but didn't you just agree, you just said 'But I suppose I can' so that means you agreed!"

Enid felt her eye twitch as she wondered what she did to deserve something like this as she was dragged away.

Meanwhile, Ash walked off after seeing them, in reality, he already filled out the report a while ago, and the reason he wanted to leave was because of what he found.

When he got back to base and got back in proximity to the computers he let Porygon2 hack into the computers again to find more information about Project Mewtwo and Zapmolcuno.

The information was behind more firewalls, but thanks to the upgrade Porygon2 managed to break in.

Project Mewtwo was much more secret, when he dug deeper he found reports about Miyamoto, things about the creation process, reports about Ambertwo, and where the Pokémon Mansion was. All things he already knew and yet none of them had the thing he wanted to know, where was Mewtwo.

Now Project Zapmolcuno had much more to offer, first off it confirmed the stories of Thu-Fi-Zer, although it also said more, first off yes Red and Blue both worked together to take down the original fusion.

But next was the way it was done, it said that at the time they had no access to the 'real' Legendary birds so they had to use 3 of the weaker variations, next was the way they were fused, it created an unstable body, and especially since the birds they used where not at equal strength.

As Such although it had the potential to surpass each of the original Zapdos, Articuno, and Moltres. It would never reach it due to that flaw, making it weaker than any of the original parts.

But this time they were using a different strategy, firstly with the report it confirmed that Articuno and Moltres had been captured by Team Rocket, and using the DNA of the birds they created a Pokemon egg, instead of fusing them they just merged them.

This Egg had a now 'Zapmolcuno', although it has not hatched the reports of its estimated strength when it matures are estimated to surpass Ho-oh and Lugia.

But as he read the report 2 things truly made his spine shiver, the first was the scientist that gave this idea to create a new Pokemon with their DNA, it was Colress.

Anyone even remotely familiar with Colress would be concerned, as the lead scientist of Team Plasma firstly why is he here, and next, why would he suggest that, although he might have an answer to the second part, the Original Dragon.

It might be possible that Ghetsis hasn't been able to find a reliable way to get the Original Dragon if he has them already, but it is also possible this is all being done independently by Colress for his one plan.

Either way, unless he can get to him he has no answers, unlike the second part, which was that currently the Egg is in Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island, that's where he was.

Immediately, Ash, had Porygon2 run a background check on Blaine, and thankfully it looked like he quit Team Rocket so he wasn't behind it.

Although that did beg the question of what he should do, well the first thing that came to his head was maybe rat it out to Looker and Anabel, but then again maybe it won't be enough if the Egg hatches, he could also tell Blaine anonymously but he doesn't know Blaine's level.

Ash was lost in thought, there was 1 last Idea he had, but there was no guarantee 'he' would respond, and even if he did, how would he convince him to go to Cinnabar, but at the same time he didn't have a better plan.

Ash rubbed his head in frustration, "When did this become my problem, what happened to wanting to go on an adventure." 

After a moment he sighed, "Fine I guess I'll start with them,"

–

{International Police base}

Looker and Anabel have been busy, since Ash sent them the undercover Rockets they have been doing some heavy investigations into the 14 different members they were given. Looker and Anabel met in secret to discuss this after hours when everyone else left. 

"So how is it on your side Looker?" Anabel sighed

"So far I have investigated 5 of the suspects and have confirmed they are rockets," Looker said sadly

"Yeah, I looked into 2 more of the junior agents and it's the same on my side," Anabel said, "Why can't we arrest them now."

"Because if we do the rest will become suspicious and get away, and we can't arrest them all with no evidence. If we do that I'm afraid we'll be the ones under investigation, and if they find out about 'him' we'll be found as spies."

Almost as if on cue a familiar voice spoke from the computer, "It's fine you can use my name, oh wait sorry I forgot I never told you what it is, Oopsy Poopsy." It was Ash again under disguise.

Looker and Anabel turned to the computer only to see the familiar black screen with eyes, indicating that they had been hacked again.

Anabel was the first to speak, "It's you again, what is it this time,"

"What~ can't I call to talk to my favorite People, I'm hurt," Ash said.

"Right, D. was it," Looker said, getting into the conversation, "What is your purpose for this call?"

"Oh of course there is another reason, I'm glad someone asked," Ash said making Anabel visibly annoyed

"Anyway I recently got some information you might want, firstly you know someone named Cole?"

Looker frowned, "Yes, he is our superior officer and a respected member of the force."

"Cool, cool, cool, yeh he's a part of Team Rocket, an admin relay, but cool," Ash said nonchalantly immediately making Looker and Anabel feel like they got hit in the jaw.

"How can you just say that!" Anabel screamed to the screen

"Why should I care, I'm not a member of the International Police. Besides that's why I have you two."

Anabel squinted her eyes, "OK, and what do you want then," 

"Oh nothing big really, in fact, I'm sure you'll even want to hear about this," Ash's face and tone darkened, "It involves something big, that for our own interest needs to be stopped."

--

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