The Six Keys

Pokemon Part Two

My sleep was rather tranquil, that is, until Iris threw her book at my stomach.

"I'm up!" I wheezed, sitting up. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, looking over at Iris. She had no idea she even hit me. She was moving quickly, frantically it seemed, throwing the sheets off the bed and almost in tears. Snivy sat up and looked at me, annoyed and groggy.

"I can't find Axew!" Iris whined. "I thought maybe he ran outside to play with Pikachu and Pansage, but all of my Pokeballs are gone too!"

"Have you guys seen Pansage?" Cilan asked from the doorway.

"What's everyone being so loud about?" Ash asked, Pikachu in his usual spot atop Ash's shoulders.

We heard a lot of talking outside and turned to the window. The few residents gathered in front of the building, seeming to have the same issues we were.

"Machamp and I have been training all year!" A man said, worried. "It's not like him to just run off..."

"Patrat and I were going to compete for the very first time!" A young girl cried as her mother comforted her.

"Something's wrong," Ash declared, turning back to us.

"You don't say?" I snapped, quickly covering my mouth as they all pouted. "Let's just go outside..."

All of the Pokemon and Pokeballs were taken overnight. Even the Pokemon Center was barren. Snivy sat on my head, surveying all the paranoia.

"It seems the entire town is without their Pokeballs," Cilan observed. "But Pikachu and Snivy are the only ones to remain."

"How strange!" Iris added.

"It's because we were outside of town last night," I concluded. "Which means that the Pokemon were taken between the time Iris and Cilan returned, and when Ash and I returned."

"That's right!" Ash agreed. "But who would do something like this?"

"Prepare for trouble!" A female's voice boomed from overhead, on cue.

"And make it a double!" A male's voice joined.

"Jessie and James!" I announced, gasping.

"Team Rocket!" The others said in unison.

We looked overhead and saw Jessie, James, and Meowth coming near the town in a huge Meowth balloon, with nets hanging from the bottom filled with live Pokemon. Various Pokemon voices could be heard crying for help. Iris and Cilan called to their Pokemon, assuring them they will be okay.

"Can it be?" Jessie smirked. "Team Rocket has stolen all of Lacunosa's Pokemon?"

"You give them back this instant, Team Rocket!" Ash demanded.

"Then how will we get our promotion?" James asked. "I wish we could stay and chat, but we have to pick up the Pokeballs and take them back to headquarters!"

They shared an evil cackle before flying off.

"C'mon guys!" Ash said, taking off after them. "We've got to get the Pokemon back!" Iris, Cilan, and I immediatly followed.

We ran so fast and for so long that my legs felt like they would come right off. My lungs felt like they were on fire and my heart pounded hard in my chest. The balloon stopped in front of a cave, and we all hid behind a bush.

"I'm so glad we finally succeeded, my dearest Jessie!" we heard James say.

"Soon, we'll have money coming in every day!" Meowth exclaimed excitedly. "Say, uh, could we grab a bite to eat? We passed some Berries in Lacunosa and now I'm craving something fierce!"

"A victory dinner!" Jessie said, delighted. "How wonderful!" I peeked through the bush to see them leaving their balloon unattended.

"Now's our chance!" I said, beckoning the other three to follow. "Let's go!"

"According to legend," Cilan said on the way. "Kyurem lives in this very cave."

"Psh," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "And how would Dumb and Dumber get in the cave if that were true?"

Cilan went quiet again.

"Axew!" Iris called, somehow knowing which Axew was hers. "We're coming to get you, buddy!"

"Do you guys have something we could cut the net with?" I asked. "Maybe like a knife?" They all stared back at me.

"What kind of person carries a weapon everywhere?" Iris asked.

I groaned. "We'll worry about that later. Let's get the Pokeballs."

We headed into the mouth of the cave, squinting into darkness.

"Over there!" Ash said, pointing to a tiny cave to the side that was overflowing with Pokeballs.

We all cheered in celebration, but before we could take another step, Kyurem towered over us, hatefully staring into our eyes.

Author's Note: *low key ships Jessie and James* Sorry the chapters are coming in so slow I'm a horrible writer lmao. If you liked, please vote, and go ahead and give me a follow too! I follow back!