Formal Surprises (Pokémon AU)

ACT V

  „Did you see her hair?  It was so tacky!  Like, who does that anymore?!" Jessie taunted, laughing.

  Slouched over, aching, James complained.  „Are we almost there yet?  My feet are cramped!"

  Giovanni halted, his fist crinkling the map.  „If I hear one more complaint come out of your mouth, don't be surprised if Persian slams you."

  That was quick to shut the other up.  Continuing on their way, minutes became tens of minutes, the two grunts dragging themselves along.

  „Can we at least take a quick break?  I-I'm getting tired..."

  Giovanni huffed, his dark eyes glinting.  „No, we can't—"

  „No—in fact—please do take a break... I insist!"

  The three quickly turned around.

  „Wha—!  Th-they found us!"

  „You brats!  Leave us be!  We won the contest!"

  „Oh yeah?!  You're going to hurt the Pokémon!" Misty shouted, her knuckles whitening.

  The Rocket members and their boss cackled.  „We were?  How foolish of you to say!"

  Mustering up her courage, Aisaki stepped out, Kyusai by her side.  „Give us back the scroll..."

  Tadachi took his place next to her, his Jinx stuck to him.  „Or else."

  „Like I'm threatened by a Clefairy and Jinx!" Giovanni scoffed, his Pokéball clenched tightly in his broad hand.  „My dear Persian will humiliate you!"

  Gritting his teeth, the familiar and cute sound of ‚pika pi' filled the air as Pikachu bounded over towards them, climbing up to Ash's shoulder.

  „Pikachu!" He laughed, his cheeks flushing.

  „Great, just what we needed... more Pokémon... I just want to take a break..." James groaned, fanning his sweaty face.

  Kneeling down next to Kyusai, Aisaki whispered, „Remember what we practiced, Kyusai..."

  „Use Metronome!"

  Kyusai nodded, her finger pointed up.  Spinning her paw a bit, she mewed, striking near Team Rocket with a flash of thunder.

  „Thunderbolt?  But isn't that an electric move—and Clefairy's a Normal type?" Brock murmured, his finger resting on his chin.

  „Metronome?  What's that?" Misty awed, her eyes twinkling.

  Aisaki glared at her rivals, her maroon eyes gleaming brightly, her pale, makeup-covered, face shadowed, speaking sternly, almost with the intention to falter the enemies.

  „It's a move that allows Kyusai to use any move imaginable."

  The three friends froze.  „ANY move?!"

  „Yes—and if you don't give me back the scroll—she'll use it again!"

  Giovanni didn't budge, the parchment still in his hand.  Agitated, Aisaki yelled.

  „Use Metronome again, Kyusai!"

  Crying once more, she wiggled her finger, a beam of water shooting at Jessie and James.

  „Ah—my dress!" The former whined.

  „That's refreshing, at least..." The latter rejoiced.

  „Bubble!  And she's a Normal type?  That's amazing!" Misty emphasized, clasping her hands.

  Giovanni smirked, taking a step back.  „Impressive—would you like for her to use it once more?"

  „Oh, Kyusai, use Metronome..." His voice continued.

  The six of them stared at Kyusai as she wiggled her finger again.

  „Cle-fairy—fairy!"

  „N-no—no—no—no—no!  Kyusai—don't!" Aisaki begged, reaching for her.

  „Aisaki, stop!  Don't—!" Tadachi called out, grabbing at her.

  A sharp lash of vines wrapped around them, digging into their skin and constricting their body, pulsing and writhing.

  „Ahh!!  K-Kyu—Kyusai!!"

  „T-too tight!!"

  „Wrap!" The three friends wailed, yanking at the vines, struggling to loosen their grasp.

  „It's super effective," Giovanni sneered, motioning for his followers to join him, „Let us be on our way."

  Knowing that Pikachu's electric moves would be too dangerous, Ash quickly managed, „Jinx—use Lovely Kiss!"

  As the Pokémon blew kisses at Team Rocket, the latter laughed, but soon began to yawn, toppling over onto the dirt, falling asleep, the map rolling out of Giovanni's hand.  As the kids released Aisaki and Tadachi, they thanked the trio greatly.  Approaching and snatching the scroll back, slipping it into his pocket, Tadachi withdrew Jinx back into her ball.

  „I'll never let Team Rocket have the oasis," He coughed.

  Meeting up with his daughter, he placed a hand on her shoulder.  „Thank you all for helping us stop Team Rocket.  I never would have allowed them the prize."

  „Of course, Tadachi-Senpai," Ash offered, „anything to preserve the oasis and stop evil in its tracks!"

  „If the three of you would ever like to visit the oasis, please, come ask me.  I would be more than happy to let you go."

  „Thank you, sir," Misty curtsied, the other boys bowing.

  „No, thank you three for being here, and encouraging me to practice my dancing!" Aisaki giggled, the other four laughing as they all returned back to the mansion to finish enjoying the party.

  FIN