It is the last day of the month that Giovanni gave everyone in the Kanto and Johto regions. Everyone has been working hard to prepare for the battle to come. Clemont has finished and tested the inventions he was assigned to make, Serena has been training with Coovers and the rest of their team, and Lt. Surge, Brandon, and Timothy have been going over their battle plan countless times to make sure it's solid. Professor Oak and Bulbasaur have Ash and Timothy's Pokemon and all of the wild Pokemon from Kanto under control while Anabel has reported via communicator that she has all of the wild Pokemon from Johto ready. Every person and Pokemon in the army feel uneasy with what is to come while knowing that their way of life rests with the fight to come.

It is late in the afternoon while everyone from the Kanto side is marching onward to Team Rocket's tower. They all walk quietly with their heads down, not saying a word to each other. It is raining as everyone is just a mile away from the ocean shore. Suddenly, Lt. Surge, who is leading, stops, and everyone stops walking in confusion. Brandon, Timothy, and Electchu, who are walking beside him, look at each other, confused before Brandon speaks up.

"What is it?" He asks.

Lt. Sarge takes out his pair of binoculars and looks carefully in the distance. He hums to himself before turning to Timothy and pointing ahead.

"Do you see that tall thin thing close to the ocean at a distance?" he asks, handing the binoculars to Timothy. "Take a look over there."

Timothy takes the binoculars and looks through them in the direction that Lieutenant Surge is pointing. From the binoculars, Timothy can see the tall building of Team Rocket's new base and the bridge leading to it from the mainland. The eye of the storm rests above the tower, and the mainland is full of psychic Pokemon and Team Rocket grunts and their Pokemon.

"There it is," he says before handing the binoculars to Brandon. "How soon will we get there?"

"About an hour or two at most," Lt. Surge answers. "By then, it will be dark enough that the enemy won't suspect the wild Pokemon attack from the sides."

"Good," Brandon says. "I suggest that our flanking battalion and Coovers' team get ready to dive into the ocean now. That should give them plenty of time to rally the wild water Pokemon following us and make sure the enemy doesn't know about their part of the plan."

"I agree," Lt. Surge says before turning to Timothy. "Go tell them to do that and tell them we said good luck before they dive."

"Sure thing," Timothy says with a nod.

Thus, the man in the "H.A.K" shirt and his Raichu walk through the crowd of people and Pokemon until they reach all of his friends. Misty and Coovers are looking at Timothy seriously, figuring out what he's about to say.

"Is it time?" Coovers asks.

"Yes, it's time," Timothy confirms. "Get your people ready and say your goodbyes. We're about a couple of hours at most from getting there."

"Understood," Misty says with a nod before turning around. "Water battalion, get ready!"

"My team, with me!" Coovers commands.

May, Dawn and all of the water Pokemon trainers immediately take out their diving gear from their backpacks. Serena frowns as she turns to Bonnie and kneels down in front of her with Pikachu on her shoulder.

"Well, I guess this means goodbye for right now," she says with a sad smile.

Bonnie looks at her friend sadly before she jumps into Serena's arms.

"Be safe," she whimpers.

"You too," Serena says.

"Good luck, Serena," Mairin says with her own sad smile.

"Give it everything you've got, Serena," Brock says.

"Agreed," Professor Sycamore says with a smirk.

"We're counting on you and Pikachu," Iris says.

"Bring Ash back safely," Max says.

"Yeah, and make Team Rocket pay," Cilan adds.

"We will," Serena promises. "Nothing is going to stop us. Right, Pikachu?"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu says with a determined grin.

Meanwhile, while Gary, Koga, and Agatha are rallying to Coovers, he and Timothy are looking at each other seriously before they hug each other.

"Take care out there," Coovers says.

"You too, pal," Timothy replies.

The two of them break the hug, and Coovers kneels down to hug Electchu.

"Don't let your partner out of your sight, okay?" He requests.

"Raichu," Electchu says, nodding.

Coovers puts the Raichu down and turns to his team.

"Let's go," he says.

They all nod and start following him until Serena realizes something.

"Wait a minute," she says.

The rest of the group turn around to see her running back to Bonnie. The little girl looks at her friend, confused until Serena takes off her hat and puts it on her head.

"It doesn't make sense to wear it when we're going underwater and everything," Serena says. "Keep it safe for me, will you?"

Bonnie smiles brightly and says, "Of course! You can count on me!"

"I know I can," Serena says with a wink.

"Come on, Serena, let's go!" Coovers calls out.

"Coming!" Serena replies as she runs to her team.

As they all walk to the dangerous water and take out their water Pokemon, Misty, who has her Gyarados, May, who is taking out her Wartortle and Dawn, who is borrowing Buizel, walk toward Serena for a group hug, knowing they won't have another chance to say goodbye before the battle. Pikachu hops off Serena's shoulder and watches the four girls make the best of their moment.

"Be careful, Serena," May requests.

"I will," Serena answers as she hugs her friends with a smile.

"Please save Ash," Misty requests.

"I promise," Serena says, giving Misty a sad smile.

"And don't forget to smother Ash with kisses once you rescue him," Dawn teases.

Serena breaks the hug with a blush on her face.

"I make no guarantees given the task at hand," she replies honestly.

The May and Dawn chuckle before they kneel down with Misty to look at Pikachu.

"You take good care of her, Pikachu," Dawn commands.

"Yeah, cause if you don't, we'll never forgive you," May says, pointing at the mouse Pokemon.

"Pikachu," Pikachu promises.

"I'm counting on you to bring Ash back, Pikachu," Misty says.

"Pika, Pika," Pikachu says before Misty picks it up to give it a hug.

After Misty breaks the hug, the fout girls and Pikachu start putting on their diving equipment and take positions to start diving. Back at the front of the crowd, Timothy and Electchu walk back to where Lt. Surge and Brandon are. The former of the two men just finished talking in his communicator before turning to Brandon and Timothy.

"I just contacted our people from Johto," he reports. "Lance and his main forces are about as close as we are, Anabel and the Johto wild Pokemon are right behind him, and their half of the water battalion are getting ready too."

"Good," Brandon says. "And with Professor Oak, Tracey and Ash's Bulbasaur half a mile behind us, that makes all four fronts set.

"Fantastic," Timothy says with a determined look fixed on the enemy base. "Let's crush Team Rocket once and for all."

"Rai!" Electchu snarls in agreement.

Lt. Surge nods before facing the crowd.

"We're almost there!" He shouts. "Do not stop until we're in position!"

The Kanto brigade nods as they follow the three men and Raichu forward toward the enemy.

**********************************************************************

Giovanni is waiting patiently behind his desk in his new office. Though he does not show it, his heart is racing in excitement while he pets Persian, who is sitting beside him. Mewtwo and Mew are floating above Giovanni's desk, waiting blankly for a command from the leader of Team Rocket.

A knock is heard from the door, and Giovanni bluntly commands, "Enter." Matori, Dr. Zager, and Agent Basker come in.

"Report," Giovanni commands.

"Sir, we have spotted two large groups of people and Pokemon heading our way," Matori announces. "One coming from Kanto and the other coming from the Johto regions."

"Wonderful," Giovanni says with an evil grin. "I was beginning to think they weren't coming even after giving them a whole month."

"It would have been disappointing, sir," Agent Basker agrees.

Giovanni nods before turning to his head scientist.

"Is everything ready?" He asks.

"Yes, sir," Dr. Zager answers. "The off switch to the machine is permanently disabled. Even if by some miracle they win and take the Gieldanstone away from you, they can't use it to take Arceus out of the machine because of the pain it's in."

"And you know what to do if they somehow make it to the tower?" Giovanni asks.

"Yes, sir," Dr. Zager answers. "If their army gets here, I will set the elevators and doors to the staircases so that they can't go anywhere above the floor to my lab and therefore can't get to you or the boy."

"Perfect," Giovanni says. "And with Mewtwo and Mew at my side, it would do them no good to make it up here anyway even if they fly all the way up to my office. Can't be too careful with our first battle against two entire regions."

The three minions nod in agreement. Giovanni keeps his grin until he frowns and turns to the cyborg.

"Basker, I cannot stress enough how important it is that you stay in position," he says seriously. "You may join the negotiation party before the battle if you wish, but do not leave Dr. Zager's sight to go after Durbin. Understood?"

Agent Basker frowns before he begrudgingly says, "Yes, sir."

"Good," Giovanni says. "Now, once those fools are in position, give them a signal to bargain with their leaders. Matori, you will use your holocommunicator so that I can speak with them."

"Yes, sir," Matori says.

"Very well. Dismissed." Giovanni says.

"Sir!" The minions reply simultaneously before they all leave the room.

With the leader of Team Rocket alone again with Persian, Mew, and Mewtwo. He turns his chair around to look at the massive window where is combat team and all of the psychic Pokemon are waiting patiently for the battle to come.

"I would have waited for all eternity for this moment, my pet," he says as he strokes Persian again. "Soon, my conquest of the world will begin."

"Meeeeeeeeooooooowwwwww," Persian replies.

*********************************************************************************

The sky grows darker as the Kanto army comes closer to its destination. Many people and Pokemon grow worried at the large army that stands before the mighty tower with the large, red "R." Lt. Surge, Brandon, and Timothy, on the other hand, glare at the forces in front of them while the Team Rocket combat team grins at all them from a distance.

Brock, Bonnie, Mairin, Chespie, and Professor Sycamore give their friends a fond farewell before they walk north to set up the medical camp with the doctors and Nurse Joys. Mairin wraps her arms around Alain and buries her head on his chest, worried that she might not see him again. Alain frowns and hugs her head tightly, wishing they don't have to be apart. When they break their hug, he gets down on one knee to face her in eye level and promises that they will see each other when the fighting is over. Mairin gives him the best smile that she can muster before she and Chespie reluctantly leave to follow Brock, Professor Sycamore, and Bonnie.

It isn't too long before the people of Kanto turn to the west to see the Johto army marching toward them lead by the bi-regional champion, Lance, and their nurses and doctors heading to the medical camp. Timothy smirks at the sight of him as he, Electchu, Brandon, and Lt. Surge walk over to them, and each shake Lance's hand.

"Good to see you, Lance," Lt. Surge says.

"And all three of you, gentlemen," Lance says with a smirk before it changes into a frown. "But I wish it was in better circumstances."

"So do I," Timothy agrees. "How is your army doing?"

"Nervous but willing to fight," Lance answers. "Yours?"

"The same," Brandon says. "Seems like the only ones who are completely confident are the enemy."

Lance nods before he gives his best optimistic smirk.

"Well, you know what they say," he says. "Twice the pride, double the fall."

"Indeed. And we definitely are going to make sure they fall," Timothy says with a confident smile.

"I hear that," Lt. Surge says before he looks in the direction of Team Rocket. "Speaking of which, looks like the negotiating party is coming."

The other three men and the Raichu turn around to see Matori, Agent Basker, Butch, and Cassidy walking towards them in the middle of the open field with Matori holding a white flag. The four men look at each other and nod before they walk towards them with Electchu. The armies from both sides wait patiently for their leaders as they keep walking toward each other until they are a few feet apart. Lance, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Timothy, and Electchu silently stare at Matori, Butch, Cassidy, and Agent Basker and vice versa for several seconds before Matori clears her throat.

"You are the representatives of the Kanto and Johto regions?" She asks.

"We are," Brandon replies bluntly.

Butch lets out a half-hearted laugh and says, "How precious that you were chosen just because of your high and mighty titles like gym leader, Pyramid King, Johto champion, and bi-regional champion."

"Indeed. I don't think it's appropriate for you to lead when you lost to a boy at a Pokemon league, Durbin," Agent Basker mocks.

Timothy smirks and says, "Better that than to have your representatives chosen by random minions like you, Barney and Trent."

"It's Butch!" Butch yells. "I am going to make sure you don't forget it when this is over."

"Not until after I make sure you never call me by that name again!" Agent Basker screams with his face turning red like a child throwing a temper tantrum.

Timothy sneers and says, "Well, it's a beautiful thing that we all have goals in life. Isn't it?"

Both minions growl at Timothy with their teeth clenched until Matori steps in.

"Enough!" She shouts. "Our leader wishes to speak with you."

She takes out her holocommunicator, presses a button and a hologram of Giovanni sitting in his chair while stroking Persian appears.

"Good evening, gentlemen," he greets. "I am pleased to see you can make it before the end of the month."

The four men and Electchu stay silent while looking at the hologram.

"I can see your little army from my office," Giovanni continues. "Impressive. Foolish, but impressive."

"We could care less about your approval," Lt. Surge says coldly.

"Oh, I think you'll feel differently before the night is over," Giovanni says confidently. "Now then, have you thought hard about my offer?"

"No," Lance says. "If anything, we of the people of the Kanto and Johto regions have made our decision very swiftly."

"And?" Giovanni asks.

"And you are to surrender immediately," Brandon commands. "You are to free Ash Ketchum, Arceus, and all of the psychic Pokemon and then lay down your Pokemon peacefully."

Butch, Cassidy, and Agent Basker laugh out loud while Matori chuckles lightly with her mouth closed. Even Giovanni lets out a low laugh, amused with Brandon's demands.

"I admire your audacity," he says. "But I'm afraid I'm the only one who gets to make an ultimatum here. You can either give up and hand over your Pokemon now or fight, and we win and take your Pokemon anyway."

Timothy scoffs loudly, and Giovanni turns to him with a raised eyebrow.

"You have something to say, Mr. Durbin?" He queries.

"Oh, I just find it amusing that you think you can make an ultimatum when we have one of our own," Timothy answers.

"And that would be?" Giovanni asks.

"It's very simple," Timothy says with a smug look. "Either you do as Brandon said or fight, lose, and live the rest of your life imprisoned and humiliated that you have lost everything in just one battle."

Giovanni frowns and stands up from his chair.

"I find you less amusing then your elders, boy," he snarls. "Evidently, you are just as childishly hungry for revenge as Agent Basker."

The cyborg man glares at the hologram of his master while Timothy looks at the hologram unfazed.

"Insult me as much as you like. You won't find me as easy to offend as Trent is," Timothy says. "Regardless, you do not hold all of the cards as you believe. We are going to fight, bring down your organization, and lock you up in a cell so dark that you will beg for sunlight. One way or another, you will lose. This, I can promise you."

"Raichu!" Electchu adds.

"And I," Lance says.

"And I," Lt. Surge says.

"And I as well," Brandon says.

The two parties are silent for a moment before Giovanni smirks and sits back in his chair.

"So your choice is to fight," he says. "Very well. Fight on until my army overpowers you all. You will still be made an example of anyone who tries to oppose me as our hold of the world grows stronger."

"We shall see," Brandon says.

With that, Matori turns off the holocommunicator, and she, Butch, Cassidy, and Agent Basker leave with the cyborg man leaves last to give Timothy a wrathful glare. Lance, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Timothy, and Electchu look at each other before they turn around and walk back to the main force. Alain, Iris, Forrest, Cilan, Clemont, and Max are waiting for them at the front.

"Did they surrender?" Alain asks.

"Would you believe us if we said yes?" Timothy asks.

Alain frowns before he looks at the enemy host and says, "Not in the slightest. And even then, I'd want to fight anyway to teach them a lesson for taking Metagross."

"So would I for Gallade," Max says.

Timothy smirks and says, "I admit it would be much more satisfying to get Shockwave back by force."

"Raichu," Electchu says in agreement.

"Good," Lt. Surge says with a grin. "As long as we are all on the same page."

"Agreed," Lance says.

"Hmmm," Brandon hums with a nod.

From the other side of the field, they can see Matori giving an order to all of Team Rocket's forces and their combat team all grin in excitement as they take out all of their Pokemon. Lt. Surge's grin turns into a serious look as he turns to the main force.

"Everyone, take out your Pokemon!" He commands.

No one hesitates to take out all of the Pokeballs from their belts or bags and throw them into the air. Max takes out Sceptile, Pinsir, Arcanine, Rhydon, and Kabuto. Brandon opens his Pokeballs revealing Dusclops and Ninjask. Alain summons Charizard, Tyranitar, Weavile, Bisharp, and Unfezant. Cilan takes out his Pansage, Crustle, and Stunfisk. Forrest his Rhyperior. Axew hops out of Iris hair while she takes out Excadrill, Emolga, Dragonite, and Gible. Clemont's Pokeballs open to reveal Bunnelby, Chespin, and Luxray. Finally, Timothy throws five Pokeballs into the air, and they open to reveal, Odyssey, Gengar, Poiwrath, Blitzwing, and a large Arcanine that's ten feet tall.

"Wow, how did you get an Arcanine so big?" Max says, alarmed.

"Oh, it's always been pretty big. Even when I caught it, it was about half this size for a Growlithe. That's why I named it Fenrir," Timothy answers.

Max blinks before he smirks in approval. But the moment is interrupted by the sound of Team Rocket grunts and their Pokemon shouting loudly in a battle cry and the countless psychic Pokemon ordered to do the same. Everyone among the brigades of the Kanto and Johto regions start to become afraid of the might of the enemy, and Lt. Surge turns around and holds his hands up.

"Hold your ground!" he shouts. "Hold your ground! Don't be afraid!"

But try as the Vermillion City gym leader might, the people and their Pokemon can't keep themselves together. Lance, Brandon, Timothy, and Electchu and their friends become uneasy until the Pyramid King turns to the man in the "H.A.K." shirt.

"Why don't you give an encouraging speech, Mr. Durbin," he suggests.

"Me? Why me?" Timothy asks.

"Because this whole thing was your idea," Brandon answers bluntly. "And if we don't do something fast, some people might run away."

Timothy hesitates, feeling nervous about the idea. Then Electchu nudges his partner with its head and gives him an encouraging smile. Timothy turns to his Raichu and then to the rest of his Pokemon, who are all smiling at him supportively. Timothy let's out a sigh, as he decides to go through with it.

"Very well," he says, turning to Clemont. "Clemont, hand me a communicator and have it sent for all of our forces."

"Uh, well, we can't exactly do that to the water team, but okay," Clemont answers before he tosses a communicator to him.

Timothy takes a deep breath and thinks about what to say. After figuring it out, he climbs on top of Fenrir, holds the communicator close to him, and shouts to the frightened crowd.

"Everyone!" He yells. "People! Pokemon! Anyone who values the lives they share together, listen to me!"

It takes a moment until everyone turns to the man in the "H.A.K." shirt standing on top of his giant Arcanine.

"I know that you are afraid of what is to come!" Timothy begins. "I myself am worried about the strength in numbers that our enemy possesses with so many Pokemon that have become our family and friends!"

The army becomes uneasy, feeling more afraid by the way Timothy starts his speech.

"But victory isn't one through physical strength alone!" Timothy continues. "True strength comes from the hearts and the bonds we share together! It comes from having faith, hope, and, most of all, love!"

The people and Pokemon start to feel better with Timothy's words.

"Despite what Team Rocket thinks, we are not weak! We are not worthless!" He yells.

The army begins to smile at each other, feeling uplifted.

"We're going to fight!" Timothy shouts. "We're going to fight and wipe out every hint of power and pride that our enemy possesses!"

"Yeah!" The army shouts.

"Let the cruelest, most despicable, deceitful, and sinister of all of our enemies weep as they watch their darkest dreams crumble!" Timothy yells.

"Yeah!" Everyone shouts louder.

"Let their desires become formless!"

"Yeah!"

"Nameless!"

"Yeah!"

"Forever forgotten by every living being on this earth!"

"YEAH!"

Timothy smiles, glad to see the people and Pokemon uplifted before he finishes.

"By everything you hold dear and have been through together, I ask you - no, I command you; stand and fight, and do not stop until every scrap of evil out there trembles before us!"

At this point, all the people and Pokemon are screaming, roaring, and chirping at the top of their lungs. Timothy smirks, satisfied before he climbs down his Arcanine, and turns to Brandon.

"How's that?" He asks.

Brandon hums and says, "Very over-the-top, but it will do."

Timothy chuckles before he turns to his loyal Pokemon, and they smile and nod before he nods back. They turn around to see Team Rocket and the psychic-type Pokemon still shouting their battle cries. The second Mewtwo transforms into its Mega evolved form before a Team Rocket grunt steps forward and points at the Kanto brigade, shouting, "Charge!"

Without hesitation, the Team Rocket grunts, their Pokemon, and the psychic-type Pokemon begin to run, crawl, roll, slither, or fly towards their enemies. The people and Pokemon of the Kanto and Johto regions bravely stand still as their enemies race toward them. Lt. Surge and Brandon look at each other before they turn to Clemont.

"Clemont, begin phase one," Lt. Surge commands.

"Right," Clemont says with a nod before turning to his Bunnelby. "Bunnelby, you know what to do!"

"Bunnelby!" Bunnelby replies before it jumps in the air and drills a hole in the ground with its ears.

Everyone waits patiently for Bunnelby as the enemy gets closer. After half a minute, Bunnelby emerges from the ground and turns to Clemont.

"Are they on their way?" Clemont asks.

"Bunnelby," the digging Pokemon says with a nod.

"Good," Lt. Surge says as everyone turns back to the charging army.

The Team Rocket host continues to rush toward their enemies until the ground begins to rumble. The evil forces stop in confusion until a herd of Onix, Steelix, Diglett, Dugtrio, Sandshrew, and Sandslash emerge from the ground, sending several grunts and Pokemon at the front of the army flying into the air. Before the rest of the army can react, more rock/ground type Pokemon such as Geodude, Graveler, Golem, Larvatar, Pupitar, and Tyranitar emerge from the large hole, and they all start knocking out many more of them with moves like Stone Edge, Hidden Power, Earthquake, and Magnitude. The Team Rocket grunts and their Pokemon panic as many more of them are knocked out by the attacks. Some of the psychic Pokemon also get knocked out with the Tyranitar taking out many of them with their dark type attacks.

But as they are attacking, Mega Mewtwo and the second Mew use Psychic to lift the ground/rock type off the ground, excluding Diglett, Dugtrio, and Tyranitar. The two powerful psychic-type Pokemon send their enemies flying towards the other side of the field.

"Watch out!" Lance screams.

Everyone moves away just in time to avoid Onyx, Steelix - including Brock's Steelix, and other Pokemon crashing on top of them. Mega Mewtwo and the second Mew's counter give Team Rocket the chance to overpower the Diglett, Dugtrio, and Tyranitar, forcing them to flee back inside the giant hole. The members of Team Rocket who are still conscious mockingly laugh as the Pokemon flee before they start charging again, going around the hole. Lance, Brandon, Lt. Surge, and Timothy frown while Forrest and a few others help Brock's Steelix and the other Pokemon who were sent flying back slowly get up.

"They only got a small portion of their forces," Brandon states.

"True, but that's not our only means of delaying them," Lt. Surge says before turning to Clemont. "Begin phase 2."

"Yes, sir," Clemont says with a salute before taking out a control pad. "Turning on the Clemontic-Sound-O-Shield-Generator-Protector now."

"The names still need work," Timothy mutters quietly as Clemont pushes a button on his pad.

Between the two brigades and the medical camp, a large, round, black, and yellow machine turns on. It shoots up a giant beam into the sky, and the beam separates to cover the entire army in a blue shield. Clemont then presses another button, and from the large hole that the ground-and-rock-type Pokemon created, a floating stage with giant speakers floats up from the hole with Jigglypuff on the stage with its microphone. Clemont puts on a headset and turns it on while looking at Jigglypuff.

"It's your time to shine, Jigglypuff!" He announces through the headset. "All the people and Pokemon around you are the meanies who need to hear your voice! So sing, Jigglypuff! Sing as loud and proud as you can!"

Jigglypuff can hear Clemont through an earpiece on its ear. The balloon Pokemon smiles brightly before it holds it's microphone close to its mouth, takes a deep breath, and sings. Though no one and among the Kanto and Johto forces can hear a thing because of the shield, they know that Jigglypuff is singing loudly and through the speakers, its song to be heard throughout the battlefield. Many Team Rocket grunts, their Pokemon, and the psychic Pokemon slowly stop walking before they collapse on the ground and fall asleep. Even Mega Mewtwo and the second Mew fight the urge to resist their eyes growing heavy for a short time before they stop floating, crash into the ground, and start sleeping.

Lt. Surge grins and says, "Looks like Serena's little plan is working. Maybe it'll take out their whole army."

"Let's not get carried away," Brandon warns. "The battle isn't won yet."

"True, but Jigglypuff is a lot of help," Lance points out. "Maybe if our luck holds out we can -"

"Wait. What's going on with those Electrode?" Timothy interrupts.

Everyone looks at him, confused until he points in the direction behind Jigglypuff. As it is singing, a trio of Electrode rolls towards it, not affected at all by Jigglypuff's voice.

"Why are those Electrode not falling asleep?" Lance asks.

It takes a moment before Lt. Surge's eyes widen in realization.

"They must have the ability Soundproof!" He exclaims. "Jigglypuff's singing won't do anything at all to them."

Everyone looks at him, shocked before Clemont turns his headset back on.

"Jigglypuff, look out!" He shouts.

But the balloon Pokemon is too focused on singing its little heart out to hear him. The Electrode grin as they roll all the way toward the stage and use Self-Destruct. The stage explodes, and though no one can hear beyond the sound shield, they can imagine Jigglypuff screaming as it's sent blasting off into the sky.

"Poor Jigglypuff," Iris comments.

"I wish it could have kept going," Cilan says.

"Me too," Max says.

"That's alright. The important thing is it took out a good amount of our enemies," Brandon says.

"Agreed. Though now we don't have any other means to keep them from reaching us," Alain says seriously.

Sure enough, several more Team Rocket grunts and their Pokemon and the psychic Pokemon start charging towards them, ignoring their comrades and brainwashed Pokemon who have fallen asleep. The four leaders frown before Lance turns to Lt. Surge, Brandon, and Timothy.

"Looks like it's time, gentlemen," he announces. "I better get back to the Johto brigade."

"Very well," Brandon says. "We will leave you to cover our retreat once it's your time to fight."

"You can count on me," Lance says sincerely. "Best of luck to you all."

"And to you, Lance," Timothy says as he, Electchu, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Forrest, Iris, Cilan, Max, Clemont, and Alain wave to Lance as he jogs to the Johto brigade.

Once the bi-regional champion is gone, Brandon's face grows serious as he turns to Lt. Surge.

"Let's not waste any time," he says.

"Agreed," Lt. Surge says before turning to the Kanto people and Pokemon. "Clemont, lift the sound shield! Everyone else, form ranks! Poison-type Pokemon or Pokemon with poison attacks in front and Pokemon with ranged attacks behind!"

The trainers don't hesitate to move their Pokemon into positions. While Clemont turns off his invention, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Timothy, Electchu, Iris, Cilan, Forrest, Max, and Alain stand behind the ranks. The Team Rocket army continues to race toward them, and the Vermillion City gym leader waits until the enemy is close enough.

"Release poison attacks!" He shouts.

The poison Pokemon, including several Koffing, Weezing, Arbok, Grimer, Zubat, Golbat, Muk, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar, use Smog, Poison Gas, Poison Powder, Sludge Bomb, Acid, and Venoshock. Together, they create a massive black cloud that hides the other poison attacks, and the Team Rocket army runs into it. The sound of people coughing violently and Pokemon groaning in pain can be heard from outside the cloud.

"Now, poison Pokemon move back, and Pokemon with Smokescreen take front!" Lt. Surge orders. "Volly, fire at will!"

At the command of their trainers, the poison Pokemon move back while all the Pokemon knowing Smokescreen stepped forward. From behind, the Pokemon with ranged attacks fire whatever move their trainers tell them to use. The attacks fly toward the black cloud, and several sounds of people and Pokemon getting hit can be heard clearly. Some are sounds of Team Rocket grunts and Pokemon getting knocked unconscious upon impact of the attacks. Eventually, the black cloud fades with some of the grunts, and Pokemon greatly affected by the poisonous attack. The Team Rocket forces who aren't affected go back to charging at their opponents. Once again, Lt. Surge waits for the right moment for the enemy to be close enough.

"Smokescreen, now!" He shouts.

The Pokemon that know Smokescreen release a black cloud of smoke. The move creates another large cloud of smoke that covers the enemy without the poisoning effect. Grunts and Pokemon cough again while Lt. Surge makes the next call.

"Volly, fire!" He shouts.

At the command of their trainers, the Pokemon behind fire their ranged attacks from Sludge Bomb, to Thunder, to Water Gun, to Rock Throw, Hyper Beam, and so on. The sound of the moves hitting enemies inside the cloud can be heard from people and Pokemon alike. Lt. Surge takes out his Raichu, and Alain mega evolves his Charizard, ready for what happens next.

"CHARGE!" Lt. Surge screams.

With loud battle cries, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Timothy, Max, Cilan, Iris, Forrest, Max, and the rest of the vanguard with all of their Pokemon charge into the black cloud of smoke. They can see clearly enough for the trainers to command their Pokemon to attack their disoriented enemies.

"Raichu, Thunderbolt!" Lt. Surge screams.

"Dusclops, Shadow Punch! Ninjask, Aerial Ace!" Brandon commands.

"Sceptile, Fury Cutter! Rhyhorn, Stone Edge! Kabutops, Aqua Jet! Arcanine, Heat Wave! Pinsir, X-Scissor!" Max shouts.

"Bunnelby, Mud Shot! Chespin, Pin Missile! Luxray, use Swift!" Clemont shouts.

"Pansage, Vine Whip! Crustle, X-Scissor! Stunfisk, Thundershock!" Cilan calls out.

"Axew, Dragon Rage! Excadrill, Focus Blast! Emolga, Volt Switch! Dragonite, Dragon Rush, and Gible, you use Dig!" Iris screams.

"Steelix, Stone Edge, Rhyperior, use Rock Wrecker!" Forrest shouts.

"Charizard, Blast Burn! Tyranitar, Dark Pulse! Weavile, Ice Beam! Bisharp, Focus Blast! Unfezant, Sky Attack!" Alain growls.

"Electchu, Electro Ball! Odyssey, Aura Sphere! Poliwrath, Hydro Pump! Gengar, Dark Pulse! Blitzwing, Brave Bird! Fenrir, use Flare Blitz!"

All the Pokemon use their respective attacks on the disoriented opponents. Left and right, the sounds of Team Rocket grunts and Pokemon crying out in pain or sounds of them being knocked out are heard all over the dark smoke.

But as the vanguard attack, the smoke suddenly disappears. Everyone looks around in confusion until they see many Natu, Xatu, Woobat, Swoobat, Sigilyph, the three Lugia, and many more psychic/flying types blowing the smoke away. The Team Rocket grunts and their personal Pokemon grin and begin to fight back now that neither side has an advantage.

The grunts order their Pokemon to attack with the brainwashed psychic Pokemon attacking on their own. Many Pokemon from both sides hit each other left and right, causing them to faint. Max's Sceptile and Pinsir, Alain's Tyranitar, Bisharp, Weavile, and Timothy's Gengar take down many psychic-type Pokemon with ease using their bug/dark attacks. Gengar flattens itself to dodge any psychic attacks that comes its way before taking down the enemy Pokemon with its ghost and dark-type attacks. The many poison and electric type Pokemon owned by the Team Rocket grunts use their respective attacks, hitting many Pokemon from the other side, with some of them either dodging the attacks or protecting themselves using moves like Protect and Safeguard. Before long, Pokemon trainers among the vanguard return their Pokemon and run away to the healing camp.

"Looks like it's time to lighten the load from our side," Lt. Surge comments.

"I agree," Timothy says before turning to Clermont. "Fire the blue flair! We'll cover you!"

"You got it!" Clemont shouts as he takes a large flare gun from his pocket and loads a blue flare into it.

*********************************************************************

From the top of Team Rocket's tower, Giovanni, Matori, and Persian are watching the battle from the large window. Mew and Mewtwo are still floating in the air, not acknowledging what is going on outside. Giovanni has an evil, eased grin on his face as he watches the trainers fight against his army.

"Look at those pathetic fools," he says. "They are actually trying to wipe out our forces with their pitiful band."

"Indeed," Matori says nonchalantly. "Still, I must admit their strategy to delay our forces is somewhat commendable."

Giovanni chuckles with his mouth closed.

"Commendable but useless," he says. "Our forces are numerous while they grow weaker by the second. There's no way they can break through our -"

But as he's talking, a large blue flare is shot high into the air. The flare explodes into smaller flares before it disappears completely. Giovanni raises an eyebrow, wondering what the point of his enemies firing the flare was.

"Sir, Pokemon are coming from the water!" Matori shouts.

"What?!" Giovanni growls.

The leader of Team Rocket looks down to where the bridge connecting to his tower from the mainland is and sees legions of water Pokemon from both the Kanto and Johto regions wild and owned by Pokemon trainers alike coming from the sea and flanking his army from behind. A couple of bright lights appear as some of the trainers make their Pokemon mega evolve. Giovanni grows angry with his hands turn to fist before he turns to his assistant.

"Get everyone in this building with Pokemon who aren't protecting the scientists down there and flank them back!" He barks.

"But doesn't that include the men guarding Arceus?" Matori asks worryingly.

"They can't do anything to free it as long as the machine is on, and I have the Gieldanstone! Just do it!" Giovanni screams. "And get down there and lead them!"

Matori gulps nervously before she reluctantly runs toward the door, exiting the office. Giovanni turns back to watching the battle, feeling slightly less confident.

"I seem to have underestimated my enemies," he admits to himself. "But I won't let that stop me no matter what it takes."

Right as he finishes saying that, a high-pitched beeping is heard. He turns around and presses a button on his desk, and a holo image of Domino appears.

"009, what are you calling me for?" He snarls.

"Sir, I just thought you should know that I discovered a little something about our enemies," Domino answers.

"And that would be?" Giovanni asks impatiently.

"They have a camp for healing Pokemon north from the battle," Domino answers. "They appear to have gathered all the nurses and doctors to assemble there with all of their portable healing equipment."

Giovanni stays silent with a frown still on his face.

"I see," he says.

"Do I have your permission to sabotage it?" Domino asks.

Giovanni thinks for a moment before he says, "Take one of the psychic Pokemon with you. You will cause more damage that way. That's an order."

Domino frowns, clearly not wanting to use a Pokemon to do the job, but she bitterly admits that it's the only way she can do what she wants to do.

"Understood," she grumbles. "I'll contact you when the deed is done."

"Very well. Giovanni out," Giovanni says before turning off the transmission.

He presses the button in the image of Domino disappears from the screen. He goes back to watching the battle again with Persian meowing, concerned for its master.

"Be still!" He commands without looking at the Pokemon.

Persian's worry grows as it winces from its master's harsh words before it begrudgingly goes back to watching the battle with him, hoping that it will end in Giovanni's favor soon.

***********************************************************

Coovers, Serena, Pikachu, Gary, Koga, and Agatha have been waiting patiently underwater for Team Rocket's remaining people available to join the fight. After the blue flare was fired and all the water Pokemon and water Pokemon trainers left to join the fight with Misty, May, Dawn, Tucker, and Lucy joining while the small squadron keeps waiting, eager to infiltrate Team Rocket's tower. Finally, they see Matori and dozens of Team Rocket members come out of the building and race to the other side of the bridge.

Once all of them are out and running towards the battle, Coovers waits a minute before giving his team a nod, and Samurott and Blastoise go up the surface so that the team can all climb up to the top of the island on the left side of the building. They take off their diving gear before Coovers and Gary return Samurott and Blastoise, respectively.

"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we got a long way up, much to do, and less time to do it," Coovers announces. "Let's do this as quickly and quietly as possible. Remember, the fate of the world may be in our hands, so let's not let everyone down."

"Right," Serena, Gary. Koga, and Agatha say at the same time.

"Pika," Pikachu says with a nod while on Serena's shoulder.

"Alright, let's move!" Coovers commands.

The six of them sneak with their backs against the wall before they make it to the corner and turn to the front of the building. At the front of the entrance, Arceus is standing on the large machine, getting constantly hit by electric beams. Gary stares at the poor, mythical Pokemon, and starts to run over to it until Agatha grabs him by the shirt.

"What do you think you're doing, young man?" She asks.

"Oh come on," Gary protests. "Arceus is right there in front of us. We can free it and save the world right now."

"Gary, remember the briefing," Koga hisses. "Even if we free it, Giovanni can still use it against all of us as long as he has the Gieldanstone. We can't free it yet until we take it from him."

Gary frowns, wanting to save everyone now. He shuts his eyes and clenches his teeth before he sighs.

"Fine," he says, defeated.

"Good," Coovers says. "Now, let's get inside."

The rest of the team nods before they go inside. They walk down the large entryway until they find several elevators on the other side. They look at the list of floors hanging next to one of the elevators and look at most of the list in disgust.

"So this is why they made this place to be so big," Agatha says. "Most of the levels in this building are meant to store Pokemon that are under their control."

"That's horrible!" Serena shouts angrily.

"Pika!" Pikachu also exclaims in anger.

"All the more reason to take down Team Rocket pronto," Gary says determinedly.

"Agreed," Koga says while still browsing through the list. "There doesn't appear to be a floor specifically for holding the police."

"Yeah, looks like all they have above all the floors for captured Pokemon are quarters specifically for what seems to be every member of Team Rocket, a floor for their science team, a jail for just one person, and a couple of floors for the higher-ups including Giovanni at the very top," Coovers observes.

"Then our path is clear, isn't it?" Serena asks. "There's no reason for the police to be anywhere else than the science floor if there's a prison for only one person, and the rest of the top levels are for Team Rocket personnel. So we'll take the elevator to the science floor where they might be. After that, we get Ash the next floor up, then go to the top to nab the leader of Team Rocket, get the Gieldanstone, and free Arceus with it before we destroy it."

"Hmmm, I see your logic, Serena, but there's no guarantee that Looker and the rest of the International Police are on that specific floor," Agatha points out. "They could be in the lower levels that are reserved for captured Pokemon."

"Yeah, but if they're not on the science floor, we can force those science dweebs to tell us where they are," Gary says. "We could even make them tell us how to turn off that machine on Arceus to make freeing it easier once we get that jewel."

"Hmmm. That's not a bad idea," Coovers admits. "Either way, we're not helping anyone by standing here. Let's get on an elevator and start with the science floor pronto."

"You got it," Gary says, pressing a button to the elevator.

As the squad is waiting for the elevator, Serena turns to Pikachu, who is still on her shoulder and gives the mouse Pokemon a serious look.

"We're almost there, Pikachu," she whispers. "Just a little further, and we'll be reunited with Ash."

"Pika," Pikachu quietly says with its own serious look.

*********************************************************************************

Back in the front lines of the battle, Lt. Surge, Brandon, Timothy, Iris, Cilan, Forrest, Max, and Alain are still fighting hard with their Pokemon along with countless other trainers. The flanking battalion with Misty, May, Dawn, Tucker, and Lucy has eased the amount of Team Rocket grunts and Pokemon, but the enemy is still managing to slowly overpower the vanguard. One by one, trainers, are returning their fallen Pokemon and fleeing to the healing camp.

"I think we better get our other two flanking divisions to come in and surround the enemy," Timothy says.

"I agree," Brandon says before turning to Clemont. "Use the next flair."

"Copy," Clemont says as he loads another flair.

Once again, Brandon and Timothy use their Pokemon to protect the Lumiose City gym leader while he fires a green flair into the air. The large flair flies straight up high until it explodes into smaller flares before disappearing completely. The vanguard wait as they keep taking out as much of the enemy as possible.

After a couple of minutes, they hear the sound of Pokemon shouting battle cries from the east and the west. The night is so dark, and the Team Rocket host is so focused on fighting on two different sides, that they don't pay attention to the many wild Pokemon charging from both sides with Professor Oak, Bulbasaur, and Tracey commanding them and the Pokemon from the professor's lab from the west and Anabel leading from the east. By the time Team Rocket realizes what is happening, the wild Pokemon have already burst through the sides of their army. It isn't long, however, before the enemy starts to push back with the psychic Pokemon taking out a good amount of the wild Pokemon.

"Well, Team Rocket reciprocated faster than I thought," Lt. Surge says.

"At least that lightened the load on our side," Timothy says while ordering his Pokemon.

"Not to mention the Team Rocket guys don't seem to have any Pokeballs to try to catch the wild Pokemon their Pokemon beat," Max adds.

"Good point," Cilan says.

"Still, it looks like Team Rocket is hitting hard again at the wild Pokemon," Alain points out concerned. "I don't think they have the strength or proper strategy to last very long."

"Wait, what are those large bird-like Pokemon up in the air?" Iris suddenly asks, pointing a where the Kanto wild Pokemon are.

Everyone looks at the direction of where Iris is pointing while the wild Pokemon are still fighting against the enemy's Pokemon. Up in the air, they see the three large bird-like Pokemon soaring toward the battle. It takes a moment before Brandon, Timothy, and Max recognize each of them.

"It's Moltres," Brandon says.

"And Articuno," Timothy says.

"And Zapatos," Max says.

"Well, I'll be," Clemont says. "The three legendary bird Pokemon are here."

"Not just them," Alain says, pointing at the other direction.

Everyone turns to the other direction where the wild Johto Pokemon are and see Entei, Raikou, and Suicune charging at Team Rocket's army. They burst through the enemy's Pokemon from that side with their mighty attacks while Zapatos, Articuno, and Moltres use their own powerful attacks to burn, electrocute, and freeze above Team Rocket's large army.

"The legendary beasts are here too," Timothy says, amazed.

"But Anabel didn't say anything about recruiting them," Iris says.

"Yeah, and knowing Professor Oak, he might have at least said that there's some surprise with recruiting Pokemon from Kanto," Max says.

"Then it seems the legendary Pokemon sensed what's at stake and so decided to fight for the good of all people and Pokemon," Brandon says.

"Then it looks like things might be turning in our favor," Cilan says optimistically.

"Maybe, but let's keep fighting from our side," Brandon says seriously

"He's right," Lt. Surge says. "Remember, we're still the vanguard, and thus, we can only hold the enemy back for so long. So we need to focus and take out as many Pokemon from our side as we can."

"Right," Timothy, Alain, Clemont, Max, Forrest, Cilan, and Iris say solemnly.

The nine of them go back to commanding their Pokemon with the rest of the brigade, taking out Team Rocket Pokemon and brainwashed psychic-type Pokemon alike. But as all four sides fight against their enemies, their numbers slowly but surely begin to dwindle as more and more of their Pokemon get knocked out. At the rate that the battle is going even if six legendary Pokemon fighting with them, it may be a matter of time before the battle for the world is lost.