Chapter 133: Rescue at Sea, the Return of the Three-God Cloud

"Oh no, they’re here."

"Are you saying that the people who want to capture Meloetta have found this place?"

"It seems so. I must take Meloetta and leave immediately."

"But if this place has been discovered, where can you possibly go?"

"My companions and I have found a new location. I need to take Meloetta there."

With that, Larry led Meloetta out of the villa, and Cheng Cheng, Ash, and the others followed. However, as soon as they stepped outside, they were enveloped by a thick fog.

"What is going on?"

"Damn it, they’ve arrived. Meloetta, let's go."

Larry prepared to board Golurk to make his escape. However, Golurk was struck by an attack and stumbled back, preventing Larry from climbing aboard.

"It’s a Golem."

A Pokémon appeared before them. It was a Kanto-region Golem; it seemed they had truly arrived. Another attack followed, forcing the group to scatter. Immediately after, a Rhydon appeared before them.

"Oh no, it’s a Rhydon!"

Two figures emerged from behind the Pokémon, their uniforms marked with a large "R."

"It’s Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed in surprise.

"Team Rocket? Who are they?"

"Team Rocket is a group that uses Pokémon for evil deeds."

"Hmph, hand over Meloetta at once, or we won't be so polite."

"Not a chance. Golurk, use Flash Cannon!"

"Rhydon, use Hyper Beam!"

Golurk and Rhydon clashed.

"Golem, use Rollout!"

"Follow me, Mr. Mime, use Barrier!" Cheng Cheng summoned Mr. Mime, blocking the Golem’s attack with a wall of barriers.

"Ash, hurry and take Meloetta away from here!"

"But what about you, Mr. Larry?"

"Don't worry, I can handle this."

Just then, two more Team Rocket members approached.

"Ash, you guys go ahead. Muzi and I will stay behind to help."

"Alright, take care of yourselves." With that, Ash and his two companions fled.

"Muzi, it's time to battle."

"No problem."

There were four opponents in total. Besides the Rhydon and Golem, they brought out a Golbat and a Nidoking.

"Come out, Dragonite!" Muzi summoned her strongest Dragonite. Cheng Cheng was surprised, as this exceeded his expectations.

"Dragonite, use Dragon Claw!"

"Nidoking, use Mega Punch!"

Nidoking and Dragonite collided, leaving Cheng Cheng to deal with the remaining Golem and Golbat.

"Come out, Chimecho. Chimecho, leave the Golbat to me."

"Chime!" Chimecho flew up and began to engage the Golbat.

"Golem, use Rollout!"

"Mr. Mime, use Barrier!" Mr. Mime tilted the barrier, and the Golem rolled straight up the incline and flew off.

Since they wanted to play, Cheng Cheng decided to oblige them for a while. On the other side, Muzi’s Dragonite fought the Nidoking to a draw, while the Rhydon and Golurk were locked in an intense struggle. This seemingly fair battle was actually full of restraint, with Cheng Cheng holding back the most.

After ten minutes of fighting, Team Rocket suddenly retreated. Cheng Cheng did not pursue, choosing instead to run toward Ash’s location. When they caught up, they found only Iris and Cilan; Ash and Meloetta had been captured by Team Rocket.

"Damn it! We have to rescue Meloetta!" Larry was frantic upon realizing Meloetta was gone.

"I can still sense Ash and the others. They headed in that direction. Let’s chase after them!"

"You can still sense them?"

"Yes." Cheng Cheng could still faintly feel their presence.

"Then let’s move!"

They rode their Pokémon in the direction Team Rocket had fled. They pursued them all the way out to sea, until Cheng Cheng could no longer sense them.

"Are they here?"

"They should be, but my connection to them has been severed. They must be nearby, though; the trail ended right here."

"Could they be on the ocean floor?"

Suddenly, they heard Meloetta’s song: "Melo-melo-me, melo-melo-melo-melo-melo."

"That’s Meloetta’s song! They are definitely nearby. But how do we get to the bottom of the sea?"

"Let's go back and consult with Cynthia. Maybe she has a way," Cheng Cheng suggested.

"Alright, let's head back."

They returned to Cynthia’s villa. Cynthia had just received a call from her butler and arrived shortly after.

"You say Team Rocket has captured Meloetta?"

"Yes, Ash and Meloetta were both taken."

"Do you know where they went?"

"We do. They are somewhere in this sea, but we can't reach them on the ocean floor."

"In that case, butler, prepare the submarine immediately."

"Yes, Miss."

"Let's go and save Meloetta and Ash together."

"But I’m worried about how Team Rocket intends to use Meloetta’s power. What are they really after?"

Before long, the butler had a submersible yacht ready. One had to admit, a Champion always had access to such resources.

"Let's go."

They set sail toward the sea area where Ash was held. As they arrived, they discovered an island rising from the water, resembling a temple.

"This is the Abyssal Temple. Why is it here? It seems they have already used Meloetta’s power."

"You mean the temple appeared because of Meloetta?"

"Yes. In ancient times, people lived happily with Meloetta, but they discovered its miraculous power could grant them great strength. They waged war to possess Meloetta. Wishing to spare everyone from the conflict, Meloetta sank the entire temple into the sea and hid away with our order of guardians. I never expected Team Rocket’s goal to be the same. We must stop them."

Suddenly, a beam of energy shot into the sky, turning the clouds dark. Cheng Cheng felt a familiar power.

"This power is..."

"Muzi, do you feel it too?"

"Yes, I never thought we would see them here again."

"Cheng Cheng, Muzi, what are you talking about?" Iris asked, confused.

"Iris, doesn't this remind you of what happened on Milos Island?"

"You mean..."

"Exactly. The Forces of Nature are about to appear."

Three Pokémon descended from the sky: Thundurus, Tornadus, and Landorus.

It really was them. Cheng Cheng never imagined Meloetta’s power could summon all three. Muzi was equally stunned.

Suddenly, a mirror flew into the sky, hovering before the three legendary Pokémon. As the mirror flipped, they underwent a transformation, shifting from their Incarnate forms to their Therian forms.

"They've changed forms."

"Yes, and not just that. Don't you feel their power becoming more volatile?"

"Let's go!"

The group quickly ascended the temple. Ash had already managed to free himself.

"Ash, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. We have to save Meloetta now."

"Forces of Nature, show me your power!"

The three Pokémon unleashed their energy, causing the environment to shift. Lightning flashed, storms raged, and the entire sea began to freeze.

"The Forces of Nature are under Giovanni’s control. We have to stop them."

Ash watched as Giovanni manipulated the three with the mirror.

"To stop them, we have to rescue Meloetta first."

"But to do that, we need to hold them off."

"Alright, Ash, you go save Meloetta. Leave the Forces of Nature to me."

"Go, Garchomp!" Cynthia sent out her ace.

"We’ll help too. Go, Dragonite!" Iris sent out her own Dragonite, which was even stronger than Muzi’s.

"Dragonite, I’m counting on you."

"Let’s go, Golurk!"

The three Pokémon charged toward the Forces of Nature.

"Muzi, let's join in."

"Right. Go, Dragonite!"

"Go, Gardevoir, Lunatone!"

Cheng Cheng and Muzi sent out their strongest companions. The six Pokémon flew toward the legendary trio to engage them. The Therian-form Forces of Nature were far more powerful than before; the six Pokémon worked together to hold the line, but they were clearly outmatched and wouldn't be able to hold on for long.

"Ash, now is your chance! Go save Meloetta!"

"Right, let's go, Pikachu!"

"Pika!"

"Ash, I’m coming with you."

Cheng Cheng and Muzi followed Ash up the temple. When they reached the top, they saw Giovanni, Team Rocket, and the trapped Meloetta.