Erika was quickly tending to her Pokemon as Ash was holding Petrel at bay, and Poliwrath was protecting them just in case.
"Weezing Thunderbolt on that frog," Petrel commanded
"Beedrill redirect it, Electro web"
Weezing shot out a bolt of electricity from its mouth and aimed at Poliwrath, but a web shield appeared in front and absorbed it, then it was shot back and wrapped around Weezing releasing all the electricity.
Erika managed to quickly give her Pokemon some herbal medicines to let them heal some of their wounds, unfortunately, she didn't have any revival herbs on her so Tangala was still out of the fight.
"Leafeon Razor Trap (Dig + Razor Leaf), Gloom Leech Seed again!"
Leafeon started digging into the ground as Gloom began shooting seeds trying to catch Weezing.
"You foolish little girl, for a gym leader you don't know anything, Dodge then Taunt."
Weezing managed to dodge all the seeds and gave a mocking look at Gloom making her get embarrassed and mad, so she started charging forward.
"Poliwrath stop Gloom then Power-up Punch."
Poliwrath ran forward and jumped into the air landing on Gloom and making it stop its dash as Weezing was also dashing at Gloom getting ready to strike, but Poliwrath used the momentum to deliver a glowing punch into Weezing making both stop in the air as they tried to push the other back.
At this moment Leafeon jumped out of the hole and shot out multiple Razor Leafs trying to get a sneak attack from behind, but Petrel noticed it and Laughed.
"Is this really your plan, Weezing [Heartless Substitution]"
Weezing shot smoke into the air that dispured quickly revealing that Poliwrath and Weezing swapped places making Poliwrath the new target.
"Beedrill, String shot and redirect" Ash commanded
Beedrill summoned multiple strings from her stingers that she shot out each latching onto a different Razor Leaf, then she crossed her arms together and controlled the leaves, causing them to go around Poliwrath and form a spinning razor on Weezing.
When the leaves stopped spinning Weezing was trapped in the webs, so she ignited them with electricity. Meanwhile, Erika gathered Leafeon and Gloom together.
"Leafeon, Gloom let's do it Petal wing!"
Gloom began using Petal Dance causing flowers to appear and circle around her, and Leafeon used Aerial Ace and flew through the Petals, causing them to follow behind her and creating wings made of Petals.
Then as Leafeon got close to Weezing she used a Leaf blade, and Beedrill threw it at Leafeon, slamming into the rock and sending it spiraling back and making a crater into the wall behind, but it was still able to get back up albeit barely.
Petrel at this point was getting stressed since he was losing, but he just put on another smile, "Well I guess I'll give you this victory, next time maybe I'll bring my real Team, to put you in your place, that is if there's anything left of you, Weezing Self-Destruct."
Weezing started slowly glowing white and expanding as Petrel didn't move and just laughed.
Ash's eyes immediately opened as he Whistled for Beedrill, as he ran over to Erika and grabbed her, "We need to move now, Abra you ready?"
Beedrill on the other hand shot webs at all their Pokemon and pulled them close as she put a stinger on Ash.
Abra climbed out of his hood and as she looked over at the Weezing she gave a peace sign and teleported away, just before the explosion happened.
–
At the Pokemon Orphanage Fuji got back safely and quickly called the police to tell them about Team Rocket, after he finished with it he was trying to talk to Charizard, who was lying down with one arm supporting his head.
"What are you doing? You need to go back, your trainer may be in danger!" Fuji said, trying to make Charizard move by pushing on him.
"Char-izard(￣～￣)" Charizard said yawning.
"What is wrong with you!? He needs your help, he could be injured or worse, so get up."
Charizard looked at Fuji and then flipped to the other side.
"Why won't you move?! What kinda Pokemon are you, that kind young man is still down there and all you're doing is slouching here!"
Before Fuji could continue berating Charizard, a gaggle of Pokemon and 2 People appear in the air before they all crash down to the ground, except for the Beedrill.
On the ground, Ash and Erika were covered in dirt and soot with the rest of the Pokemon on top of them in a pile with an Abra sitting on top.
Charizard was still slouching and not looking at Ash, but he raised his arm and gave a thumbs up, "Char."
Ash also gave a thumbs up, "Yeah thanks bud." before finally picking himself up and putting away Poliwrath and Beedrill, and helping Erika up.
Fuji was standing there in shock seeing them just pop into existence in front of him, "W-wait what is going on are you two ok what happened?"
Erika was dusting herself off, "Well I was battling against the, apparently, Executive disguised as the Boss, then Ash appeared telling me you were safe so we started battling together and then he exploded"
Fuji looked even more shocked, "W-what how can you say that so calmly you were nearly hurt, are you ok do you need medical attention?"
Ash stretched his arms and took off his hoodie, "I mean I'm fine, I don't think we breathed in the poison-"
"Poison!?" Fuji blurted out.
"Calm down we are both fine Mr. Fuji, though I am not so sure about the tunnel system, that explosion could have very well collapsed what was left of it. There were quite a few Grunts we tied up."
Fuji took a deep breath and put his fingers on his forehead, "Ok, let's just put that behind us for a moment, come inside let's talk about it more inside, and the Police are already on their way."
Fuji let the two inside his house and Charizard stayed outside to slouch some more and Abra hoped in Ash's bag. Inside the house it did look like an orphanage, from the entrance to the dining room it was a long corridor with multiple doors on both sides.
When they reached the table they sat down and started talking about what happened, from both sides. Needless to say, Fuji looked like his blood pressure was getting higher.
"For the sake of my mental health I am going to pretend I didn't hear these things, so what do you think of this ordeal?"
"Well I need to get back to Celadon City, this entire side journey made me get backtracked by a few hours but I should be able to get back to schedule."
"Well let's see if we factor in any stops you would make, then you should get back in 4 days or so if you go by foot," Ash said, looking into the ceiling.
"Well, I may or may not have someone to pick me up over in Saffron, though they may start stressing out after they find out I'm late," Erika said, slightly slouching.
"I think they'll ignore that when they see that you look like you just came out trying to wrangle Tauros with your bare hands," Ash said
Erika slightly laughed, "Yes I suppose everyone will freak out, best for us not to mention that we met or they might think you did this."
"Well that is inconvenient I was going to offer you a ride but I suppose you must go on foot, my lady." Ash said, also putting on an 'elegant' accent.
"Pfff" Erika blurted out trying to hold back her laugh, "Please don't do that, it doesn't fit you."
"Aww and here I wanted to gain the Gentleman title, oh woe is me," Ash said putting his arm over his eyes.
Erika calmed herself and got up, "Well I suppose I should leave first, it was good seeing you Mr.Fuji I apologize we had to meet under these circumstances, and Ash I'll be waiting for you in my gym, but don't think I'll go easy."
"Just as long as you promise not to cry when I win," Ash joked as Erika walked off.
Ash then turned back to Fuji, "Well I apologize that we had to meet like this, but she is right I should get going, and potentially clean or burn these clothes."
Ash went over to Charizard and whistled, "Hey bud, we're going, get ready!"
Charizard got back to his feet and stretched in preparation, then started spamming dragon dances again.
"Just a moment Ash," the voice of Fuji rang from the inside of the house as he came out holding a box under his arm.
"Oak told me about you, he said that you were one of the trainers he entrusted with a Pokedex, am I correct."
Ash raised his eyebrow and pulled out his Pokedex, "Yeah but I'm Surprised he told you about it, but why do you bring it up?"
Fuji smiled and looked at Charizard, "When I got back I was worried that your Charizard was willing to abandon you, and I assumed the worst that maybe he didn't like to obey you, but I can see it was quite the opposite he didn't go back because he trusted you, that is commendable."
Fuji then opened the box and in it was a smaller box and a poke flute, "I thought these items may come in useful, your journey certainly is a treacherous one, but as long as your Pokemon trust you I do believe you will be fine."
Ash looked at the flute but was more interested in the box, when he opened it he saw two stones, a big blue stone, and a broken Keystone.
"I apologize about the stone, I previously gave them to a different trainer but he couldn't figure out their use, and unfortunately the small stone was destroyed," Fuji said, looking down.
"No it's ok, but I don't suppose you could tell me what it is," Ash said even though he already knew exactly what it was.
Fuji smiled and put his finger on his mouth, "That's a secret, but I'm sure when you find a similar stone you will find out what it is."
"Well if you're not using it, can I have it," Ash said thinking that he might be able to do something with the broken keystone.
"Sure, I don't see why not, not like I'll be using it, and I won't ask why you want it," Fuji said as they finally parted ways.
Meanwhile, on top of the tower, a familiar old woman was looking at Ash and Fuji part ways with a Marowak by her side, her purple eyes slightly shined as she smiled, "Fuji you old fool seems like even now you can't keep yourself out of trouble."
She looked up into the sky and spread her arms, "You hear that, seems like your son is following in your footsteps, I wonder how he will turn this world upside-down, I can't wait to see where this goes."
Then the wind started to blow and both she and the Marowak dissolved like dust into the wind.
---
It took a few minutes to get back to the hotel, he finally let Charizard back in his ball so he could sleep, and when he stepped in he saw his idiots all sleeping in the living room. Brock was hunched over on the table, Misty was snuggling with her Egg, and Yellow was curled up in a blanket.
Ash sighed and picked them up one by one to put them in their rooms and tuck them in.
When he finished he took his clothes and put them in the washer so that he could get the stink off that pair of clothes, he did have another pair but he didn't want to just throw it away when he might be able to wash it.
After which he went to take a shower to get rid of the smell, he needed about half the bottle of soap just to make him smell decent.
When he got out he dried himself off and went to his room with his sleeping electric mouse who hadn't moved from the couch.
He was very tired since he nearly spent the whole night awake, so he finally tucked himself in for some sleep.
30 seconds later.
Brock pushed open Ash's door, "Wake up lazy bones we have things to do today!!"
"Aaaahhhhh (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡" Ash screemed as he grabbed a pillow and threw it at Brock full force making him fall over.
He then walked to the door and slammed it shut.
Misty and Yellow who were watching from their doors were looking at Brock on the floor.
"Aww it was his turn, I was going to make him make those pancakes again," Misty mumbled to herself.