The Badlands. Klugetown. Afternoon.
Here at Klugetown, the search for a continued ocean was being sought out. Ash and his friends had encountered a cat by the name of Capper. He offered to show them a map that would take them to the rest of the ocean. It was only found in his home as he mainly spoke to Ash and the others for the fact that they stuck out like sore thumbs in a place like this.
"So, you did all of that in just one day?" On the way to Capper's home, Ash shared his many adventures with him. "So they aren't rumours at all."
"Yeah. A lot happens in such a short time. We never even notice how much time passes on until we look up at the sky." Ash laughed. "Guess stories of what happened in Equestria reached here too."
"Not many of it. Just the part where the Pokemon came to us." Capper shrugged. He was mainly spending time with Ash, only talking to him and practically ignoring everyone else. Twilight and the others might as well be invisible as Capper barely spoke to them.
"Guess we don't exist to him, do we?" Goh uttered with a slight grumble in his tone.
"So you're also not that kind of a King. You don't stick around your throne all that much." Capper continued. "But I'd at least guess you know about what's in the Sea Temple even if you don't stay around it that much. Something like...Gold?"
"Gold? Is there?" Ash scratched his hair as he never recalled seeing any gold in the Sea Temple. The structure of the Sea Temple didn't scream gold at all and neither did the crystals even if they emit a golden light.
"You own the place. You can find out for yourself. Oh, it looks like we're though." At last, they had arrived at Capper's home as the doors opened themselves the second he came close to it. And the second those doors opened, out of it came many Purrloins, leaping out of the house and swarming Twilight and the others.
"Purrloin!"
"W-What's with all these Purrloin?!" Rainbow Dash gasped, looking down at the Purrloin as she barely avoided them by staying in the air. Capper simply smiled while the swarm of Purrloin came crashing through. This was the most amount of Purrloin any of them have ever seen.
"You'll have to excuse my Purrloin. They do this whenever I get back." Capper added. "It feels good when it happens when the first few times. Trust me."
"It does feel great!" Fluttershy was used to this since she had plenty of Pokemon back home. So did Twilight and Ash. Some weren't used to it, such as Rarity, Applejack and Spike. Even Goh was tackled to the floor by this Purrloin Swarm.
"Settle down, all of you!" Capper raised his paw, prompting all of the Purrloin to come to a screeching halt. "Anyways. Welcome to my little manor. Big enough to hold all of these little ones."
"Nice! I thought it was just Meowth but you've got a lot of Pokemon with you!" Ash gawked in amazement at all these Purrloin. Previously, Capper mentioned how it was rare to see a Pokemon here in the Badlands. But it seemed that it wasn't rare for him specifically. Just everyone else.
"How did you get so many of them here? Through the Badlands too?" Fluttershy asked.
"Common goals, that's how. I have a name for every single one of them, if you must know. I never forget who's who."
"I think we need to focus on getting to the Hippogriffs instead of wondering about this past." Twilight interrupted, wanting to move along to the Hippogriffs. "Where's the map?"
"It's in here. But I haven't grabbed it in so long I forgot where I put it." He shrugged, apparently forgetting where this map was.
"You forgot?!" Twilight bellowed. "Ugh...Alright! Let's try and find it. Rainbow Dash, send out your Luxray." If Capper couldn't find it, Twilight and her friends would try and search for it as Twilight would rely on Luxray's X-Ray Vision to find this map.
"But I guess I can tell you about about how I met these Pokemon." Capper smiled, making Twilight groan as he was about to share his past either way. "We all met under the same common goal. It's fitting really. It started with Meowth. I was just trying to buy something with the number of Storm Bucks I had to offer. And out of nowhere, out comes this little guy, trying to outsell me."
"Meowth!"
"Obviously, there was some competition in front of me and I wasn't really sure what he was at the time. But as if I'd let him beat me out in getting something. So, we went back and forth pulling as many numbers as we could to get that item. I even resorted to some items but Meowth here was persistent."
"That's how Meowth are. Trust me, we know." Goh said while kneeling on the floor to find this map.
"But so am I. It wouldn't be the first time we butted heads. We went at this a few times until we agreed on one thing. We borrowed something from someone when he tried to get the better of us. Great minds think alike, so we got the better of him instead. And since that day, we agreed to be partners at work. We went from place to place in a not-so-big town, buying whatever we could in the best ways possible."
"That's really how you two met?" Twilight replied, realizing she was getting into the story of Capper and Meowth.
"Really. Honestly." Capper nodded. "If you're wondering about a gateway, we had there here too but...even I wasn't messing with that. And as for the Purrloin, that's another story. But there's a whole other story for one other Purrloin. I don't have a clue where she is right now though."
"Ugh! Where is that map?!" Twilight groaned, struggling to find the map. She then looked over at Luxray, who was still using his X-Ray Vision to find it.
"Good luck with finding it. Ash. Try my room and I'll go elsewhere. It's a small place but it can hold all these Purrloin for a reason." Capper suggested, letting Ash explore the rest of his house. Twilight and everyone else were left to try and find this so-called map that would show them the rest of the ocean.
Ash entered another room that had a bit of a wider appearance. Clearly, this one was fitted for the Purrloin as there was plenty of furniture that had various scratch marks on them. It was one big playroom for the Purrloin, home to various objects they were hoarding in here for themselves. Speaking of the Purrloin, a majority of them would stay with Twilight's group while some of them went along with Ash. And with Ash, the Purrloin scratched at his legs, wanting to play around with him.
"You wanna play? Sorry, but I really gotta find this map." Ash said to Purrloin. But unbeknownst to him, right outside, some of the Purrloin had blocked the door that he needed to leave this room when ready. And it was for one reason that would soon show itself. While in this room, Ash had spotted one Purrloin that was sitting in the corner, exempt from its Brothers and Sisters. "Hm? Hey there."
"Pika?"
"Purr?" Compared to the average Purrloin or any Purrloin, this Purrloin was rather sheepish, huddling in the corner when seeing Ash and Pikachu. The other Purrloin weren't even acknowledging him at the moment, too busy swarming around Ash. When Ash looked like he was about to take a step, the Purrloin shuddered, squirming for a moment.
"That must be the Purrloin Capper spoke about. It's all on its own?" Ash said to himself. "Hey, no need to worry. I'm not here to hurt you. Your Trainer invited me in here." He would try and reassure safety to the scared Purrloin as this was the most terrified he's ever seen a Purrloin.
Usually, all Purrloins have the same expression which was sly and sleek. At times, they'll show surprised emotions or even some that relate to anger. But never sadness or fear. To see a Purrloin like this was shocking but it wasn't something that Ash never expected. Even the most strong-willed Pokemon have their moments. PUrrloin stayed completely still when Ash got closer as the Aura he was giving off was a welcoming one.
This was all thanks to Sombra. Being one with Ash meant that he had access to his Aura. And at this moment, he was using Ash's Sombra, letting it emanate around the area. "Sombra?"
"You want to reassure it. Then use your Aura to let it know that." Sombra said. "Also. Something isn't right about that Capper. He puts on a rather good act."
"Ya think so?" Ash said before kneeling to face the lone Purrloin. "Are you alright, Purrloin?"
"Purr." When feeling Ash's Aura, Purrloin saw that Ash brought a great sense of safety to the area. Purrloin would stand up, going over to Ash and coming into contact with his arm. After seeing that it was safe to get close to Ash and make contact with him, Purrloin would then move across Ash's arm, rubbing its back on it. "Purrloin."
"There ya go." Ash laughed after Purrloin moved its body across his arm. "But how come you were on your own? Did something happen?"
"Pika?"
"Purr. Purrloin." Purrloin was already explaining it but didn't think that Ash would understand what it was saying. A demonstration had to be made. And there was one demonstration nearby in the form of one of the many objects littered across this room. Purrloin would walk off, using its paw to pull over a picture. Ash would soon take this picture that was lent for him to see as he gazed at what it had to offer.
On it, Capper could be seen, along with every other Purrloin. They all fit into this one frame. Including the lone Purrloin, who could be seen at the back. He noticed how Capper was holding onto the lone Purrloin while the other Purrloin were in the front of the picture. Capper was also at the back and the way he was looking at this one Purrloin suggested that he was trying to cheer it up. The lone Purrloin sheepishly looked to the side, seemingly avoiding eye contact with its Trainer.
"Hm," Ash observed this picture even closer, trying to figure out what it meant. "Yeah. Something happened alright. You're not close with Capper?"
"Purr." But Purrloin was close with Capper which was confirmed via a head shake.
However, the answer could only be found in the present day instead of a picture from the past. But this picture spoke great volumes. Ash would think about it for a while and at the same time, continuing to search for this map. With all these objects on the floor, surely one of them had to be the map.
"Ray?" Eventually, when struggling to find it in this room, Luxray felt like giving up. That is until he faced Capper himself with his X-Ray Vision. Lo and behold, he found what they were looking for as it was in the pockets of Capper himself. This whole time, he had the map with him. At least he wasn't lying when he said he had a map. "Lux! Luxray!"
"Hm? Did you find it, Luxray?" Rainbow Dash questioned.
"He said he has the map." Fluttershy translated. And right when she shared it with everyone, bursting through the doors was a new guest.
"Here's Verko!" Entering the room was a Mole-like creature, making his appearance with a boisterous sound. "These ponies better shoot rainbow lasers out their eyes if they're gonna settle your debt! Brought the big cage. Let's load 'em up!"
"You were... You were going to sell us?" Rarity gasped.
"Is that why you were warming yourself up to Ash?!" Twilight roared at him.
"Well...Yes." Capper shrugged. "I had to pay my debt off somehow and this is the best way I could think of."
"Meowth?" Even Meowth didn't realize this is what was happening.
"What? You didn't know?" Capper looked back at Meowth, perfectly understanding him the same way ponies could understand Rapidash, Zebstrika and other Equine Pokemon.
"No one's selling us! Let's get out of here! Luxray, use Discharge!"
"Lux...Ray!" Out of his body, a flare of lightning flew out, making Verko grimace. But Capper stayed completely calm in the face of this electrical discharge. The second it flew out, all it took was one Pokemon to stop. And that ended up being one of his Purrloin, who had used Protect. A green barrier flew out, blocking the electrical discharge from harming anyone.
"Again!"
"Luxray...! But right as Luxray attempted to unleash a powerful flare of lightning from his body, he discovered that he couldn't. No source of lightning left his body at all. "Luxray?!"
"Sorry. All of my Purrloin here nullified your moves from the beginning. It was Torment. You know how it is." Capper revealed that Torment had been used on their Pokemon from the very beginning, making sure none of them use the same move twice in a row.
"On all of our moves?!" Twilight and Applejack collectively yelled. Right as Rarity was about to take out a Poke Ball since none of her Pokemon have been sent out, she would find that she was unable to do that as well.
"My Poke Balls! They're gone!" Unfortunately for Rarity, her Poke Balls had been stolen. And the same went for the others.
"So are mine!" Goh bellowed as every single one of them were gone. Who else was holding them but the Purrloin, who managed to snatch them from under their noses? They all figured it must've been that swarm they did earlier. However, it was only a few Purrloin that used Torment, the rest used different moves to try and drop many disadvantages on Twilight and her friends.
Some of there were using Yawn, already sending a white wave of drowsy energy to everyone. With so many Purrloins, there was a variety of moves they could use. They were just waiting for the right time and with Capper playing it safe from the beginning, the time to catch them by surprise had come.
There were so many Yawns filling the room that it was impossible to avoid them. Luxray, Espeon, Sceptile, Audino and Castform were instantly drowsy as well as everyone else. The move wasn't exclusive to just Pokemon. It was only a matter of time before they all fall asleep.
"A-Ash!" Fluttershy bellowed with all of her strength, calling for Ash.
"Hm?!" Ash heard the cries of his friends, stopping what he was doing. The lone Purrloin would then squirm once hearing Fluttershy's voice. "Fluttershy! Everyone!" Knowing that this was serious, Ash would drop everything, quickly rushing back to the other room as fast as he could. But right as he tried it, the Purrloin all stood in his way. Each of them blocked the door, preventing Ash from going any further.
"Purr! Purrloin!"
"You're stopping me?!" Ash gasped. He then looked back at the loenPurrloin who had not moved from its spot at all. It did not join the others in blocking Ash from getting anywhere. Some of the Purrloin would even circle Ash, keeping a close eye on him. "So, was this all a trap for me? I don't wanna hurt you guys but...My friends are all on the other side. Please move aside!"
"Purr!" But they wouldn't move for a second as they lunged themselves at Ash and Pikachu, aiming to keep them here until their friends were sold off to this Verko character.
Speaking of which, it was getting rather difficult for any of them to stay awake. On top of that, the rest of their Pokemon had been taken away from them. Most likely, they were going to be sold off as well without even knowing about it.
"They'll do just fine. Good enough to pay off your debt." Verko said, observing them all before pointing his staff at Twilight and Goh. "Especially these two! An alicorn and a human?! What a jackpot! But about that Purrloin of yours. The one that can generate all the money in the world."
"Well, I can't really do anything about her, honestly." Capper shrugged. "She won't generate any."
"None? What a waste!" Verko groaned, raising his arms out of frustration. "You have a Purrloin that can do a better job at making money than this MEowth of yours and you still haven't gotten it under control?!"
"Ah, she's just shy, that's all. I can't really force her to do it. It's all that Rift stuff inside of her."
"Rift...Magic?" Twilight repeated. From what she was hearing, it sounded like Capper's Purrloin had Rift Magic in her. This could be another example of Rift Pokemon. Possibly another Equestrian Variant. But her appearance was still that of a regular Purrloin.
"I told you. I can't force her to do it. And I don't think I feel comfortable making her do it." Capper shook his head. "Sorry about it. If all my other Purrloin could do it, I can guarantee you that they'd churn out as many Stom Bucks as you need. Heck, they might even generate currencies from other parts of the world."
"You've been holding out on us. A bit funny how you can easily pay off your debt with that one Purrloin but you haven't done it yet." He twirled his staff around. "I think I can fix that. If you don't have the guts to force her to do it, so will I."
"Woah, woah. Y-You can't do that." Capper chuckled nervously, slowing Verko down. That's my Purrloin. Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"I am. I'm taking that Purrloin. There's a big opportunity and it's going to waste staying with you. And don't think about Yawning me. I'm a full-on insomniac!" Verko laughed. He was already immune to any sleeping effects as seen by how he stood in the room when Yawn went off. Some of the Purrloin even direct their Yawns at him but failed to knock him out.
"W-What's this about your Purrloin?" Fluttershy stuttered while trying to stay up, only to fall over.
"Uh, sorry. But Purrloin's not up for sale." Capper denied.
"In that case..." Verko would then tap his staff on the floor as entering the room were these two large-bodied individuals were. They appeared to be Mole Creatures, much like Verko but with a broader appearance. They were his bodyguards, who were waiting outside the entire time.
They walked up to Capper, showing their grubby yet meaty hands, ready to grab a hold of them. Even the Purrloin backed away from the bodyguards as they were fully intimidated by them. Capper had been grabbed by one of the bodyguards, puffing his face up for a moment as he was picked up like a doll. One of the other bodyguards had a cage with him. Two cages to be exact.
More bodyguards could be seen outside, waiting in a perfect line just to grab everyone inside. Verko was planning for this from the start, rounding up as many of his bodyguards as he could. And there were certainly enough for each of the Purrloin, making this overwhelmingly intimidating. Capper would soon realize he was now in a lose-lose situation as he and his Pokemon would be taken away with nothing in return for him. All of that many that this Rift Purrloin could generate would soon go to Verko alone, making him richer.
"Thunderbolt!" But crashing through the doors of Capper's home was a Thunderbolt from Pikachu. It came ripping through the room, blowing the doors down while also shocking Verko and the single bodyguard. They each received 100,000 volts of electricity as Capper was dropped, only receiving a few volts.
"Oooh..." Verko coughed as he dropped to the floor, unconscious along with his singular bodyguard. Ash had broken free of the other room already, using force to do so.
"Are you guys alright?!" Ash shouted after storming in.
"Ash..." Applejack smiled before falling asleep, failing to stay awake. The only one keeping herself awake was Twilight but that was mainly thanks to the Rift Magic she was using.
This act from Ash instantly alerted the rest of Verko's bodyguards. They would all immediately barge into the home of Capper now that their boss had been harmed. He looked at the scenery, seeing how things had developed. Capper was sitting on the floor, confounded. His friends were either asleep or drowsy as there were many bodyguards out there waiting.
"Purrloin!" The one Purrloin who did not attack Ash left the room, quickly running over. Purrloin witnessed the aftermath of Pikachu's Thunderbolt once it broke into this room. Capper would then look directly at the Rift Purrloin, who hadn't been taken away just yet. "Purr?"
"Ash!" Capper shouted out Ash's name, grabbing his attention. "I know this looks bad...But could you get these Purrloin out of here?" Right as he said the rest of the bodyguards broke the walls of Capper's home down. "Please?"
"I don't know what's going on here, but it's time to go!" Ash would then grab a hold of Twilight and Fluttershy, picking them up. "Pikachu!"
"Pika!" Pikachu already knew what to do. He would face the bodyguards, hitting them with yet another Thunderbolt from his body. The blast of lightning shocked the bodyguards of Verko, punishing them and dropping them like flies. As for everyone else, Ash would have the rest of his Pokemon carry them.
By placing Twilight on his back and holding Fluttershy on his right arm, he used his left arm to throw out all of his Poke Balls, sending out each of his Pokemon. Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario, Sirfetch'd and Dracovish had entered the scene.
"I need you all to help me get everyone out of here!" Ash said as his Pokemon already knew what to do. And that involved the Purrloin. Capper was rather surprised. Despite what just happened, Ash was willing to assist him and his Purrloin, getting them to safety.
"Gengar!" Gengar would use Psychic, picking up Sceptile, Audino, Castform and Espeon. Meanwhile, Dragonite would handle picking up the rest of the ponies and Spike while Dracovish went for Goh. As for Capper, he and his Purrloin would simply be guided out of here. They weren't asleep or injured in any way.
"Sir...Fetch'd!" Piercing the walls of Capper's home was Sirfetch'd. He damaged it so much that it led to the outside. Once the outside was revealed, Ash and everyone would jet off as fast as they could while the bodyguards were approaching. Ash hopped out of Capper's home and right next to a windmill that could be seen. He avoided the moving windmill before lunging off the roof, landing on another roof nearby.
He also had to make sure all of the Purrloin had enough time to leave Capper's home so that neither are caught by the bodyguards. Speaking of the bodyguards, more of them were on the other side of Capper's home, not just the entrance. They were waiting perfectly there for their prey, having their hands out.
"Luca!" Lucario fired an Aura Sphere from one paw at the bodyguards below, sending them flying via an azure combustion. All of the Purrloin were being led out of the house by Ash, running as fast as they could. Where would they go? Anywhere but Klugetown now that things have escalated greatly.
"Huh!?" When running, Ash saw a mountain in the distance. It was faint and mainly covered by the dusty atmosphere but he could see it. If there was a mountain up ahead then some form of water must also be there. Ash knew where to go next.
Suddenly, some of the Purrloin started falling asleep. Unfortunately for them, since some had used Yawn on Espeon to put her to sleep, her ability Synchronize kicked in, returning the favour. Now they were also asleep, halting their movements.
"Meowth!" Meowth would pick up these tired Purrloin. Or at least, he tried to. Unable to carry them both with his own strength, he would simply try and drag them with him. The residents of Klugetown looked up, witnessing the chaos happening on the rooftops.
This was soon noticed by the Canterlot Soldiers who came along. Their questions had all failed as they couldn't receive any answers. But they quickly threw that all aside the second they saw Ash and the others on the rooftops. Dropping everything, the soldiers and the Golurk would rush to their location.
Up ahead, Ash could see an airship, intending to use that to his advantage while running on the roof. "Get us up there, Dragonite! Hurricane!"
"Drago...Nite!" With all of her might, Dragonite whipped up a hurricane from her wings. The rough structures of Klugetown were soon met with this powerful Hurricane, tearing them down gradually. But it would also benefit Ash and the others, carrying them through the air as they approached the airship.
Every single of them had been carried by this massive Hurricane while the bodyguards were left behind in the dust. They failed to catch up with Ash's group. In the air as well were the Golurk who all had their respective guards on their backs to carry them. But some were Pegasi so they would do it themselves.
Capper looked down as he was being carried by the Hurricane as well, already far from home at this point. His home had been trashed by this point and the fact that one he owed massive debt to had been attacked meant that he was in a rather rough position. Rougher than before.
The Hurricane came to an end once they landed on this Airship that was already in motion. Every single of them were dropped off at the end of this Airship which was also already away from Klugetown. The bodyguards held their faces in disbelief. There was no way they were catching them. Not when one of them could generate an entire Hurricane.
It was a great save on Ash's part as he swung into action immediately. There were still some questions he needed answering since it all happened so far. One minute he was being blocked off by the Purrloins and the next, he was saving his friends and the Purrloins that tried to stop him earlier.
However, now that they were on this Airship, they were in someone's territory at the moment. Twilight and the others will eventually wake up but once they do, they'll be smacked in the face by something surprise, that much was true.
Ash kneeled for a moment, taking all of this in before looking over at Capper. Capper would then squee as there was a lot that Ash wanted to say at the moment. He could tell just from the look on his face.
As the journey continues.
Chapter 204 End.