Pokemon: Skybound

If you enjoy the chapter, don't forget to drop some Power Stones! Your support keeps me inspired to create and share more. Thank you!💎💎💎

---

Kai soon discovered a staircase leading down to the lower levels of the castle. The dim lighting and eerie silence gave the entire area a foreboding atmosphere, but he pressed on.

Each step echoed faintly, blending with the distant sounds of machinery humming somewhere below.

At the bottom of the stairs, he passed through a rusted gate that creaked loudly as he pushed it open.

Beyond it lay a vast laboratory, filled with tangled pipelines and an array of high-tech equipment.

The room was bathed in an unnatural green glow from various tubes and screens scattered around.

It was clear this wasn't an ordinary facility it was a place where science and cruelty had collided.

To his astonishment, Kai spotted Jessie, James, and Meowth, the infamous Team Rocket trio, hovering near one of the large control panels.

They appeared to be arguing while fumbling with the machinery, their usual antics somehow out of place in such a grim setting.

"Well, isn't this a surprise," Kai said, his voice cutting through the silence. "I thought the storm would've sent you all sinking to the bottom of the sea."

The trio froze, then slowly turned to face him, their faces a mixture of shock and horror.

"You!?" Jessie shrieked. "What are you doing here!?"

"Same thing as you, I'd guess," Kai replied nonchalantly. "Taking a look around."

Unlike them, Kai strolled past the trio with complete confidence, running his hand along the cold metal surfaces of the machines. His relaxed demeanour unsettled them even more.

"W-we didn't do anything wrong!" Meowth stammered, clutching James's pant leg. "We're just… uh… sightseeing!"

Kai didn't reply, seemingly uninterested in their excuses. His attention shifted to the equipment.

He poked and prodded at the various contraptions, his expression more curious than concerned.

Relieved that Kai wasn't immediately hostile, the trio exchanged nervous glances. Despite their occasional run-ins with him, they knew enough about his reputation.

News of Kai's exploits had spread throughout Team Rocket defeating Ariana's forces, assisting the Interpol in dismantling secret bases, and even fending off the combined might of Archer, Proton, and Petrel.

He wasn't like Ash or other trainers they had faced; Kai was a different calibre of opponent entirely.

As if to emphasize their unease, Haunter emerged from Kai's shadow, pulling a grotesque face at them.

Meowth yelped in terror and hid behind Jessie and James. Meanwhile, Gardevoir stood by Kai's side, her piercing red eyes fixed on the trio, silently warning them to stay in line."I see you"

Jessie whispered furiously to James, "Let's get out of here before he changes his mind!"

But James's gaze was fixed on the room's central monitor, where a video was playing on a loop. "Wait… what's that?" he muttered.

Kai turned to the screen. The footage showed flashes of Mewtwo's creation scientists working feverishly, test tubes filled with genetic material, and, finally, the devastating explosion that obliterated the lab.

It was a grim reminder of the experiments conducted here.

"So, this is the place where Mewtwo was born," Kai said, his tone thoughtful. "After destroying it, it came back to rebuild the castle and claim it as its own. Even though it despises this place, it still feels tied to it."

The tremors from above grew stronger, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Dust rained down from the ceiling, and distant roars echoed through the halls.

"It seems Ash and Mewtwo have already started their battle," Kai remarked.

Kai turned to his Pokémon. "Haunter, Gardevoir destroy this place."

Both Pokémon hesitated. Haunter floated closer, looking uncertain. "Destroy the lab? But isn't this Mewtwo's home? Aren't we here to challenge it, not wreck its property?"

Kai crossed his arms and sighed. "This isn't just a home it's a lab for creating clones. Look around you. These tanks, these machines they're designed to play with life itself. If we don't destroy this now, who knows how many Pokémon will be cloned and forced into existence?"

Hearing this, James hesitated. "Wait… did you say Mewtwo? The strongest Pokémon ever created?"

Kai raised an eyebrow. "You've heard of it?"

James nodded. "I've heard rumours at the base. Mewtwo was created with a purpose, but it's a tragic existence. It wasn't born naturally, and its power makes it an outcast. To think this is the place where it all began…"

"James, shut up!" Jessie hissed, tugging on his sleeve. "Let's get out of here before he drags us into whatever mess this is!"

But James ignored her, his expression unusually serious. "If you're really going to destroy this lab, I think you're doing the right thing. No more clones should be made here."

Kai blinked in surprise. James's words were unexpected but strangely fitting. Despite their claims of villainy, the Team Rocket trio often displayed an odd sense of morality.

As the trio turned to leave, James paused at the door. "Oh, by the way, I saw something earlier. A small pink Pokémon that looked like a kitten followed the cloned Pokémon on the lift. It seemed… legendary."

Kai's eyes narrowed. "Mew?"

James nodded. "Yeah, it looked like Mew!"

So Mew had come, likely drawn by Mewtwo's presence. It must have sensed the connection between them and decided to investigate.

"Thanks for the tip," Kai said, waving them off. "Now, get off this island. It's not safe here."

The tremors grew more violent, and the sound of distant explosions reached their ears. By the time Kai turned back, the trio had vanished.

"Alright," Kai said, turning to his Pokémon. "No more delays. Haunter, Gardevoir tear this place apart!"

The two Pokémon sprang into action. Haunter launched Shadow Balls at the machinery, while Gardevoir used Psychic to crush the equipment. Explosions erupted, sending sparks and smoke billowing into the air.

Within minutes, the laboratory was in ruins. But before Kai could relax, he noticed hundreds of black Poké Balls floating out from a nearby passage.

These Poké Balls were different from normal ones. They were jet black with glowing red eyes in the centre, radiating ominous energy.

"Mewtwo's already started!" Kai muttered.

The black Poké Balls zipped past him, heading to the upper levels. Moments later, they returned, glowing with red light proof that they had captured numerous Pokémon.

Among the Pokémon trapped were Ash's Charizard, Squirtle, Pikachu, Brock's Ninetales, and Misty's Starmie.

Kai clenched his fists. "Haunter, Gardevoir destroy them! Free the captured Pokémon!"

Without hesitation, the two Pokémon attacked. Shadow Ball and Psychic struck the black Poké Balls, shattering them one by one.

As the Poké Balls broke, the trapped Pokémon were released. Venusaur, Gyarados, Rhyhorn… dozens of Pokémon reappeared, confused but unharmed.

"These Poké Balls… they're terrifying," Kai muttered. "To think they could capture so many Pokémon so easily…"

Before he could dwell on it, a shout echoed from the passage. Seconds later, Ash came sprinting into the room, chasing a lone black Poké Ball.

---

For early access to advanced chapters and exclusive illustrations made by me, visit my P@treon:

P@treon/iamxeno

Thank you so much for your support and for reading!