The following morning Ash and Hilda meet up, and they discover Skyla waiting for them.
"Good morning, so, what do you have planned today?" Skyla asked, to which Hilda replied "I want to show Ash the Celestial Tower, I think that would be an interesting place"
"Alright, I'll meet you there" Skyla replied, and she quickly departed. Ash turned to Hilda, then asked "Celestial Tower?"
"It's a place where deceased Pokémon are laid to rest" Hilda replied, to which Ash nodded, and responded "Just like Lavender Town in Kanto, there's a building there that houses deceased Pokémon. Well, let's see how Unova does it"
"Alright," Hilda said, and they headed out.

Ash and Hilda reach Route 7 and discover not only a branched path but extremely long grass, even for Route grass. To go over the grass is a thin pathway.
"That pathway seems pretty thin," Ash said, to which Hilda replied, "We can try them if you want". Ash nodded, and slowly got onto it, with Hilda close behind.
Here, Ash discovered that he had to put one foot in front of another, and slowly proceed.
"This is not easy" Ash admitted, as he slowly proceeded across. Hilda replied, "My brother warned me that this balancing is required". After a decent period, Ash and Hilda reach the end of the balancing beam.
"Whew, that was cool," Ash said, and he looked to the grass, and saw that it was taller than him and Hilda.
"That's some very tall grass," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded. Then, a Lass approached them.
"Hey, would you like to battle?" the Lass asked, to which Hilda replied "Sure, I'd be fine with battling you"
"Good, thanks. By the way, have you ever done a Triple Battle?" the Lass asked, to which Hilda replied "Yes , I'm aware of them"
"Good. Because that's how we're battling" the Lass replied. She then continued "Go, two Duckett and Unfezant" and two Ducklett materialised, along with an Unfezant.
"Alright. Tynamo, Samurott and Stoutland, let's show them what we can do" Hilda said, and Tynamo, Stoutland and Samurott materialised.

Battle: Tynamo, Stoutland and Samurott VS 2 Ducklett and Unfezant
"Unfezant, use Quick Attack" the Lass called, and Unfezant dashed at Tynamo, dealing Minor damage. Hilda commanded "Samurott, quick, use Hidden Power" and Samurott generated balls of ice, and shot them at Unfezant, dealing Considerable damage.
"Duckett's, focus on that Tynamo, Bubble Beam, both of you" the Lass commanded, and both Ducklett shot beams of bubbles at Tynamo, each individually dealt minor damage and Moderate damage overall.
"Stoutland, help keep the Unfezant off Tynamo, use Retaliate" Hilda called, but the Lass replied "Fly up and dodge it" and Unfezant easily avoided the electricity-tinged fangs, but that's what Hilda wanted.
"Now Tynamo, strike the Ducklett with Spark" Hilda commanded, and Tynamo cloaked itself in electricity and charged at Ducklett, KO'ing it in one hit.
"Ducklett, return" the Lass called, withdrawing the KO'ed Ducklett. She then called "Unfezant, avenge with Quick Attack", to which Hilda replied "Samurott, block the attack with Retaliate" and both Unfezant and Samurott collided, and were pushed back, but neither took damage.
"Ducklett, another Bubble Beam" the Lass commanded, and Ducklett shot another beam of bubbles at Tynamo, dealing Minor damage.
"You're determined to KO my Tynamo, but you'll fail. Tynamo, use Spark" Hilda responded, and Tynamo struck again while cloaking itself in electricity, and once again KO'ed Ducklett in one hit.
"Has that Tynamo got an Eviolite on it or something?" the Lass asked as she withdrew her other Ducklett, to which Hilda replied by nodding.
"That would explain it. Now Unfezant, Quick Attack" the Lass commanded, and Unfezant dashed into Tynamo, dealing Minor damage.
"Samurott, use Hidden Power, and Stouitland, use Thunder Fang" Hilda commanded, taking full advantage, and Samurott generated ice balls and shot at Unfezant, doing Considerable damage, and Stoutland's electrified fangs biting KO'ed Unfezant.
Conclusion: Stoutland, Samurott and Tynamo win

"Well done Hilda, that was some good strategy," the Lass said, to which Hilda replied "No problem, you're not bad yourself", to which the Lass smiled. Ash then added "We'd better get going, we've got to get to Celestial Tower, Skyla's waiting for us"
"Right" Hilda replied, and they proceeded further into Route 7.

As Ash and Hilda reached the fork in Route 7, they feel a sudden, powerful wind gust. Turning around, Ash and Hilda spot a storm coming.
"Uh, I don't think we're going to make it to Celestial Tower before that hits," Hilda said, to which Ash replied, "Where do we go?"
"There's a house nearby, just over there, let's try to get there" Hilda responded, and they ran for the house.

As they approach, an Old Lady called "Get in here if you know what's good for you". Hilda and Ash, already running towards the house, are grateful to see someone inhabiting the house, and they race inside. It's a good thing they did, because within seconds of the old lady closing the door a brutal windstorm whipped up, along with a torrential downpour.

"My, my, those Pokémon have come again," the old lady said as she set up her Living Room, which also had members of her family.
"Pokémon?" Ash asked, puzzled by what the old lady had said. The old lady turned to face Ash and Hilda, and said: "Would you two like some soup?"
"Alright" Ash and Hilda both replied, and, after a couple of minutes, the lady's husband gives them a bowl of chicken noodle soup each. While they're eating, the Old Lady asked "Now, you wanted to know about the Pokémon I was referring to? And the origins of the storm that's just whipped up?"
"Yeah. This is really strange" Ash replied. The old lady smiled, took a seat opposite them, then said "Sure, I'll give you the story then. In the Unova region, you see, there are two Pokémon called Tornadus and Thundurus cause storms. Tornadus creates windstorms, Thundurus, creates thunderstorms"
"Which one's causing the storm this time?" Ash asked, to which the old lady replied "This particular storm is caused by Tornadus, as you can see by the very strong winds"
"Noted. Now please, continue" Ash responded, to which the old lady nodded, and continued with "Tornadus flies around the region while letting loose wild winds and pounding rains. I would try to catch it, but they move so fast that even when anyone had thought they'd found it, it just flew away, they move so fast they can lap the entire region in one day. I recommend being careful, they're very strong and very dangerous"
"Wow, sounds like quite the Pokémon" Ash and Hilda both replied, surprised. The old lady nodded, then looked outside.
"And as fast as the storm came, it's gone. That gives you an idea of how fast they can move" she said, to which Ash and Hilda looked, out, and replied "Yeah"
"Well, I don't want to let you two youngsters stay too long, I assume you're on your way to Celestial Tower?" the old lady asked, to which Ash replied "Yeah, we're going to meet up with the Gym Leader there"
"Alright, good luck" the old lady replied as Ash and Hilda finished the soup.
"That soup was nice, by the way," Ash said as they handed the empty plates and spoons back.
"Well, good luck, I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now, you youngins better get going" the old lady replied, smiling. Ash nodded, smiled, then said: "Thanks for the hospitality" and they departed.

When Ash and Hilda exit, they see a green, humanoid being with white hair and cloud, and a large purple with yellow orbs figure fly past extremely fast.
"That must have been Tornadus," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded, and replied "I'm sure of it"
"Well, we know roughly what it looks like now. We'd better get going though, Skyla's waiting for us" Ash replied, to which Hilda nodded, and they continued on Route 7.

As soon as Ash and Hilda exit the house, they spot two Harlequin's who seem to have been waiting for them.
"Wait, what are you two doing here?" Ash asked, to which one of the Harlequin replied "We're here to stop you from accessing the Celestial Tower"
"Alright, I guess we're just going to have to fight our way out" Ash replied, but at that moment, his Poké Ball opened, And Axew materialised.
"Whoa, someone wants to battle," Ash said, and his Axew nodded. The Harlequin then said "Baltoy, let's rule" and Baltoy materialised. Hearing this, Hilda called "Be careful Ash, be careful, these guys are likely being controlled by either Team Rocket or Neo Team Plasma"
"I will" Ash replied, and the battle replied.

Battle: Axew VS Baltoy
"Axew, use Dual Chop" Ash commanded, and Axew's hand glowed draconic, but the Harlequin called "Baltoy, protect yourself with Cosmic Power" and Baltoy glowed with a space-related power, boosting its Defences. each hit dealing Minor damage and dealing Moderate damage overall.
"Now Baltoy, use Extrasensory" the Harlequin called, and Baltoy shot a glow of yellow psionic energy at Axew, throwing him back and dealing minor damage.
"Go for an Earth Power Baltoy" the Harlequin called, but Ash was ready.
"Axew, dodge it then use Assurance" Ash commanded, and Axew barely avoided the blast of earthly energy, and charged at Baltoy and striking with draconic energy cloaked hands, and dealt Minor damage each hit, Moderate damage overall.
"Good going Axew, keep it up" Ash and Hilda both called, and Axew nodded and cheered. The Harlequin then called "Don't get cocky, Baltoy, another Cosmic Power", to which Ash replied "We're just going to have to do what we do best Axew. Use Dual Chop", and while Baltoy glowed with Space-based energy, boosting its Defences, Axew struck again with draconic energy-laced hands, dealing Minor damage each hit, and Minor damage overall.
"Baltoy, quick, use Extrasensory, then use Earth Power" the Harlequin called, and Baltoy shot a blast of yellow psionic energy at Axew, dealing Moderate damage. Then, the Baltoy shot light brown earthly energy at Axew.
"Axew, are you OK?" Ash called, to which Axew managed to get up and glared at the Baltoy.
"Cool. Now Axew, dodge it and use Assurance" Ash commanded, and Axew's hand glowed with anti-positive energy and struck the Baltoy, KO'ing it.
Conclusion: Axew wins

As Ash healed his Axew, the other Harlequin stepped forward and called in his own Baltoy.
"Alright Axew, it's time for Round 2," Ash said, and Axew nodded, and took a battle stance.

Battle: Axew VS Baltoy Round 2
"Baltoy, use Extrasensory" the Harlequin called, and Baltoy shot a beam of yellow psionic energy at Axew, but Ash was ready.
"Axew, dodge it and use Dual Chop" Ash commanded, and Axew avoided the psionic beam, and charged at Baltoy, his claws cloaked in draconic energy, each hit dealing Minor damage, and Considerable damage overall.
"Now Baltoy, Earth Power, quick" the Harlequin commanded, and Baltoy shot a light brown blast of earthly energy at Axew, dealing Considerable damage.
"Axew, use Dual Chop again, but brace for having to use another action if Baltoy tries something" Ash commanded, and Axew cloaked his hands in draconic energy again and charged at Baltoy.
"Baltoy, use Extrasensory" the Harlequin called, and Baltoy once again shot a beam of yellow Psionic energy at Axew.
"I called that, Axew, dodge it then strike with Dual Chop" Ash responded, but Axew was caught in the beam, and thrown to the ground, taking Considerable damage. However, Axew, determined to impress for Ash, was able to quickly rebound and struck Baltoy with draconic energy-cloaked hands, each hit the first hit dealing Minor damage, the second hit dealing a quarter of Baltoy's health in damage.
"End this Baltoy, use Earth Power" the Harlequin called, while Ash called "Quick Axew, end this with Assurance" and Axew was barely quick enough to strike with a hand cloaked in Anti-Positive energy, KO'ing Baltoy.
Conclusion: Baltoy wins.

"Alright Baltoy, that was two great battles" Ash commanded, and Axew and Hilda both cheered as the Harlequin withdrew Baltoy. Then, Axew suddenly started glowing.
"Wow, Axew's evolving," Ash said as he watched Axew grow. After a few moments, he finished evolving, and called "Fraxure!"
"Wow, Axew evolved into Fraxure," Ash said as he got out his Pokédex.
"Fraxure, the Axe Jaw Pokémon and the evolved form of Axew. A broken tusk will not grow back, so it diligently sharpens its tusks on river rocks after the end of a battle" his Pokédex said, to which Ash replied "Alright, noted" and after Fraxure cheered at him, Ash said "You evolved Fraxure, well done. Now rest up" and he withdrew Fraxure. The Harlequin's walked up to Ash and Hilda and said "We're sorry for our behaviour. A couple of people in black suits, with grey boots gloves, and a red R on their chest, took control of us"
"Team Rocket has the devices that Neo Team Plasma used to take control of people now, that's really no good. Also, no worries. We had better get to Celestial Tower, thanks for the battle, Fraxure will thank you especially" Ash replied, rattled and annoyed. Hilda nodded, and they headed back the way they came.

There was a narrow, grass-free path that Ash and Hilda had used to get to the house near the north of Route 7 allowed them to return to the fork in the road.
"Well, we know what way to go for Celestial Tower," Ash said, and he and Hilda proceeded down the road.
Soon, they reach the entrance, and find Skyla just exiting, having had to hide in the tower itself to avoid the brief wind and rainstorms.
"There you are, I was beginning to wonder where you two had gotten to," Skyla said as she waved to them. Ash and Hilda reached them, and Ash asked: "Did you see the storm that briefly flew through?"
"Oh did I what. That was the Legendary Pokémon Tornadus. I've only seen it once before, so it's something to see it again" Skyla replied. Ash then asked "So, is there any other difference as to why we're here?" to which Skyla replied "Well, I'd like for you and Hilda ascend the Celestial Tower and ring the bell at the top I'll accompany you two up the tower, as the Pokémon are rather agitated at the moment, and I'm hoping that ringing the bell will calm them"
"Sounds like a plan" Ash replied, and together, the three of them entered the Celestial Tower.

Meanwhile back at Team Rocket HQ
Jessie, James, Proton, Petrel and multiple Rocket Grunts, all in a helicopter, arrive at the Secret Team Future HQ base in Undella Bay, though due to geological formations, not visible from Undella Town or the base, and can only be approached from the sky.
"Identify yourself" came the voice of a female Rocket Grunt.
"Petrel, General of Team Rocket, bringing my group in via helicopter" Petrel replied. After a few moments, a whirlpool opened, large enough to fit the helicopter in comfortably.
"Welcome to Team Rocket Unova HQ," the female Rocket Grunt said as the pilots steered the helicopter into a landing. As they did, Jessie and James noticed the Whirlpool close above them.
"The meeting's starting soon, so you had better get going," the Female Rocket Grunt said, to which Petrel nodded, and they headed inside the base.

The meeting room looked like a normal conference room, except that every seat was covered in black fabric, with a big red R, the emblem of Team Rocket, on the fabric. Jessie and James got their allocated seats and took seats. Nearby, they noticed the builders that they had gotten a bunch of Timburr for were also there. The Four Generals, Proton, Petrel, Ariana and Archer, took their special seats.

After everyone was seated, Archer stepped up to the podium.
Welcome, our boss Giovanni has called us to a meeting. I'm Archer, the co-second in command with Ariana, Petrel and Proton. The objective of this meeting is to decide on our next move, as well as what to do with Neo Team Plasma. And now, salute for Giovanni" Archer said, and he took his seat. Everyone crossed their arms in salute as Giovanni appeared on the screen.
"At ease," Giovanni said, and everyone relaxed. Giovanni then continued with "Now, we must update everyone on the progress of Operation: Tempest. Firstly, the reconstruction efforts on the Abyssal Ruins. Workers", and the guy who looked like the head worker stood up and headed for the stand.
"Reconstruction efforts have been hampered by some strange phenomenon inside the ruin, that throws you out after a certain time. That being said, we have nearly completed the reconstruction and repair efforts on the Abyssal Ruins" the Worker said to the cheers of the Rockets there. Giovanni nodded, then said "Well done, you have done well", to which the Worker replied "Thanks boss" before taking a seat.
"Next up, Petrel, Proton, your turns. What progress has been made on the trap Pokémon capture?" Giovanni asked, and Proton and Petrel both stood up and took the stand.
"Although we have captured a considerable number of Ferroseed, Stunfisk, Roggenrola and Trubbish, our efforts have been hampered by Neo Team Plasma, who seem to have similar goals to us in regards to Trap Pokémon." Petrel said, and Proton continued with "We got a lot of Stunfisk and Trubbish, but not so many Ferroseed and Roggenrola"
"Alright. Are you two planning to try and capture more Ferroseed and Roggenrola?" Giovanni asked, to which Petrel replied "We intend to"
"Good, now please take a seat," Giovanni said, and both Petrel and Proton return to their seat.
"And finally, our Neo Team Plasma test brigade. Jessie, James" Giovanni said. Jessie and James stepped up and said "We have some news about Neo Team Plasma's strategies and plans. Neo Team Plasma use mostly Dark-type, Poison-type and Steel-type Pokémon, and they tend to use mostly offensive strategies" James said. Jessie then added "Also, we can confirm that there's a strange gun underneath Neo Team Plasma's ship. We are currently unsure what purpose it's for"
"Alright, thanks for the update" Giovanni replied, and Jessie and James then returned to their seats.
"Now, for the final piece. The first notes, of Operation: Tempest. We need the Legendary Pokémon Meloetta to activate it, and it involves the Abyssal Ruins. We can only implement this plan once Neo Team Plasma has fallen. Jessie James, your new assignment is to help take down Neo Team Plasma. Before you do, however, you must train against the other Grunts until all of your Pokémon are at least Level 40, and continue to train once you're on your assignment" Giovanni said. Jessie and James nodded, and Giovanni finished with "That concludes our meeting for now. Remember your assigned missions and good luck. Ariana, Archer, we need you to find out as much as you can about Meloetta, alright?"
"Alright," both Ariana and Archer replied. They then nodded, and everyone dispersed, Jessie and James heading for the training room to power up their Pokémon.