Adventures Series, Episode 28 (Version 1.1), "Sherlock Pikachu" Thanks to the few of you who entered the "Misty Files" contest and participated in the "Gary vs. Cassie" skit submission contest. Stay tuned for an update for when the results will be published in the two upcoming specials, "Uncut" and "Bloopers." In this chapter, Brock, Sally, and Pikachu try to find out who framed Ash Ketchum. Also, more of Sally's past revealed... from one of the last people you'd expect to tell it. Disclaimer: Sally, Peddler Judy, Jane, Calamity, Pidgeo, Monroe, and all other mysterious figures are my property and can't be used without my permission. Author's Warning: This chapter is rated PG due to the firing of a gun on a few occasions. You are responsible for your well being from this point on. ************************************************************************ Narrator: Last time, the gang arrived in Lightspeed City, a place Sally hoped that she'd never have to come to again. With some coaxing from Brock, she tells him of her sad story. But then it feels like deja vu again, when she wakes up the next morning and sees Officer Jenny carrying off someone to jail. Unfortunately, it's Ash who's the victim! Can Brock, Sally, and Pikachu find out who framed Ash before it's too late? ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Season 1 [Episode 28] "Dreams Do Come True" Chapter Six: "Sherlock Pikachu" Story written by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Saturday, April 23, Lightspeed City Police Station Brock, Sally, and Pikachu stand before Officer Jenny. They're trying to plead for Ash's innocence. Their arguments don't seem to be convincing enough for Jenny, though. Sally: There's gotta be a mistake, Officer Jenny! Brock: Yeah! I've known Ash for a long time, and I know he would never steal anything! Pikachu: (agreeing) Pi pikachu! Jenny: I'm sorry, kids, but without some proof, I can't let this juvenile delinquent loose. Brock: I understand. But tell me Officer Jenny... Jenny: Yes? Brock: Are you available tonight for dinner? Pikachu thundershocks Brock, who sprawls down to the floor. Sally starts to drag Brock out, and Pikachu follows her. Sally: Don't worry, Officer Jenny, we'll get some proof! Jenny: (watching them leave) I hope they know what they're doing. Lightspeed City's not exactly the best place for two teenage private investigators. Outside, Sally started shaking Brock like a rag doll. Sally: Brock! One of these days that little habit of yours is going to get us into a lot of trouble! Brock: I can't help it! Whenever I see an Officer Jenny, or any other beautiful girl for that matter, I go crazy! Speaking of which, interested in another night out on the town? Sally: Seriously, Brock, your best friend's in jail for a crime he probably didn't commit, and you're here trying to get a date! Brock: Okay, okay, I get the idea! You don't have to yell, you know. Pikachu: (shaking his head in shame) Pika pika. Sally: (sighs) Anyway, if we're going to prove that Ash is innocent, then we might as well start at the scene of the crime. Brock: But weren't there two crime scenes? Sally: Right, the Poké-Mart and the Pokémon Center. Brock: Okay, I'll go to the Poké-Mart, and you'll go to the Pokémon Center. Sally: (shakes her head) No way, Brock. All you'd do there is stare at Peddler Judy! You go to the Pokémon Center, and I'll go to the Poké-Mart. Brock: (salutes her) Whatever you say, Sally! Brock runs off before Sally realizes her mistake. Sally: Oh, wait. Nurse Joy runs the Pokémon Center! (yelling) Brock, come back! Shoot! (turns to Pikachu) Pikachu, follow Brock and make sure that he stays out of trouble! Pikachu: (with a worried look) Pika pi? Sally: I appreciate your concern, Pikachu, but I'll be fine. (points to her Pokéballs) I'm a Pokémon trainer, remember? Pikachu nods, then runs after Brock. Sally: (pulls a Pokéball out, and stares at it) Is it just me, or does it seem like trouble always follows me around? She begins to walk towards the Poké-Mart. Unknown to her, two familiar souls and a Pidgeotto are watching from a nearby alley. Jane: Rats! Looks like those kids are trying to free the boy. Calamity: We can't let them ruin our plans. Pidgeo: Let's split up and stop them! Calamity: (glances at Sally) Wait a minute! I think I've seen that girl before... Jane: That's good. You take her, and Pidgeo and I will take the boy and the Pikachu. Pidgeo: Just don't mess up! The boss is already angry with us because we let that redhead and that wretched photographer get away! Who knows what he'll do if we bungle up this time. Jane: We'll meet back here in two hours. Agreed? Calamity: Agreed. The Rockets went their separate ways. Just slightly ahead of Jane and Pidgeo, Pikachu was running to catch up with Brock, when something collided with him from a nearby bush, knocking both figures to the ground. Pikachu: (slowly getting up) Chaaaaa. The other figure, a small Rattata, was also slowly rising back up. Pikachu was about to thundershock him when he noticed the small scar on the Rattata's right front leg. Pikachu: (pointing at it) Pika pika? Rattata: (sadly) Ratta rat rattata. Pikachu: (getting angry) Pi pikachu? Rattata: Rat rat rattata. Pikachu: Pika? Pika pikachu? Rattata: (motioning for Pikachu to follow it into the bushes) Rattata! Pikachu followed the rat, just in time to avoid Jane and Calamity. The evil duo arrived at the Pokémon Center soon afterwards. Jane donned a trench coat to hide her uniform. Pidgeo perched on her shoulder. The two walk in and see Brock flirting with Nurse Joy. They waited for Joy to give Brock a big slap across the face until they approached them. Brock: (rubbing his face) Ouch, that hurt! Joy: (ignoring him and turning towards Jane) Do you need anything, miss? Jane: Yes. Could you please check on my Pidgeotto here? It hasn't been feeling well as of late. Pidgeo: (acting as if he were dizzy) Pidgeeeee. Joy: Oh my, it looks terrible! I'll get to work immediately. Joy takes Pidgeo from Jane's shoulder, and walks towards the back room. Meanwhile, Jane makes a bold move... she puts her left hand on Brock's chest, then begins to walk in a circle around him. Brock is puzzled over her intentions. Jane: (in a sweet tone) What's a strong boy like you doing flirting with a Pokémon caretaker? Wouldn't you rather want to be with a girl who's able to go out when she wants to? Brock: (blushing) Of course! Do you know any girls like that? Jane: (angry) I was talking about myself! Brock: Really? You don't look that attractive to me. Jane: So, I'm not attractive? And the slut in the nurses' uniform is? Brock: Joy is not a slut! She's a fine woman who cares dearly about the Pokémon that she heals! Jane: Gee, it looks like you really care for her. Brock: Yeah. She's my number one sweetheart. Jane: Is that so? The two of them hear a scream from the back. There, Pidgeo is unleashing a furious attack on Nurse Joy's Chansey. The rotund nurse Pokémon is knocked out easily, leaving Joy defenseless against Pidgeo's surprise attack. Joy: (frantically searching for something to defend herself with) Stay away from me! Pidgeo: (sarcastically) Oh, I'm so scared! Joy: (eyes wide open in surprise) You can talk? Pidgeo: Yeah, I can walk, talk, fly, eat, and do your laundry! I'm full of surprises! Joy: What do you want? Pidgeo: Well, all of the Pokémon... and your friend Romeo out there! Joy: Brock? You can take him! But please don't steal the Pokémon! Pidgeo: Hmmmm... you know, my partner and I would rather have both. So hand them over, sister! Joy: Partner? Pidgeo: Yeah... my feminine cohort outside with the hormone-induced boy. Outside, Jane is trying her best to keep Brock under control. Brock: (struggling to get away) Nurse Joy! Jane: You're not going anywhere, Brock! Brock: (stops dead in his tracks, then turns towards Jane) How do you know my name? Jane: Believe it or not, I know more about you than you probably know about yourself. Brock: (with a defiant look) Who are you? She takes off the trench coat, revealing her orange Team Rocket uniform. Jane: The name's Jane of Team Rocket... so surrender now or prepare to fight! Brock: You're part of Team Rocket? Jane: Correct! Now it's time to claim your prize... a trip to the emergency room! She throws out her only Pokéball, and out comes Pinsir. Brock: A Pinsir? Jane: Yes, a Pinsir! Do you have a problem with that? Brock: No, um, Zubat, go! Zubat's Pokéball hits the ground, revealing the bat creature. Jane: Are you ready to rumble? Brock: Sure... just say the word. Meanwhile, at the Poké-Mart, Sally is talking to Peddler Judy. Sally: So, do you have any idea who robbed your store at around ten last night? Judy: I'll tell you just what I told Officer Jenny down at the station... the surveillance tapes show that a young boy about your height came in, wearing an official Pokémon League cap. Sally: That could've been anyone! Look, a friend of mine is in prison, and he doesn't deserve to be there. I have reason to believe he was framed! Judy: Sorry, but I can't let just anyone see those tapes. Only police officers have unrestricted access to them. Sally: (sighs) Well, thanks anyway. She begins to walk towards the door, when it opens and a small smoke bomb is thrown in, blinding both her and Judy. As the smoke begins to clear, a man in an orange Team Rocket uniform walks in. Man: Maybe I can help you, miss. Sally: And who exactly are you? Music begins to play as he strikes a pose. Man: I am one-third of the greatest faction of Team Rocket to exist! Judy: Team Rocket? Sally: Sorry to burst your bubble, pal, but Team Rocket is anything but great. Man: Is that so? He charges at Sally and pushes her into one of the shelves, knocking all of its contents to the floor. Sally rubs the back of her head as she stares at her attacker. Man: Never doubt the great Team Rocket, especially when you go against a suave gentleman like me. Sally looks at him weirdly as the individual charges straight into a modified version of his team's motto. Man: It's time to introduce the world to devastation, while I love my team and try to unite our nation. I'm denouncing the values known as truth and love, while at the same time, extend my knowledge to the stars above! I'm Calamity, strong and true. My job is to steal Pokémon and get rid of troublemakers like you, so surrender now or prepare to fight! Music stops playing. Sally: Isn't that motto a little long? Calamity: So? Judy: And a Team Rocket member never undertakes a mission alone. Calamity: Who cares if I'm alone! I can get the job done. (turning to Sally) But I wouldn't mind delaying the inevitable for a few minutes. Sally: Okay, stop it with the creepy stuff. Either try and do what you were sent her for, or get out. Calamity: That defiant tone. That beautiful smile. That flowing hair. I knew you were the one. Sally: (blinking her eyes) The one? Calamity reaches into the pocket of his uniform and pulls out a picture. He looks at it... it's a picture of Sally from two years ago! He throws it to the ground, towards Sally's feet. Carefully watching Calamity, she bends down and picks up the picture. She seems surprised as she gazes into the old picture. Sally: How did you get this picture of me? Calamity: (slowly) I've got a story to tell you... if you're willing to sit down for a few minutes. Judy: Yeah, right. How do we know you're not stalling in order to give time for your teammates to show up? Sally: (puts her hand up) Wait. I'm interested in what Calamity here has to say. Calamity: (smiles) I know you would. Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Rattata is leading Pikachu into an abandoned warehouse. The small purple mouse limps his way into a secret hole, followed by Pikachu, who had a little more trouble squeezing through. Rattata: (pointing Pikachu down a small hallway) Rattata! The two run into the main room. As Rattata favors his injured leg, Pikachu spots a huge pile of Pokéballs piled up against the wall. That's not all, as he spots two extra uniforms hanging in an open closet. They were orange Team Rocket uniforms. Pikachu now knows who is behind the scheme, and it's up to him to bring them to justice. ************************************************************************ Back at the Pokémon Center, Jane and Brock are in the middle of a heated battle. Jane: Pinsir, seismic toss! Brock: Zubat, confuse ray! Zubat's ray hits first, causing Pinsir to miss his intended target completely. Brock: Good work! Now, wing attack! Zubat's wing attack strikes, draining a substantial amount of Pinsir's energy. Jane: (to Pinsir) Get up! Brock: Again, Zubat! Jane: Pinsir, harden now! Pinsir takes another hit, but doesn't lose as much energy this time around. Jane: Let's try the guillotine! Brock: No! Zubat, watch out! Pinsir only manages to clip Zubat, as Brock's Pokémon dodges as best as he can. Jane: It missed! Brock: Of course it missed. My Zubat is better trained then your Pinsir. Jane: Is that so? Pinsir, guillotine again... and don't miss this time, or you're fish bait. Pinsir charges and this time connects, not only knocking out, but also critically injuring Zubat. As Brock runs over to pick up his fallen Pokémon, Jane lets loose a chilling laugh. Jane: Face the truth, kid. You'll never be able to beat me. Brock: How could you? How could you kill Zubat? Jane: Oh relax, it's not dead... yet. If Pinsir here had struck a little higher, then your Zubat wouldn't have stood a chance. Brock: (calling to the back) Nurse Joy, I've got a seriously injured Pokémon here! Joy: (yelling back) I'm kinda preoccupied at the moment! Sure enough, Joy was trying to keep Pidgeo away from the Pokéballs. Pidgeo made a dive towards what he thought was a good choice, but all he received for his efforts were a couple of straw strands in the mouth from Joy's broom. Pidgeo: (spitting them out) Come on! Who knows where that dirty broom has been? Joy: It can't be any worse then where you've been, you creep! Pidgeo: Ooh, insults. I love them... because they bounce off me like grass stains. Joy: (confused) Excuse me? Pidgeo: Okay, I can't do jokes. But I can certainly disable you! Pidgeo dives towards Joy. She steps to the side and whacks him in the tail feathers with her broom. Pidgeo goes flying straight into the nearest wall. Pidgeo: (sliding down the wall) Ouchie... that's going to sting in the morning. Back out front... Brock: Well, if you want to play rough, then I'll play rough! Brock recalls Zubat and throws out Onix's Pokéball. The giant rock snake towers over the small Pinsir, who quickly begins to shiver in fright. Jane: Hey! No fair using an Onix. Brock: No fair? Lady, just how long have you been in Team Rocket? Jane: Six months, I think. Why? Brock: Just as I thought. Your inexperience will be your downfall. (to Onix) Onix, tackle attack! Jane: (in total panic) Pinsir, harden! It was too late... Onix rammed hard into Pinsir, breaking his horns and knocking him out. Onix roared in delight at his victory. Jane: Darn it. Pinsir, return! Brock: You give up? Jane: Never! (throws another Pokéball) Go, Venusaur! Jane then remembers that the Officer Jenny in Stone Town had taken away the three Pokémon that Giovanni had given them. Jane: Rats. (pulls out a potion and heals Pinsir) There ya go! Brock: A Max Revive? Jane: Pinsir, hyper beam! The hyper beam knocks out Onix in one blow! Brock: No way! I can't believe you taught it hyper beam! Jane: (laughing again) Try to beat me now, chump. Brock: Return, Onix! (throws another Pokéball) Vulpix, go! Vulpix: Vul! Jane: Ha! You're telling me that puny thing is going to beat my Pinsir? Brock: Why don't we find out? Vulpix, fire spin! Pinsir is instantly engulfed in flames. After a few seconds, though, he comes out unscathed. Brock: Impossible! Vulpix: Pix? Jane: (yep, another maniacal laugh) Like I said, a high-leveled Pokémon can easily overcome type disadvantages when trained correctly. Brock: (to himself) How am I going to beat her? At the same time, things were heating up at the Poké-Mart on the other side of the city... sort of. Sally: So tell me. If you have my picture, then where have we met before? Calamity: (puts on his glasses) Actually, today's the first time I've seen you in person while you're awake. This picture of you is from two years ago near the city's water fountain. Sally: The water fountain? You mean you were spying on me and my family? Calamity: Spying? I did no such thing. Someone gave me this picture. Sally: Who? Calamity: The guy who hired me to come up with the plan to kill you and your parents. Sally: (getting angry) And who exactly was that? Calamity: (after a brief pause) Monroe Mitchell. Sally gasps in surprise. Judy looks up from her work; she was cleaning the mess made after Sally was slammed into one of the shelves earlier. Judy: Monroe Mitchell? Who was that? Sally: (looks away) I don't believe you. Calamity: What did you say? Sally: (yells in his face) I don't believe you! My ex-boyfriend loved me! He would never do anything to harm me or my family. Calamity: Well, that's where you're wrong, toots. Let me fill you in on all the details... (Flashback - April 3rd, two years ago, Lightspeed City Warehouse District) Calamity: Usually, the warehouse district is peaceful after the sun goes down. But one night about two and a half weeks before the incident, a strange kid had offered us a job. Monroe is standing under a solitary streetlight. He is suddenly approached by three boys in gang-styled clothes... leather jackets and chains and weird hairstyles, you know. Calamity steps forward, being the eldest of the three and the gang's leader. Calamity: So what's this job you want us to pull? Monroe: I have this girl that thinks she's in love with me. Calamity: So? Monroe: Well, I don't like her. Calamity: Then dump her! The boys and I only specialize in solving "real" problems. Monroe: That's the point. (slowly) I just don't want her out of my life... I want her out of her own. Calamity: Wow... really? You want us to kill your girlfriend? Monroe: That's what I said! Calamity: Okay... we'll do it... if you have the funds. Monroe: Wait. I want you guys to kill her parents too. Calamity: Her parents? Why? Monroe: Don't you get it? Her parents have been eyeing me strangely as of late. They think I'm planning something. Calamity: If you say so, kid, but that'll cost you extra. Monroe: I'll pay whatever you need to get the job done. Monroe reveals a suitcase full of money. Calamity's two henchmen step into the light and grab it. These two are the men who would later get their hands on Sally. (End flashback) Calamity: We spent the next few weeks planning the triple murder down to the last stab, so to speak. Finally, on April 22nd, Monroe and you and your family arrived in the city, and we knew that the first night was the best night to strike. Sally: So let me get this straight. You were hired by Monroe to kill me and my family? I thought you were part of Team Rocket! Calamity: Actually, I only joined the Rockets six months ago. But that has nothing to do with this story. Anyway... (Flashback - April 22nd, 2 years ago - Lightspeed City, "The Cat's Meowth") Calamity: That night, Monroe took you to this restaurant called "The Cat's Meowth." The plan was that at exactly ten o'clock, I would burst in, and shoot you right in the head. In case I missed, I had a knife handy to stab you to death. At the same time, back at the hotel, my henchmen were supposed to take care of your parents in a similar way. Scene changes to the room where Sally's parents were staying. The two henchmen knock the door down and open fire into the room. Then all goes black. Back at "The Cat's Meowth," Calamity had arrived outside and was preparing to go in. Calamity: (preparing his gun) It's almost time. That girl won't know what hit her. (stops) Oh, that's right, of course she won't know... she'll be dead. Inside, Monroe and Sally finish their last dance together, as a strange figure drops the small dissolvable pill into her drink. [1] Calamity: I was about to open the door, when it opens in my face. I was about to kill that person myself for being so rude, when I realized that you were in his hands, unconscious. Monroe gives Calamity one good look, then takes off running, still holding Sally. Calamity catches up and runs side by side with him. Calamity: You were supposed to wait for me to come in and shoot her! Monroe: Change of plan. Calamity: Why? Monroe: Some bozo slipped something into her drink. Calamity: So? It would have been easier to kill her that way. Monroe: You fool! Every single person in the place was looking at it. If you would've fired that shot, there would've been at least one hundred witnesses... and you'd be in jail, no problem. Calamity: So, let's kill her now! Monroe: No. I'll take her to my room. Then your henchmen can deal with her there. Calamity stops as Monroe carries Sally's limp body away. Calamity thinks about shooting Monroe in the back to get to Sally, but he stops himself. (End flashback) Sally: So why didn't you kill me, or Monroe, for that matter. Calamity: Well, I might have seemed dense at the time, but I certainly knew that nothing good would come out of a botched plan. Judy: (interrupting) In other words, you abandoned ship. Calamity: Yes. Sally: (after a brief period of silence) So why did your henchmen rape me? Calamity: Beats me. Whatever they did was on their own terms. The plan was to have you dead. Sally: (grabs Calamity by the collar) But instead, I'm forced to live the rest of my life with a deep scar of hatred that'll never go away! Calamity: (pushes Sally) What's done is done. My two henchmen led themselves down their own path to destruction. Monroe deviated from the original plan, and it cost him his freedom. I was the only smart one in the group. That's why I'm the only one alive today. Sally: Since you are the only one alive from that incident, then I suggest you take responsibility for your actions and turn yourself over to Officer Jenny! Calamity: Please... you expect me to surrender? Well, at least not until my work here is finished. He pulls out a gun, and points it at Sally. Judy gasps as Sally trembles in fear. Sally: (very frightened) You mean you're going to... kill me now? Calamity: Yes, but not for the reason you may be thinking. You see, two years ago, it was Monroe who wanted you dead. I would only kill you because I was doing my job. But now, I have a reason to kill you. Sally: (after thinking for a minute) Ash. You and your partners set him up, didn't you? Calamity: Correct. (turning off the safety switch) Unfortunately, you won't live long enough to tell about it. As Calamity fires, he is suddenly electrocuted by Pikachu. The shot just flies by Sally's left ear, and goes into the glass window behind her, shattering it into a million pieces. Judy moves out of the way to avoid being injured. Meanwhile, Pikachu's thundershock delivers enough juice to have Calamity release the gun from his hands, as well as break his glasses. Pikachu uses his tail whip to push the gun to the side of the room. Calamity finally recovers and lunges at Pikachu. Calamity: You stinkin' little rat! You'll pay for this! Pikachu: (charging up) Pikachuuuuuuuuu! An explosion follows, and Calamity is sent flying through a different window, flying high into the air. Pikachu runs over to Sally, and leaps into her arms. Pikachu: Pika! Sally: Pikachu! I'm so glad you got here in the nick of time. (looks at Pikachu strangely) Wait a minute. You knew I was going to be in trouble all along, didn't you? Pikachu: (nods its head) Pikachu. Sally: Thanks. I owe you one. She then turns to Judy. Sally: Judy, call the police, but don't touch anything! You could be falsely accused if you try to clean the place. Judy: Oh! Judy's lucky that Sally told her that, because she was about to pick the gun off the floor. Pikachu jumps out of Sally's arms, and the two run out, sprinting towards the Pokémon Center. There, Pinsir and Vulpix were still in battle, both very weak. Judy: Come on, Pinsir, hyper beam that sucker! Brock: Vulpix, get out of the line of fire! Vulpix started moving just as the beam fired. She managed to dodge it, but the beam headed towards the back room. Brock turns around and yells towards the room. Brock: Look out Nurse Joy! At the moment, Joy had her back to Pidgeo, as she was still fighting the bird off. She couldn't hear Brock's screams, but she felt a strange beam approaching. Without hesitation or fear, she jumps out of the way without turning around. Unfortunately for Pidgeo, he had decided at that moment to strike. By the time he spotted the beam, it was too late. He was blasted out of the building and into the sky, while falling into unconsciousness. As if things couldn't get worse for the Rockets, Sally enters the Pokémon Center, throwing a Pokéball to the ground. Sally: Nidoqueen, go! Double kick! The explosive double kick attack overpowers Jane easily, sending her and Pinsir flying out as well. Pikachu waved goodbye to the departing Rocket. Sally: (to Brock) Are you okay? Brock: I'm fine. But what about... Joy: (stepping out from the back) I'm a little pooped from fighting that bird, but otherwise I'm fine. Sally: Brock, Pikachu thinks that all of the evidence we need is at a one of the warehouses downtown. Brock: How do you know that? Sally: Because Pikachu just took off in that direction. Come on. After recalling their Pokémon, and handing the critically injured Zubat over to Joy, the two run off, and sure enough, find Pikachu at the warehouse. The hole that he was trying to get through, though, was too small for Brock and Sally. Sally: We need to find another way in. Brock: (pointing to the right) I think there's a door over there. They run over, and discover that the door's unlocked. They walk in, and immediately find what Pikachu had found earlier. Sally: The stolen Pokémon goods! Brock: And the stolen Pokémon! Pikachu pulled out his friend, the Rattata from earlier, who was in the process of freeing its comrades. Sally: It looks like that little Rattata is already freeing the kidnapped Pokémon. Brock: All that's left is to apprehend the criminals. Suddenly, two familiar voices rang among the rafters above. Jane: It's time for the main event! Calamity: So hang on to your seat, kiddies, it's going to be a bumpy ride! Smoke fills the area, and the two jump down to the ground, stating their motto. Jane: Prepare for trouble! Calamity: And make it double! Jane: To introduce the world to devastation! Calamity: To love our team and unite our nation! Jane: To denounce the values known as truth and love! Calamity: To extend our knowledge to the stars above! Jane: Jane! Calamity: Calamity! Jane: Team Rocket, the best when stealing Pokémon is right! Calamity: Surrender now, or prepare for a fight! Pidgeo: (still a little woozy) Pidgeo! Can I sit this one out? Jane: I guess. (turns towards Sally and Brock) Ready for a two-on-two? Calamity: I'm with you. Sally: Ready when you are. Brock: This time, Team Rocket's going down. They each throw out one Pokéball. Jane: Pinsir, go! Calamity: Make them pay for breaking my glasses, Kabuto! Sally: Nidoqueen, go! Brock: Go Geodude! The four Pokémon appear in front of their trainers. Jane: Slash attack! Sally: Body slam! Nidoqueen easily downs the weakened Pinsir. Kabuto now stands outnumbered by Nidoqueen and Geodude. Sally: Nidoqueen, poison sting attack! Kabuto can't dodge, and the stinger poisons him. Brock: Earthquake, Geodude! The attack does little damage, as Kabuto is a rock and water type, unlike Geodude, who is a rock and ground type. Calamity: Kabuto, hydro pump! Both Nidoqueen and Geodude are defeated by the small ancient Pokémon. The two trainers recall their Pokémon. Brock: I'm out of usable Pokémon! Sally: Don't worry, I think I've got one that'll do the job. (throws a Pokéball) Go, Gyarados! The huge sea dragon comes out, but Kabuto doesn't seem frightened. Calamity: My Kabuto will even take down that Gyarados of yours, missy. Sally: I highly doubt that. Gyarados, dragon rage! Brock: Dragon rage? Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo: (simultaneously) Dragon rage? That's it! The three of them reach for a silver small ball, and throw it on the ground, causing an explosion that sends them flying. Jane: We'll be back to fight another day! Calamity: As soon as we can get our Pokémon to be the best they can be! Pidgeo: But first things first... Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo: (together) Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again! A little later, the area's swarmed with police officers, as they help collect the stolen goods and return the stolen Pokémon to their trainers. Jenny stands in front of them. Jenny: Congratulations, kids. Looks like you solved this mystery. Sally: We couldn't have done it without Pikachu, right Brock? Brock? Brock's staring at Officer Jenny again. She sweatdrops in embarrassment, while Sally and Pikachu facefault to the ground. After tearing Brock away, Officer Jenny releases Ash in light of the new evidence. Jenny: Ash, now that the identity of the true criminals has been found, you are free to go. Ash: Thanks, Officer Jenny. Pikachu: Pika pika! Pikachu leaps into Ash's arms, content to see its best friend again. Ash: Pikachu! You're all right! Pikachu: Pikachu! Ash: I heard you lent a paw in solving the case, right? Pikachu: (holding up two fingers in the "V" sign) Pi pikachu! Everyone breaks out in laughter. Soon, they get their wits together, pack their things, and after having all of their Pokémon healed, they prepare to leave the city. Joy: Bye! Thanks again! Judy: Good luck on your journey! Jenny: And don't worry... we'll get those criminals behind bars soon! Ash, Sally, and Pikachu would wave good-bye to the ladies... only they're busy keeping Brock from staying in Lightspeed City. Brock: Come on, guys! Can't I stay at least one more night! Ash: No way. We've got to get back on track. I'm anxious to get into another Pokémon battle. Pikachu: (agreeing) Pika pika! Brock sulks, but then joins the gang as they head deeper into the island. Sally: At first, I thought that I'd never find my way here again. But now that I've learned the whole truth about what happened two years ago, I'm glad to finally get that big burden off my chest. Ash: (curious) Huh? What did happen two years ago to you, Sally? Sally: Sorry, can't tell you. You're much too young to hear it. Ash: Brock? Brock: I'm sworn to secrecy. Ash: Come on! Brock: Sorry! Ash: Just one little tidbit! Sally: No! Ash: How bad can it be? Brock: Real bad. Sally: I don't want to talk about it. Ash: You told Brock, so then you can tell me. Sally: Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Brock: Maybe when you're older, we'll tell you. Ash: But I wanna know now! Pikachu: (shaking its head in disbelief) Pika. Narrator: Although Ash may never learn the truth of Sally's past, we certainly did. Now, Sally's a much stronger woman, and it may help her get her mind back on battling other Pokémon trainers. Say, Ash should be getting ready, too. He has yet to face the League's toughest trainers, and he'll also have to reset his state of mind if he expects to achieve his ultimate goal... to become a Pokémon master. To be continued... Author's Note: [1] Yes, the same scene as in Sally's flashback from the last chapter. Copyright Date: 3/19/00, Revised: 12/21/01 Revisions to the Original Release Include: - A few grammar corrections were done. You thought we were out of the woods after the last episode? Next time... there's trouble in Cerulean City! Misty is forced to return home after her older sisters are taken hostage by Team Rocket! It seems that someone she'd like to forget is behind this evil plot! Speaking of people Misty would rather forget, what happens when Misty's rival from Pokémon Tech shows up? "Misty's Rival" is the title of Episode 29, our next adventure! Stay tuned!