Adventures Series, Episode 52, "Execution at Dawn" For those of you who don't remember from last time, Team Rocket Orange has returned, with orders to execute Jessie, James, and Persian, who have all outlived their usefulness. What happens next? Read on and see! Disclaimer: With the exception of all of my creations, all characters belong to their respective owners. ====== Somewhere in the alleys of Trovitopolis, two different factions of Team Rocket are in the middle of a stand-off. One faction is there by coincidence, still bent on completing their mission... retrieving the disk that they had stolen from them while they were trying to steal it from Professor Ivy's laboratory. The other faction is there by plan, intending on completing their mission... to exterminate the members of the first faction. Let's rejoin the action, as the players are about to begin their showdown... Jane: Prepare to meet your doom! Jessie: (not realizing her fate) What are you talking about? We're all Rockets here! James: Yeah! We worked together before at the Viridian City gym, remember? [1] Calamity: (light reflecting off of his square glasses) And lost. Pidgeo: (face-to-face with Persian) And correction, we all USED to be Rockets here. Persian: (gritting his teeth) What are you talking about, you pesky pigeon? Calamity: The boss isn't pleased with all of your constant failures. Jane: A retarded Rocket Grunt on his first day can do better than all of you together. Pidgeo: Which is why we were given the order of execution! The whole screen takes on a crimson tint for a second. James develops a dumb look on his face, while Jessie's and Persian's go pale. James: The order of execution? Jessie: (gulps) Rockets deemed incapable of performing the specific duties as assigned to them may be eliminated as long as a set of replacements has already been decided upon prior to the execution of said Rockets. Jane: (smiles evilly) I couldn't have said it better myself. Calamity: Now, prepare to die! Before Jane or Calamity could do anything, Jessie, James, and Persian take off running. Jessie: Jessie! James: James! Persian: Perrrsian! Jessie, James, and Persian: (altogether) Are racing off again! Calamity: (blinking where the Rockets had been standing) Huh? Jane: (shouting) Hey! You're supposed to cower before us like sick Snubble and meet your end without a trace of dignity! Pidgeo: The boss was on the mark, those losers CAN'T do anything right! Calamity, heated at having his moment spoiled, draws out his weapon. Jane: Calm down. Pidgeo, follow. Pidgeo: Got it! He takes off in the direction the three Rockets had run off in. Jane: (takes out her own weapon) With Pidgeo giving them trouble they won't get far. Besides, they only have so many places to hide, this IS an island after all. We'll find them. Calamity: (frustrated) And then bang, bang, bang! Jane: You had to ask? Calamity: (smirks) Then let's get started. ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Season 3, Episode 6 [52] "It's All on the Disk," Chapter Six: "Execution at Dawn" Story Written by Freedom Fighter, Pre-reading done by Matt Lenz ************************************************************************ Sunday, July 8th, Trovitopolis, Mandarin Island Ash, Misty, Brock, and Duplica had only arrived on the island just minutes ago, but already one of the locals was bothering them. Or at least, who they thought was a local. Tracey had invited himself along their little excursion through the city, as they continue their search for Green and the floppy disk that she possesses. Tracey: (sketching) Thanks for allowing me to come with you guys. Misty: (feeling a bit insulted) Technically, we didn't say you could. Ash: (normal cheerful self) Leave him alone, Misty. He's not doing any harm. Misty: Fine. But let's just find Green so we can get out of this place. (softly, so Tracey doesn't hear) Especially before we attract any more weirdoes. Brock reaches into his backpack and pulls out an Orange Islands guidebook. Misty: (turns her head at Brock) A guidebook? Ash: (ditto) Where did you get one of those? Brock: (with his nose already in the guidebook) While we were on Tangelo Island, I bought one. Just in case. Misty: (smiles) Good old Brock. You always think ahead. She then smirks as she glances at Ash. Misty: Unlike someone else I know. Ash: Hey! Suddenly, the three Pokémon (Pikachu, riding on Ash's hat, Togepi, cradled in Misty's arms, and Ditto, sitting on Duplica's shoulders) chirp out, sensing something ahead. Pikachu/Togepi/Ditto: (simultaneously) Pika!/Toge!/Ditto! The five humans stop in their tracks to glance around. Even Tracey stops sketching for a minute to do so. Ash: You sense something Pikachu? Pikachu: (nods) Pika! Duplica: Wait... I think I hear something coming. The group looks straight at the path in front of them, as they hear the sounds of several footsteps making their way towards them. Scant seconds later, two humans and a Pokémon come into view, running as if a Mewtwo were after them. Brock: Doesn't that look like... Misty: (glances down and sighs a mushroom cloud) Not again... can't THAT ever change? Ash and Pikachu go into their pre-battle stance. Ash: Team Rocket! What are they up to now? Sure enough, Jessie, James, and Persian are running towards the group. By now, the trio has spotted our heroes. James: Twerps dead ahead! Persian: Ya had to say dead, didn't ya? Jessie: Quick, grab one and keep running! James: Grab one what? Persian: Pokémon? Jessie: Whatever! Something to make them chase us! James and Persian already had Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo chasing them. Why Jessie wants to get the twerps to follow them, they had no idea. But they didn't have time to object to her plan, especially in this dire situation. Jessie: Coming through! As Jessie reaches the group, she grabs Ash by the hand and pulls him along with her. James does the same, grabbing Misty by the arm. By instinct, Pikachu immediately goes on the offensive, delivering a powerful thundershock to Jessie and James... as well as Ash and Misty. Persian: Stupid mouse! We ain't got time ta fight youse! Pikachu: (charging up) Piiikkkaaa! Ash: What are you jerks up to now? Jessie: We'll explain later! Right now, we need you to come with us, twerp! James: (looking at Misty) You too! Misty: (defiantly) Why should we? Pidgeo: (off-screen) They went this way! Follow me! Jessie and James: (in a panic, leaping into each other's arms) They're coming! Brock: Who's coming? Tracey: What's going on? And who are these two? Jessie, James, and Persian flinch, as if they're trying to keep themselves from reciting their motto. After all, they always did it whenever someone would ask who they were. It was second nature to them. But instinctively, they knew that this wasn't the right time to do such a thing. Yes, even the Team Rocket motto takes a backseat in this situation. Persian: (pointing at Tracey) What's up with this guy? Tracey: (overjoyed) A talking Persian? I've got to make a sketch of this! Jessie: Unless you want to be sketching a dead Persian, we've got to get out of here! Ash thought for a second before deciding to trust Team Rocket this time. Ash: I think we can trust them. Duplica: Ashy-boy, are you sure? Misty: This sounds like a trap! Persian: Will you stop with your assumptions? We've got a real situation on our hands! Jessie: We need to find a place to hide! Tracey: (caught up in the excitement) I know of one! Follow me! Ducking down a nearby alley, Tracey runs off. Jessie, James, and Persian follow without hesitation. Brock: Should we? Ash: I don't know about you, but I want those losers where I can see them. Ash and Pikachu pursue the foursome in front of them. Misty, Brock, and Duplica finally give in and run after them. At that exact moment, Pidgeo arrives within sight distance of where the group was just standing. Jane and Calamity are right below him, sprinting along cautiously. But they were heading towards one of the main streets, where they'd most likely be spotted. Jane: They're smarter than I thought... risking getting caught by the police. Calamity: They'll stick out like sore thumbs. They'll get arrested in no time. Jane: And then we'll finish them off while they're behind bars! Calamity: They'll never see that coming! Pidgeo: Hmmm. Just to be sure, I'd better go a bit higher. After all, no one would think that I'm with Team Rocket. Calamity: Excellent idea. Jane: I agree. Do an air sweep over the city perimeter, then report back to us. We'll be waiting in one of the nearby allies, where we won't be spotted. Pidgeo nods, then takes to the air. Jane and Calamity then quickly duck into an alley and go into hiding. ====== After a few minutes of running, Tracey leads the gang through a maze of twists and turns through the city's back alleys. He finally comes to a stop in front of an abandoned factory in the old industrial part of town. The whole gang falls to the ground as they all try to catch their breath after their long run. James: (between breaths) Where are we? Persian: As long as it's as far away from them, I don't care. Brock: An old factory? Tracey: (nods) This is an old fish cannery that was shut down a few months ago. City hall forced them out of business after discovering how much they were polluting the air and the sea. James: (points his finger up) So I guess they got canned, huh? Jessie: (yelling angrily) This is no time for jokes, James! We're running for our lives, remember? Ash: Running for your lives? Misty: (not feeling the least bit sorry) So you finally stole something from someone who didn't just want to yell at you, huh? Jessie: Of course not! I can't believe you'd think... Jessie gets a hard glare from Ash and Misty. Jessie: Oh, never mind. Duplica: Then what ARE you doing here? James: (pointing at Duplica) Hey, it's that girl with the Ditto. What's she doing traveling with you twerps? Misty: Her name is Duplica! And we invited her along! Besides, what's it to you? James: I'm just asking a simple question! Jessie: Enough with petty arguing. Are we just going to stand out here like sitting Psyduck? Duplica: Hold on! We can't trust you! Ash and Misty quickly agreed with her. Ash: How do we know you're not trying to trick us? Misty: Yeah! That's just what you want to do, isn't it? Jessie: There you go with your accusations again! James: Aren't we entitled to telling the truth once in awhile? Persian: Yeah! Tracey: I think we can trust them, you guys. Brock: No offense, but we know these guys a lot better than you do! They'd steal money from their own grandmother if they had the chance! James: Hey! Grandma didn't need that extra jewelry set! Tracey: Still... I know genuine fear when I see it. And trust me, these three were definitely running for their lives back there. Jessie: That's what we've been trying to say the whole time! Tracey: At the very least, we should go inside the factory to find them a hiding place. Then, we can work out all of the details. Brock: I can live with that. James: I guess we can too. Tracey: Good. Tracey then leads the entire group (Jessie, James, Persian, Ash, Pikachu, Misty, Brock, and Duplica) inside the factory. ====== Inside the factory, the group finds a snack lounge to settle down in. Unfortunately, the set of vending machines standing against one of the walls were all empty. But hunger wasn't the number one thing on their minds at the moment. Jessie, James, and Persian were telling Ash and company about why they're on the run. Jessie: So that's basically our story. The boss believes we've failed one too many missions. Persian: So he sent those three to eliminate us. James: Yes! In spite of all our years of loyal service our Boss has decided to forsake us! Ash: Giovanni must be pretty forgiving if he kept you on for this long! James: Hey! First! Don't say that name out loud! Two! We were the best before we had the misery of running into you and your Pikachu that first time in Viridian! Tracy and Duplica: Giovanni? Misty: (sighs) Too long of a story. Duplica: That's one pink slip I'd rather not imagine receiving. Brock: So it's Calamity and Jane and their Pidgeot. Misty: They were the ones that wrecked my bike! Ash: They were the ones that had me framed! [2] Duplica: (gulps) I'm guessing that these three are much better at being evil than you three. She glances at the Rocket trio in front of her, all of whom didn't look as if they agreed with her. James: We could easily outshine those three if we wanted! Jessie: If only you twerps wouldn't keep out of our way, maybe we wouldn't be stuck in this situation! Ash: After all you've done to us, you're blaming us for your mishaps? Persian: Speak for yourself! If we never ran into you, we probably would have been among the Rocket elite by now! Tracey: If I may cut in... if these members of Team Rocket were chosen to get rid of you three, then they're probably smart enough not to search for you during the day, especially with how busy the streets get. Misty: I get it! They would have to wait until nightfall to begin their search. Tracey: And Trovitopolis is a very big city. I doubt that they can comb the whole city by themselves in one night. Jessie: (angrily) So you're suggesting that we stay here? That's crazy! James: (crying in fear) If they find us here, we won't ever see daybreak again! Tracey: Then you could go and sleep in the alley, where you're more likely to get caught. Jessie: (crossing her arms over her chest) Fine. We'll stay the night. James: (defeated) As if we had any choice. Persian: It's da best chance we have of surviving right now. Brock: (to Ash, Misty, and Duplica) I guess we'd better find a place too. Duplica: Do you happen to know of any good hotels here, Tracey? Tracey: I know a few... but they're pretty expensive. Ash: It's better than nothing. Misty: (dreamily) I can't wait to spend a night in a real bed, instead of a cot at the Pokémon Center or a sleeping bag in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by bugs! Pikachu: (agreeing with Misty) Pika! Tracey: We'd better get going. Most of the hotels might already be filling up for the night. Ash and the gang head out, leaving Jessie, James, and Persian alone in the abandoned factory. James: So, what now? Persian: (glancing at the vending machines) We get ourselves some nourishment. ====== Cassie and Arius, fresh off of a flight on a private plane from Mikan Island, arrive at the Trovitopolis Pokémon Center. But before they reach the door, they are pulled aside by their fellow agents, Jones McGray and Randy Vicardi. They have brown and black hair, respectively, and are both wearing black business/bodyguard suits. They seem serious, and anxious to get down to business. Jones: Banks. McFly. Randy: Where's the thief? Arius: (cross) Can't you two at least say hello? Cassie: (tired) We just got here, so we're not exactly sure of her location. Randy: Then we'd better get a move on so that you two can resume your vacation. Arius: Thanks, but I think we've been in and out of enough vacations this week. Cassie: Let's check inside here first. Cassie points into the Pokécenter right behind Jones and Randy. Cassie: She relied on her two Pokémon to get here, so she had to have come here first to help them recover from the trip. Arius: (agreeing with her) Good thinking, Cassie! Cassie: (smiles) That's why I'm the brains of the team. She smiles as she walks to and opens the front door, heading in. Arius glances at Jones and Randy, trying to see if they understand what she meant. Arius: If she's the brains, what does that make me? The two agents look at each other, then at Arius, and then back at each other again. They then turn around and head into the Center after Cassie. Arius: I'm serious! She keeps identifying herself as the brainy one of our pairing, but she never tells me what she thinks I am! Guys, help me out on this one! As Arius runs in after the other three, a human-sized Blastoise walks by, shooting a quick glance at the departing trainer. === === Following Tracey into the part of the city where most of the resort hotels lie, our heroes begin their search for a place to stay. Tracey: I'm sure you can get a hotel room around here somewhere. Misty: All of the hotels around here must be pretty expensive. Duplica: I guess avoiding all of the five-star hotels is a good bet. Tracey: Don't worry, girls! I know of a hotel that offers a discount to trainers! Ash: Then what are we waiting for? Brock: (looking around) Girls? What girls? Ash: Brock, the only girls I see around here are Misty and Duplica. And I doubt either of them are attractive enough for you. Misty: (angrily) You mean I'm not attractive enough, Ash Ketchum? Ash: Of course not! I mean, yes you are. Or no. Wait, that's not what I meant! All of a sudden, Duplica is holding onto Ash's left arm and rubbing her head against his shoulder. That makes Ash freak out and Misty boil over even more. Duplica: (flirtatiously) Aren't I attractive, Ashy-boy? Ash begins sweating profusely as he keeps one eye on a playful Duplica and the other on an about-to-explode Misty. Ash: Uh... Misty: (to Duplica) Get your hands off of Ash this instant! Duplica smiles as she releases her grip on Ash's arm and walks over to Misty. Duplica: (jokingly) I guess I had forgotten how protective you were of your boyfriend. Misty: I AM NOT protective of him! Duplica: (grabbing Misty by the shoulders) Calm down! I'm just playing with both of you. Ash: (blinks, confused) You were? I thought you were for real! Misty: (stomping towards Ash) Ash Ketchum! Ash: Waahhhh! What'd I do now? But before Misty could start beating up Ash, Brock runs in and interrupts them. Brock: Can you two have your lover's tiff later? Tracey thinks he found a nice hotel. Duplica: (giggles) Maybe we can get these two to share a room, if you know what I mean. Misty: (facing Duplica) Stop reading so much into it! Duplica: Come on, Misty! (winks) You know you want to! Misty: That's it! Duplica giggles out of control as she tries to avoid Misty, who is chasing after her. Ash just blinks his eyes again, confused as ever. Ash: (sighs) I'll never understand girls and love. Pikachu: (sighs as well) Pika pika. ====== After managing to gather all of their wits, and Duplica assuring Misty that she was joking and NOT making a pass at Ash, Tracey leads them into the hotel. But when they get to the front desk... Desk Clerk Male A: I'm sorry, but we're booked solid until June 2005. Ash: What? We have to wait that long before we can sleep here? Misty, still a bit peeved, glares at Tracey. Misty: I thought you said we could get a place here! Tracey: (looking at the clerk) But we're trainers just passing through. Desk Clerk Male A: I see. But the rooms we reserve for trainers are all already taken. Tracey: How can that be? It's a Sunday! Brock: (to Tracey) Do you know of any other hotels? There's gotta be somewhere around here that has an opening. ====== The five of them go from one hotel... Desk Clerk Male B: Sorry, no vacancy. To another... Desk Clerk Male C: Nothing here. And another... Desk Clerk Female A: Check back tomorrow. And another... Desk Clerk Male D: (pointing at the 'No Vacancy' sign) Can't you read? And yet another... Desk Clerk Female B: We don't accept walk-ins during the summer. And once again... Desk Clerk Male E: Nothing! Nada! Zero! Zip! Go away! ====== But perseverance pays off, as our heroes finally find a hotel with some vacancies. Desk Clerk Female C: Yes, we do have a few available rooms. Duplica: Finally! Ash: I thought we'd never find a place! Tracey: How much, miss? Desk Clerk Female C: 205 a night for a double, per person. Misty: What? We can't afford that! Ash: Don't you have anything cheaper? Desk Clerk Female C: (shakes her head) Sorry. That's all we've got. The five of them walk out of the hotel with the heads hanging low. Brock: We finally find a place with rooms and it's too expensive. Misty: So much for sleeping in a nice, comfortable bed. Tracey: We could always try some of the cheaper motels. Ash: It's worth a try. I mean, what have we got to lose? ====== As Ash and company walk off in one direction away from that hotel, two young women are walking towards the hotel from the other direction. One of them, the taller of the two, is brown haired and is sporting a yellow bikini top and a matching colored short skirt with tan brown sandals on her feet. The other, also brown haired, is wearing a sky blue T-shirt and a pair of white pineapple-designed shorts, with orange sandals on her feet. Each of them also had straw hats on top of their heads and black sunglasses over their eyes. These two happened to be Stephanie Applegate and Amber Gyro, the two women that decided to return to the road with Gary. [3] Each of their hands was filled with shopping bags full of clothes and souvenirs that they were all taking back to their room. Stephanie: I hope Gary's back from his meeting with the mayor. He promised me a moonlight stroll on the beach tonight! Amber: (raising an eyebrow) He promised that? Stephanie: Okay, so I haven't exactly told him yet. But I want to! Amber: Move on, girl. I know as well as you do that he doesn't like you that way. Stephanie: Why don't you worry about finding your 'calling,' and I'll worry about whether Gary likes me or not. Okay? Amber: Whatever. As if you'd ever listen to me. Stephanie: You'd better believe it! The two head inside the hotel Ash and company just left, heading to their room. ====== At city hall, Gary is walking out of the building and down the steps to the street. He's wearing a purple short sleeve shirt and a comfortable pair of cargo shorts. Gary: That mayor's got a serious screw loose or two. But it's not my concern. All I know is that I head to Trovita Island tomorrow to talk to Rudy. Gary reaches street level and starts walking in the direction of his hotel, which is a few blocks away. Gary: If only I didn't have that disk of Professor Ivy's to worry about. Why am I even still looking for it? It's probably either been sold, or destroyed. But nevertheless, I still have a job to do. Gary looks ahead and sees a human-sized Blastoise heading his way. As the two approach each other, the Blastoise stops and waits. Gary continues walking and reaches the Pokémon in seconds. Blastoise: Psst... hey you! Gary: (looking at Blastoise) A word of advice. Get a new job. You're not getting paid enough to walk around in this hot sun in that suit! Blastoise: Gary, it's me! Remember me? Gary: I don't know any Blastoise that can speak like a human. Blastoise: That's because I am a human! The Blastoise reaches up and takes of his head... or actually, her head, as under it is Green, sweating heavily after walking around in the suit. Green: First I reunite with Ash, and now with you! Gary: You know Ash? And me? I didn't think there were that many people that fit in that category. Green: You remember me, right? Gary: Sorry toots, but your face doesn't ring a bell. (turning to walk away) Now, if you'll excuse me. Green: Don't walk away from me, Blue! Gary stops dead in his tracks. He turns around and walks towards Green, stopping when the two of them are just a few feet apart. Gary: Only three people have ever called me by that name. Ash is one. My sister is another. And the third moved away from my hometown when I was young. Green: That was me, Gary! It's me, Francine! Francine Maple! You know, 'No, the green one is!' Gary: Green? Green nods. Green: After all these years, I've finally found you! Gary: Gee... I didn't even know you were looking for me. Just what are you doing here, and in that costume on this hot of a day? Green: I'll explain everything. Can I just ask you a favor first? ====== Meanwhile, Ash and the gang's search for a hotel has come up completely fruitless. They are now looking for a place where they can set up camp. Misty: (whines) I was looking forward to lying in a bed. Brock: I guess it's back to sleeping on the ground tonight. Duplica: But I don't have a sleeping bag. (smirks) Of course, I could always borrow Misty's and she can sleep with Ashy-boy. Misty: You never quit, do you? Duplica: Or, I could just share with Ashy-boy. Misty: (growling) Duplica! Tracey: There's no need for that. You can stay with me. Misty: (looking at Tracey) By the way, why are you still with us? Tracey: Gee, I don't know. I finished the sketch while we were walking. Duplica: No offense, but I really don't even know you. Why would I want to go to your house and sleep in it? Tracey: It's not my house. It belongs to a friend of mine. He allows me to stay with him whenever I pass through Trovitopolis. It's a great way to save money. Ash: If you had a house, then how come we can't stay there? Tracey: (scratching his head) Now that I think of it, I guess we should've gone straight there. Ash, Misty, Brock, and Duplica fall to the ground, groaning. Misty: We've been walking around for the past two hours, looking for a hotel, and you're telling us you've had a place to stay the whole time? Tracey: Practically, yes. Misty: (stomping away) I can't believe this... Duplica: (going after her) Misty, wait! Brock: Do you think he'd let all of us stay there? Tracey: I'm sure he wouldn't mind. ====== Night has fallen, but Gary and the girls were still wide awake. Green was already fitting in with Stephanie and Amber, who had welcomed her with open arms after finding out about how she knew Gary from childhood. Stephanie: So tell me, was his hair still spiky back when he was five? Green: (glancing up at the ceiling) I think so. It's been so long. I barely recognized him on the street. Gary: (butting in) Just how did you recognize me, even after all of these years? Green: Well, it's hard not to. When I was in Pallet last summer, I had heard about how well you and Ash were doing in the Pokémon League. Gary: You were in Pallet? When exactly? Green: I don't remember exactly. When I had gotten to Pallet, I was thinking about dropping by both of your houses, just to see if you two still lived there. But I ended up running into Ash on the way. Although he recognized me before I realised who he was. Gary: I see. Say, what brings you here to the Orange Islands anyway? Amber: Yeah. Do you live here or something? Green: Actually, I'm just here on vacation. She didn't want to tell them about the stolen disk. No need to drag them into all of her troubles. Stephanie: And you came here without getting a hotel reservation first? Didn't you think of calling ahead first to get one? Green: In all of the excitement of preparing for my vacation, it kinda slipped my mind. Amber: You can use my sleeping bag if you want. Green: Thanks! Gary: (heading out the door) Well, I've got some League paperwork to do. I'll see you gals in the morning! Stephanie, Amber, and Green wave goodbye as Gary exits the room and heads to his own. Once the door is closed, the three girls start to gossip. Stephanie: So Green, tell me everything you know about Gary's childhood... ====== The following morning... Nine blocks away from the shoreline and most of the island resorts and expensive hotels, Ash and company are waking up from their slumber inside an old but still in good condition second floor apartment. Ash, Misty, and Brock are in the living room and are already folding their sleeping bags. Duplica enters the room, yawning and stretching her arms above her head. Misty glares at her, envious that she got to sleep in a bed. Misty: I still can't believe that I missed out on sleeping in a bed. Duplica: Don't worry about it. The bed wasn't that comfortable. Misty: Then how come you seem so cheerful this morning? Duplica: (smiles) Okay, I won't lie. It was better than sleeping on the floor. Brock: I guess I'd better start cooking breakfast. Ash: That would be nice. As Ash covers his mouth as he yawns, Tracey enters the room with one of his sketchbooks in hand. He passes by the foursome and heads straight for the kitchen. Ash: Tracey, where's your friend? Brock: Yeah, we'd like to thank him for letting us stay in his apartment. Tracey: He's not here. He left early this morning to go to work. Brock: I see. Tracey: We'd better get moving too so we can check up on your friends. Ash: Friends? You think those losers are our friends? Tracey: Okay, so I'm exaggerating a bit. But you do know them pretty well. That's almost like being friends. Misty: I don't think you understand our relationship with them. Tracey: I bet you could be friends if you took some time to settle your differences... Ash: They're from Team Rocket! We're not! It's as simple as that! Tracey: (shrugs his shoulders) If you say so. ====== Closer to the shoreline, at the hotel where Gary and the girls were staying, Gary and Green were already at the hotel's own restaurant, eating breakfast. Green: So you're heading to Trovita Island today? Gary: Yep. I have some business with the gym leader there. Green: Is that all? Gary: Well... there is one other thing. Green: (curiously) What? Gary: You see, I'm supposed to be looking for this floppy disk that was stolen from Professor Ivy's lab on Valencia Island. Green nearly choked on a piece of pancake she had in her mouth. Gary: She's not exactly sure what's on it or who took it, but she thinks that the information on it could be worth something. Green gulped her food down and slowly reached into the top of her dress, around the neckline. Gary turns away out of respect, but turns back when Green had fished out what she was looking for. It was a small black case. And when she opened it, Gary saw that there was a floppy disk inside. Gary: A floppy disk? Green nodded solemnly. Gary: (taking the disk out) Why do you have a disk with you? Are you into computers or something? Green sighed slowly, then looked at Gary, teary-eyed. Green: Gary... I have a confession to make. Suddenly, Gary realized what was happening. Gary: This disk... this is the one, isn't it? Green: Yes. It is. Gary: Tell me who sold it to you! We'll find the guy and have him arrested! Green: (as a tear falls from her eye) I didn't buy it from anyone. I'm the one who stole it! ====== As Green confesses her crime to Gary, Cassie happens to be walking by the hotel outside. And out of the corner of her eye, she can see far enough in the restaurant to see Green sitting down at a table to eat. Cassie ducks out of sight so that Green doesn't see her. People continue to pass by Cassie as she pulls two Pokéballs out of her purse and throws them to the ground. Out of them come her Bulbasaur and her Eevee. Cassie: Bulbasaur, Eevee... I've got a job for you two. After whispering some instructions to the two of them, they nod in agreement. Bulbasaur: Bulba! Eevee: Vee! Cassie peers back around the wall and back through the window, spotting Green once again. And although she can't see if Green is alone or not, she feels confident that her plan will work without a hitch. Cassie: You remember what she looks like, right Bulbasaur? Bulbasaur: (nods) Bulba! Cassie: Then you lead Eevee in. And remember, try to be inconspicuous! (pointing across the street) Meet me by that payphone after you get the disk. Bulbasaur and Eevee run towards the automatic sliding door entrance, while Cassie makes her way across the street to the payphone. Cassie: Now, to get a hold of the others. ====== Inside the restaurant... Gary: (with concern in his voice) Why would you do such a thing? Green: I'm just trying to make a living! I never expected stealing one single disk would get me into so much trouble! Gary: (leaning back) You do realize that I have to turn you in. Green: (pleading) Can't you wait until I find someone to sell it to? (brightens up) Then again, I could always sell it to you. Gary: Francine... Green: Call me Green, okay? Gary: Okay, Green, as much as I need that disk so I can get it back to the professor, paying you money so that you can live off the road for a few more weeks isn't a viable option. Green: I don't care if I have to serve jail time! Just buy the disk! I don't want it anymore! Gary: Why don't we go back to Valencia Island and you can give it back to the professor in person and apologize for what you did. Green: With all of the police there? If they catch me before we get there, they'll not only take me in, but they'll think you're my accomplice! I don't want to put you in such a precarious situation. Gary: Then there is no other choice. We'll go to the police and I'll turn you in. You're rid of the disk and that's that. Plus, I could probably chip up enough bail money to set you free. Green leans across the table and gives Gary a big hug. Green: (sobbing) Thank you! Gary: (patting her on the back) Don't mention it. As Gary continues to console Green, Bulbasaur and Eevee have managed to get into the restaurant and are right beside the table. Eevee watches carefully as Bulbasaur uses her vine whip and aims at Green. As the vines wrap around Green, she is pulled back into her seat and tied to it. Green: Hey! Gary: (looking down) What's going on? Gary spots Bulbasaur and Eevee on the floor. Eevee leaps at Gary and onto his lap. Gary tries to catch Eevee with his hands, but she jumps up and onto the table. Seeing the floppy disk, she grabs it with her teeth and jumps off of the table. Seeing that Eevee was successful, Bulbasaur unwraps Green and then follows the little fox Pokémon out. Gary: (standing up) They got the disk! We've got to get it back! Green: What do you mean we? Gary grabs Green's right arm and pulls her out of her seat. Gary: There's no time to argue! Come on! ====== Out in the lobby, Stephanie and Amber are busy checking out of the two rooms that had for the night. A bellboy appears behind them, pushing a cart that has all of their bags on it. As Stephanie finishes things up, Amber turns away momentarily... just long enough to spot a Bulbasaur and an Eevee run out of the restaurant. She also saw that the Eevee had something in its mouth. She didn't have time to figure out what, though, as Gary and Green come running out of the restaurant. Amber: Gary? Gary: (yelling) Somebody stop those Pokémon! Bulbasaur and Eevee manage to make it out the front entrance and out onto the sidewalk. Gary and Green run after them, with Amber right behind them. Seeing them run off, Stephanie starts yelling at them. Stephanie: Hey! Who's gonna help me carry the bags here? Amber! Gary! ====== Meanwhile, over in the industrial part of town, Jessie, James, and Persian are finally leaving the confines of the abandoned factory they had spent the night in. Jessie: I'm tired of waiting for the twerps to come back so we can steal their Pikachu! Let's just get out of here while the getting's good! James: I'm sure Calamity and Jane have already been through here. Persian: I bet they're going crazy trying to find us! Calamity: (off-screen) So it's must be a good thing that we did find you. The trio turn around and see Calamity standing there... and with his gun pointed right at them. Jessie: Let's get out of here! James: Good idea. They turn to run... and find Jane and her Pinsir blocking their path. Jane: It was only a matter of time before we found you three clowns. Calamity: But the chase is over! You've meet your end! Pidgeo flies in from above, overlooking the trapped trio. Pidgeo: I've got a front row overhead seat to the massacre of the century! Jane pulls her gun out and aims it at Jessie, while Calamity corrects his aim to fire at James. James: This sucks! We're right back where we were when this episode started! Jane: Too bad you won't be here when the next one does! The two human members of Team Rocket Orange pull their triggers and fire... To be continued... Author's Notes: [1] Jane and Calamity once worked with Jessie and James at the gym when they battled Misty in Viridian City -- episodes 31 & 32 of this series. [2] Jane and Calamity wrecked the bike Ash bought for Misty in episode 17. They then framed Ash for grand theft Pokémon in episode 27. [3] Stephanie and Amber were the two cheerleaders that went back on the road with Gary... see episode 46 to see how and why that happened. Please review on the way out! It would mean a lot to me! Next episode... the disk is up for grabs, and it's going to get ugly. Not realizing the importance of the disk, Gary and Cassie fight over who should lay claim to it. Green can't decide if selling the disk is still worth it. Jessie, James, and Persian are trying to survive assassination attempts on their lives. And in the middle of all of the mess... are Ash and the gang. With so many people around, there's an accident waiting to happen. A tragic one. The title of Episode 53 is "A Matter of Life or Death." The world of Pokémon will never be the same again. Copyright Date: 9/13/02