Adventures Series, Episode 53, "A Matter of Life or Death" This is it! The final episode! When all's said done, whose hands will have the disk clutched between their fingers? Read on to find out! Disclaimer: The characters and places all belong to who they belong to. ====== Outside of an office, arguing can be heard from inside. The glass on the door and the window makes it impossible to see anything but the silhouettes of the two figures. One was a woman, pacing around the room and yelling her head off. The other was a man, rocking back in forth in his chair behind his desk. Suddenly, the woman heads for the door and opens it. Patti steps out of the room and closes the door behind her. She then heads back towards her office in a sprint, not even caring about anyone or anything around her as she knocks people and things aside. Patti: (thinking) It'll be my fault if they die. I've got to warn them. ====== Ash, Misty, Brock, Duplica, and Tracey are entering the industrial district, with the intent on checking up on Jessie, James, and Persian and seeing if they're alright. Misty: I know they're the bad guys and all, but even I wouldn't wish that someone would kill them. Tracey: See? Misty agrees that they're not that bad. Misty: I never said that. I still hate them as much as I ever have. But I can't bear to see their lives end that way. Ash: Misty, they'll get away like always and they'll be trying to steal Pikachu again the next time we meet. Misty: (sighs) I hope you're right, Ash. ************************************************************************ Adventures Series, Season 3, Episode 7 [53] "It's All on the Disk," Chapter Seven: "A Matter of Life or Death" Story Written by Freedom Fighter ************************************************************************ Monday, July 9th, Trovitopolis, Mandarin Island The shots had been fired. One from in front of them. One from behind them. At this close range, there was no way to avoid the bullets. Their only hope was to move just enough so that when they were struck, it would be away from any vital organs. But just in case, Jessie and James were bracing themselves for the worst. They began to move and breath rapidly, not knowing if this would be the last time they would be able to do so. Luckily for them, the bullets never reached their intended targets. And all thanks to two Pineco who were standing in front of Jessie and James. Jessie: What? James: How are we still alive? Jane: (with her eyes twitching) What... the... Calamity: Where the hell did those Pineco come from? Persian: (pointing off into the distance) Someone's coming from over dere. Sure enough, two tall figures in bodyguard suits approach the group. In one hand they each hold a Pokéball, while in the other hand they hold handguns of their own. The one on the left has his pointed at Calamity's head, while the on the right is aiming at Jane's head. Calamity: You guys work for the mayor or something? Suit #1: Hardly. The two pull out their wallets from their back pockets. They open those up, revealing their identification badges. Suit #1: Jones McGray. Suit #2: Randy Vicardi. Jones/Randy: (together) And we're with the Pokémon Trainers' Association! Jane: So you are, are you? Jane then turns towards Randy and points her gun at him. Calamity quick gets wind of Jane's plan and aims his gun at Jones. Calamity: Ingenious of you to use your Pineco's protect move to keep these three losers alive. Jane: And I bet those Pineco have been out of their Pokéballs for quite awhile. I didn't hear any Pokéballs open before we fired. Calamity: But why you'd want to save these three puzzles me. Jane: Especially after the confrontation we had at the Indigo Plateau two years ago! [1] Jones: (snickers) I'm surprised two lowlifes like you would remember that. Randy: And as for saving those three... let's just say that my partner and I still find them useful. James: Useful? Jessie: (irate) For what? Jane: (turns her gun back at Jessie) I'm asking the questions here! (turns her gun back towards Randy) For what? Randy: (smiles) For getting the floppy disk for us, of course. You know, the one with the information of how Team Rocket's cross-breeding project works. Calamity: Which the Pokémon Trainers' Association stole from us! Why would we help YOU get back what rightfully belongs to US? Jones: Because we can do this. Jones quickly raises his handgun and fires in the direction of where Pidgeo is hovering over Jessie, James, and Persian. The Pidgeotto barely dodges the shot, but not completely unscathed, as a few feathers off of his left wing fall off and float slowly to the ground. Jones then lowers his gun and points it at Calamity again. Jones: Kill Pokémon on command. Calamity: So? We can do that too. Calamity points his gun at the Pineco in front of James. But he doesn't fire though. Randy: But you wouldn't dare, would you? Jones: You could shoot at Pineco, but then it'll just use protect again. You can't shoot the Persian because the Pineco will protect him. And I know you don't have the guts to shoot your own Pidgeotto. Pidgeo: (eyeing Calamity) Shoot me and I swear I'll haunt you for the rest of your life! Calamity starts to turn back towards Jones. Without warning, Jones fires a shot right at Calamity's hand. Aiming perfectly, the bullet hits Calamity's gun, sending it flying out of his hand and onto the ground. Jones: (motioning for Calamity to move) Join the 'losers' over there. James: How dare you call us losers! Jones: (pointing the gun at James) You're in no position to debate that! James shuts up as Calamity stops right next to him. Randy: You too, missy! Put your gun on the ground and then go over there with the others. If I were you, I wouldn't test my trigger finger. Jane mutters something to herself before slowly squatting down and placing her gun on the ground. She stands back up and walks over to her fellow Rockets. Keeping his gun on Jane, Randy heads to where she just was and picks her gun up from the ground. Jones does the same with Calamity's discarded and partially damaged gun. They then turn their full attention back to the Rocket members. Randy: We don't want to kill you, but we will if we have to. Jane: (yelling) You don't scare me one bit! Randy: I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to hint at what you need to do to come out of this alive. James: You mean we're actually going to live? Jones: If you do what we want you to. Calamity: (grabbing James by the collar) And if I don't strangle you to death first! Before Calamity could wrap his arms around James's neck, Jones fires a shot straight up in the air. Jones: Hey! Kill each other on your own time! You're on ours now! Jessie: So, what exactly do you want us to do? Persian: Jessie, what are you doing? James: Yeah? Jessie: If there's any chance of us walking out of here alive, I'm taking it! Jane: (crossing her arms over her chest) As if! If you think you're getting out of the whole order of execution thing... Jessie: (pushing Jane out of the way) So, you'll help us get the disk? Randy: (nods) If you follow my instructions to the letter, then no harm will come to you. ====== Standing inside a payphone booth, Cassie is currently on the phone with Arius. Arius: (VO) So you found her inside a restaurant? Cassie: I just sent Bulbasaur and Eevee inside to snatch the disk from her. Once I get it, I'm going to try to destroy it. Arius: (VO) But that's not what Patti wants... Cassie: Forget what Patti and everyone else wants! I'm tired of dealing with this! I want this to end today! Arius: (VO) Cassie, our orders are... Cassie: Will you forget about the stupid organization and see things from a more realistic point of view? As long as this disk is around, there's no guarantee that someone bad might use it to take over the world! Arius: (VO) Duh! Team Rocket created their secret project from the info on that disk. Cassie: We can't let them get it back! There's no safe place to have that disk stored! It must be destroyed! Arius: (VO) Even if you do destroy it, Team Rocket can always have their scientists make another one. Cassie: We'll handle it when that comes, okay? Right now, we need to think about the immediate present! Arius: (VO) Fine. Destroy the disk. Cassie: (rejoicing gleefully) Yeah! I knew you'd understand! Arius: (VO) But if anyone asks, we'll say that Green destroyed it. Cassie: Meet me at the rendez-vous point in ten minutes. That should give me enough time to destroy the disk. Arius: (VO) And I'll find Randy and Jones and tell them to meet us there. Cassie: Don't bother. I already tried reaching them on their communicators, but they don't seem to be answering. Arius: (VO) I only left them a few minutes ago. I'll backtrack and try and find them. ====== As Cassie was wrapping up her conversation with Arius, she doesn't notice Bulbasaur and Eevee running out of the hotel through the sliding doors. And not far behind are Green, Gary, and Amber, all giving chase. Bulbasaur and Eevee are about to run across the street to the phone booth, but the sound of a Pokéball opening fills the air. And just like that, an Arcanine appears to block the escape path of the two Pokémon. Bulbasaur: Bulba? Gary: Good work, Arcanine! Green, Gary, and Amber help Arcanine surround the two Pokémon on all sides. Bulbasaur stands in front of Eevee, trying to protect her and the disk. Amber: Why did you two want to catch these Pokémon? Gary: (points at Eevee) That Eevee has something that belongs to Green! Green: We've just gotta get it back! Gary: Alright Eevee, give up that disk before we use force! ====== By this time, Cassie has gotten a chance to look across the street. And she doesn't like what she sees. She quickly pushes the booth's door aside and runs over to the hotel. Arius: (VO) Cassie, are you there? Cass? Cassie: (shouting at the group) Those are my Pokémon! Leave them alone! She reaches the other side of the street. Arcanine immediately turns around and growls at her, backing her up to the edge of the curb. Cassie: (nervously, waving her hand at him) Go away! Gary: (spotting Cassie) You? Cassie: Gary Oak! Why did I have to run into you? Gary: I could say the same thing about you. Cassie: (points at Green) And you're with her! She's a thief, you know! Unless she's one of those airheaded cheerleaders of yours. Amber: We are not airheaded, for your information! Cassie: (turning to Amber) Why do you even travel with him anyway? Gary: (stepping forward) They have their reasons. Besides, Cassie, the only person you should be concerned with is me. Cassie: That Bulbasaur and Eevee belong to me! I want you to let them go! Gary: (pointing at the disk) That disk belongs to Green here, and I want to get it back for her. Cassie: Idiot! Do you realize the information that's on that disk? Green: (putting her hands on her hips) No, but maybe you'd be willing to tell us. Cassie: What makes you think I know what's on it? Green: Well, if I remember right, you did say something about the contents of the disk could bring about the end of the world? Gary: (putting his hands on Green's shoulders) Is there something we should know about the disk, Cassie? Cassie: What? (clenching her fists in anger) Why are you defending her? Gary: She wants to know the exact reason why everyone wants the disk so bad. After all, how am I going to explain it all to the police when I turn her in? Cassie: (calming down as she looks at Green) You're giving up? Green: (nods) I realize how big the mess I've gotten myself into is. I just want out. Gary: We're heading to the police station now. Green's willing to face the consequences and the disk will go back to Professor Ivy's lab, as was intended by the orders she gave me. Cassie: You can't do that! Gary: Why not? If you remember, she wanted you to do the same. Cassie: I just can't, okay? I have to destroy that disk! Gary: Professor Ivy wants to examine what's on it! It could be some scientific breakthrough that could change the world of Pokémon for the better, and you want to stop her from doing that? Cassie: (blinks in amazement) Wow. You hit it right on the nose. Gary: (raising an eyebrow) Pardon? Cassie: Except for the 'changing things for the better part.' I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but maybe if I explain myself, I can convince you that destroying the disk is our only option. Gary: (not seeing Cassie reach for her purse) Well, go ahead. Cassie quickly pulls something out of her purse and holds it behind her back. She slowly takes a step forward. Cassie: The truth is... As she takes another step forward, she purposely releases her grip on the object in her hand behind her back. It is, naturally, a Pokéball. And out of it comes her Rattata. Suddenly, Amber shrieks in fear as she leaps into Gary's arms, who somehow instinctively knows to catch her. That gives Bulbasaur and Eevee an opening. Cassie: (shouting) Run for it! Bulbasaur and Eevee take off running as fast as they can. After picking up Rattata's Pokéball up from the sidewalk, Cassie heads off with them, with Rattata right behind her. She had forgotten to take Gary's Arcanine into account, who runs up and blocks their path once again. Eevee runs up to Cassie as she bends down and plucks the disk from her mouth. She stuffs the disk in her purse and pulls out the Pokéballs belonging to Bulbasaur and Eevee. Cassie: Return, everyone! The three Pokémon return to their Pokéballs. Cassie puts them away as Arcanine continues to block her path. Gary, Green, and Amber, now on her feet again, catch up and block a retreat path from behind. Gary: I don't know what you thinking you're doing, Cassie... Cassie: (turning around) I'm saving the world! That's what I'm doing! Gary: By being a thief? Cassie: If you knew my reasons for stealing it, you'd allow it! Gary: Then why don't you tell us? For real this time. Amber: (meekly) You can tell us. We promise not to tell anyone about it. Green: I'm really throwing in the towel! If you're going to destroy the disk anyway, it's not like anyone could do anything about it even I did tell anyone about it. Which I won't. Cassie: I'll tell you if you let me destroy the disk right now. Gary: Cassie, we'll decide together if we need to destroy it. Until then, nothing happens to it. Tell us what's on it. Cassie: I'm sorry, but I just can't. (to Green) I can't trust you. (to Amber) I don't know you personally, so I can't trust you either. (to Gary) As for you Gary... well, let's just not go there, okay? Gary: Forget the stupid rivalry and tell us what's on the disk! Cassie: Out here in the open? Gary: (sighs) You made me do this... Gary makes a lunge for Cassie's purse. She tries to turn away, but Gary gets a hand on it. Cassie: (trying to pull away) Let go! Gary: (reaching into the purse) We need that disk! It only takes a second or two for Gary to find what he thinks is the disk. He pulls the object out, sending Cassie stumbling backwards. Seeing her fall, Gary runs over and catches her before she can hit the ground. Cassie: You... you saved me? Gary: I may have acted rash trying to get the disk, but I'm not the type of person who'd hurt a girl. Cassie: (reaching for Gary's hand) So that means you'll... Gary: (pulling away) Not a chance. Gary helps pull Cassie to her feet. He then turns around and hands the disk to Amber. Gary: Hold on to that, will ya? Amber: (taking the disk) Alright. Green: It's my disk, Gary! I should hold it! Gary: I'd rather be safe than sorry. (glancing at Cassie) Right, Cassie? Cassie: (thinking) I can't believe it! Gary's never been this nice before. Maybe it's just that I've never seen this side of him. I've been judging him as if he was a jerk all of these years. It shows how this dang career of mine has kept me from truly seeing my friends for who they truly are. Gary takes the opportunity to recall Arcanine to his Pokéball. She then turns her attention to the daydreaming Cassie. Gary: Cassie, don't go lovey-dovey on me! Cassie: (snapping out of her daydream) I'm not the damsel-in-distress type of girl! Gary: (smiles) I never said you were. (grabs Cassie's left hand) So, about the disk... Cassie blushes for a second as the warmth of Gary's hand over hers. But then she quickly snaps to her senses and pulls her arm away. Cassie: Don't do that! I have a boyfriend already, you know! Gary: Like I'm supposed to know that? All we ever do when we see each other is battle each other. Cassie: Because that's all you ever wanted to do! Amber: (smiles) Gee Gary, you fight with her as much as Ash and that girl of his does! Samantha's going to be so jealous! Gary: Just because I'm arguing with her doesn't mean I like her, okay? Cassie: Why would I want to be with a pompous airbag like him anyway? Gary: I'm not lowering myself to shooting out insults, Cassie. Cassie: So, you're willing to admit you are a pompous airbag? Green: Can you two fight after this is all done with? I'd like to end this chapter of my life, thank you very much. Cassie: Fine. Gary can treat me to breakfast. Gary: Treat? I'm not treating you if you were the last girl on Earth! As Cassie and Gary continue to argue their way back to the hotel, Green and Amber shake their heads in disbelief. Green/Amber: They're two peas in a pod alright. ====== Jessie, James, and Persian waited nervously as Randy has his gun still pointed at them, but from a distance. He was squatting behind a bunch of crates off to the side. Jones was back there as well, with his gun pointed at Calamity, Jane, and Pidgeo, who were sitting against the wall of a warehouse. The two Pineco were still around the Rockets, preventing them from sneaking away. Jones had his communicator on, as he was playing back a message he had received a few minutes ago. Jones: (after hearing the message again) The message was clear from Banks, I'm sure of it. Randy: She's got the disk already? Jones: She's getting it now. But she's thinking about destroying it. Randy: She wouldn't dare! That's not what our orders were. Jones: Hopefully McFly will knock some sense into her. She'll be at the rendez-vous point in ten minutes, and with the disk intact. We'd better get out of here before he finds us, though. Randy: (points at Jessie and company) We'll tail those three once they leave with those kids in tow. Jones: That disk will be in our hands in just minutes. No matter if the hands we have to pry it from are alive or not. === === Brock: Hey look, there they are! Ash and the gang had finally arrived at the walkway in front of the abandoned factory. Jessie, James, and Persian are standing there silently. Duplica: If you three are supposed to be in hiding, why are you out here in the open? Jessie: We were waiting for you twerps! Calamity and Jane walked past here earlier this morning! Persian: Dey didn't think of looking in da factory, so dey continued heading south towards da beach! James: Now's our chance to escape! We can head northeast to the desert outside the city. Jessie: They'll never think to look for us out there! Ash: That's just what you want us to do, isn't it? Jessie and James jump back, but quickly regain their composure. Jessie: You think that in our situation that we'd lead you into a trap? Misty: We're definitely not ruling that out! James: Look, just trust us for once! Brock: Well, they've been right about everything so far. Besides, if it's the only escape route they've got left, they have to use it. Ash: Okay, we'll help you escape the city. But after that, you're on your own! Jessie: Agreed! I'd like nothing more than get back to the old routine of capturing that Pikachu! Tracey: I think I can get you guys there while keeping you off of the main streets as much as possible. Follow me! Tracey leads the way as the group heads off. As soon as they're nearly out of sight, Randy hops out from behind the crates. Jones: (to Calamity and Jane) Get up and start walking. The two Rockets get to their feet and start heading off in the direction that Ash and the others left. Randy and Jones put their guns away, but they walk closely behind Calamity and Jane. The Pineco hop after them. Little did they know that they had someone tailing them as well... ====== Back at the hotel, Gary, Cassie, Green, Amber, and now even Stephanie were sitting in the lobby. Gary: So Team Rocket somehow has the technology to force the creation of an offspring from two completely different Pokémon? Cassie: Yeah, that's it. I've never seen it happen in person myself, but our researchers can definitely prove that it's possible. Gary: All of this time, I never knew you were part of some secret organization. Cassie: Duh. That's the point of it being a secret! Stephanie: So, do you have cool spy gadgets and junk that you use? Cassie: Could we not talk about that? That's top secret! Stephanie: Ooh, is it one of those things that you'd have to kill us for after you told us what it is? Amber: (pleading) I'm too young to die... please don't tell me. Cassie: I wouldn't tell you even if that was the case. But we have more important things to worry about. Gary: Such as destroying the disk. Cassie: (happily) You mean you agree with me? Gary: I still say we should turn Green in first. After all, it makes it easier if the item she stole is still around to be examined. Green: If Professor Ivy wants it back so bad, we should give it back to her. Cassie: Maybe if I talk to my supervisor, she'll allow you to hang onto the disk until we get back to Valencia Island. We can then tell her why the disk needs to be destroyed. Amber: And then you're betting she'll let you destroy it? Cassie: Yeah. She'll understand why. Gary: (getting up) Then we'd better go meet your friends, Cassie. Cassie: (getting up as well) If we hurry, we can still get to the meeting place on time. Gary: (to Christine and Amber) I want you two to stay here and eat some breakfast. Then head to the docks and catch the next ferry heading for Trovita Island. Christine: Gary, I want to go with you! Gary: It's too dangerous. Besides, someone has to tell Rudi why I'm late. Cassie: We'd better get going. Gary nods. He and Green then follow Cassie as she runs out of the hotel and towards the meeting place in the desert dunes outside the city. ====== A few minutes later, Gary, Cassie, and Green had arrived at the meeting place. It turned out to be on top of a large dune hill, overlooking a nearby bottomless chasm. The hot sun was beating down on the three of them, making it nearly unbearable to stand in. Gary: (quipping sarcastically) You guys are some geniuses, meeting in the desert in the middle of July! Cassie: (shooting back) I don't make the meeting places, okay? Green: (interrupting as she points off into the distance) I think I see someone coming this way. Cassie: You sure it's not a mirage? Cassie and Gary followed Green's finger to where she was pointing. Indeed, someone was heading towards them. More like a bunch of someones. ====== Misty: This is as far as we're walking with you three! Ash: Yeah! We've got more important things to worry about! Jessie: (pointing ahead of them) Like those three? Ash and the gang look ahead and see Gary, Cassie, and Green staring at them. Ash: (growling) What are they doing here? Brock: And together? Duplica jumps ahead of the group and stops right in front of Cassie. The two former friends start looking each other in the eye. Duplica: I thought you were trying to catch the thief! Now I find you working with her! Cassie: For your information Duplica, Green here has already surrendered. Gary sticks his hand in between the two girls and pushes his way in front of Duplica. Gary: I think the more pressing questions here are who are you and why are you with Team Rocket? Gary points to Jessie, James, and Persian. Jessie: She's not with us. James: She's too much of a twerpette to be part of Team Rocket. Misty: I thought you said you were dropping out of this, Cassie! Cassie: You expect me to ignore it all when the thief appears right in front of me? She interrupted a battle of mine with the gym leader of Mikan Island the other day! Brock: You could have called in Officer Jenny to catch her! Cassie: She would have gotten away! Green: But I did get away, if you remember. Tracey: (to Green) Professor Ivy wants the disk back that you stole! Jessie: (pushing Tracey aside) That was the disk we were stealing first! James: Give it back to us, little girl! Cassie: That's the disk that was stolen from the Pokémon Trainers' Association's headquarters, and we want it back! Jane: (off-screen) But that was stolen from Team Rocket headquarters by you and your partner. Calamity: (off-screen) So the disk rightfully belongs to us. Everyone turns to see Jane, Calamity, and Pidgeo appear on the scene... with Randy and Jones as well. At the sight of them, Jessie, James, and Persian shake in fear for their own lives. Cassie: (smiling) I'm glad that you caught those three. Those troublemakers belong in jail. Jane looks as if she's about to retort, but Randy puts his hand up and stops her. He then steps forward. Randy: The disk now belongs to us. Jones: (also stepping forward) So hand it over. The two glance at Green, who glances back at them. Cassie: Actually, I'd like to request that Green holds on to the disk until the police are able to return it to Professor Ivy on Valencia Island. Gary: (pulling Cassie back) The only person she wants turning her in is me. Randy: Our orders are to return to headquarters with the disk in hand. No exceptions! Jones: And don't even think of destroying it! Cassie: (gasps) You mean your communicators were on when I tried to contact you? Randy: That's correct, Banks. Jones: So have her hand over the disk, or we'll take it by force! Ash: (sweatdrops) Is anyone as confused as I am? Misty: (sweatdrops as well) Oh, yeah. Brock: (sweatdrops too) I had no idea this disk changed hands so many times. Duplica: Cassie, just give them the disk. You are on the same team! Cassie: I think that if we explain our situation to Professor Ivy, she'll allow me to destroy the disk. Randy: That goes against orders! Cassie: The information on this disk is dangerous! It's not safe in anyone's hands! It must be destroyed! Jones: That's not what we were sent out here to do! Cassie: (points to Green) She didn't even know what was on the disk until I told her ten minutes ago! She could've sold this disk and practically doomed the world to extinction! Randy: That goes against protocol, Banks! Jones: That's top secret information! That was supposed to stay between organization members only! Cassie: (putting her hands on her hips) If she had managed to sell the disk, it wouldn't have mattered! The buyer would have used the information on it to create their own cross-bred Pokémon! Misty: (gasps) So that's what this has all been about! Brock: It all links back to Team Rocket alright! Ash: (glaring at Jessie and James) I knew you two were up to no good after all! Jessie: We were just doing our job! James: If we knew that the world would have been destroyed, we would have stayed away from the disk! Persian: We may not like da world, but we don't want it to end. Calamity: Typical! Everyone turns in the direction of where Calamity is standing. Calamity: That's the reason why you two don't deserve to be Rockets! Jane: How you ever got in is beyond me, but one thing we learned in training is that a member of Team Rocket never feels remorse for others. Pidgeo: Pidgeo! We should have gotten rid of you long ago! Jane and Calamity reach for their Pokéballs and throw them to the ground. Out of them come a Pinsir and a Kabuto. Calamity: We don't have our firearms anymore, so we'll beat you the old fashioned way! Jessie: (throwing a Pokéball) Not if we can help it! Arbok, go! James: (throwing a Pokéball) You too, Weezing! Arbok and Weezing come out of their Pokéballs. As they do, they immediately engage in a staring contest with Pinsir and Kabuto. Randy: Idiots! Jones: We don't have time for a Pokémon battle! Randy: There's only one way to get this done! Jones: And that's by force! The two agents pull out their guns and aim them at Green. Before they can fire them though, the sound of two helicopters flying towards them fills the air. Everyone looks up at the copters and sees a bunch of police officers leaning out of the side doors. And they all had their guns aimed at Randy and Jones. Suddenly, Officer Jenny appears inside one of them, equipped with a megaphone. Jenny: This is the Trovitopolis Police! Drop your firearms and stick your hands up in the air! You are all under arrest! Everyone stuck their hands up in the air, except for Randy and Jones, who put their guns down on the sand first before doing so, and for Calamity and Jane, who were all seething with disgust. But then Cassie cracked a smile as she saw who was also on the helicopter that Jenny was on. Both Patti and Arius were there, looking on with concern as they try to assess the situation. ====== In mere minutes, Randy, Jones, and all of the Rockets were handcuffed and escorted into one of the police helicopters. As the door closes and the copter lifts into the air, Patti is in the process of explaining everything to Officer Jenny and the others. Patti: So when I heard people yelling about Team Rocket in the vicinity, I ran straight for the police station. Arius was already there, trying to convince them to come out here to desert. Arius: I had been following Randy and Jones as they ran through the streets with Jane and Calamity. I wasn't quite sure what was going on, so I followed them. But then I realized that it wasn't a good idea, so then I went to the station. Jenny: We used both of the city's police choppers to fly here. Thankfully, we made it here just in time. Patti: (smiles) And not a moment too soon. Green steps forward and pulls out a small case from her dress. She opens the case up to show Jenny the disk. The officer doesn't recognize it at first, though. Jenny: Why are you showing me this? Green: Officer Jenny, I'd like to turn myself in. You see, this is the disk that was stolen from Professor Ivy's laboratory a few days ago. (lowers her head) I'm the one who stole it. Jenny takes the case and then looks at the others. Jenny: Is this true? Everyone nods in agreement. Gary: She confessed the whole crime to me, officer. She didn't spare a single detail. How she got in to the lab, why she stole it... everything. Green: I truly am sorry for what I did. But I understand that what I did was wrong. Green sticks her arms out in front of her. Jenny takes out a pair of handcuffs and snaps them onto Green's wrists. Jenny: (to Gary) I'll need you to come down to the station as well. Brock: (jumping forward and grabbing Jenny's hands) You can take me wherever you want, Officer Jenny! Misty: (grabbing Brock's ear and pulling him away) There's no place in the world she'd take you to. Green starts walking towards the copter with Jenny right behind her. Gary walks after them, but he stops suddenly and turns around to face Cassie. Gary: The next time we meet, we will battle. Cassie: (smiles) Bet on it! Just don't get soft before then! Gary then turns back around and resumes walking again. But then Ash starts yelling at him. Ash: What about me? I'm your rival! Gary: (without turning around) Someday, Ash. Someday. He is pulled into the police helicopter by two male officers just as it starts to take off. Once he's completely in, the doors close and the chopper turns around to head back to the station in Trovitopolis. Cassie: Patti, how did you know we would be here? Patti: You two aren't the only agents I supervise. Brock: (jumping forward and grabbing Patti's hand) Why don't you supervise me while we go out for dinner? Misty: (grabbing Brock's ear and pulling him away) She doesn't have time to supervise your emotions, Brock. Brock: No fair, ow! We were meant to be together! Arius: If it wasn't for you Patti, I don't know what would have happened. Patti: Luckily, the big boss discovered that Randy and Jones were about to switch sides. You should thank him when you get back to headquarters. Arius: We'll make sure to do that. Cassie: (covering Arius's mouth) Actually, we won't be going back to HQ. Duplica: (gasps) Why not? Ash: (cross) After all, that's where you belong. Duplica: Ashy-boy, don't say such mean things about Cassie! Ash: Remember all the things she did to us! To you? Cassie: (stepping forward) I know I can't change the past, but I can control what happens in the future. She then turns around and faces Patti once again. Cassie: And I know I want a future where my job doesn't force me to betray my friends to get ahead. Patti: It's never been about that. Cassie: That's true. It never was in the job description. But things that I've done throughout my career as a Pokémon trainer and as a PTA member have not put me in the good graces of everyone I've met. Arius: Sure, you've ruffled a few feathers here and there. But that's the nature of the job. Cassie: That's exactly the reason why I want out. All of the Pokémon and Pokémon training would never satisfy me! Cassie then glances sadly at Duplica, her former best friend. Cassie: I need friends who are willing to support me and cheer me on in whatever I do. Without friends who will push me to be better, I'll never become the best trainer in the world. Duplica: Friends, huh? Cassie: Duplica, I know it'll take awhile for me to regain your trust again. And I can't bring back your old boyfriend. But would you give me just one more chance? That's all I'm asking for. Duplica: If you promise not to hurt anyone else. Cassie: Cross my heart and hope to die. (under her breath) Not too soon, anyway. Duplica trots over and wraps her arms around Cassie to give her a hug. Cassie hugs back, letting a tear or two slide down from her eyes, in the process. Arius: (to Patti) If Cassie quits, then I do too. Patti: (blinks in confusion) Why? Arius: (as Duplica and Cassie let go of each other) I can't let Cassie travel by herself. She flirts too much. Cassie: (elbowing Arius in the chest) You're the one that always flirts! Patti: Well, if that's the way you two want it. You can tell the boss when we head back to get your stuff. Cassie: Oh, I forgot that all of my stuff is still back at HQ. Arius: Me too. Misty: (getting Cassie and Arius to turn around) I think it's nice that you two are willing to start all over again. (smirks at Ash) Looks like you've got two more rivals to worry about. Ash: One, Misty. I already know what Cassie can do. Cassie: I can do a lot more than what you saw from me last time. You can bet on that! Brock: Speaking of bets, I bet we'll fry out here if we don't get back to the city in a hurry. Arius: Good point. Let's get going. ====== Half an hour later, the group of eight were standing at a street corner near the local airport. Cassie: After I get my stuff, I'm heading back home. I haven't seen my family for weeks! They'll be surprised when I move back in again! Arius: I'm going to see if I can find one of those place where they give those Pokémon League tests. I can enter the League Novice Tournament next month if I can pass. Ash: Looks like you two have things all planned out already. Patti: Then we'd better get back to HQ and get your stuff then. Cassie: Say, where are you guys headed off to? Brock: (shrugs his shoulders) Beats me. The only reason we came to the Orange Islands was to help Professor Ivy. Ash: And we don't have enough money to get back home. Patti: Really? Just tell me where you guys need to go and I'll pay for it. Misty: You'll do that for us? Patti: Arius and Cassie probably wouldn't have stopped Green without your help. Even if the help was indirect. Ash: Wow! Thank you! Misty: I guess it's back home for me too. I still have a lot of gym leader training to go through. Duplica: Do we have to? I told your sisters that I'd be back in two weeks. But we've only been gone since Friday! Brock: Why don't we go to Pallet Town? Ash: I guess you guys can come with me. Professor Oak will be glad to see you all again. Tracey: (surprised) What? Tracey grabs Ash's jacket and starts shaking him. Tracey: You mean you know Professor Oak? Misty: (looking at him with menacing eyes) I thought you had left us already. Tracey: I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet the great Professor Oak! He's my idol! Duplica: Oh, let him tag along! Besides, it'll give me someone other than Ashy-boy to tease. Brock: I'm sure your mom won't mind Duplica and Tracey with us, Ash. Ash: Probably not. Okay, you can come with us too... I guess. Misty: Shouldn't we think about this? Tracey: (pumping his fist with glee) Yeah! I'm going to meet the great Professor Oak! Yeah! Ash: (sweatdrops) I'm sure it'll only be for a day or two. Misty: For your sake, that had better be all. ====== Ash, Misty, Brock, Duplica, and Tracey all wave goodbye to Arius, Cassie, and Patti as they head towards their departure gate at the Trovitopolis Airport. Narrator: And so, with Duplica and now Tracey in tow, our heroes head to Pallet Town for a little more rest and relaxation, away from the pressures of their duties as Pokémon League members and gym leaders. But the time will come again when they'll have to hit the road and battle the best trainers in the world. And when that day comes, they'll be ready. Author's Notes: [1] That confrontation happened back at the Pokémon League in Episode 13 of this series. The ending was modified greatly from what it was going to be originally. This series was supposed to go on for 20+ more episodes, but that's not going to happen. I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for reading this fanfic, as it was started nearly three years ago. There's still one or two of you I know are still reading this that had been reading this from the beginning all the way back from October 1999. I just like to say thanks to them for sticking with this fanfic. And although it never got its proper finish, this will do as well. I'd like to give a special thanks to Matt Lenz, or better known by his pen name here at Fanfiction.net, Alex Warlorn. I signed him on as my pre-reader towards the end of Season 1 (about Episode 30 or so), and I'll remember him as the person who helped me keep my facts straight. After all, this fanfic is so big that as of late, it's been hard remembering everything that's already occured and keeping track of it. No one was as dedicated to this fanfic as he was. Thanks for all of your help, Matt! This is by far not the end of my career writing Pokémon fanfics. Be sure to check out my new 'Pokémon Girls' series, fanfics starring several of my favorite female characters from the Poké-universe! The first story, "Plainly Tested," stars Whitney, the gym leader of Goldenrod City, and is already complete. The second story, "Before I Turn This Tassel," stars Giselle, the girl from Pokémon Tech, and recently got underway. If you haven't checked them out yet, I would encourage you to do so. Don't be surprised in the future if I write another fanfic with my created characters Arius and Cassie. Or better yet, a new fanfic starring Ash and the gang. It could all happen if the right idea hits me. Anyway, one last thanks to all of you for sticking with this fanfic, no matter how long you've been with it. I wouldn't have gotten this to some type of finishing point at all without your support. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for the memories! - Freedom Fighter