Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon in any way. I'm not associated with Nintendo, 
Pokemon, or Wizards of the Coast. The character Sean is of my own creation.

Author's note: Seafairy Sakura and I have worked on this together. This is based 
on a role playing game that we had done a while back.

Betrayal

	Wintertime had arrived bringing its cold weather and snow. A thin blanket 
of snow had already covered the grounds of Pallet Town. Ash was excited to be 
home, taking a break from his Pokemon training. His friends Misty and Tracey had 
departed to visit their families for a time, but promised to meet back. Although 
excited to be home, Ash felt lonely. This was his first time without his 
friends. Still he had Pikachu, who was riding on top of his head. Ash smiled 
looking up at his best friend.
	This was also his chance to deliver the GS ball that he so badly wanted to 
know the secret it held. Then he would be back to compete in the Orange League.
	"Pika!" Pikachu happily stated smiling.
	Ahead Ash could see his mom's Mr. Mime sweeping the snow of the path to 
his home. Seeing his home, Ash picked up his pace. "Mom, I'm home!" Ash yelled 
as he stepped into the house.
	"I'm so glad you came!" his mother greeted hugging him. "I wouldn't be 
able to put up with another lonely Christmas."
	"That's why I'm here," Ash replied smiling.
	"Where are your friends?" his mother asked finally noticing that it was 
only he and Pikachu.
	"They wanted to visit their families too. After Christmas we plan to meet 
up again and continue our journey."
	"Oh, I just can't believe my little boy is growing up," she said 
tearfully.
	"Mom, don't cry."
	"I know, I can't help it," she sniffed and smiled. "Any way I invited 
Professor Oak and Gary over for dinner tonight, to celebrate Christmas."
	"Gary's here too?" Ash said a little bitterly.
	"Gary's always home for the holidays."
	At least he has the time too," Ash muttered. "I'm going to Professor Oak's 
lab to visit my Pokemon."
	"Be back before dinner!" his mother yelled after him.
	"It's been a long time, father," Ash heard as he neared the lab. Professor 
Oak was standing in a front of a younger man. The young man was dressed in 
black. He had long brown hair that resumed Gary's spiky hair. Around his neck he 
wore a necklace much like Gary's. In fact the young man resembled Gary very 
much.
	Ash quickly hid behind a tree not wanting to be noticed, but at the same 
time wanting to know what was going on.
*****
	"Sean?" Professor Oak asked a little surprised.
	Sean smiled. "I didn't think I'd ever be able to come home."
	"Was your journey full filling?" Professor Oak questioned as he and Sean 
sat down.
	"Somewhat. How's my son?"
	"Gary's doing fine. In fact he's home.	
	"Do you think he remembers me?" Sean asked.
	"I would think he would, but he hasn't talked about you for a long time."
	
	"Is Gary training to become a Pokemon master?"
	Professor Oak nodded, smiling. "He's doing very good. Would you like to 
come in?"
	"I used to have the same dream too," Sean nodded. "Is Gary inside?" Snow 
had begun to fall as they walked inside.
	"He's doing some chores right now. He should be in soon. Ash why don't you 
come in too." Professor Oak said as he peered over where Ash had been hiding. 
Sheepishly Ash came forward. "Ash, this is my son, Sean, Gary's father."
	"You're a Pokemon trainer too?" Sean asked smiling, as he held out his 
hand. Ash shook it.
	"I want to be a Pokemon master," Ash stated with pride.
	"I see you have a Pikachu," Sean indicated as he bent down to pet the 
Pokemon.
	"Pika!" the Pokemon happily replied.
	"So what brought you back to Pallet Town?" Professor Oak asked once inside 
after brushing off the pile of snow that covered his shoulders.
	"I figured I would visit my mom, during Christmas and also see my 
Pokemon," Ash replied while he drank some hot cocoa. Next to him Pikachu nibbled 
on an apple.
	"Your Pokemon are doing fine. Although I was hoping you would send me more 
Pokemon."
	"I know," Ash, sighed starring into his half-empty mug.
	The door opened and Gary stepped in covered in snow at the same time 
brining in more snow. After closing the door he took off his coat and hat. "Got 
the chores done, Gramps. Some off the fence by the rocky area needs to be 
repaired. I tried to fix it up as best as possible. A storm had begun to pick up 
so I had to leave."
	"We'll work on it tomorrow after the storm blows over. I made some hot 
cocoa, so sit down and join. Ash is also here and some one else who wishes to 
see you."
	For the first time Gary noticed that another person, beside Ash was 
sitting at the table. "Who are you?" he asked having no idea that he was.
	"I told you I would come back. I wasn't hoping it would be this long," 
Sean replied.
	"Father?" Gary hesitantly questioned. Sean nodded, smiling.
	"Well, anyway I better go, it's getting late. Thanks for the drink," Ash 
said as he grabbed his coat. He felt uncomfortable being part of this reunion. 
"Come on, Pikachu jump in here." Ash opened his coat just enough for Pikachu. 
Gary was right (as usual) that a snowstorm had started. Luckily he only lived 
next door. Eagerly Pikachu took the comfort of his coat.
	"Ash, can you see if it's alright with your mom if we have another guest?" 
Professor Oak asked.
	"Sure. I'm sure she wouldn't mind," Ash replied before he closed the door.
*****	
	Once alone Sean grabbed the phone. "I'm at the lab."
	"Good. I gather you had no trouble," his boss replied in a low tone.
	"The old fool happily took me in. He believed everything I said."
	"What about the GS ball?"
	"I haven't seen it yet. It's probably in his lab," Sean stated while he 
made sure no one had entered his room.
	"I'll have Butch and Cassidy retrieve the DNA samples soon. Your mission 
is to get the GS ball."
	"Will do."
	"I sense some reluctance. Is there a problem?" the boss questioned. In the 
background Sean could here the soft rumble of the Persian's purr. Sean could 
picture his boss stroking the cat, which would be in his lap as he sat behind 
his desk.
	"No," Sean quickly answered.
	"I'll let you know when Butch and Cassidy are arriving." The phone went 
dead as the boss hung up.
	Sean sighed. He had hoped this would be an easy mission. The situation had 
grown worse. How could he steal something from his father? Now he was finally 
with his son, who still didn't trust him. Sean also wanted to be with his son. 
It had been along time. Maybe he could persuade Gary into joining Team Rocket 
with him. That was a wild idea.
*****	
	"This is a nice treat," Jessie commented as she watched from her 
binoculars way above in a tree near Ash's home. "The little twerp is alone."
	"That's nice, but can we get down from here and find a warm place to stay? 
It's snowing and it's cold!" James complained from a branch below.
	"My fur's freezing!" Meowth chimed.
	"Oh, quit your whining!" Jessie yelled hitting James in the head with her 
elbow and slapping Meowth. "This is going to be our only chance! The twerp is 
alone and none of his friends are around!"
	"Only if it were warmer," James chattered.
	"If you moved you would be warm!" Jessie angrily replied glaring at her 
partner. From her binoculars she watched Ash brace against the snowstorm as he 
walked to his house heading back from the laboratory. In his coat she could see 
Pikachu peeping out. "Toss the net!" she ordered facing her partners again.
	"Let me find it," James replied as he fumbled around in the backpack he 
had brought. "Oh, my rose. I wonder were that went. This brings back many 
memories."
	Next to him Jessie raised an eyebrow.
	"I found it!" James quickly stated.
	"Good, now toss it!" Meowth commanded as he shivered.
	Clumsily James aimed the net toward Ash and tossed at the same time 
falling with it. In an effort to hold on, he grabbed Jessie's leg pulling her 
along while she grabbed Meowth's tail. All three of them tumbled to the ground. 
Snow from the branches shortly piled on to them.
	"Ouch, get off me, Meowth!" Jessie mumbled as she tried to untangle 
herself from the many arms and legs and the net itself.
	"That's my leg!" James whined.
	"How could you screw up our only chance?" Jessie yelled slapping both of 
them once she untangled herself.
	"We still have plenty of chances," James hesitantly replied shying away 
from Jessie.
	"None like that one," Jessie growled.
*****	
	
	The snowstorm had ended sometime during the night. The next morning the 
sun sparkled on a thick layer of snow that reached up to Ash's knees making it 
difficult for him to travel. Gary snickered at Ash's attempts, despite the fact 
that he was having the same problem. Pikachu avoided the snow and rode on top of 
Ash's head. He wasn't free of all snow. Snow from branches constantly fell.
	"Chu!" Pikachu complained after more snow fell on him. Ash laughed. A 
snowball soared toward him; unfortunately he didn't duck in time. Gary laughed 
while he formed a new snowball.
	Grinning Ash made one and threw it. Instantly snowballs soared back and 
forth. Ash laughed as one hit Gary in the face. Gary grinned and threw another 
hitting Ash in the back of his head.	
	Ash had planned to deliver the GS ball to Professor Oak, but a more 
important issue had risen as he quickly formed more snowballs. Quickly as he 
formed them they vanished. Worn out from the battle Ash collapsed on the snow.
	"I win," Gary happily stated.
	"What else is new?" Ash mumbled. Then he remembered what he come to do. 
	"Where's Professor Oak?"
	"In the lab. Are you planning to turn in your Pokedex?" Gary sneered.
	"No. I have to deliver something to him."
	"Nothing can be that important if you're delivering it."
	Ash threw a snowball, but unfortunately missed causing Gary to laugh. Ash 
stood up, brushing off the snow. Gary followed, curious to see what this package 
was. Meanwhile Pikachu had spotted something interesting in the snow.
*****	
	"Check this out guys!" Meowth called having taken over the binoculars as 
they floated high above in their hot air balloon. Since the snow had stopped 
they could now use their balloon.
	"What is it Meowth?" James asked moving over to see.
	"That!" Meowth replied pointing toward a small figure down below. "It's 
Pikachu! The twerp is going inside along with the other kid."
	"And he's alone!" James said taking the binoculars away from Meowth. "How 
sweet."
	Jessie laughed evilly as she took her turn. "Today is our day in the sun. 
We will surely be promoted!"
	"Oh, Pikachu!" James cooed as they lowered the hot air balloon closer to 
the electric mouse. Pikachu looked up after hearing its name.
	"Pi!" it angrily, cried once he recognized the person. Pikachu immediately 
sent more electricity.
	Jessie laughed. "We know your ways, Pikachu! Your electricity isn't going 
to help this time." She gave a sinister smile.
	From beneath the basket of their hot air balloon a cage slowly dropped. 
	"This cage is Pikachu proof. No electricity for you!" James taunted.
	The cage's bottom opened from beneath. Pikachu ran hoping to out run them. 
	The cage soon swept the Pokemon up. "Pika!" it cried.
	The three Team Rocket members laughed as they held up the cage.
	"Prepare for trouble."
	"And make that double."
	"To protect the world from devastation."
	"To unite all peoples with in our nation."
	"Jessie."
	"James."
	"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."
	"Surrender now or prepare to fight. For we have Pikachu!"
	"Meowth, that's right!"
	"The world is ours!" Jessie happily claimed. "I just wish I could see 
Cassidy's face!"
	"We've proved them all wrong!" James stated.
	"Chuuu!" Pikachu cried miserably. "Pikachu!"
*****	
	"I've been wanting to study this for quit a while," Professor Oak happily 
stated while he held the GS ball. Gary frowned at Ash.
	"How come you didn't have me deliver this to you? I would have gotten it 
here sooner," Gary stated.
	"You had already started your Pokemon journey when I was informed," 
Professor Oak answered.
	"What does it do?" Ash asked.
	"I'm not sure that's why Professor Ivy wanted me t have it. No one knows. 
Speaking of Professor Ivy, I should give her a call."
	In an instant he had her lab on screen. Instead of Professor Ivy, Brock 
was there."
	"Why hello, Brock. How's everything?" Professor Oak greeted.
	"Things are going along fine, Professor. How about you?"
	"I'm fine."
	"Hi, Brock!" Ash greeted interrupting them. It had been along time since 
he had seen his friend. Brock smiled.
	"I here you're going to compete in the Orange League," Brock replied.
	"Yeah, as soon as I get back. I already have the four badges needed!" Ash 
replied as he showed them.
	"Congratulations! I'll try to be there to see you compete," Brock replied.
	"I hate to interrupt this reunion, but I need to speak to Professor Ivy," 
Professor Oak stated.
	"Hold on one minute," Brock said. For a second the screen was blank and 
then Professor Ivy appeared. Brock waved in the background and then took his 
Vulpix with him out the room.
*****
	"Boss, we finally have him!" Jessie happily claimed.
	"We found him alone," James added.
	The boss gave a small smile. "At last you two fools finally did something 
right. A raise will be given. This Pikachu will be our first test."
	"What are you going to do with him?" James asked.
	"It's of none of your concern. Leave the Pikachu here."
	Happily the three of them left. "We're finally going to get our raise!" 
Jessie stated excitedly.
	"What if this is a dream?" James suddenly asked.
	"A dream don't be silly, James," Jessie replied.
	"James could be right. We never had anything this good happen to us 
before," Meowth said.
	"How do we know if we're awake?" Jessie asked, suddenly worried.
	"If we pinch ourselves we'll know," James answered.
	"Remember the last time?" Jessie reminded them not to happy with the 
memory.
	"How else will we know?" Meowth said.
	"On three we'll each pinch each one," Jessie reluctantly said. 
	"One...two...three."
	"Ouch! We're up!" all three of them stated as they rubbed their cheeks.
	"Our dreams have finally come true!" Jessie said dreamily.
	"Why don't I feel to happy about this one?" James asked.
	"Why shouldn't we?" Meowth asked.
	"I don't trust what the boss had said," James said.
	"Don't be silly, James, we earned this reward! Let's go celebrate!" Jessie 
replied.
	"I don't think it's right, what we did. How would you feel if Arbok was 
taken?" James continued.
	"James, we're Pokemon thieves. We're supposed to take other trainers' 
Pokemon!" Jessie said growing irritated.
	"This one's different. Face it Jessie, we were never meant to be thieves. 
The only time we ever worked well was when we worked with the twerps," James 
said.
	Jessie sighed. "You're right."
	"How are we going to rescue Pikachu?" Meowth said, "With out the boss 
knowing it was us?"
	"Hum...This could be difficult," they replied.
*****
	The sun was setting as Sean walked outside. He wondered when the plan 
would be brought into action. Professor Oak now had the GS ball. It would be a 
matter of time now. A snowball hit him in the back of the head. Sean turned 
around thinking that it might have been Gary or Ash. It was Butch. He signaled 
him to go near the trees.
	"Tonight?" Sean questioned.
	"Yes, we just need to know where everything is," Cassidy replied.
	"That's not a problem. But how are you getting in?"
	"With Drowzee," Cassidy stated holding up a Poke Ball.
	"What about the brats?" Butch questioned in his scratchy voice.
	"I'll handle them. The Ash kid lives next door. I'll handle the other," 
Sean answered.
	"Actually I'll take care of the kid," Cassidy said her eyes narrowing. 
	"The boss said you were a little hesitant about this. He's your son."
	"Alright so you found me out. I was going to persuade my son to join us."
	"You seriously think he would?" Cassidy laughed. "The old man's more of 
his father then you are. The brat doesn't even trust you."
 	Sean glared. "How do you know all of this?"
	"We have our sources," Butch stated stepping in front of Cassidy.
	"Don't get pushy," Sean said holding up his hands.
	"About midnight we'll strike," Cassidy stated.
	"I'll be ready."
	"You better."
*****
	Professor Oak yawned, stretching at the same time. It was getting late. 
The sun had set a while ago. The time had quickly flown while he studied the GS 
ball. He was coming close to unlocking it. Now it was time to put it away. 
Carefully he picked it up and then walked over to a small safe and placed it 
inside. Turning off the lights he closed the door.
	Quietly Cassidy jumped from the rooftop and landed silently in the snow. 
Butch followed behind. "The old man's asleep," Cassidy announced peering into 
the dark windows. Taking a glasscutter from her waist she cut a hole big enough 
for her hand to fit through, into the glass door. She then reached in with her 
hand and unlocked the door. Quietly she opened the door for them.
	Once Butch was inside she took out a Poke Ball. From the Poke ball a 
Drowzy came out. "Drowzee, use hypnosis!" Cassidy ordered in a whisper.
	"Drowzzzze," the Pokemon replied and began to chant in a hypnotic tone as 
it waved its arms about.
	"This should keep the old man asleep," Cassidy said. "Drowzee well handle 
anyone who gets in the way. Sean, you're in charge of the GS ball. We'll get the 
DNA keys."
*****
	Quietly Sean stepped in to the lab. To his surprise Gary was in there, his 
expression bitter.
	"Did you forget to tell us that you were apart of Team Rocket?" Gary 
greeted coldly.
	"Gary, I don't want any trouble. Why don't you come with me and together 
we can start a new life?" Sean replied.
	"Why would I want to be with you? My own father is stealing from us. You 
stepped out of my life when I was young. Now you expect me to happily come 
back?" Gary laughed. "Maybe when I was younger, not any more. I have my 
grandfather."
	"How did you know about this?"
	"I saw you leave. I was hoping I could talk to you, but then I saw you 
talking with two other people. I hid and that's when I found out the truth. Wait 
till grandfather hears."
	"Gary, please. Just do as I say. Give me the GS ball and you won't be 
bothered again."
	"I'm not going to let you."
*****
	Quietly Jessie and James jumped down from the vents into their boss's 
office. The office was pitch black.
	"I'm not too sure about this," James whispered, with a touch of fear. "It 
doesn't seem right sneaking into the boss's office."
	"Well, how else are we going to get Pikachu?" Jessie hissed.
	"Pikachu's not going to be in this office," Meowth stated. "It'll be in 
the lab."
	"The lab?" both asked as the looked at each other.
	"What's he going to do?" James asked.
	"From what I heard the boss is trying to make Pokemon dark. You know evil. 
He wanted Pikachu to be the first one," Meowth explained.
	"But how can you make a Pokemon evil?" Jessie asked.
	"Beat's me. I'm just telling you what I heard."
	"If Pikachu's not in here, but in the lab, why are we here?" James pointed 
out.
	"The lab's hidden. We can probably find it in the boss's computer," Meowth 
stated.
	"Right," both replied.
	"I think these are the floor plans," Jessie said after along search, while 
James kept an eye out for anyone coming in.
	"The lab would be there," Meowth said, pointing to the computer screen.
	"That floor doesn't exist," Jessie said.
	"It's a hidden room."
	"But how are we going to get in it?" James asked from his post.
	"I liked it when we were evil," Jessie stated.
	"Someone's coming!" James cried in a whisper.
	"Quick! Hurry up and shut the computer down!" Meowth cried as he and 
Jessie scrambled to shut it off. With the help from James Meowth and Jessie 
climbed back into the vents. Once in they pulled him up, unfortunately 
forgetting to close the vent back up.
	"How are we going to get to the lab from the vents?" James asked a little 
bit too loud.
	"Keep quiet they could hear us!" Meowth hissed.
	"We follow this," Jessie whispered as she pulled out a crumbled piece of 
paper.  Meowth shined his small flashlight on to the paper. "I just barely 
printed this out."
*****
	Ash tossed and turned in his sleep. The only thing he could think about 
was Pikachu. Ever since they went in, he was unable to find his friend. Where 
could Pikachu be? Pikachu was always with him. He had no reason to leave. After 
a while Ash finally fell into a restless sleep.
	"Prepare for trouble.
	And make that double.
	To protect the world from devastation.
	To unite all peoples with in our nation.
	Jessie, James.
	Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light.
	Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
	In the hot air balloon Jessie and James evilly laughed as they held 
Pikachu above them. Pikachu gave a muffled cry from within the dome they had 
caged him in. His electricity was useless.
	"Pikachu!" the Pokemon cried as it stared helpless at Ash.
	"Pikachu!" Ash yelled from below. From his waist he pulled out a Poke 
Ball. "All right Bulbasaur let's get Pikachu!" he ordered his voice full of 
determination. From the Poke Ball a plant like dinosaur appeared.
	"Bulba!" the Pokemon answered.
	"Razor leaf!" Ash ordered.
	From the plant on its back a whirlwind of leaves came soaring toward the 
hot air balloon. The leaves helplessly bounced back.
	"Your Pokemon can do nothing to help your Pikachu," Jessie taunted, 
laughing.
	"Bulbasaur return. Charizard, it's up to you now," Ash determinedly 
stated.
	The dragon Pokemon soared up into the air. It then turned and faced Ash 
and sent forth a fire blast.
	"Charizard, I thought we were a team!" Ash stated surprised as he watched 
the dragon fly around circling the hot air balloon.
	"We told you your Pokemon would do no good," James stated.
	"Your Pokemon are ours now!" Meowth stated, grinning mischievously.
	"Just to be nice, we'll give you Pikachu back," Jessie announced.
	Ash watched confused by the entire event. First they wanted to capture 
Pikachu now they wanted to give Pikachu back. From the hot air balloon Jessie 
tossed down Pikachu, releasing the Pokemon from its dome container.
	Surprised, Ash barely caught Pikachu, at the same time almost falling 
down. Pikachu didn't seem too happy as Ash hugged his friend. "Pikachu!" he 
happily cried. The Pokemon looked up at Ash darkly.
	"Pikachuuuuuuuuuuu!" Pikachu cried as it unleashed its electricity upon 
Ash.
	"Pikachu, why?" Ash cried with pain and surprise. From the hot air balloon 
the Team Rocket members laughed.
	"And this is only the beginning..." Jessie stated.
	Ash quickly sat up. "It was only a dream," he said, although his heart 
pounded. He looked at his clock and found that it was just about midnight. His 
bedroom seemed empty as he took in the familiar sights. Ash already knew why. 
Pikachu was missing. Did the dream mean anything? Was Pikachu in trouble?
*****
	"Sean, we have the DNA samples. Quit stalling and grab the GS ball," 
Cassidy hissed as she barged into the room. She narrowed her eyes. "The boss 
never did trust you on this mission."
	"I'm still part of the team. I'm just dealing with a minor problem at the 
moment," Sean replied.
	"Like I'm going to believe that. You don't have enough back bone," Cassidy 
bitterly stated. From behind Butch quietly crept into the room. Cassidy spotted 
him. She would have to make sure that Butch got the GS ball and not Sean.
	"What I'm doing is no concern to you," Sean replied.
	Butch easily found the safe where the GS ball was place. Using a special 
card he passed through the codes and unlocked the safe. The GS ball wasn't 
inside. Butch had seen the professor place it inside.
	"The GS ball isn't in there," Sean replied.
	"Hand it over, Sean," Butch ordered.
	"I don't have it."
	"What do you mean? You're the only one who knows."
	"Gary, hand over the GS ball," Sean ordered as he returned his attention 
to his son.
	"I don't have it," Gary answered, glaring up at his father.
	"You know where it is, since you already knew about this plan."
	"You'll have to find it yourself," Gary stated.
	"Look, brat, you better hand it over now. We're not afraid to dispose of 
you," Cassidy threatened as she cornered Gary into a corner.
	"You won't," Gary replied, as he hid his fear.
	"Leave my son alone," Sean angrily stated and shoved Cassidy out of the 
way. "No body threatens my son."
	Cassidy sneered. "Why do we suddenly have a heart?"
	"Alakazam, go!" Sean ordered. From his Poke Ball the Pokemon appeared 
standing in front of him and Gary. "Team Rocket's going to far. I've had enough 
of this. Alakazam, use your psychic."
	Unable to do anything Cassidy found herself floating in the air. "Drowzee, 
use hypnosis!" she cried. Alakazam reflected the Pokemon's attack
	"Gary, run and get Professor Oak!" Sean ordered.
	Butch was a step ahead. Using Drowzee's attack he had the Pokemon focus on 
Gary. Unable to fight it's hypnotic powers Gary fell asleep. Sean shortly 
followed behind.
	Cassidy soon regained control. "Forget the GS ball. We have the main thing 
that the boss wants."
	"The boss isn't going to happy once he hears what happened," Butch 
replied.
	"With Pikachu and the keys he'll be satisfied. Besides we're not like 
those bumbling idiots Jessie and James."
	"What we should do about Sean? He's a traitor to Team Rocket," Butch 
stated.
	"The boss will deal with him. He's not our concern any more."
*****
	"Here's the lab," James announced, "and it's all clear."
	Quietly they opened the vent and jumped down. The lab was pitch black.
	"Are you sure that this is the right place?" Meowth asked feeling 
uncomfortable.	
	"It says so right on the map," James pointed out.
	"Pika!" a familiar voice cried.
	"I told you this was the right place," James triumphantly replied.
	"Quit gloating and let's get Pikachu so we can hurry out of here," Jessie 
ordered.
	A burst of light filled a corner of the lab as Pikachu unleashed its 
electricity. The electricity did no damage to the cage it was in. Pikachu wasn't 
the only Pokemon around. There were thousands of Pokemon. All of them were in 
cages.
	"This is where the Pokemon go that we capture?" James asked horrified.
	"You mean, if we capture any," Meowth corrected.
	Both Jessie and James slapped him.
	"Alright, Pikachu, we're here to rescue you," Jessie whispered once she 
reached the Pokemon. Pikachu glared at her.
	"Chu!" it growled.
	"Pikachu, we're here to help!" Jessie angrily replied. "If you're going to 
be that way we can keep you there!"
	"Pi?" the Pokemon questioned, now with interest.
	"Oh, so now you'll listen."
	With a key card Jessie unlocked the cage. Hesitantly Jessie picked the 
Pokemon up. Slightly disturbed Pikachu let out a small burst of electricity. 
	"Pikachu!" Jessie cried almost dropping the Pokemon. Pikachu quickly 
stopped.
	"Let's get out," Jessie suggested.
*****
	Evil laughter filled the room. "You really think that you could go against 
us?" an all too familiar voice stated. The lights turned on and Giovanni stepped 
out. Next to him was his Persian. Jessie and James gulped.
	"I've been monitoring the three of you for some time. You three seem to 
have a record of turning in your own members."
	"Yet you wouldn't help us when we needed your help, yet you would help the 
others," Jessie stated.
	"Unlike you three they proved worthy. You have done nothing except screw 
up. Even when I allowed you to take over my gym, you managed to destroy it," 
Giovanni shot back.
	"Well we would have won if Meowth hadn't tampered with the stadium," 
Jessie muttered.
	"It would have worked!" Meowth replied.
	"Enough! The three of you had just created a serious a crime, which is 
going against Team Rocket. Now you'll be punished."
	"We're not going to given so easily," Jessie challenged holding out a Poke 
Ball. "Arbok, go!" From the Poke Ball a giant cobra-like snake appeared. "Poison 
sting attack!" The Pokemon sprayed out a group of pins that were full of poison 
toward Giovanni.
	Giovanni stood his ground. In front of him appeared a large boulder shaped 
Pokemon with hands. The Pokemon was a Golem.  It's rocky exterior easily 
reflected Arbok's attack.
	"Arbok, take that Pokemon down with your tackle!" Upon her command the 
Pokemon dived at the Golem, only to knock it's self out while the Golem remained 
unharmed.
	"Weezing, your turn!" James continued. Instead of Weezing a large plant 
came out and immediately covered his head. "Victreebel, it's not your turn!" he 
cried in a muffled voice as he struggled to get his head out of the plant. The 
Pokemon only screamed, ignoring its master.
	"Pathetic," Meowth mumbled.
	"Since you changed your Pokemon. I think I will too. Golem, return. 
Persian, go."
	"The Persian's mine," Meowth determinedly stated.
	"But, Meowth, you won't be able to stand a chance against that monstrous 
cat," James commented, with concern, now that he had freed his head.
	"He has too, this is something that Meowth needs to do," Jessie replied 
hushing her partner.
	"I see now."
	"Meowth, slash," he ordered himself. With his claws, Meowth charged at the 
cat and scratched its face, leaving a set of claw marks across its face. Angry, 
the Persian growled, glaring at Meowth. Meowth gulped, but held his ground.
	"Meowth, Meowth! He's our cat!" Jessie and James cheered now wearing black 
outfits and waving flags about. "He'll always be our top cat!"
	Filled with confidence Meowth attacked again, only to be knocked down by 
the Persian's paw. The Persian calmly sat down, looking bored. It's tail flicked 
about.
	From Jessie's arms Pikachu glared at the Pokemon.
	"Pikachuuuuuuuuuu!" the Pokemon cried as it jumped down next to Meowth. 
Pikachu shot out a bolt of electricity toward the Persian.
	"Pikachu, this is Meowth's battle!" James stated.
	"Pi-Pika-Pikachu!" Pikachu replied.
	"Pikachu says he's just trying to help since you helped him," Meowth 
replied.
	Half dazed the Persian turned to attack Pikachu. The Pokemon collapsed to 
the ground.
	"Nidoqueen, go!" Giovanni ordered. "Body slam the Pikachu!"
	"Weezing, smoke screen!" James quickly ordered. The lab quickly filled 
with smoke, making it hard to see. Making sure that they had everyone, Jessie 
and James hurried out of the room.
*****
	Slowly Gary woke up to his Sean sitting next to him. The room was pitch 
black except for a flashlight the Sean was holding. "The GS ball!" Gary suddenly 
cried, remembering everything that happened.
	"They didn't get it," Sean replied in a quiet tone.
	"What about the other stuff?"
	"Unfortunately, yes."
	"Grandfather!" Gary cried, as he stood up.
	"He's fine. The only thing they did was make sure he stayed asleep," Sean 
stated.
	"It's all your fault! If you hadn't come here none of this would have 
happened!" Gary angrily stated.
	"I was the one who had stopped them."
	"You would have taken the GS ball if I wasn't there," Gary pointed out.
	"You're going to keep on fighting, aren't you?" Sean stated in a hurt 
tone.
	"After what you've done?" Gary stated, staring up at his father with 
hatred. "Why don't you crawl back to Team Rocket and beg them to forgive you? 
I'll even give you the GS ball so you'll at least have a chance." From his waist 
along with the rest of his Poke Balls Gary pulled out the GS ball. "Take it."
Sean stood there, too surprised and hurt by his son's comment, much of what Gary 
had said he deserved. "I'm not going to take it, Gary. I plan on telling your 
grandfather the truth and then turn myself in."
	Surprise filled Gary's face. "You're what?"	
	"Yes. I admit what I had done. My only regret was not being the father I 
was supposed to be. I'll go and get your grandfather."
*****
	"Is there a problem?" Professor Oak asked as he stepped into the lab 
before Sean could leave. Through one of the windows Sean could see the sun 
risen. "Oh my, what happened here?"
	"Team Rocket busted in trying to steal your GS ball and some keys. They 
got the keys, but I have the GS ball," Gary quickly answered as he handed his 
grandfather the GS ball.
	"How come I didn't know?" Professor Oak asked, who was very confused. "I 
would have heard if someone tried to break in."
	"They used a Drowzee," Gary stated.
	"Now it makes sense. Did you say keys?" Professor Oak continued. Gary and 
Sean nodded.
	Professor Oak sat down in his chair next to his computer. "I was wondering 
if anyone was going to attempt that. It would be Team Rocket who would."
	"What are you talking about, gramps?" Gary asked.
	"The keys are DNA samples of Pokemon. At one point scientists were trying 
to clone Pokemon, but the process went under a drastic change when the Pokemon 
they had managed to clone were evil. The Pokemon destroyed the lab, yet one of 
the scientists had managed to save some of the DNA. He had hoped to figure out 
what went wrong. The scientist was unable to find the cause, for he had died in 
a fire at his lab. The DNA samples were left in my possession."
	"What happened to the evil Pokemon?" Gary asked.
	"I was never told. Now Team Rocket has them. I have no idea what Team 
Rocket wants them for, but I do know it's for evil purposes."
	"Shouldn't we alert the police?" Sean asked, still slightly mystified by 
Gary's cover up.
	"Not until I know for sure. I don't want anyone to panic," Professor Oak 
replied. "Now that everything's settled why don't we have some breakfast and 
open our presents."
	"Presents?" Gary questioned.
Professor Oak laughed. "It's Christmas morning. Normally you would have been the 
first one up trying to wake me up."
	Gary had forgotten that is was Christmas. Eagerly he rushed to the 
kitchen.
	Silently Ash sat in front of the Christmas tree, not touching any of his 
presents. "Ash, aren't you going to open them? You would have already had them 
opened by now," his mom stated with concern.
	"Not without Pikachu," Ash replied determined not to cry.
	"Oh, Ash. I'm sure Pikachu returned. Maybe he went to explore. Pikachu 
will be back," his mother replied.
	"Pikachu doesn't just disappear. Pikachu is always with me."
	The doorbell ringed and Mr. Mime rushed to get the door. "Mime!" it 
called. Ash's mom shortly followed behind. At the front door were Misty, Brock, 
and Tracey. In Brock's arms was Pikachu.
	"Merry Christmas!" Misty greeted smiling with Togepi in her arms.
	"Ash, your friends are here and so is Pikachu!" his mother called.
	Hearing the name Pikachu, Ash ran to the front. Pikachu happily jumped out 
of Brock's arms and into Ash's. "Pikachu!" Ash happily cried as he hugged his 
friend.
	"You wouldn't believe what happened," Tracey stated. "On our way up here 
Jessie and James trapped us in a net. They then shoved Pikachu into our arms and 
said merry Christmas. Before we could say anything they had floated away in 
their hot air balloon."
	"Jessie and James?" Ash said puzzled.
	"I know. I didn't believe it either," Misty, said, "They're the ones who 
are trying to capture Pikachu."
	"I'll never understand those two," Brock stated, "Anyway I brought 
presents for everyone." From his backpack he pulled out one present after 
another.
	"I thought you guys were visiting your families?" Ash asked as they opened 
their presents.
	"I had to leave before I strangled my sisters," Misty stated, "They never 
let up with their teasing. Plus I picked up my Horsea, so I'm fine. Besides it 
wouldn't be Christmas without your friends."
	"I talked with Professor Oak on our way up and he offered me a job!" 
Tracey excitedly stated. "I can't believe my dream came true!"
	"That's great!" Ash stated, "At least we'll be able to see each other."
	"I'm going to join you guys again," Brock added.
	"This is the best Christmas ever!" Ash happily stated while he hugged 
Pikachu.
*****
	"Do you plan to stay here?" Professor Oak asked Sean as they walked 
outside.
	"Just for the day then I plan to some traveling. I have a lot to think 
about," Sean replied.
	Professor Oak nodded, knowing full well what Sean meant. He already knew 
Sean's secret and about Gary's cover up. He respected their wishes knowing that 
he had nothing to worry about. "What about Gary," he asked. "Is everything 
alright between the two of you?"
	"I'm still trying to work that out," Sean stated, "Gary already knows that 
I'm leaving. From what I can tell he accepted the fact. I just hope I can earn 
his respect and love again."
	"In time you will." 	
	Next-door Professor Oak could see a heated snowball fight going on between 
Ash and his friends. Gary was among them.
*****
	"Do you think we did the right thing?" James asked as they floated in 
their hot air balloon.
	"I think so," Jessie said.
	"But now the boss will always be after us," Meowth pointed out.
	"There's a whole world to explore," Jessie pointed out.
	"The boss will never find us," James said.
	"Plus we'll always have each other," Jessie stated. From behind her 
backpack she pulled out two presents. "Merry Christmas."
	"Merry Christmas," James and Meowth stated also holding presents.
*****
	"You let Sean get away with the GS ball?" Giovanni bellowed standing up 
from his chair.
	"But we got the DNA samples!" Cassidy and Butch replied at the same time.
	"We lost the GS ball and three members of the team, plus Pikachu! This is 
what I don't need to hear. Get out!" Giovanni yelled.
	"I told you, the boss wouldn't like the news," Butch stated as they left.
	"Oh shut up," Cassidy replied.
*****
	Giovanni sat back in his chair; still angry at the news he had received. 
At least they managed to accomplish something. He fell back into the pattern of 
stroking the Persian who had rejoined him in his lap. With the DNA samples he 
would be able to begin his plans. The world would fall to his feet with his dark 
Pokemon. Soon no one would be able to trust a Pokemon.
*****
	Silently Tracey stared out the window. The sun was shinning bright. There 
wasn't a cloud in the sky. The weather was perfect. Tracey was satisfied 
watching the world by the window. Next-door Ash's mom, Delia was working on her 
garden. She stopped and waved at him. Tracey returned the wave.
	Tracey felt restless. He finally managed to achieve his dream and that was 
to be Professor Oak's assistant. He missed traveling around with his friends, 
Ash and Misty. Recently Ash had gone back on his Pokemon training and was 
traveling in Johto to compete in the Johto League. Ash had recently won in the 
Orange Island competition. Their other friend Brock had gone along with them.
	Back in Pallet Town everything seemed to be in order.  As he traveled 
there was something new each time. His friends had often joked of how he 
invented himself along the journeys, but in time they had become good friends 
finding they had some in common.
	They often talked about their lives and their dreams as they traveled. 
Often they tried to get him to join in their conversations. Tracey always 
managed to change the subject. He didn't like to talk much about his life. It 
was too painful. He found it better not to mention anything.
	Now that he was in Pallet Town those memories were coming back. During his 
journeys as a Pokemon watcher he managed to bury those memories, by keeping 
busy. Tracey couldn't understand why they were coming back. He didn't know what 
triggered these memories. Maybe it was because Professor Oak reminded him of his 
father and how caring Delia was.
	Tracey shook his head at the thought. He fingered the orange headband that 
he constantly wore. Misty often teased him about that. The headband served its 
purpose. The headband hid the many memories of his past. He often avoided taking 
it off as much as he can. Underneath it was a scar a reminder of the near death 
he escaped which his family was unable to.
	When he was young Team Rocket had tried to get his parents to join them. 
His parents were well known scientists noted for their research on Pokemon. They 
had refused and as punishment were killed. Tracey barely managed to escape their 
fate. The memories had become vague as the years went by but still they were 
just as pain full. Tracey dreamed of being a scientist just like his parents. 
Now that he was working with Professor Oak he knew his dream would come true.
*****
	The sun was shinning brightly. Finally the bus pulled to a stop. Aaron 
climbed down followed by his partner Paul. The bus had taken them to Pallet 
Town, which was where their next assignment was waiting. Aaron didn't understand 
what Team Rocket wanted with Pallet Town besides the fact it was the home of 
Professor Oak a famous Pokemon scientist.
	It was through him that they were able to begin cloning Pokemon. Already 
it was done before, but the experiment had failed when the Pokemon turned around 
destroying everything including the scientists. No one knew what had happened to 
that Pokemon. Professor Oak had kept some DNA samples that those scientists had 
used to create that Pokemon. A few years before Team Rocket had sent some of its 
members to steal that DNA after finding its locations. At the same time they 
were supposed to steal the G.S. Ball too, but that was unsuccessful.
	The DNA samples were used to create Pokemon, but these weren't any 
ordinary Pokemon. They were dark Pokemon. These Pokemon were about to bring 
about a fear among all Pokemon. Soon no one would be able to trust any Pokemon. 
Which was what Team Rocket wanted.
	Aaron didn't understand what brought them back. "Do you have any idea why 
we are here?" he asked his partner.
	"You'll see," Paul stated his face expressionless. Paul vaguely reminded 
him of their boss Giovanni. The thought sickened him. Aaron didn't approve much 
of Team Rocket's actions, but he knew that if he turned he would be killed. 
Betrayal meant death for any Team Rocket member.
	"This is where it all begins," Paul stated after a while. In his hand he 
held a Poke Ball.
	"They're going to use the dark Pokemon now?" Aaron said surprised.
Paul nodded out from the Poke Ball came a Dugtrio.  "You know what to do."
	Immediately the Pokemon dug under ground. Aaron couldn't tell a difference 
in the Pokemon, but except there was something about its eyes.
	"And exactly what is it going to do?"
	"Just watch," Paul simply replied, his arms crossed.
	The ground began to shake slightly, but soon it became worse. The streets 
and sidewalk began to crumble and pull apart. People were yelling in panic not 
understanding what was happening.
	"Earthquake!" some one yelled.
	Just as it started the trembling stopped leaving the sidewalks and streets 
upturned.  There was minor damage done to the buildings. Office Jenny had 
already reached the scene. Her expression matched the people around her, one of 
confusion and fear.
	"And earthquake, I don't think it could be," Officer Jenny commented. 
	"Pallet Town has never had an earthquake before."
	"Then what could it be?" a bystander asked. Others questioned the same 
thought.
	"I don't know, but I'll find out what it could be," she replied.
Paul sneered. "Oh they'll find out, but they'll never understand why."
Secretly Paul had returned the Pokemon, before any one could guess it was the 
Dugtrio that had caused the damage.
	"I don't think this will work," Aaron said in disbelief. "It'll never 
bring the fear your expecting."
	"It will just give it time."
*****
	"And earthquake?" Professor Oak repeated, "It felt like an earthquake, but 
it don't think its one." Behind him Tracey listened trying to put together what 
just happened. Their house suffered minor damage but the ground around them 
looked like a war zone. All the Pokemon seemed to be very disturbed by the 
event.
	"Yes," Officer Jenny stated nodding. "We were wondering if you could 
examine this and see if it could be a Pokemon."
	"That does seem like the likely solution. I'll be over there in a couple 
of minutes," Professor Oak replied.
	"Do you think it could be a Pokemon?" Tracey asked as Professor Oak began 
to pack up some equipment.
	"It could be two things and earthquake or a Pokemon. It's less likely to 
be an earthquake considering that Pallet Town has never had one before. What 
we'll have to do is find the Pokemon that's causing this and capture it."
	"Why do you think a Pokemon would do such a thing though?" Tracey asked.
	"That's a good question. Hopefully we'll be able to find out."
	Soon they reached uptown. The whole area had been roped off causing much 
confusion among the crowd that had gathered. Officer Jenny eagerly permitted 
Professor Oak and Tracey into the scene. Right away Professor Oak sent to work.
	"Where're right about one thing. It's not a natural earthquake. This was 
indeed done by a Pokemon. Luckily the Pokemon didn't continue the attack or it 
could have done a lot more damage," Professor Oak finally stated.
	"But what kind of Pokemon?" Officer Jenny asked.
	"Judging by the tracks and how the ground is upturned, I would have to say 
it was Dugtrio. There seems to be only one though, luckily for us. Usually they 
come in numbers."
	"Is there a chance that we can capture it?"
	"We can, but it's no longer here. The tracks seem to have stopped right 
about here," the professor explained as he indicated where the Pokemon had 
seemed to disappear. "My guess is that this Pokemon belongs to a trainer. A 
trainer who could possibly be having troubles training it."
	"Alright everyone there's nothing to see," Officer Jenny announced to the 
crowd.  "You heard what Professor Oak said."
	Reluctantly the crowd began to fade away. Some were still fearful. Near by 
some one was taking pictures of the scene. There were a few flashes toward them. 
Tracey turned to see who was taking the pictures. Two men were walking around 
taking pictures. One of them had just taken a picture of them. There was 
something about them that Tracey didn't trust.
	"O.k., Tracey, I think our work is done here," Professor Oak stated.
	"Do you really think that this was done because of a poor trainer?" Tracey 
asked as they headed back to the lab.
	"It seems to be, but I'm getting some theories. I've recently received 
some information that the media wasn't given. The news is rather disturbing. 
Pokemon have been destroying property, turning on their trainers. Right now its 
being kept quiet in fear that it would bring panic across the land. That's not 
what we need right now," Professor Oak explained.
	"But Pokemon would never do such a thing unless it has a perfectly good 
reason," Tracey commented in surprise.
	"I know, which is why this is being kept quiet."
	Tracey wondered if Ash and his knew that any of this was happening. Were 
they having troubles too? Or was it just here? Then again, Ash's Pikachu would 
be one of the first Pokemon to know that something strange was going on. If 
something bothered Pikachu, Ash would be set on finding out what bothered his 
companion.
Darkness had finally settled. If there was any moonlight it was blocked by 
clouds. A thick fog had covered Pallet Town.
*****
	"O.k. its time to go on to step two," Paul stated sitting in on a chair at 
the hotel they were staying in. "Pallet's going to witness more then a little 
earthquake. The whole town's going to go down."
	"Don't you think that's a bit too much?" Aaron asked. "I can understand an 
earthquake but the entire town?"
	"How else do you think this will strike fear in everyone's hearts?" Paul 
countered narrowing his eyes. "I'm beginning to wonder about you, Aaron."
	"You have nothing to worry about. I just don't think its wise to move at 
such a fast pace at this."
	Outside Paul tossed out a couple of Poke Balls. Out of each one was a 
Dugtrio. "He says they come in numbers. That's what he'll get." Immediately they 
dived under ground. In the sky a helicopter lowered and a rope ladder hung down. 
Paul and Aaron climbed up it and into the helicopter. On the side of the 
helicopter was a big letter R. The operator of the helicopter was also wearing 
an R on his shirt.
*****
	"This is exactly what I thought would happen," Professor Oak stated as he 
and Tracey rushed to help settle the chaos that had risen in Pallet Town. 
Building began to fall and the ground was beginning to split in different 
places.
	"Merrill, Scyther, Venonat, go and help!" Tracey ordered tossing out his 
Poke Balls. All three Pokemon came out and set to work.
	"There are Dugtrio every where!" Office Jenny worriedly commented. "How 
can we stop them all?"
	A few of the Dugtrio had begun to use hyper beam to destroy the buildings 
and the ground around them. Despite Tracey's attempts to battle them with his 
own Pokemon, the Dugtrio didn't seem to look as if they would ever wear out. 
	They looked as if they would fight to their death. His Pokemon were 
beginning to wear out. All around Pallet Town was falling apart. People were 
trying to help others or trying to stop the Dugtrio. The task seemed impossible.
*****
	"James, look! This is what the boss wanted with those Pokemon," Jessie 
commented. The three of them were standing in the crowd clutching to each other 
in fear.
	"How can we stop this?" James asked as he watched wide-eyed as the Pokemon 
destroyed the town around them.
	"And to think that this is what Team Rocket had in mind," Meowth stated.
	"I think I like trying to capture Pikachu better," James said.
	"We have to stop this, James. We already betrayed Team Rocket once 
actually more then once. What Team Rocket is doing now is wrong. We can't let 
them do this," Jessie said.
	James looked at Jessie with surprise. He had never thought that Jessie of 
all people would be saying this. He was usually the one to voice such an 
opinion. It was he who had persuaded the rest of the team to help the twerps the 
few times they did.
	"Of course, Jessie," James replied.
	"But there's only one problem. The Pokemon you guys have can't even beat 
Pikachu. Do you think they could beat a bunch of raging Dugtrio?" Meowth grimly 
pointed out.
	Jessie and James sighed.
	"Hey look isn't that the Orange Island twerp that was friends with the 
other twerps?" Jessie said pointing over at Tracey's direction.
	"It is, but why is that important?" James asked.
	"He would be the one who would actually agree with us. Face it, James, no 
one would believe us since we're part of Team Rocket."
	"Not any more, Jessie, did you forget that?" Meowth questioned.
	"No, but the others don't know and they wouldn't believe us if we were 
telling the truth," Jessie replied with a frown.
	"Well, Jessie, we don't exactly have an honest past," James said.
	"How are we going to stop this?" Meowth asked.
	"They're ground type to they have to weak against water. We need to dig 
further down enough to break into the water and some how to get it up," Jessie 
said after a while. "Arbok it looks like its up to you! Go and tunnel till you 
reach water!" she ordered tossing her Poke Ball.
	A large purple snake came out and dived into one of the holes that a 
Dugtrio had left behind. After a while water sprouted from the ground showering 
everywhere. "You did a great job, Arbok," Jessie commented as she returned it.
For once their plan worked. All around the Dugtrio began to collapse. "We did 
it!" Jessie and James happily cried.
*****
	"It would figure that it would be you two to be causing all the trouble," 
Officer Jenny stated as she approached them her arms crossed. Her expression was 
grim.
	"But we didn't do it not this time!" they protested
	"How can we tell your telling the truth?" she questioned.
	"We're the ones who stopped this!" Jessie protested.
	"Yes, you two had tried to break into my lab twice," Professor Oak stated 
as he and Tracey joined Officer Jenny.
	"But that was then. We're not a part of Team Rocket no more!" James said.
	"Do you see us wearing our uniforms?" Jessie asked.
	"You three are known for your disguises," Tracey pointed out. "You three 
could just be playing some kind of trick."
	"But we've helped you before!"
	"Professor Oak, they're right. They did help us before. I believe this 
time they're telling the truth," Tracey said after a while as he looked into 
their eyes trying to find something to tell them if they were lying. He couldn't 
find anything but hope and fear.
	"You know them more then I do," Professor Oak finally said. "Officer 
Jenny, let them go. They only helped us. Plus they may be a key to help us."
Officer Jenny looked at them skeptically. "Are you sure about this? They are 
part of Team Rocket."
	"Were a part of Team Rocket!" Jessie cut in.
	"Yes," Professor Oak sternly answered. "You three come with me. You may be 
able to answer some questions that I haven't been able to answer."
	Hesitantly Jessie and James looked at each other. Then they followed the 
professor. Pallet Town no longer resembled the town it once was. Most of it was 
in ruins. The three of them looked at it in despair. They couldn't believe that 
this had happened. They knew that more was to come, but when was the question.
*****
	"I told you the twerp would be a help," Jessie whispered.
	"What could we know that could help the professor?" James replied nodding 
to Jessie's reply.
	"I'm amazed that he had helped us. Could this be some sort of trap?" 
Meowth worriedly commented.
	"Why would he do such a thing?" Jessie asked.
	"No one can be trusted any more," Meowth simply stated.
	"Well he can be trusted. Even I trust him," Jessie said.
	"Do you think that Professor Oak can stop this though?" James questioned.
Jessie and James sighed, as they looked at worriedly looked at each other.
*****
	"Tracey, once we get back to the lab see if you can find out where Ash and 
his friends are. It's time that they need to know about his. Tell them that they 
must return to Pallet Town," Professor Oak instructed as they reached the lab.
	"Yes, Professor. But what if I can't find them?"
	"Then leave a message at every Pokemon Center in Johto for them. I also 
want Gary to know too. I'm afraid that everyone's going to have to work together 
on this one."
	"One more question, professor. I thought that this was to be kept quiet?" 
Tracey asked, with concern.
	"It is, but I have a feeling that at one point we won't be able to keep it 
quiet. Some one will be bond to tell the media. Only then will things become 
chaos."
*****
	"Boss, phase one is complete. It won't be long before the world will know 
of the new dark Pokemon," Paul announced as he and Aaron stood in front of 
Giovanni's desk. A hand stroked the top of a Persian's head. Giovanni's face 
could partially be seen among the shadows of the office.
	"You've wanted these pictures," Aaron said as he placed some photos onto 
the desk.
	"You're job is complete for now," Giovanni said in an expressionless tone. 
	"You may leave."
	Both of them bowed and left. Aaron gave a skeptical look at Paul who only 
shrugged his face matching that of Giovanni's.
*****
	Giovanni reached for the pictures once the two of them left. He quickly 
shifted through the pile until he came up to one with that of Professor Oak and 
a young teen. He then turned his attention to the computer before him. After 
typing a few words Giovanni pulled up the teen's file. He left it there, gazing 
at it, his face expressionless as his hand constantly stroked the Persian.
****
	The waves gently crashed against the shoreline. Rudy smiled as he stared 
across the ocean. He loved living on the Orange Islands. Ever since he could 
remember they were his home. Not far in the water is his little sister Mahri was 
playing the water with her Pokemon Seel. Something was missing. He could hear 
her laughing. Her laughter and innocent smile always brought a smile to his 
lips.
	It could never get rid of the dull ache in his heart or the haunted look 
in his eyes, which he carefully hid with his smile and helpful manner. He 
remembered the day his parents had died; Mahri was too young to remember. Since 
their death he was placed in charge of Mahri, which he took seriously.
	Reluctantly he gave up his childhood to take on the bigger 
responsibilities of raising Mahri, for they had no one but each other. It didn't 
stop him from his role as gym leader of the Trevolta Gym. On Trevolta Island he 
was well respected. People looked to him for advice.
	More then anything Rudy wanted to find some one special to share his life 
with. He always seemed to win a young woman's heart but not for long. They 
always seemed to come and go. Rudy knew how much his sister wanted a big sister. 
It was hard for her being the only girl in the group. For all the other trainers 
in the gym were guys.
	Once he thought he finally found someone. Her name was Misty and she had 
saved Mahri from being swiped away in the ocean. Yet her heart was set for a 
young trainer named Ash who had won against him in gym battle. It was because of 
Misty that the trainer had won, for Rudy knew that he would have won for sure. 
Reluctantly he let her go as he watched Misty and her friends ride off into the 
sunset.
	"Rudy!" one of the trainers yelled as he came running toward him. Quickly 
Rudy stood up and hurried over. The trainer was named Mark, who seemed very 
upset.
	"What's wrong, Mark?" Rudy asked.
	"The gym, some one broke into the gym," Mark replied as he tried to catch 
his breath. "Officer Jenny is already there taking the reports from the other 
trainers."
	"Did they take anything?" Rudy asked full of concern.
	"Nothing which was strange," Mark answered.
	"Mahri, we need to go to the gym. We have an emergency," Rudy yelled in 
his sister's direction. As Mark ran off, Rudy waited till his sister reached him 
and grabbing her hand hurried off.
	Rudy's face faulted once he saw the gym. He couldn't believe what he was 
saying. The windows were broken and there was no door anymore. Inside the gym it 
was worse. What Rudy couldn't understand was why they broke into the gym but 
didn't steal anything.
	"Rudy, what happened?" Mahri asked wide-eyed.
	"I'm not exactly sure, Mahri, but once I find out I will put a stop to 
this," Rudy said.
*****
	Officer Jenny then stepped over. "You are the gym leader here?"
Rudy nodded
	"Then you can answer some questions for me hopefully," she said holding a 
pad and pen in her hands.
	As best he could Rudy answered what he knew, but from all the question and 
answering they couldn't find one theory to why some one broke in.
Officer Jenny sighed. "As soon as we find something we'll let you know."
	"Thank you, Officer Jenny," Rudy said as he watched the cop speed off on 
her motorcycle.
	"Who would break in a gym and not steal a thing?" Mark asked as he joined 
Rudy once again.
	"That's what I would like to know," Rudy replied as he began to examine 
the gym.
	"Will these people come again?" Mahri worriedly asked as she clutched her 
brother's hand.
	"I really don't know."
*****
	"That was easy enough," Cassidy stated as she and Butch flew in a 
helicopter high above the gym.
	"Let's hope this plan works though," Butch replied, "Remember that 
Giovanni isn't exactly happy with us."
	"I know, Butch. This plan will succeed. They will never know the true 
reason why the gym was broken into," Cassidy stated smiling evilly as she 
glanced below. Far below the gym looked like a tiny speck in the sky.
	"Those bumbling idiots Jessie and James wouldn't be able to pull this one 
off," Butch commented.
	"They're not even part of the team anymore. They're on the extermination 
list for betraying Team Rocket."
	"Those two were never meant to be evil."
	"I'm amazed they lasted that long. Now we can see if the dark Pokemon will 
actually work as predicted," Cassidy said.
	"Team Rocket will never be the cause for the blame, the brat will be their 
scapegoat."
*****
	"Jessie, do you think it's really wise to be going to my home?" James 
asked full of fear as they approached the huge mansion that was once his home.
	"James, this is the only way. Professor Oak says that we should lie low
for a while and you're home will be the best place to stay," Jessie explained. 
	"They would never think that we would come here."
	"But, Jessie, these are my parents that you're talking about! Remember the 
last time?" James frantically pointed out. He couldn't believe that Jessie had 
said that they should go to his home. This was the last place he wanted to be 
the very last place. In the comforts of his home lurked his fiancée Jezebel. The 
last time they met he barely escaped her clutches.
	"That was last time. Now I have a more secure plan that will work," Jessie 
persisted.
	James whimpered at the thought as he peeped out of the bushes looking 
toward the huge mansion. He shuddered at the sight.
	"I told you this plan wasn't going to work, Jessie," Meowth commented 
sighing.
	"Shut up, cat. Why don't you try helping?"
	"You mean you discussed this without me?" James asked slightly hurt.
	"We had to because we knew you wouldn't like it," Meowth stated.
	"And your right I don't. Now lets leave before they spot us," James said 
as he started to head back.
	Jessie quickly pulled him back. "You're not getting away this easily. We 
are going to do this whether you like it or not. Just hold on one minute and 
everything will be explained." Jessie then stood up and disappeared behind a 
tree.
	"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" James fearfully cried out. Quickly Meowth had to place 
his paws on his mouth to silence him. Before him stood Jezebel.
	"James, be quiet or everything will be ruined," Jezebel said in Jessie's 
voice.
	"Jessie?" James fearfully asked. Jezebel nodded.
	"This is the plan, since I look like her I'm going to pretend to be her. I 
managed to find out that she went on a vacation and we could use this to our 
benefit. You are going to say that you have finally decided to propose. Your 
parents will be happy and plus you'll get your inheritance," Jessie explained.
	"They'll never fall for this, they didn't fall for you last plan," James 
desperately pointed out.
*****
	"Well everything else seems intact," Rudy said after he thoroughly 
examined the gym. "All the Pokemon are fine too."
	"Do you think they'll come again?" one of the trainers asked
	"I seriously doubt that, but to be on the safe side we should have a guard 
during the night."
	"I can do that," Mark offered.
	"Great then we're all settled. I believe I have a match to attend to," 
Rudy replied and waving walked off with Mahri beside him.
	"This time you're going to win. It's been a while since you had a battle," 
Mahri said as they walked over to meet the trainer. Already the trainer had 
passed the pretest and now it was on to the main match.
	It was rare that anyone have managed to beat Rudy, which was a surprise 
when Ash had won. Since that battle Rudy had improved his strategies not wanting 
someone to win by luck.
	On the shore the trainer was waiting. He seemed to be tough looking. The 
trainer twirled a Poke Ball on the tip of his finger. From the first glance Rudy 
could tell that the trainer had no true feelings toward his Pokemon. There was 
something about his attitude that Rudy didn't like.
	"I told you I would pass that simple test and now I'll prove to you that I 
can beat you in the battle," the trainer greeted with a sneer.
	"We'll see about that, Damion," Rudy replied. "Then we'll see who's the 
true Pokemon trainer."
	At the stadium the rules were announced and the battle begun. It was over 
in a few minutes. The trainer had lost. Rudy had already predicted that he 
would. Happily Mahri cheered Rudy on hugging him.
	"I knew you would win!" She happily commented.
	"That's impossible, I want another match!" Damion angrily replied as he 
recalled his Pokemon. "That wasn't even a match!
	"You're right it wasn't a match. I suggest you train your Pokemon even 
more. Maybe even show them some love. Pokemon isn't just about battling," Rudy 
reprimanded.
	"I don't need advice from the likes of you. I know how to train my own 
Pokemon!" Angrily the trainer walked off. Silently Rudy watched him leave. He 
hated to see trainers who didn't care about their Pokemon. He hoped that this 
battle would teach him a lesson.
	"He was a mean trainer," Mahri commented as she and Rudy headed back to 
the gym.
	"Mahri, he just doesn't understand that's all. Hopefully he'll learn from 
the battle. Then he might be a good trainer."
	"Someday I hope to be a great Pokemon trainer like you, Rudy!" Mahri 
happily said as she hugged her brother. Rudy smiled and returned the hug.
	"I have no doubt that you will in my mind," Rudy replied.
*****
	The sun had begun to set. An orange hue reflected against the ocean. Rudy 
loved the sunsets. They were so beautiful in the Orange Islands. Whenever he got 
the chance he would watch them. Suddenly the sky had begun to darken as an angry 
roar of a gryados ripped through the air. Startled Rudy turned around to see 
several gryados in the ocean. All of them were using dragon rage. Mahri 
fearfully clutched Rudy's hand.
	His heart pounding, Rudy picked his sister up and ran down the beach. Very 
few had managed to survive from the dragon rage of a gryados. It was every 
sailor's fear to fall under one. Once a gryados was angry it was impossible to 
stop it.
	"Rudy, what's happening? Why are they attacking?" Mahri asked fearfully as 
she buried her face in Rudy's arms.
	"Something had to upset them, but what I don't know," Rudy replied as he 
tried to catch his breath. He gently placed his sister down now that they were 
safely in the gym. From the windows they watched as the Pokemon continued their 
attacks, their piercing screams filling the air. The trainers gathered around 
them trying to find out what happened. They followed Rudy's gaze and watched in 
fear as the peaceful ocean turned into a wild ride.
	One of the trainers collapsed to the ground. Rudy managed to catch her 
before she hit the ground. "Not again," Rudy said as he tried to wake the 
trainer, "Come on, Joy, pull through."
	Joy moaned and slowly opened her eyes. "What happened?" she asked.
	"You fainted again," Rudy stated. The other trainers crowded around with 
concern.
	"I did?" Joy asked surprised.
	"Maybe we should take you to a doctor. This is the third time that this 
happened," Rudy said.
	"No, I'm ok, just a little wore out. When I was looking at the gryados I 
sensed this dark power. Then suddenly I find myself here," Joy carefully said.
	"How about the other times?" Rudy asked already forming an idea of what 
was happening?"
	"I don't remember it's been a while," Joy answered with a puzzled 
expression.
	"Joy, I'm thinking your psychic. I plan to get in contact with Sabrina. If 
I'm correct it might be better that you go to her gym not here, especially since 
you have an impressive Kadabra."
	Joy smiled. "If I do have powers how come I never knew before?"
	"Sometimes people don't find out till later." Gently Rudy helped Joy on to 
her feet. "I suggest you rest for a while."
	Joy nodded and with the help of her fellow trainers headed to her room. 
Silently Rudy watched till they were out of view. Slowly the pieces were coming 
together. A theory was forming of why his gym was broken into. The gryados was 
the key to this mystery.
	"Mark, do me a favor and watch over Mahri I need to check out something," 
Rudy ordered.
	"What are you going to do?" Mark asked.
	"There's something about those gryados that I don't like. It's hard to 
explain."
	"Rudy, I want to come with you!" Mahri protested.
	"No, Mahri, you can't. This could be dangerous and I don't want you hurt."
	"What if you get hurt?" Mahri persisted close to tears.
	"I won't get hurt. You listen to Mark ok?"
	Reluctantly Mahri nodded. Rudy then picked up a dart gun he grabbed from a 
drawer. Picking up some tranquilizers he loaded it. He knew that Pokemon alone 
wouldn't be able to do the job. Outside the beach was torn apart and water had 
flooded almost to his gym. Their angry cries rang through the air. Lightening 
illuminated the dark sky.
*****
	Rudy grabbed a Poke Ball from his waist and called out Blastoise his 
strongest water type Pokemon. Next was his Pokemon Starmie. "Alright, Blastoise, 
this is going to be a tough one. I'm going to need you to get me as close to the 
gryados as possible."
	"Blastoise!" the Pokemon determinedly replied. Rudy then climbed onto its 
back and steadying himself he stood on its huge shell. Easily the gigantic 
Pokemon glided through the tossing waters of the ocean.
	Once they got close enough Rudy pulled out another Poke Ball. The easiest 
thing to do would be to use Starmie who had some properties of the lightening 
type Pokemon. That would do more then hurt the gryados but everyone. Yet Staryu 
would be a fairer choice. This Pokemon could use psychic.
	"Staryu, psychic attack now!" Rudy yelled as the first evolution of 
Starmie appeared. A purple hue mingled in with the dark sky. Thunder rumbled in 
the distance. The gryados tossed about in pain as the attack struck them. 
Angrily they circled around him.
	"Blast?" Blastoise questioned unsure what to do as it waited for its 
master to give it orders.
	Rudy nodded. "Use your water gun attack!" The Pokemon then aimed its two 
cannons at the gryados and pumped out large bursts of water at them. The force 
of the impact was able to shove them back giving them enough space to escape. 
Rudy then aimed his dart gun. Once he locked his target he pulled the trigger 
striking the dart in the neck of the gryados.
	Quickly he then through out a Poke Ball which opened and pulled the 
gryados inside it. The Poke Ball then came back to his hands. "Alright, 
Blastoise, we came for what we wanted. Swim as fast as you can before the others 
are able to attack again." The Pokemon didn't need another encouragement as it 
glided back to land.
	Rudy looked at the Poke Ball he held in his hand. "Now we'll see what this 
is all about. Hopefully Professor Ivy would have an explanation."
*****
	"James, this is the only way we can do this," Jessie tiredly persisted.
	"But what about Meowth?" They'll differently know it was us!"
	"We know, that's why Meowth is going on a different mission."
	"Where is Meowth going?"
	"He is going to look for Sean. We're thinking that we should combine 
forces to defeat Giovanni once and for all. We need to find any other ex-Team 
Rocket members and others who are willing to help," Jessie said in a serious 
tone.
	"Its time we put a stop to Team Rocket once and for all. For even if we do 
stop this dark Pokemon business they'll find some more deadlier plan," Meowth 
stated.
	"Team Rocket is so many and we're so few!" James persisted, his voice full 
of fear.
	"Well this is the time that we can prove that we're worth something. You 
know how Giovanni never thought of us as anything."
	"You're right," James said after a while. "But I still don't think this 
will go well."
	"It will, if you play it right. Let's go," Jessie replied and grabbing his 
arm she dragged him to the front door of the huge mansion. James gulped. He 
looked behind him to see Meowth walking off. Jessie range then rang the 
doorbell.
	After a while the door opened and the Morgan's butler Hopkins appeared 
before them. "How may I help you?" he asked and then his eyes widened once he 
recognized who they were. "Why, master James and Jezebel, what a pleasure to see 
you both! Yet, I thought you were away on vacation?"
	Jessie smiled and spoke in her southern accent; "He is the reason why I 
came home so early."
	"Yes, I have finally realized that my parents were right and that she was 
the best one for me," James added as he forced a smile while his heart pounded. 
He could swear that everyone around him could also hear his heart pounding.
	"That is splendid! Your parents will be so pleased. I shall go and 
announce your arrival. Please come in, settle down and relax." Hopkins then held 
the door open for them. "It shall be a few minutes." Once they were seated he 
then turned around and walked down the hallway.
	"I don't know, Jessie. I really don't think they'll buy this. Hopkins 
seemed rather suspicious," James whispered as he worriedly glanced around the 
sitting room.
	"It's just your imagination, James. Just don't blow it," Jessie hissed 
back as she pulled out a fan.
*****
	"Do you think there really could still be a Mew out there?" Kate asked as 
she glanced from her sketchpad to look at her partner, Sean.
	Sean wiped the rain off his face with his sleeve. Ever since they started 
this expedition it had been raining almost nonstop. It didn't seem as if the 
rain would ever stop. "More then likely it's just going to be some wild rumor. 
It was pure luck to find that fossil of Mew those scientists had found a while 
back," he replied after a while.	
	"But if it's a rumor what made you join this expedition then?" Kate 
challenged smiling. Upon the expedition she and Sean had been paired up as 
partners. She hardly knew anything about Sean, except that he was ever so 
serious. Sean rarely talked about himself and if she tried to get some kind of 
information from him he would some how change the subject or not even bother to 
answer.
	While she on the other hand talked about her life and dreams. Kate was an 
outgoing person who loved to be in the thick of things. She was always asking 
questions trying to find the reason behind why such things existed. Among the 
group of scientists she was the youngest, there fore considered a rookie. Most 
of the scientists disapproved of her, yet Sean didn't seem to share any kind of 
emotion about her. Her biggest dream was to meet the famous Professor Oak. 
Although a scientist she loved to draw. She was constantly drawling anything 
that she found fascinating, even if it rained. Which it was raining now.
	"It would be interesting to see the rare Pokemon Mew. Even though this 
could just be a rumor I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to see the Pokemon. I 
love traveling and this expedition gives me even more a chance to see the 
world," Sean replied after a while.
	Most of what he said was the truth. He wasn't about to tell her that he 
was once part of Team Rocket and now running from them. This was the best way to 
hide. Team Rocket would never think to find him here out in the wilderness 
chasing after a rumor. If there was more proof Team Rocket would have sent some 
of their men to investigate this. Since there wasn't, they weren't about to 
waste their time on such an unreliable expedition.
	Sean was a scientist. That's why Team Rocket had hired him in the first 
place. His knowledge on Pokemon was a great benefit to their team. If there were 
a Mew then Team Rocket would love to have this Pokemon. He would be sure they 
would use it for their current plan of dark Pokemon.
	He shifted the weight of his backpack. Something in it stirred. Surprised 
he took it off and opened it. A Pokemon appeared before him. The Pokemon was a 
Meowth.
	"Well it ever stop raining? Or does it rain when ever you're around?" the 
Pokemon questioned looking up at Sean.
	"Meowth? Why aren't you with Jessie and James?" Sean asked realizing 
quickly who this Pokemon was.
	"Hiding. I was sent to find you," Meowth answered, appearing to be quite 
comfortable in the backpack.
	"WOW! A talking Meowth!" Kate excitedly stated. "I never heard of a 
talking Pokemon."
	"Well then you never met me," Meowth said, sneering.
Sean eyed Kate wearily. "Why are you looking for me then?"
	"We have business to take care of," Meowth began and launched into an 
explanation. Kate looked up at Sean surprised and confused. She didn't say a 
thing. Sean sighed not to happy that Meowth had managed to tell everything that 
he had been trying to keep a secret.
*****
	"Well it looks as if our boss was right. The traitor is here," Cassidy 
stated shifting her backpack. "I just wish it would stop raining."
	"Truthfully I think that this is a waste of time," Butch commented.
	"The boss ordered us to bring him back and also the Pokemon if this rumor 
is true."
	"Do you really think that Mew would be around here? What are the chances 
of seeing such a Pokemon?"
	"If there is a chance we'll get it.  But we have to lay low. We can't let 
the other scientists here know that we're from Team Rocket," Cassidy continued.
*****
	Giovanni sat in his chair staring out the window of the dark sky. The 
plans were slowly being put together. Soon everyone would fear all Pokemon. He 
knew where both Jessie and James were along with Sean. His men were already set 
in their locations waiting for his signal. Giovanni wasn't about to let any 
traitors walk away free.
	Something deep inside him stirred. Feelings that he thought he had buried 
long ago. He didn't know what triggered those feelings, but he knew that he had 
to dispose of those feelings. These feelings would destroy what he had worked so 
hard to achieve and it would go against everything that he had set.
	Giovanni didn't think that this could possibly be true. He looked at his 
computer and on its screen was the young teen. Slowly he pulled out an old 
picture from a drawer in his desk. The picture was faded and turned yellow over 
the years. It showed of a young man and woman. The man happened to be him long 
ago. The young woman, whose hair was a dark green, smiled back at him dressed in 
a long wedding gown.
	That was a long time and over the years she had drifted while Giovanni 
became the head of Team Rocket. Sighing Giovanni placed the picture away. His 
Persian then walk up to him and laid its head on his lab. The cat Pokemon began 
to purr as Giovanni stroked the cat.
*****
	Something wasn't right. There was an unbalance, but what caused this, 
Mewtwo couldn't figure out. It was something that threatened the Pokemon. That 
much Mewtwo knew. His peaceful world, one mainly nothing but water, had become 
dark and its clear waters murky. He could no longer sense the other presence of 
the world's inhabitants. That Mewtwo didn't like.
	"What is the meaning of this?" Mewtwo questioned out loud, not expecting 
an answer. Silence only followed. Mewtwo swam from the depths of the ocean and 
up into the once blue sky. The sky was now dark and a storm threatened to form.
	"We can't fight this alone. We are going to need the humans to help us," 
Mew commented through telepathy.
	Mewtwo didn't realize that Mew had followed it. "Humans? Humans wouldn't 
help us. They're probably they ones behind this!" it angrily stated.
	"Yes, but others will be willing to help," Mew persisted.
	"I don't care what you say. Humans are ignorant to what they do. They're 
the ones who created me!"
	"Didn't you learn from that young trainer?"
	Mewtwo remained silent as he thought this over. Mew was right. Mew was 
always right. The thought calmed him down. Mewtwo was never found of humans, but 
the one trainer changed his opinion of them. Still he was reluctant to trust 
them. "Who are we going to find that would help us? And who would know what is 
causing this unbalance?"
	"They will find us," Mew simply answered.
Mewtwo looked at Mew reluctantly. He still didn't like this idea, but he did 
realize that they would need help.
*****
	"Well, well, well, I would never have thought to meet you here, Ashy boy," 
Gary greeted with a sneer.
	Ash glared. "You again! I want a rematch!"
	Misty and Brock sighed. This was going to be a long night. Already outside 
the rain was falling. They were lucky to make it to the Pokemon center before 
the rain had hit. Togepi quietly rested in Misty's arms.
	"Ash, can't you at least accept your defeat?" Misty said.
	"I did, but now I'm stronger and I'm ready to try again," Ash said. Beside 
him Pikachu nodded in agreement.
	"Look I don't have time for this," Gary replied. "Why don't you save your 
energy for the Johto League? I wouldn't be surprised if we'll be battling each 
other there."
	Brock and Misty exchanged glances. Ash was already hyped up enough about 
the Johto League. Here Ash was to sign up for it and then it would be time to 
compete.
	"There you are, Ash!" Professor Oak cheerfully greeted. With him were his 
mother and Tracey.
	"Oh, Ash, I'm so happy to see that you made it this far!" Delia commented 
as she hugged her son.
	"I told you I would," Ash replied.
	"Congratulations," Tracey said. "I can't wait to see the battles and all 
new Pokemon."
	"You haven't changed one bit, Tracey," Misty said and hugged her friend.
	"I missed traveling with you guys, but I'm glad that I could stay here," 
Tracey stated as he returned the hug.
*****
	"Hey, grandfather, did my dad make it?" Gary quietly asked once no one was 
around.
	"Your father said he wanted to, but he was called away to an expedition, 
Gary."
	"Figures," Gary replied and walked off with Eevee tailing behind.
Professor Oak sighed. That was the one question he hoped Gary wouldn't ask. It 
was always uneasy when it dealt with Gary's father.
*****
	"Did you guys here about all this strange stuff that's been happening 
lately?" Tracey asked Ash and his friend as they gathered to eat.
	"What kind of strange things?" Misty asked. Ash was to busy concentrating 
on his food to really pay attention.
	"This is just some of the stuff that's been happening. A group of Dugtrio 
attacked Pallet Town almost destroying it from the earthquakes they were making. 
In the Orange Islands, Gyarados were attacking Trevolta Island."
	"Really?" Ash asked surprised, his fork stopping in front of his mouth.
	"Trevolta Island? Isn't that were Rudy stays?" Misty asked.
Tracey nodded. "He was the one to stop the attack. He managed to captured one of 
the Gyarados too."
	"That's impressive. I heard about that, but I didn't think it was really 
that important," Brock said.
	"When did you hear about that?" Misty asked.
Brock shrugged. "While Ash was fighting some trainer I over heard a bunch of 
fishermen talking about it. They said that Rudy had managed to catch the 
Gyarados while it was using dragon range. That is really impressive. I have to 
say, Ash that you were lucky to win that battle."
	Ash grinned. "It was a close one too."
	"Wow, look at all these people here. Are all these people here to compete 
in the Johto League?" Tracey asked.
	"I think so," Ash said, "but I'm going to beat them all."
*****
	Silently Gary sat by himself. He wasn't interested in sitting with any 
one, nor was he hungry. Eevee sat beside Gary and rested its head on his lap. 
Gary scratched behind its ears. He was glad for the Pokemon's company.
	"Ash, why don't see if Gary want's to join us?" Misty suggested pointing 
to Gary he sat alone.
	"Why should I? He never has anything nice to say. More then likely he'll 
turn it down," Ash replied a little surprised by Misty's suggestion.
	"How do you know that? Gary's changed a lot, Ash. Haven't you noticed 
that?"
	Ash sighed. "Alright, I'll go and ask, but I won't promise you anything."
Reluctantly He walked over to Gary. "Um, Gary?"
	"What do you want?" Gary replied not bothering to look up.
	Ash looked at Misty as if to say I told you so. "My friends and I were 
just wondering if you wanted to join us."
	The question surprised Gary. In the distance he saw his grandfather who 
nodded. "If it means that much to you. Don't think I'm going to go easy on you 
either," Gary answered after a while.
	"Well that went rather well," Misty whispered, surprised to see Gary 
following Ash to the table.
	"I honestly didn't think that he would accept that," Brock said.
*****
	"These humans are the ones who could help us?" Mewtwo questioned in 
disbelief as they stared down at the same expedition camp. "They're scientists. 
They would rather study us!"
	"You must give them a chance. I can sense that there are those who care 
among them. Those will be the ones to help us," Mew replied. Happily Mew glided 
from the clouds and somersaulting in the air came for a closer look at the 
humans. The Pokemon giggled, thinking how funny they looked. Curious Mew went to 
see what this one woman was sketching. Mew marveled at the beauty and ability on 
how the woman was able to capture the scenery around her on paper.
	"Hey, Sean, do you have the feeling you're being watched?" Kate asked as 
she glanced around. She saw nothing. Mew giggled as she followed the woman's 
movements. "What was that?"
	Sean raised an eyebrow. "Maybe the heat is getting too much for you, 
Kate," Sean simply stated as he went to take down the tent.
	Mew giggled and gently poked Meowth, only to teleport away. Puzzled Meowth 
turned around and found nothing. "Who ever is poking me, they better stop or 
they'll get a makeover with my claws!" the Pokemon challenged as he glared at 
whatever was around him.
	"Meowth, keep your mouth shut. We don't need anyone else knowing about 
this!" Sean angrily whispered.
	"I don't care. I want to get who ever keeps poking me!" Meowth shot back.
*****
	"Hey is that Meowth? That talking cat who is with Jessie and James?" Butch 
questioned pointing to the trio whom was packing up camp.
	"Interesting. I wonder why that cat is with Sean instead of Jessie and 
James?" Cassidy asked out loud.
	"Especially if they are hiding. That cat's probably playing messenger," 
Butch concluded.
	"And that is making my curiosity grow."
	"I can't believe that this many Team Rocket members have turned against 
us. Do you think that Giovanni is loosing his touch?"
	"Giovanni is a brilliant man. It's the others who are loosing their way, 
unlike us," Cassidy stubbornly replied.
*****
	"I am so glad the rain has stopped!" Kate happily commented as she 
shrugged on her backpack.
	"So after seven days of nothing but rain, now we're going to have seven 
days of sunlight?" Sean sarcastically commented.
	"Lighten up, Sean. I seem to remember that you were the one who was always 
complaining about the rain."
	"I say we break away from this mission and find Jessie and James," Meowth 
suggested, riding in Sean's backpack.
	"Get out of there, cat. Who said you could ride in this?" Sean said as he 
gave a look of dismay at the Pokemon.
	"Well, I can't be spotted, right? It's the perfect place to hide."
	"I'll bet. Just don't make a mess in the backpack."
Meowth grinned and relaxed as the expedition continued their journey once more. 
	"So how are we going to meet with Jessie and James?"
	"We can't leave this expedition, Meowth. It will defiantly reveal our 
cover.  You being here is going to make this more difficult," Sean answered.
	"That was the whole entire point of me coming here. I was supposed to get 
you."
	"Don't worry, Meowth. I'll join them, even though I doubt our teaming up 
could do anything to stop our boss."
*****
	Ash's heart pounded as he and Pikachu stepped onto the field. The stands 
were filled with cheering people. He could easily spot his small group of 
friends and family. All of them were standing.  He smiled. Their support came 
him the reassurance that he needed. "You ready, Pikachu?"
	The electric rat looked up and nodded. Ash straightened his hat and pulled 
out a Poke Ball. Across from him was a young girl. She too appeared ready and 
determined. The Poke Ball she held was one of the one's that Kurt was known to 
make. Ash had some of them. He wondered if this trainer was going to use Johto 
Pokemon.
	Finally the referee stepped out into the center field.  He held up both 
flags and after stating the rules he brought them down. The crowd cheered 
loudly. "Bulbasaur, I choose you!" Ash shouted as he tossed his Poke Ball.
	The trainer laughed. "I hope you like my Cynaquil," she announced and 
threw out her Pokemon.
	Ash gulped. This beginning wasn't looking too well. He didn't care. He was 
going to give it all he had. Surprisingly the battles quickly began and ended. 
Ash came out victorious. "I won!" Ash yelled as he picked up Pikachu. "I did 
it!"
	"Congratulations!" Misty said and happily hugged both Ash and Pikachu.
	"Just remember, Ash, this is only the first round," Professor Oak 
cautioned.
	"Which I'm planning to keep this winning streak," Ash said and placed 
Pikachu down. The Pokemon suddenly tensed up and its expression was one of 
concern. Its long ears twitched. Togepi hid in its eggshell.
	"Pikachu, what's the matter?" Ash asked concerned.
	"Even Togepi seems upset," Misty said with a hint of fear.
	"What do you suppose it could be?" Tracey asked.
	"All I know is that when ever something's wrong with Pikachu it usually 
mean's something bad is about to happen," Brock commented, his arms crossed as 
he tried to think what this could be.
	For an instant the ground began to shake. Misty screamed and hung onto Ash 
while almost knocking Ash down in the process. Tracey had to struggle to keep 
his balance.  Quickly the crowd began to flee the stadium, unsure what was about 
to happen. Screams of fear filled the area. "Not another earthquake," Delia 
cried and clung to Professor Oak.
	"Now, now, Delia. It wasn't technically an earthquake. Dugtrio were the 
one's who created the earthquakes," Professor Oak stated.
	"Do you think it could be Dugtrio again?" Tracey asked.
	"It could be, but I don't think so. This minor tremor didn't really do any 
kind of damage."
	Even though the trembling stopped both Pikachu and Togepi still appeared 
to be upset.  "I don't think this is over," Tracey said observing the Pokemon.
	True to Tracey's words the ground began to shake even more. Slowly a crack 
ran through the ground in which parts where tumbling. The stands were crumbling 
down in a rapid past. Misty screamed in terror. Professor Oak worked to race his 
family and friends out of the stadium. Ash fell, tripping over a piece of ruble. 
As he picked himself up the ground split again separating him from his family.
	"Ash!" Delia cried as she turned to go for her son.
*****
	Gary broke from his grandfather's grasp and ran, half stumbling. "Grab 
hold of my hand!" he shouted, stretching out his arm over the growing abyss. Ash 
reached out, trying to grab hold of Gary's hand.
	"I can't reach it!" Ash shouted, his gloved hand a few inches away from 
Gary's.
	"Pika! Pika! Pikachu!" the Pokemon cried out, in desperation, trying to 
figure out how to help its master.
	"I got an idea!" Ash announced and quickly reached for a Poke Ball, in 
which Bulbasaur appeared. "Bulbasaur, use vine whip now!"
	The Pokemon sent out its long vines which wrapped around Gary's out 
stretched hand and Ash's. Gary pulled with all his strength. Just when he felt 
he was about to let go Brock and Tracey rushed over and helped. Soon Ash was 
among them.
	Slowly the ground stopped trembling. Once the dust settled a ruined 
stadium surrounded them. Ash picked himself up, dusting the dirt off his 
clothes. His mother rushed over and hugged him.
	"Oh, Ash, I was so worried about you!" she said with tears in her eyes. 
	"It's because of you, Gary, that I still have Ash. Thank you." She then 
turned and hugged Gary who was surprised by the emotion.
	"Thank you, Gary," Ash said at lost for words. He held out his hand once 
again. Hesitantly Gary shook it.
	"Friends?" Ash asked, with hope in his eyes.
	"Friends," Gary answered after a pause, and smiled a true smile.
	"Pika!" Pikachu happily stated and climbed up on to Gary's shoulders after 
taking Ash's hat and placing it on Gary's head.
Ash. Misty, Brock, and Tracey laughed. Gary was not a hat person.
	"Do you think that this was an actual earthquake?" Tracey asked bringing 
back the reality of the situation.
	"I don't think so, Tracey," Professor Oak answered, picking up a small 
piece of black metal. "This is a remaining piece of an explosive."
*****
	Giovanni smiled a cold smile. His hand rested on the head of the Persian. 
Silently he read the reports that were being sent up onto his computer. 
Everything was coming into plan. Phase two was complete. Now it was time to move 
on to the next phase.
*****
	The sky was on fire as the sun slowly began to set. Bright orange hues 
mixed with pink slowly began to cover the blue sky.  Already glimpses of the 
moon began to show. Faulkner smiled as he soared through the sky riding on the 
back of Pidgeot. He loved soaring through the sky. Always he had dreamed of 
flying, now he was able to at least come closer to it.
	"Alright, Pidgeot, let's head for home," Faulkner ordered. Graceful the 
Pokemon flew back down to the top of his gym. Climbing down, he patted the 
Pokemon and then recalled it to its Poke Ball. Faulkner found that he wasn't 
alone.
	"That was beautiful," a voice commented. The voice belonged to Officer 
Jenny.
	"Is there something wrong?" Faulkner questioned his voice full of concern.
Officer Jenny sighed. "Unfortunately yes, Faulkner. I'm afraid that we're going 
to have to shut the gyms down. Already the Pokemon trainers have been alerted, 
saying that they must return to school for the time being."
	"Why do we have to do this?" surprise filled Faulkner's voice.
	"It's to protect everyone. Apparently Pokemon are getting to be too hard 
to handle. There have been many cases in which they turned on their masters and 
attacked them. At the same time wild Pokemon have been destroying cities, or 
attacking boats in the ocean. Scientists are trying to find out why the Pokemon 
are behaving this way, but they haven't found anything so far."
	"But cancel everything? By doing that you will be sure to drive away any 
bond between a Pokemon and a human," Faulkner stated. He couldn't believe that 
he was hearing any of this.
	"We all thought about this, but this is the only thing we could decided 
upon. You must remember that this is only temporary," Officer Jenny stated in a 
tired voice. For days she had been repeatedly explaining this situation. No one 
had met this with approval. This was something she had to force.	
Faulkner sighed. "Then if it's the only you can do, then I'll accept this."
	"Thank you for understanding. You'll be notified of any changes," Officer 
Jenny returned. Saluting she headed for the entrance of the gym.
Faulkner couldn't believe that he was hearing this. This had to be a nightmare. 
Ever since he met that trainer Ash, he had changed all his methods, improving 
all of them. It was very rare now that someone had one his badge. Yet, with each 
loss he made sure to improve even more.
	He wondered what he would do now. His gym was the only source in which he 
helped take care of his mother, who was constantly sick. And he only had his 
mother. He hoped that the law would be quickly lifted.
*****
	Sabrina kept her eyes shut, lost in her meditation. Quickly she sensed 
that something was wrong. Something was calling to her, calling out a warning 
almost. Straining, Sabrina tried to figure out whom that person was. A blur of 
images came to her mind.
	There were people dressed in Team Rocket uniforms, a city in ruins, a 
stampede of Rapidash, angry Gyarados, Professor Oak holding a mysterious item in 
his hand, and a trainer she recognized as Ash. Suddenly an image of Mew filled 
her mind.
	"Mew?" she asked out loud to herself, finally opening her eyes. "The 
legendary Pokemon Mew? How can that be? What does this mean?" Slowly she stood 
up and walked toward the window, which showed a star lit sky.
	Sabrina frowned as she tried to figure what this all meant. The phone 
ringing quickly brought her back to reality. On the vid screen was the Trevolta 
gym leader, Rudy. Sabrina smiled. Rudy happened to be one of her few ones that 
she was slowly beginning to make.
	"Hi, Rudy, is there something wrong?" Sabrina greeted, quickly picking up 
his feelings of concern.
	Rudy nodded. "I figured you would probably already have an idea of what's 
going on. I just recently captured this strange Gyarados. I sent it to Professor 
Ivy to examine. What was strange about was that it tried to attack the island. 
Also I have a trainer who may be more fit for you gym."
	"Oh? A psychic you're saying?" Sabrina questioned.
	"Yes. On another note did they shut your gym down?" Rudy asked with a 
frown.
	"Not yet," Sabrina replied with a puzzled expression. "Why would they shut 
the gyms down?"
	"Faulkner just sent me word that they had shut down his gym because of 
recent problems with the Pokemon. Officer Jenny just stopped by this morning to 
tell me the same thing," Rudy explained.
	"Interesting. I haven't gotten one announcement.  Is Faulkner taking this 
ok?" Sabrina asked, for Faulkner was also one of her few close friends.
	"He seemed to be taking it well, he didn't mention anything about it."
	"Of course he wouldn't. I'll take a visit to your gym. Just give me a few 
minutes. Maybe I can figure out what this all means there."
	"What do you mean by that?" Rudy asked.
Quickly Sabrina filled Rudy in about the sudden flash of images she just 
received.
	"This is a sudden twist. Drop by when you're ready. Hopefully you can find 
something here."
	"Thanks for notifying me on this," Sabrina said before she hung up. 
Sabrina sighed. This was getting more puzzling by the minute. What did this all 
mean?
*****
	Word quickly spread like wildfire as one by one the gyms began to shut 
down. Many trainers had desperately tried to revolt against this, but true to 
their word the Officer Jennys stuck by it. AJ took it as a time to do some 
traveling and study the Pokemon in their natural habitats.
	AJ took his Pokemon training seriously. He did anything that he could do 
that would help with the training. It was well worth it. He quickly worked his 
way up to owning his own gym. It was the same gym that Giovanni had once owned 
till it was destroyed. So far no one has managed to beat him yet, and he planned 
to keep it that way.
	It wasn't long before he found himself in Pallet Town, where the famous 
Professor Oak lived. Maybe Professor Oak would understand what was going on. 
Plus he was worried about his Sandshrew. His Pokemon still hadn't evolved and 
plus it didn't seem to acknowledge he was there. The Pokemon completely ignored 
him.
	A large crowd stopped AJ from going further. He frowned trying to figure 
out what was going on. He didn't like what he found either.
	"Pokemon are dangerous creatures! They are wild creatures, and can never 
be tamed. You may think that they are but they could suddenly turn against you. 
Look across the recent headlines, if wish for proof. How can you trust your 
child out in the wilderness, when you can't trust a Pokemon?" someone preached.
	A large crowd had gather around the person, dressed in a gray trench coat. 
In his hand he held a tiny Pikachu. The Pikachu looked scared to death. As the 
figure spoke he continued to prod it.
	"If you're trying to show some kind of demonstration, you're doing a poor 
job about it," AJ stated, his arms crossed.
	All heads quickly turned toward AJ. The man preaching frowned. "Shut up, 
brat, you don't know a thing," he stated.
	"Want to prove it?" AJ challenged. He wasn't about to let some stranger 
push him around.
	The stranger sneered. "Look, brat, I suggest you keep your nose were it 
belongs."
	AJ's eyes dangerously flash.
	"That's enough," came a voice. Both turned to see Professor Oak standing 
before them.
	"That's enough, you may all go home," Professor Oak stated toward the 
gathering crowd. Reluctantly the crowd slowly departed along with them the 
stranger.	
	"And I wanted to talk to him, see what his principles were," Professor Oak 
stated, once he noticed that he had left. "I hope you're ok?"
AJ nodded. "I could have handled myself."
	"I am well aware of it, but at this point of time we don't need any fights 
breaking out," Professor Oak stated. "And who must you be?"	
	"AJ, leader of Viridian City gym."
	"No that's a surprise," Professor Oak stated with a smile. "I'm pleased to 
meet you, AJ."
	"Leader of the Viridian Gym?" Ash questioned from behind Professor Oak, 
followed by the rest of the gang.
	"Wow, that's impressive. The last time we meet was when you were just a 
trainer," Misty commented.
	"I heard that someone had taken over the gym, but I never knew who took 
it. I heard too that so far no one has been able to win the badge yet," Brock 
added.
	"The Viridian gym was always a tough place," Gary stated with his arms 
crossed.
	"Yeah, I did get the badge too!" Ash stated with a smug face.
	"Only because you fought against Jessie and James," Gary pointed out.
	"It's still a badge," Ash replied.
	Silently AJ watched this, slightly amused by this.
	"Boys, enough," Professor Oak stated in a tired voice. "What brings you to 
Pallet Town?"
	"Actually I needed to talk to you," AJ stated.
	"Oh, well let's go in my work room and we can discuss things there," 
Professor Oak said as he lead him toward the house.
	"He sure has improved a lot," Misty commented after AJ left.
	"I'm sure by looks too," Brock said with a smirk.
	"You did not just say that!" Misty said, her eyes flashing.
	Ash and Gary both smirked and began to laugh. Quickly Brock dodged the 
slap that Misty was about to issue.
	"At least he knows what he is doing. He has his own gym now and I seem to 
remember that someone lost to him along time ago. And that someone tried to say 
he cheated," Misty stated, starring at the laughing Ash.
	Quickly Ash stopped laughing. A glint came to his eye. "Maybe I can 
challenge him to a rematch?"
	"Doubt it, remember no Pokemon training," Brock pointed out.
	Ash sighed. "This is stupid."
	"We can't even tell who won at the Johto series," Gary added.
	"So what's the matter you wish to speak?" Professor Oak questioned once 
they were safely in the workroom. Outside Tracey could be seen working with the 
Pokemon.
	"One I was wondering if you could study my Sandshrew, it hasn't evolved 
yet and he was my first Pokemon. Also he won't even listen to me now," AJ said 
in a quiet voice.
	Professor Oak looked up at AJ with concern. "Now this is interesting."
From his waist, AJ pulled out a Poke Ball, but when he tried to release the 
Pokemon it refused to come out.  Desperate AJ looked up at Professor Oak. 
	"Sandshrew and I have been through everyone. He was my most loyal Pokemon. 
I don't understand why he won't listen to me."
	"I wish I knew what to say, AJ. This has been my first case. None of the 
Pokemon I have here at the lab seems to give me any kind of trouble. Pokemon are 
very sensitive creatures. They can usually pick up on things that we can't. I 
have a feeling that that could be the reason why your Sandshrew refuses to 
listen to you."
	"Do you think it could be why all the gyms have to be shut down and that 
Pokemon trainer can continue their training?"
	"It could be. I just hope we can figure out what this all means so we can 
all go about our regular lives," Professor Oak stated. "I have had so many 
emails and letters complaining about this an demanding explanations about the 
Pokemon behaviors. Unfortunately I can't give them any kind of answer."
	"Thank you for your help," AJ stated.
Professor Oak nodded. "I have no problem, if you need a place to stay you are 
welcome to stay here."
	"Thank you, but I plan to do some traveling and study the Pokemon that I 
see," AJ stated.
	"Just be careful out there. These days it's hard to trust any kind of 
Pokemon, let alone anyone else."
	AJ nodded in return and headed out for the door.
	"Hey, AJ, how about a rematch!" Ash shouted as AJ headed down the path.
	"You know where the gym is, once this thing blows over I'll be waiting for 
you!" AJ replied. "Hopefully you have improved since then!"
	"Ha, I've improved a lot since then!" Ash stated. "You should see all the 
badges I have earned! Plus I won in the Orange League!"
	"The Orange League is child's play," AJ returned. "And those badges don't 
mean a thing to me!"
	"I'll be the first person you see once the gyms reopen!" Ash yelled. "I'll 
show him."
	"You know I want to check that guy's background," Brock stated and headed 
back for the house.
	"I want to see this too, after all he is a fellow gym leader," Misty 
commented.
	"I'll bet you do..." Brock said and ran off before Misty could say 
anything.
	"I am impressed," Brock stated after a while. "He really knows what he is 
doing. AJ won the Indigo League, along with the Orange League. That had to be 
sometime after Ash won. Then he was accepted to become a gym leader. He also 
seems to have a large variety of Pokemon. But he always uses his Sandshrew."
	"Well Ash always uses his Pikachu. Everyone has a favorite Pokemon that 
they can depend on," Misty stated as she stood behind Brock, reading the 
information that scrolled down the computer screen.
	"The interesting thing about this is that this Sandshrew almost has no 
weakness to anything," Brock commented.
	"I remember, the first time we met with him. It was almost resistant to 
water then. The only weak spot it would have now would be psychic. Nothing can 
with stand that."
	"Ash is still going to have some tough competition."
Misty sighed. "I just don't understand what's going on. Why do all the gyms have 
to be shut down and why can't any Pokemon trainer continue his or hers 
training?"
	"If there was an answer then they wouldn't have to do this. We better head 
back before Ash and Gary strangle each other."
	Misty laughed. "Those two will never get along, yet at the same time 
they've gotten to be close friends."
	"It seems we'll have another person to add to our party when ever the next 
journey comes around."
	"And that shall be an interesting one indeed."
*****
	"How many days can we pull this off, Jessie?" James asked, his voice full 
of worry.
	"Relax, James, they seem to be buying this. If you keep up the act you'll 
be fine," Jessie replied in an irritated tone.
	"I know. I know. I just can't help but worry about this. What if 
Jessiebell were to return?"
	"She won't. We have a few more days before she does return, but Meowth and 
I had already covered that," Jessie stated.
	James raised an eyebrow. "Somehow I don't think that will go well..."
	Jessie sighed. "Why must you make a big deal over this?"
	"These are my parents! How many times do I have to tell you this?" James 
stated in an exasperated tone.
	"We only have a few more days then we can get the money and run," Jessie 
stated. Upon hearing footsteps Jessie quickly switched over to her southern 
accent. "Oh, James, I can't wait to go on our honeymoon. It's going to be 
fabulous!"
	James gave a slight smile. "Anything for you, Jessiebell."
	"Master James, and Miss Jessiebell, your parents wish to have a word with 
you," Hopkins announced.
	Jessie and James looked at each other and silently followed Hopkins to the 
main sitting room. James tugged at the collar of his tux. It seemed to be 
getting hotter. Both of them gasped and did a step back. His parents weren't the 
only ones in the sitting room. Giovanni was also among them.
	"Giovanni!" Jessie and James stuttered. Jessie had forgotten to use her 
southern accent through the sudden surprise of Giovanni.
*****
	"Tell me, do you know what happens to those who betray me?" Giovanni 
greeted with a cold smile.
	James's eyes widened and Jessie's body shook slightly. "But, boss, you 
must understand why we had to do this!" Jessie pleaded.
	"So you free the very Pokemon that you were assigned to retrieve? What 
kind of motivation was that? Your very actions have just sentenced you to your 
deaths. Not only have you turned against us once, but also you have done so a 
couple of times," Giovanni stated, his voice matching his cold smile.
	James looked up at his parents with confusion. He didn't understand why 
they would do such a thing, but the look in their eyes answered his questions. 
They were forced into this. But was this all a set up from the beginning?
	"Please just kill me! It was because of me that Jessie decided to do this! 
Just don't hurt my parents or Jessie!" James cried out, pushing Jessie behind 
him.
	"James, I chose to do what I did!" Jessie said, rather surprised by 
James's reactions.
	"Such a noble request," Giovanni said with a sneer. He stood up and next 
to him the Persian silently glided. Jessie and James gulped. "I always knew that 
you two were good for nothing. Always wasting our funds. Not once have you 
handed me a worthwhile Pokemon."
	"And you're saying that Butch and Cassidy have accomplished more then we 
did?" Jessie challenged.
	"They have a lot more potential then the two of you would ever have."
	"But everything we did was for you," James pointed out.
	"And all your plans have been nothing but failures!" Giovanni stated.
	Jessie gulped and hid behind James. James looked around nervously. "How 
were they going to get out of this mess?" He thought to himself. He hoped that 
Meowth had better luck then what they were having.
	"It is a shame though. I thought that at least you would have had more 
potential," Giovanni said as he looked over at Jessie, studying her face.
Jessie narrowed her eyes. "If my mother hadn't worked for Team Rocket I would 
never had joined.
	"Yes, your mother was a very good Team Rocket member. She always managed 
to bring me the Pokemon I wanted. It is a shame that she was killed during the 
search for Mew."
	James watched in silence. He didn't say a word as Hopkins moved, being 
careful not to make a sound. His hand rested by his side, cradling something. 
James's heart pounded. He had a feeling that it was a gun that Hopkins had 
concealed.
	In one swift action Hopkins brought out the gun and pulled the trigger. 
Giovanni quickly spun around dodging the bullet that only struck the wall. 
Jessie screamed and ducked.
	Gracefully Giovanni grabbed hold of the gun that Hopkins once held. "You 
fool, did you think that you could try and kill me?"
	"My duty is to serve the Morgans, in which I shall do," Hopkins simply 
replied, in a monotone voice.
	James watched confused. He had never seen this side of Hopkins before. He 
had thought he was a little eccentric, but he never knew that Hopkins had also 
served a bodyguard to his parents.
	"Old man, you had just joined their fate," Giovanni stated aiming his gun 
at Hopkins.
	"Leave him alone! It's us that you wanted! They did their part!" James 
shouted and dived between Giovanni and Hopkins.
	"Master James, that's enough of this foolish business!" Hopkins stated.
	With out hesitating Giovanni pulled the trigger. A blinding white light 
filled the room. Jessie and James felt as if an invisible hand was pulling them. 
They came tumbling until they fell in a heap.
	"Mew?" the legendary Pokemon greeted them, as it swirled about.
	Jessie moaned and sat up. "What happened? How did we get here?" she asked 
as she looked around the woodland surroundings.
	James quickly sat up. "My family where are they?" James then spotted the 
Pokemon floating around them. He couldn't believe his eyes. "A Mew?" he softly 
questioned.
	"What are you muttering about?" Jessie asked eyeing him with an odd 
expression.
	"Look, Jessie!" James stated pointing.
	Puzzled Jessie looked toward the direction that James was pointing. She 
gasped. "A Mew!"
	The Pokemon giggled and somersaulted in the air. It then began to speak in 
its tongue.
	Strangely enough Jessie and James seemed to understand it.
	"I have rescued you from Giovanni. James, your parents are safe. Anything 
of the event that has happened was wiped out of their memories along with 
Giovanni's. Basically they don't even know that this has happened."
	"Why did you save us?" James asked.
	"I need you to help me. There are other trainers and along with us that 
are the only ones who could help stop the destruction that Giovanni is causing. 
If Giovanni succeeds the Pokemon will be nothing but lethal creatures. There 
won't even be Pokemon that humans can recognize for they will be drastically 
changed."
	"But how can one person do such a thing like that? That's horrible," 
Jessie, stated, her expression one of horror.
	"It is possible, because of a strand of DNA that a scientist had created. 
This DNA is found in everyone. It is our evil side, which is more in some then 
others. Giovanni found that it could be altered, so that a person or beast is 
nothing but a merciless creature."
	James's eyes widened. "How can we stop this?"
	"Yes, why us?" Jessie added.
	"There is a lot of good in you two and that she knows that you two would 
do anything to help. I knew that you two were never meant for Team Rocket."
	Jessie and James looked at each other. "She is right," James said.
Jessie sighed. "But who will believe us? We know Professor Oak does, but not 
many people do."
	"It doesn't matter who believes. As long as we have people that do and 
that we do, we're fine."
	Mew nodded and she swirled around.
	"But where are we anyway?" Jessie asked.
	James looked around trying to find some kind of familiar surroundings. 
Nothing seemed to connect.
	"James, look over there; it's some kind of camp!" Jessie stated.
	"A camp?" James asked.
	"This is where Meowth went!" Jessie excitedly stated. "Sean will be there 
too."
	Mew giggled and suddenly vanished.
	"I guess Mew brought us close she can to them," James said.
*****
	"This is pathetic, how can we can we train our Pokemon?" Ash grumbled as 
he walked along the yard in the back of Professor Oak's lab. "Why did they have 
to make that stupid law?"
	"The gyms are also shut down too, Ash," Mist stated, so if we could train, 
there would be no gyms to compete in."
	"Why do they have to do this? I don't get it, nothing's like this has ever 
happened."
	"Face it, Ash, people are scared. Remember that time when Pikachu turned 
against you?" Tracey stated.
	"That was awful," Ash and Misty stated. "But these were wild Pokemon 
though, not trained Pokemon."
	"True, but I don't think people would trust the wild ones if they are 
randomly attacking trainers," Brock said.
	"It's not just that. Professor Oak just told me that Pokemon are starting 
to refuse to listen to their trainers. They won't even come out of their Poke 
Ball," Tracey said, in a worried tone. Ash frowned.
	"That's only happened once, when the Pokemon wouldn't attack those Diglett 
because it was the people who were wrong," Gary said.
Everyone turned around. They didn't even know that Gary was there. Gary looked 
up at them challenging them to say something.
	"So then the Pokemon must know what's going on," Brock finally said, 
ignoring Gary's silent challenge.
	"Now that you mentioned it, Pikachu has been acting odd. Pikachu seems to 
be starring into space most of the time. He hardly seems to hear me at all. When 
he does hear me, he seems sort of surprised," Ash commented.
	"My Eevee is like that too," Gary added.
	"Yes, Professor Oak, was saying that about the Pokemon around here too," 
Tracey commented. "Speaking of Professor Oak I better go and finish some 
reports. Bye guys!" Waving, Tracey turned and headed back to the house, his 
white lab coat flapping in the light breeze. Brock frowned as he stared at 
Tracey as he hurried off.
	"Don't tell me you still don't trust Tracey?" Misty asked.
	"I still have my suspicions," Brock said in a hushed voice.
Misty rolled her eyes. "You hardly know Tracey. He wouldn't hurt a fly!"
	"Look, Misty, I know things that you and Ash don't know. If you knew what 
I knew then you would understand how I feel," Brock said.
	"Like what?" Misty asked as she and Brock walked along the river bend.
	"How much do you know of Tracey's past life?" Brock asked, studying her 
face.
	Misty paused, trying to think. "Not much, really. He rarely speaks of it. 
Once or twice I tried to ask, but he always managed to change the subject. Yet I 
did notice that when we talked about our families he always had this sad look in 
his eyes."
	"Interesting, makes this even more suspicious. After I had met Tracey I 
did some research on his background. Apparently Team Rocket had killed his 
parents in an attack. His parents were scientists and didn't want to join Team 
Rocket, so they had killed them. Tracey had managed to survive the attack, only 
leaving him with a deep scar across his forehead. Yet, his parents that were 
killed weren't his parents."
	Misty's eyes widened. "What are you trying to say, Brock?"
	"Rumor has it that Giovanni was once married. They even had a child. One 
time a rival of Giovanni's had attacked them killing his wife. To protect his 
family Giovanni hid his son."
	"You're trying to say that Tracey is Giovanni's son?" Misty said, shocked 
by Brock's statement. "Where did you get all this information?"
	"I have some connections," Brock said, shrugging.
	"It doesn't make sense. Tracey is nothing like Giovanni!"
	"Who said he was? I'm not even sure Tracey even knows this."
	"How can you say that he's from Team Rocket then?" Misty asked.
	"He has to be. More then likely Team Rocket would look after him. If it is 
true that he is Giovanni's son." Brock sighed. "Just don't mention one word 
about this to any one. I shouldn't have even told you this."
	Misty just shook her head. She couldn't believe any of this. Tracey was 
the son of Giovanni? "Who told you all this stuff?"
	"I can't tell you, but it's a reliable source," Brock said.
*****
	Silently Gary sat by the river's edge, his bare feet dangling in the 
water. Ash had gone off trying to cheer up Pikachu and his friends had gone off 
in the opposite directions. Gary liked it when he was alone; he didn't have to 
put on the usual show he had to do. He could just be himself.
	He sighed. Gary missed the times when he and Ash were friends; although 
they competed a lot they had fun. Then Pokemon came along and it was more then a 
competition. It was their life. It was too late to try and patch things up, and 
besides their friendship would come between their Pokemon training.
	Gary watched a Goldeen happily swam about. Near by a Squirtle was 
sunbathing itself. The water began to churn and the Goldeen hurried off. The 
Squirtle sat up and then dived under water.
	Quickly Gary stood up and backed away. Watching the Pokemons's reactions 
told him that something wasn't right. Out from the water a Gyarados came out of 
the water. Angrily it turned its attention to Gary, its eyes blazing. Gary stood 
frozen with fight, unable to move despite the fact that he wanted to. This was 
his Pokemon, the one whom he had trained. It wasn't easy to train either. 
	Although it was his Pokemon, it didn't seem like his Pokemon. The Pokemon 
lashed out, grabbing hold of Gary. Before Gary could even attempt to move, he 
was dragged under water, and barely let out a scream.
*****
	"The river!" Misty shouted, hearing the scream. "Some thing's going on!"
Quickly Misty hurried toward the scream followed by Brock.
	"Pika!" Pikachu cried out, suddenly coming out of its revere. The sudden 
cry surprised Ash, as he has been trying to coax some life into the Pokemon.  
The yellow mouse then dashed from the colorful garden toward the corral where 
Professor Oak kept the wide variety of Pokemon. Ash followed right behind, 
trying to understand what happened.
	Misty gasped. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. "Gary!" she 
screamed as she saw him being pulled under. Instantly she dived under water. She 
didn't think at all about the danger she was in.
	Ash watched horrified as he entered the scene. More then anything he 
wanted to help, but he knew that he could do nothing. Next to him Brock also 
watched, transfixed by the scene. "We got to do something!" Ash said, finally 
finding his voice.
	"Ash, go and get Professor Oak. I need to stay here incase Misty needs my 
help," Brock suggested. Ash didn't need any other coaxing.
	Misty found Gary at once, trapped in the Gyarados's mouth. Gary was 
struggling to free himself, but to no use.  Terror filled his eyes. Misty 
signaled Gary to calm down; knowing the struggling would make the situation 
worse. Gary had collapsed by then.  Misty grasped a Poke Ball, calling out 
Starmie. All she needed was a distraction.
	"Bubble beam!" she cried out. Instantly the star shaped Pokemon sent forth 
a strong force of bubbles right into the Gyarados's eyes. The Gyarados glared at 
the intruder, roaring it chased after it, letting Gary go at the same time.
	Quickly Misty grabbed hold of Gary's limp form and pulled him up to the 
surface, where she eagerly gasped for air. Brock then pulled them both to shore. 
Immediately Misty began CPR. Brock waved his hand as Professor Oak arrived in 
his jeep. With him were Ash and Tracey.
	Professor Oak's face was lined with fear as he rushed over to Gary. It was 
one of the few times he looked really old, despite his age. Misty stepped back 
once Gary was able to breathe on his own. Yet he still didn't regain 
consciousness. Immediately Professor Oak attended to the gashes that the 
Gyarados had left. Many of them were very deep. The rest stood back silently, 
feeling helpless and out of place. It wasn't long before an ambulance arrived 
and Gary was taken away.
	"Do you think Gary would be alright?" Ash asked, worriedly, as he wrung 
his hat in his hands. Silently Pikachu sat next to its master.
	"I hope so," Misty said. "I'm just glad I managed to get there in time. If 
I didn't get there sooner he would have been lost." Misty shuddered at the 
thought.
	"Why would that Gyarados attack though? Something had to anger it," Tracey 
questioned.
	"Gary, knows how to handle Pokemon, he wouldn't do something stupid that 
would anger it," Ash stated, at the same time not believing that he was sticking 
up for his rival.
	"But a Gyarados wouldn't randomly strike out at a person," Tracey pointed 
out. "No Pokemon would."
	"The Pokemon must know about something that we don't know, or something's 
controlling them. Those are the only two possibilities that I can think of," 
Brock said.
	"Basically we are at back at the start," Misty sighed.
*****
	Quickly Gary sat up, and realized right away it was a bad mistake to move. 
He winced and lay back down. The room was dark save for blinking lights. Once 
his eyes adjusted to the darkness Gary recognized that he was in a hospital.
	"I see that you are up," a voice greeted. A young woman dressed in a 
nurse's uniform, stepped into the room and turned on the lights. On the nametag 
he read that her name was Tonya.
	"My grandfather where is he?" Gary immediately asked.
	"Your grandfather just left about an hour ago. You're very lucky to have 
survived such an attack, young man," Tonya stated as she went to check on his 
stasis
	"But how did I get here?" Gary asked, confused by the entire event.
	"From what I was told one of your friends manage to get there in time," 
Tonya stated, scribbling down notes.
	"One of my friends?" Gary silently thought.
	"I suggest you just lay down and relax, you've been through a lot. I'll 
let your grandfather know that you're up," Tonya said as she headed out the 
door, "and just give a ring if you need anything."
	Gary sighed and stared up at the ceiling. He wondered who rescued him. He 
could vaguely remember anything that happened at the time, save for the swirling 
water. Who would rescue him? Gary had no true friends. He did have a lot of 
friends, but none that would go through as much trouble as this person had.
*****
	"Sean!" James yelled as they approached the camp.
	Sean looked up as he was concentrating on taking their tent down. Since 
they couldn't find any sign of Mew here they planned to move ahead closer to the 
mountains.
	"Jessie, James, what are you doing here?" Sean questioned. Meowth then 
climbed out from the pack back, with a surprised expression.
	"We came here to get you," Jessie stated. "Things have gotten much worse 
since we last met."
	"But that's why you sent me," Meowth pointed out.
	"Well our plan was ruined," Jessie answered.
	Silently Kate looked at Jessie and James then back at Sean, trying to 
figure out what was going on. Sean sighed, knowing well that he wouldn't be able 
to cover up any of this. "Explain to me what happened," he reluctantly asked.
Bit by bit Jessie and James launched into their explanation of the recent 
events.
	"Then this expedition is worth my time," Kate commented. "I can't believe 
that Mew and Mewtwo actually exist!" Excitedly Kate walked about as she rambled 
on the possibilities that could be pursued. Jessie and James looked at her with 
bewildered expressions. Meowth only shook his head.
	"Kate... I believe you are missing the point to this matter," Sean cut in.
	"I am sorry, this sudden information surprised me," Kate replied blushing.
	"What are we going to do about her?" James asked as he whispered to 
Jessie.
	"I have no clue, but she knows too much already," Jessie replied.
	"Now you know my secret, Kate.  You've always wanted to know more about 
me," Sean stated.
	"All of you are from Team Rocket?" Kate questioned, with a hint of fear in 
her eyes. "Now it makes sense why you are on this mission. You're here to 
capture Mew and use the Pokemon for your own evil purposes!"
	Sean gave an exasperated sigh. "I thought you of all people would be 
different, Kate. I was hoping that you would be on our side.  You didn't even 
listen to one word that we said either."
	Kate looked at her feet. She didn't know what to make of this situation. 
She couldn't let Team Rocket get a hold of these rare Pokemon. At the same time 
she knew that Sean and the two others weren't like the Team Rocket members. "No, 
Sean, I do believe you. Yet, I don't know what to do."
	"Help us," Sean replied. "During this time not many will believe us. We'll 
need all the support we can get."
	"I'll do what I can do," Kate replied looking Sean in the eye.
	"What a shame to break this touching moment," Butch interrupted as he 
stepped toward them. Sean looked up startled. "The boss will be pleased to find 
that all his betrayers are right here in one spot."
	"Well, what a surprise to see you here. I see the boss's little pets are 
out to do his bidding," Jessie commented as she matched Cassidy's gaze.
	"At least the boss favors us, unlike you two," Cassidy retorted.
	"That doesn't matter now. We are no longer part of the team. At least we 
were smart enough to leave unlike you too," Jessie stated.
	"Whether you are favored or not is not going to be of any use," Kate 
interrupted, because the two of you are now under out watch."
	Cassidy and Butch laughed. "What are a bunch of scientists going to do 
against us?"
	"One, we out number you. Two, we have a variety of Pokemon at our 
advantage," Kate answered as her fellow scientists gathered around, armed with 
Poke Balls. "And three you just don't piss off a scientist."
	"Did I forget to warn you not to make Kate angry?" Sean added.
	"You may have Pokemon, but you don't have what we have," Butch stated as 
he held out a Poke Ball.
	"We're not going to give in with out a fight," Cassidy added.
	"Then you're going to have to fight us too," Jessie and James stated.