Legal Stuff: Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, James, Jenny, Joy, Giovanni, Viridian, Celadon, Pikachu, Ninetales, Jigglypuff, Squirtle, Charmander, Bulbasaur, Dugtrio, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Erika, Mrs. Ketchum, Flint, Daisy, Lily, Violet, and all places and anything related to Poke`mon is copyright of Nintendo, Gamefreak, CREATURES, and 4Kids Entertainment. Any similarity to another fan-fic is coincidental, accidental, and unintentional. If the similarity bothers anyone, e-mail meeeeee at Blue9Tiger@aol.com. Forgive me if the character's personalities are off, and this is rated PG for profanity and violence. This is set after many events occured, so DON'T bash me for loss of continuity, and if a certain character left, oh, well! That's why it's called FANFICTION, I guess. Thank you and enjoy reading, and don't fall asleep! Thanks for reading my second Poke`mon fanfiction, related to the first. Heh. Duh. One more thing: please do not copy or change, unless its me. Now, prepare for Part II!!! (Chapters 11-20) Hey, look, it's a pattern. Hint: part III will be even longer! Heh. Another note: I continue the chapters from where I left off, in case you didn't notice. Oh, and please forgive me if procedure isn't correct: you'll see what I mean. Also forgive me; this is a shorter fanfic. Maybe the longest part will be Part III? I don't know. Who probably cares if it's long or short? Site maintainers probably like it short! I don't know! Why am I trying to answer my own questions? Why is this fanfic so short? I don't know. This is strange. Remember: my fanfictions are weird and strange and eccentric and twisted and freaky and every sort of negativeness there is, in my opinion. I love bashing my own work! BUT YOU'D BETTER NOT BASH IT!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Oh, and all the people who know about due process of law, please don't criticize me for that reason alone: the legal and penal system of Indigo looks screwed up anyway. started:11/14/99 finished:11/19/99 modified: 11/23/99 modified: 11/29/99 modified: 11/30/99 And the Rockets Red Glare by Blue9Tiger Part II Chapter XI What a Fate That Comes Knocking The night was still young; the dark cover of the late hours still showed, but it was cut neatly by the blinding light of the police car. It swerved between the trees of the forest, finally finding a sufficient path to travel across, until finally reaching the main road. Inside the black-and-white car, there was complete silence. Only the heavy breathing of the occupants of the vehicle could be heard. In front, Jenny stiffly sat, with her hands tightly gripped on the wheel, lost in her thoughts. Her prisoners also sat in the same condition. Their minds were overflowed with speculations and predictions of what would happen to them. Their eyes sat motionless in their faces, staring straight ahead. The arrest had taken them aback so completely, so suddenly, that not one of them could speak. Even the usually chirpy Togepi only muttered a few exclamations of: "Priiiiii." Finally, Meowth decided to break the silence, declaring, "Ya won't pud us away foh long!" Jenny smiled menacingly, answering Meowth, extremely surprised that he could speak as well as she, "Oh, yeah? The Viridian judge doesn't take crime lightly." Then, she added with a glare behind, "ESPECIALLY murder of Poke`mon." "Pika........" Jessie frowned, and protested, "You don't have any evidence that we killed any Poke`mon!" The other replied, stepping harder on the gas pedal, "The Fuschia Police found solid proof that you........." Jenny glared at Ash, Misty, and Brock, who started to sweat considerably, "........broke into the Safari Zone and stole and killed Poke`mon there. The fire was caused by a Rocket's Vulpix: sound familiar to any of you?" Everyone remained silent, especially Brock, who tried to hide his spiky head in the black gloves of his hands. Jenny snickered, answering her own question, "Yes, the Pewter City Gym Leader! Hmmph, try winning respect from my cousins, now!" The former moaned in frustration, wondering how they were identified as the perpetrators. His question was about to be answered. Ash raised his head, asking angrily, "How did you find out all of this?" "With a little help from Professor Oak....." A general yell of surprise was heard. "Professor Oak!" "PIKA!" "Priiiii!" " .......they matched samples of that Vulpix's fire, and that water with samples of that Golduck and Blast------" The newer members were speechless; they couldn't believe one of their good friends and informants would help to seal their fate. Ash moaned, with a saddened tone. "The Professor........" "Chu........" Unlike Ash, Jessie and James had a note of shame in their voices: "That old bag........" "Put US away?" "'Dis is embarassing!!!" "It'll be more embarassing for you once you're sent to prison! You'll rot there for the rest of your low, dishonest........" She was abruptly cut off, for all of them, especially Ash and Pikachu had had quite enough of the officer's insults. The mouse leaped, and fiercely electricuted Jenny, also shocking Ash and the others. The shock caused Jenny to lose control of the steering wheel, and the car collided into the bumper in front of the courthouse. The impact caused the blue-haired officer to lurch foward, smacking her head on the hard wheel. She glared at Pikachu and the Rockets, who sat in a heap. Jenny nodded her head in affirmation that yet another crime was added to the gang's already endless record. Team Rocket was led up the courthouse stairs, eager and annoying reporters knocking each other down for a chance for a shot of part of the organization that made the headlines innumerable times that month, and caused everyone so much trouble. Their questions outrun their thinking: overflowing their minds, especially Ash's. "Do you know that the odds are against you, Mr. Ketchum?" "No one likes you: you won't have a chance!" "Is it true you destroyed that place in Fuschia?" "If you get off the hook, what will you do?" "What do your parents think about all of this?" "You don't have a good lawyer?" "How do you feel about all of this?" Ash didn't respond intelligibly, but Jessie was sure to, and she did, by screaming in the reporters' faces, and that was sufficient enough for them to reduce the amount of questions. Most of the other inquiries were answered by a "yes" or "no", for the gang was preoccupied at the trial. When they reached the top of the stairs, Jessie saw the sign displaying the case in front of the entrance, and read it aloud. "Viridian City vs. Team Rocket". Her face drooped and eyes narrowed. In all her years of attempting to purloin and burglarize, she or her partner never were on trial; now they would be, and it might be the last time, if the expected verdict was said, or if Ash or Misty decided to plead guilty before the lawyer could even begin to do anything.. The gang walked into the high-roofed room, without confidence and determination. They also lacked support from the public. At least, that's what they thought. All scanned the courthouse, seeing the citizens of Viridian City in the benches, all glaring death at the former. "Pikachu-Pika......." "Togepriiiiiiiii......" Ash and Misty looked into each other's tear-filled eyes, and gulped, both thinking This is it. The former rubbed his electric rodent's fuzzy head, trying to comfort it. However, all of the sought-for comfort was dimmed when James noticed who was on duty in the jury box. "Wait, aren't those your sisters------" Misty's blue eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh, no! With them on the jury, we'll never be dismissed of the charges!" The blue-haired teenager continued, "And isn't that your mom-----" "What?! Oh, no!" "Pika-Pikachu!" "And isn't that your-----" "This can't be good," Brock speculated. "Good ting da Boss ain't heah," Meowth declared, scratching his fuzzy head nervously. Jenny urged them on, and finally the latter were seated in the defendant's section. They sat nervously, staring intently at the many angry eyes fixed on them. In the jury's box, the occupants watched their relations, ashamed at the wrongdoings of those they loved and trusted so much. "There's my Ash! I can't believe that he would do this!" "And, like our little sister, like, Misty! I can't believe, like, she's that, like, aggressive!" They eyed the judge, who had just walked in, an impressive sight with a black robe and a young Articuno fearlessly alighting on his broad shoulder. The other jurors, being sorely against the Rocket Gang, pulled the skin under their eyes down, sneering at the criminals. The judge sat in his box, and ended the chatter of the citizens with the pounding of his gavel. "Order in the court!" Silence. Not even breathing could be heard in the large room. "This court is now in session!" The court clerk announced, "Hear ye, hear ye! The city of Viridian versus Team Rocket! The Honorable Judge Morton presiding! All ye, rise!" Everyone obeyed, Judge Morton declared, his eyes in the direction of the defendants, but having difficulty saying Ash's name, "Ash-----Ketchum, you and your associates have been accused for burglary, robbery, murder, assault of a police officer, and other assorted crimes. How do you plead?" There was a long silence. All knew that the evidence was against them, and the public defender that sat next to them, waiting to defend the latter, happened to be a former prosecutor. In addition to that, why make their parents and sisters go through the painful and tedious decision of decaring them guilty or innocent? It would be far too much mental torture for the latter, too, knowing that, if they were found guilty, which was obviously inevitable, they would be sent to prison by their own parents. Even Jessie, James, and Meowth knew that it was impossible to escape punishment; the odds were against them. So, they and the others lowered their heads, thinking If we can't be honest for the rest of our lives, we can at least be honest, now. Ash, sighed, and, lifting his head, spoke in a clear voice that echoed in the courtroom like a gong sounding one's death, "Guilty, your Honor!" "Pika, Pika.........." Officer Jenny, and about everyone else in the room, smiled in triumph, save the defendants' relations. Mrs. Ketchum buried her face into her hands, bursting into unceasing tears, screaming, "No, my Ash!" . Flint, though not crying, stiffened. A defeated frown crossed his face. The same went for Misty's sisters, who had once been ignorant, but now were concerned. They leaned over to catch a glimpse of their sister, and tried to smile at her for comfort, but Misty did not return the favorable glance. Professor Oak, who would have been a witness if the defendant's plea was "not guilty", cried to the point of drenching himself. Now, everyone quieted again, hearing what the judge would say next. "Court is adjourned! Court will resume tomorrow at 5:00AM for sentencing!" The Articuno squawked, as if affirming the declaration: "Screeeeeeeech!" "Well, I guess that's it," Jessie sighed. "It's all downhill from here," her partner added, who tearfully hugged the former in hopelessness. "We'he finished," Meowth ended. Ash, Misty, and Brock were silent, the former and the latter gazing deep into their parents' eyes. This was a nightmare that was inescapable. It seemed impossible, but it was actually happening. No one could help them. No one would want to help them. They were alone, now. Alone to face Fate, who was rapping on their door, and screaming to come in, slamming the door with its hard hands, was upon them. As Jenny had taken charge of them again, tears streamed from their young eyes, soaking the hard floor. The Rockets had not been given bail, so they were confined in the Viridian stationhouse, the exact same cell they had been placed in a while ago, except that now, they had no will or resources to escape, for their Poke`mon were in a likewise mood, and their link to the Leader had been taken from them. They only watched the door, knowing that that's where they would be walking through to reach their doom the next morning. Dawn broke. Light filled usually dark places, and this time, work did not commence. They all headed for the grand courthouse the moment the mechanized bird Poke`mon in their clocks screeched, "Five o' clock! Five o' clock! Wake-Up Time! Wake-Up Time!" Team Rocket had also gathered there, awaiting the dreaded moment, that was laughter and enjoyment for everyone else. The conversation around them about themselves hit them with extreme annoyance. "Ha! They're 'gonna get exactly what they deserve, those bitches!!" "From Hell," one added angrily. "Heh, heh! Some of them think they'll be Poke`mon Trainers! Well, not even the Leader of this gang would treat Poke`mon like that! I say they're worse than their leader!" "Damn them! They're so shi-----" The sounding gavel interupted the oath-littered conversations. Judge Morton's Articuno flew into the courtroom again, and its owner sat under its talons. It was not long before the second court came down to the final words. Judge Morton boomed, "Will the defendants please stand." They obeyed, their relations' eyes sadly on them. The latter now could freely be in favor of them, because their jury duty had ended, without even having to help come to a verdict. All of their eyes lifted to the judge. The latter announced bitterly, "The defendants, Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, and James, including all of their Poke`mon, are sentenced to life in the Celadon City Prison, without parole, due to circumstances that render the Viridian City Prison unsuitable for THEM. In other words," he spoke from the side of his mouth, "cruel punishment, which they wholly deserve, is allowed in Celadon. Even death, if necessary. Take them away!" Ash's tear-drenched mother grabbed her likewise son, now bawling. She was separated from him for so long, during his training to become the world's best Poke`mon Master, but then she knew that he would be all right, but now, he was going to where so many robbers, assasins, drug dealers, and every sort of criminal were sent to when caught and convicted, and on top of that, she would never see him alive again, never again would she be able to advise him with her words of motherly wisdom, except for scheduled visits, which would be few and far between. "I'll be sure to visit you every time, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum wailed, hugging her son to the point of squashing him. However, the latter accepted it with love. "Thanks, mom. I'm------sorry." Misty walked up to her sisters, and hugged them. They were taken aback by her sudden embrace, something she had never done. This time, though, was different. Not only her reputation, but the entire Cerulean City Gym's was destroyed, as well. As tears spilled from her eyes, she dealt a few last instructions, that only had good words and kind advice, which was unusual for Misty. "Take care of Dewgong and the Cerulean City Gym. And take care of yourselves, too." "You, like, too, Sis! We'll visit you, like, next, month! We'll be, there, Sis, like totally!" Brock silently looked at Flint, who's tears cascaded. The former apologized, his eyebrows drooping. He had faced nearly unsolvable problems before, but not as desperate as this one was. Every bit of anger the Breeder had with his father had suddenly disappeared, only feeling regret that he didn't release that feeling sooner. Tears hung from the corner of his closed eyes, and though not saying a word, Flint could tell what his son was feeling now: despair, and he was trying to search for comfort in the former. Jessie had no one at the trial, save her partners, but felt despair start to overtake her vivacious personality. She quieted, the usual spark in her blue eyes completely gone, and her common upright pose had decreased into a sorry slouch. James' parents didn't care as much as the newer members', but he basically felt the same as Jessie. He noticed that his partner was down, and hugged her, but no response came. This was very unusual, for the red-haired teenager would respond to anything, especially an insult. Now it was different. Now desperation was creeping over them, defeating their usual personalities for the moment. Meowth only knew that he had failed his master completely and would never be on his better side, and that there was only a black future waiting for them. Also, he knew that there was no hope of escape: he had seen the Celadon City Prison from outside of the walls. As the gang finished their painful farewells, Jenny took charge of them, this time using her handcuffs. They were a sorry sight heading out of the courtroom, for they were such promising Poke`mon Trainers, but had gone the wrong path, and now they would pay the price for their deeds. Behind the large building, two more Rockets were stationed, only clad in the even more conspicous black uniforms. For once, instead of their usual obnoxious, malignant expressions, they seemed to have fear and sadness marked on their light faces. Cassidy activated her radio, informing, "Sir, the plan backfired! Those children and--ugh, Jessie and James are headed for the Celadon City Prison!" "WHAT? HOW?" The voice on the other line boomed, then decreased, "That leaves us with six more days until the training session ends, but a few more days until the attack. However, that prison is the considered to be one of the best, being high-security, using powerful Poke`mon as the external-complex and internal-complex guards. We'll have to devise a plan today to break them out. Butch, Cassidy, return to the Viridian City Gym. The meeting is in room 04." "Yes, Sir!" Chapter XII Most Rotten Apples in a Rotten Barrel-Day 1 Though the sun was shining brightly, a dark cloud of storms hung over the members' heads. They now sat in a paddy wagon, bound for Celadon City. Jenny had bade it farewell, and it roared off. It quickly weaved through the grassy Viridian City, zipped past rocky Pewter and then the water-logged Cerulean City. Then, it was a long way to the next city, the beautiful seaside port of Vermillion. Between Cerulean and Vermillion, several conversations between the Rocket Gang and the other convicts took place. "Hey, you there with the red hair." "Pi?" "Her or me?" Asked Misty, referring to Jessie, who was staring out the window, next to James and Meowth, words gone from her throat. "You." The questioner was a scruffy sort of person, with a long soft brown beard that never was shaved. He continued, "I don't read the paper much. What'd you do?" Misty's eyebrows narrowed, muttering, "Why do you want to know?" Another man, who wore a wild, excited expression, that resembled Ash's mannerism, answered, "He wants to know the why of everything! All those drugs have gotten to him! He never stops asking weird quesitons!" "Well, at least he asks SOME," Ash said in a low voice. He answered for Misty, "We're from--------Team Rocket! We've------" The boy was interrupted by a short gasp. "Huh?" The former's eyes blinked, wondering what was going on. The other convicts stared at them in surprise and slight horror. The excited man asked, "Why are little kids like you joining Team Rocket? The youngest I ever saw join was twenty! Hey, you over there with the long hair!" He was obviously referring to Jessie. "When did you and that guy join?" The latter turned around from the window, and answered, somewhat annoyed, "We can't remember! Seventeen........or...maybe earlier....." The other ones sighed, realizing that they wouldn't recieve any answers. So they simply sat, hoping that the massive occupant in the corner would not wake up before arrival. Brock asked why. The answer was, "That boy? He has a temper as hot as a Charizard's breath!" "That's pretty hot," Ash remarked. "Chu!" The yellow Poke`mon agreed. "When the police found him, they were sat on, the losers! And see this guy get mad! Hey, son, watch out! Don't sit on top of him! When he wakes up, he'll sit on you, damn it!" "Huh? oh, sorry." The boy quickly slid off the man's massive back, and joined Misty, Brock, and Pikachu at the back of the truck. Jessie and James, along with Meowth, still sat next to the window, motionless but finally talking. "Oh, look, it's the Rock Tunnel," Jessie told her partner. "Rock Tunnel? What's that?" Ash inquired. The latter answered, his accented voice that had forbidden him to not pronounce his R's, something that was common among the older members of Team Rocket, causing the other occupants of the truck to snicker. "I heard there were lots of Geodude there." "Yeah," Brock agreed. "Sometimes, even an Onix will appear there. The rocky cave is a perfect enviroment for Onix to grow." "Aww, I wish I went there," the now doubly distressed boy groaned. Not long after, the Town of Lavender was passed, the last major resedential area before Celadon was reached. The massive man earlier mentioned had finally awoken, and he released his temper on the Rockets, who were not strong enough to deal with the weight of him. Fortunately, before the latter could do terrible damage, the truck finally reached its destination. Ash and the rest were released from the paddy wagon, and were led into the giant complex, which was surrounded by three fences, one which was electric. Trained Pocket Monsters were stationed at strategic points, and the whole builiding itself seemed to be indestructable. Of course, the convicts would not fail to comment. "Wow......" Ash's eyes widened. "Pika........." "It's huge," Brock observed. "There's no getting out of it!" Screamed Misty. However, the older members were a little more optomistic. "There's got to be a way out!" "Maybe......." "Meowth, 'dat's right," the cat moaned listlessly. The warden was there, looking at their rap sheets that were obtained during their first arrest, so long ago. He examined each carefully, wondering what would lead a group of children to this. He read the information of each person, especially gazing at the age. "'Kinda young for lifers," he remarked. "Wait.........Pewter and Cerulean Leaders? AND 16th place Poke`mon League finalist!" He frowned, looking at their seemingly innocent faces. He finally set the records down, and seated himself in his chair. The warden called an officer to his desk, and said, "Take care of your business with this bunch." The officer nodded gravely, and took Ash by the hand. "Huh?" The boy's eyes widened. "Where are we going?" The other answered, "To get your picture taken and some other things." Of course, the Poke`mon Trainer mistook his meaning. "Aw, really? That's all? Maybe this won't be so bad!" The officer muttered, "Worse than you know, sonny." The former handed Ash a shirt, pair of pants, belt, and shoes. The latter was confused on what to do with them, and the officer ordered, "Around here you wear these clothes." "Oh............" The officer stayed in the room while Ash changed his clothes, with horror at the officer's presence. With that done, he was handed a plate, with numbering and lettering on it: 45086664324751, and Celadon City Prison written over it. The former stared at it, in his absent-minded way, and held it. "Huh? What's this?" "That's your number, sonny. For the record." "Aw.........." "Okay, now sit over there. I 'gotta take your picture." "Okay." The boy jumped onto the stool, his most serious expression he'd ever used present. The camera flashed, and he walked out of the room, a pitiful sight, slouched, head down, and feet dragging. The others took their turns, and at the end, were totally different people from what they were before they walked in the door. If their parents could see them now, they would not have recognized them as their sons and daughters. The whole gang was missing their white-and-red uniforms, and had in place of them the uniforms of that particular prison, with the long number on a plate that were stuck on their green shirts. They wore old gray pants with a belt, and worn shoes. That served as a complete embarassment to them, especially James, judging from his whining, "This is an insult!!! I refuse to wear these degrading uniforms! It's an injustice to all criminals!" Jessie and Meowth's eyes narrowed, but, for once, they let James whine, for this certain thing produced the same feelings, destroying their pride at being a part of that gang. On top of that, they were considerably roughed up by the massive convict, which could be seen from the black eyes of Ash, the sliced leg of Misty, the wrenched shoulder blade of Brock, and the general thrashing of Jessie, James, Meowth, Pikachu, and Togepi. The guard, who happened to be the owner of a fierce Ninetales, the latter the guard of a block, took charge of them, leading them with contempt to cell block R, cells 11-15. Unlike the crammed state of the Viridian City stationhouse, the Rockets were locked into their own cells, having one of their teammates as cellmates. Ash shared with Misty, Brock shared with James, and Jessie was with Meowth. However, the actual cells were far apart from each other that Ash would be forced to yell to communicate with Jessie, and so on. The cells were filled with mud and grime, and had a hard cot in the far corner, away from the light that poured through the window. If they were unruly, the guard's Ninetales would act accordingly, according to the code of the prison. The metal doors of the cell slammed, that final noise transforming the three younger convicts even more, burning with rage and anger at anyone that stood for justice or peace. Even without the transformation, they were still far more evil than anyone in the prison, save their own partners, as nearly everyone in cell block R would find out. These events woiuld also prove to be a continual training session for their six Poke`mon they were in charge of raising. Not three minutes after Ash and the others were locked in, an old Grass Poke`mon killer, too weak to escape the grip of the Jenny who was stationed at Cinnabar Island, was in cell 6. His cell was across Misty's, Togepi's, and Ash's, the former who wasn't in the mood to be insulted. "Hey, ameteur! Do you train that egg," referring to Togepi, " or do you boil it and you weren't able to steal anything because you ate too much of it and------" The insult was lame, but lame or not, Misty reacted. Her eyes flamed, bright enough for Ash to see them and wonder what was going on. "Misty?" "Why you---Don't make fun of Togepi! Venomoth, go! Psybeam, now!" "Venomoth! Veno!" Out burst a white light, causing the man to scream in pain. The Ninetales quickly heard the shriek and loped to Misty, warning, "Nine-Ninetales! Ninetales! Nine-Ninetales! Ninetales-Nine, Nine!" I guess you're a new one. I'd advise you not to punish your cellmates, or I will give you each of my Fire Attacks: Ember the first time. The second time: Flamethrower. The third time: Fire Spin. The fourth time: Fire Blast. Understand? If it gets to be too much, such as a murder, my owner and his associates will deal with you accordingly. "Huh?" Misty obviously was not very knowledgeable in the language of Fire Poke`mon, so Brock translated, who was in cell 13 with James: "Misty, I think its saying that it will use Ember the first time you hurt someone else, then Flamethrower, then Fire Spin, then Fire Blast!" The Cerulean Trainer shivered in fright, shooting a glance at the Grass killer. Jessie, in cell 14, shouted in protest, "That furball can't do that! This is a prison, not a torture chamber!" Ash moaned, and answered, "Maybe it is!" "The judge said it DID have cruel punishment," Brock affirmed. "Pika-Pikapi-Pikachu!" "Priiiiiiiii.........." There was silence for only four seconds when a biker watched them talk, and laughed at them freely, not learning from what had happened to the old man. "Ha! You're from Team Rocket! That proves it! You guys ain't tough at all! Hey, you're only kids and wusses! Ha! Wimps!" Flame seemed to spark in the Rockets' eyes, igniting the final hatred: this hatred was to all non-Rockets, even slight contempt to their own parents. They, all at once, released their stolen Pocket Monsters. They ordered in unison, sending an echo throughout the prison: "Teach that guy who's a wimp!" The monsters charged toward the dirty biker, and attacked him before the guard Ninetales could stop them. She yelled in anger, "Nine-Ninetaleeeeeeeeeesss!" It was too late. The biker was motionless and his rude spirit had gone to rest, which surprised the perpetrators, their intention not to kill the biker. Though he was widely considered as scum, the Ninetales would never allow a murder in the Celadon City Prison. She shot towards cells 11-15, and blew her strongest attack, Fire Blast, at the unfortunate prisoners. They yelled horribly in pain, though not showing nor having any guilt for the biker's demise. The Ninetales growled, and shot down the corrider to inform her owner, while Ash and the others sat recovering from the blast. When the fire Fox returned, she had a malignant glare in her eye. She stalked towards Team Rocket, a note in her mouth. James recieved it and read it, aloud, "Note to Rocket Gang: You start on license plates tomorrow, but you're so bad you can do hard labor, too. There's a channel that needs to be dug, so the Oddish and Gloom can be watered constantly. There's also seeds that need to be planted and 88 Gloom and Weepinbell to be arranged. You start those and license plates tomorrow morning. And if someone murders again, they'll get a good whomping!" "Oh, no!" Ash moaned. "We'll have to do gardening work?!" He put extra emphasis on "gardening", for he was easily exhausted by that and once exhausted, he wouldn't be able to recover easily. "Of course we have to work!" Jessie answered angrily. "We have a lifelong debt to the city, and now we have to pay it!" Ash nodded, affirming that what she said was true. An old clock was on the thick stone wall. The hour hand rested on twelve, and a mechanical Dodrio burst out of the clock door, screeching, "Tweleve o' clock! Lunch time! Lunch time!" With that, the cell doors were unlocked and opened by the human prison guard, and everyone save Ash and the others, stampeded to the lunch room, passing the other block guards, who they noticed to be all Poke`mon, and all full of rage at everyone there who was human. Of course, Ash and the others were confused at both the Poke`mon guards, and another thing, even horrified, especially Misty, at this turn of events. As they were walking, she remarked, "What? You mean we can't eat whenever we want? We'll starve!" "Pikachu-Pika......" The guard turned, and responded, "You should be glad you get to eat at all! I say the judge was easy on you; if I was him I would lock you up in the cooler without any food at all!" It was to be expected that the black-haired boy would mistake his meaning. "No problem! We'll just eat the ice in the cooler!" "Pika........" His teammates groaned, embarassed at the capacity of their friend's brain. The guard let out a hearty laugh. "When I said "cooler", I meant solitary confinement! You have a lot to learn about this place, kid, and I'll sure help with that! Heh, heh, heh." The group walked down the hall. The other inmates had already settled in the lunch room and started to stuff their faces. All thoughts were erased from their minds, except food, nourishment. Misty's mouth began to water as they neared the room. A few more steps, and there was deafening noise: chairs slamming into the tables, constant shouting, the din of gulping and plates crashing: it was not exactly a standard lunch for any of them: even their older teammates were used to eating quiet lunches, away from other people. Their thoughts on this were interrupted by Ash. "What do we do next?" The guard pointed at a cook behind a counter, so they headed there, expecting to be filled. The cook looked very exhausted, and he practically flung a cold leftover rice ball with a boiling doughnut onto their plates. Meowth stared at it in horror, nearly vomiting then and there. "What is 'dis stuff?!" Brock looked at it, a gleam of horror in his face. "It's a rice ball and a doughnut!" "THAT'S food?!" Misty cried. The former, being an expert chef, looked upon it in disgust, remarking, "Where did THAT guy learn to cook?" Jessie answered, trying to be humorous, "Maybe from the Boss!" However, no one thought it was funny, and the joke was left unanswered. Everyone sat down at one bench, already filled with people. They quickly finished their repulsive meals, and sat quietly. Of course, that would not last, all being Rockets about to blast off if there was tampering. Jessie and James naturally sat next to each other, which sparked some humor on their bench. "Hey, look! Them girls like each other! I didn't know that Rockets were so-------!" Flame formed in Jessie and James' eyes. They both growled, and lunged for the man's throat, choking him violently. Fortunately for them, they escaped the notice of the guards, being low to the ground. "How dare you call him a girl!" "You'll pay for that!" The rest of the gang was perplexed, suddenly using their teammates' way of breaking up sentences and one taking each part. "I never knew that....." "Jessie and James could be....." "So violent!" "Pika, Pika!" "Togepriiiiii?" "Me---owth......" However, the man would not be brought down by a two teenagers who had much less experience at this and had less girth. He produced a Poke`Ball. "Primeape, go!" The giant Pig Monkey appeared, bunching its fists and prepared to fight. Jessie and James did likewise, releasing two of their Poke`mon at the same time, in their pure rage at the insult. "Lickitung, Cloyster, go!" "Victreebel, Raichu, go!" Ash was about to send Pikachu against the wide man, but Misty stopped him. "Hold it, Ash! This is Jessie and James' fight! Let them shine for once!" "Okay......" The boy agreed. Primeape growled, charging toward Lickitung, who was identified by long protruding tongue, and Victreebel, who resembled a large vegetable. "Lickitung, Lick!" "Victreebel, Vine Whip!" The Licking Poke`mon wrapped its long pink tongue around Primeape, paralyzing it, leaving Victreebel to use its stunning vines, though not very effective. They then sent Cloyster and Raichu, and the poor Primeape was soaked with water, then shocked with a Thunderbolt, considerably. The owner was nonplussed, and showed it by exclaiming, "Primeape! That can't happen!" "Ha!" Jessie gloated at the victory. "Never insult Team Rocket!" "Or you'll regret it!" Added James. The man growled in frustration, and walked away, the gang smiling in satisfaction at the win. They then continued eating the repulsive food, and were soon locked back in their cells. From that time to night, nothing worthy of mention happened, except one thing that worsened their reputation, and made things unimaginably darker for one of them. It was evening, though no one could really tell. The vulgar assasin in the cell across Brock's had taken a dislike to his inmates, and yelled, to the one across from him obnoxiously, "You piece of shit over there! Where the hell did you come from?! And what's with your friends?! Oh, yeah, you're from that Team Rocket or whatever! How come you ain't fast enough to get away from the cops? You must be damn slow! You must be a real failure! Why don't you just quit and go straight and save your da------" Brock's eyebrows slanted, and he growled, loud enough to shake loose the heavy bars on the windows, and, because of all the pent anger and abuse he and his friends had taken in the past few days; he had enough, enough of it. The man there would be given no mercy. "God! Damn your ass!" He then grabbed his knife from his pocket, which had accidentally not been searched before they were sent to Celadon Prison. That mistake was fatal. Without hesitation, he flung the weapon at the offender, and the knife slammed into his forehead. There was no hope for the man, for he dropped to the floor with a moan. "Whehe'd 'dat knife come from?!" Meowth wondered, still sickened by the food. His and the other's question was answered when three guards rushed toward the dead man's cell. They unlocked it. They removed the body, and one asked, forcefully, "Who the hell had this knife?! We're not going easy on you, whoever did it. Ninetales isn't enough to keep ya down? We'll teach you! Remember my little note? I'm not kidding!" No one dared to answer, but one inmate who had seen Brock and knew that he carried a knife with him at all times, spoke up, pointing to the latter: "I know that guy! The Rocket! He got a knife------" Ash yelled, in concern for his friend's safety, "Shut up!" "Pikachu-Pika!" But, it was too late: the prison guard had heard it and he unlocked the cell, and swung the door open, grabbing the poor prisoner by the throat, while James looked on in horror. He choked considerably, and even more so as he was dragged out of the door, being scratched on the rough stones. "Brock!" Ash yelled. Where are you taking him?!" The guard answered, savagely, "To where he'll learn to not kill! Come on, you! You're going to get a lesson you'll never forget!!" "Brock!" Ash and Misty screamed in unison. "Pika!" The other was silent as he disappeared down the hall. No one talked anymore, too shocked at this strange turn of events. Then, they were awakened from their thoughts when all non-rockets in cell block R turned to the remaining Rocket Gang, and gave them a salute, that signified the respect that they won. Chapter XIII Mishap with Plates, Gloomy Planting, Irrigation Problem-Day 2 Ash woke with a start. Misty was not there. His cell door was open, and he rushed out haphazardly. "Uh-oh! I'm late! Everyone's working already! But where do I go?" He bounded across the hall, the Poke`mon guards taking notice of him, rushing past them, and after looking for a while, found the exit. He tripped while taking a sharp turn, but eventually he arrived outside, in the warm sun. "Wow......" He admired the view, even though squinting as a result of not seeing the sun for a time. His teammates were in the yard, who were busy welding and glueing the numbers into the plates. Ash's expression was one of embarassment, for he had overslept. No one was in the mood to talk, except for James, who had begun to whine. "Without Brock, this work goes harder! And everyone's out there, having fun, except for us!" "I knew we should've been more careful!" Jessie groaned, setting aside the finished plate. Ash sat down at the bench, taking the welder in his hand. The other inmates had made the numbers; it was Team Rocket's job to weld them in and glue them in. He sighed, and with great reluctance, the young boy grabbed the welding tool, and fixed the numbers into the plate. "Ow!" Ash cried as he missed the plate, smashing his hand. It throbbed, and he didn't continue on the plate for a few minutes. Misty, meanwhile, had glued her hand to the plate. "Aaaaaaahhhhh!" A shriek was heard throughout the warm morning air. Usually, when you try to solve a problem the wrong way, it becomes virtually unsolvable. The case with Misty being her arms being stuck together. "Someone-help me with this!" Ash quickly came to her aid, with his large dinosaur-like Poke`mon. "Venusaur, I choose you!" "Venusaur!" "Venusaur, Vine Whip!" "Venusaur-Venus!" The Poison/Grass monster produced its whips, cutting the glue apart, terrorizing Misty as they came close to her skin. Ash sighed in satisfaction. For, though he was forced to do the degrading work, he knew that he at least was doing it right. However, that vision was shattered when a guard walked over to him, and observed, "You put the numbers on the wrong side, you." At that, a general groan was heard, followed by the sounds of thuds, signalling that all of them had collapsed. It was before noon that the gang fiinished the plates. After a disgusting meal of old spinach, they were set to work in the garden, much to Ash's dismay, especially when he saw the size of the work. "Waugh! We have to arrange all of THESE?" The boy referred to the Gloom and Weepinbell, who sat in rude piled heaps, making it look all the harder. "Pika-Piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" "Why do we have to do this?!" Jessie growled, kicking the Gloom, producing the unwanted, but expected, effect. "Glooooooooom!" Foul gas filled the air, causing the gang to double over, choking with the thick gas. "Pidgeot, blow---the (choke) gas away! Golem, Tackle the Gloom!" "Pidgeot! Pidgeot! Pidgeot!" "Golem, Golem!" The Gloom was sent four feet backward with the attack, and its foul gas went toward it. "Glooooooooooooom!" "Ha! That will teach that overgrown eggplant who's in charge here!" Jessie exclaimed, regaining some of her ferocious personality. With that done, the four of them began to arrange the Gloom in rows. They didn't hate the work, and, amazingly, Ash didn't tire until every single Gloom had been arranged. By then, the sun had disapeared into the night. Their final task that day was to bring water to the Gloom, by means of irrigation and filling a pit of dirt with water. They trudged up the hill, dragging shovels. Now came the hard part. "'Dat's 'gonna be a long stream!" Meowth observed, striking the ground with his shovel. "Then lets get to work!" Misty eagerly exclaimed. Everyone else nodded, and dug the shovel into the ground. The dirt was hard, and they had a hard time forcing their shovels into it. Jessie, being skilled in digging, for that was their favorite trap: holes. So, they were able to instruct Ash, Misty, and Pikachu in the work. Togepi sat on the side, being too young for this kind of labor. "Use your foot to shove it down!" She ordered. "Okay......" They obeyed, and the metal sank into the ground. After they had penetrated the hard soil, it was slightly easier, but it was extremely tedious. The evening wore on, and eventually Ash had to release his Charizard, who swung his tail about for light. "Groaaaaarrrrrr!!!" "Good, Charizard! Now we'll be able to see what we're doing." Unfortunately, just when the ditch was finally getting somewhere, the guard took them back to their cells. "Aw, just when we got started!" Misty groaned, as the doors closed, bringing darkness to them once again. On top of that, the cell next to the former, 13, was still unoccupied, everyone knowing the reason why.