" Those two must be still asleep. They're usually up by now."

" What time is it?" James asked Brock.

" It's after twelve. Should we wake them up?"

" Let them sleep. They had a long night, yesterday."  Kiyoko didn't want them disturbed. She had felt a strong surge of emotion from the two last night, and knew the only thing that could create something that powerful was if the two had finally admitted their feelings for each other. She smiled at the thought. Maybe something good can truly come from something terrible.

" Yeah," everyone replied.

Just then, as if on que, the door to Kiyoko's bedroom opened, and the two friends emerged, Misty supporting Ash.

" You okay, Ash?" Brock worriedly inquired.

" Yeah. I feel much better now. My leg is still really bad, but it's much better than it was last night."

"Pika."  The Pokemon rubbed up against Ash's good leg, showing that he was worried about his trainer.

"Thanks, pal," Ash said, looking down at his oldest friend.

" Ash," Kiyoko began. " I think there may be a way I can help you with the pain. I'm not sure if it'll work but-"

" Anything is worth a try," he added, enthusiastically.  " What do you think you can do?"

" I've only been practising it for a short while, but I think maybe I can help heal your wound a little and maybe dull the pain with my abilities. Sit here and I'll try." She indicated the sofa and he, still supported by Misty, walked towards it and lay down.

As Misty helped him, Kiyoko came in front of the two, giving her a knowing look, and a happy smile. She knows what happened, Misty guessed, but she didn't mind that the secret was now between three, and returned the grin.

" Okay."

Kiyoko put her hands onto Ash's damaged leg, one on either side of the injuries, closed her eyes and began to concentrate.  A familiar yellow glow raised from her body and began to travel to her arms and down into her hands. It then transferred itself into Ash's leg, and mingled around the area for several minutes, while Kiyoko still focused her power.

Ash couldn't believe the sensation. It was incredibly pleasurable, the tingling power soothing and massaging his leg, but at the same time it felt foreign to him, something unnatural that shouldn't be in his body. He felt that he had to get rid of it, panicking beginning to rise within him, but he knew it meant no harm, and he held back the temptation to scream. After a few seconds, however, the feeling dissipated as the area of the glow shrunk and circled just the open area, before it disappeared altogether.

" How does it feel?"

Ash moved himself to a sitting position on the sofa, and looked down at the area.  The constant pain had almost totally departed.  There was now only the slightest residual of the ache. " It feels...great," he said, amazed.  " Looks like I'm back in action."  He redirected his gaze to his friends.  " I think now is a good time to get down to business."

"So, the other group leaders agree that it's time to take a tougher stance?" Meowth asked.

"Yeah.  We have planned many attacks, some of which we will carry out.  But we have one problem," Ash began.  "Well, we have our Pokemon to help us, but we need some type of explosives.  The other groups will need the same thing.  But where would we get something like that?"

"Well, ah," Jessie said, sounding a little embarrassed.  "We know someone who could supply them."

"Who?" Brock asked.

"A guy who we sometimes bought stuff off to help us capture your Pokemon," James added.

"Did you not get those..." What word to use for those strange mechanical robots they turned up with every week for six years? Brock thought.  "...things off Team Rocket?"

"Well, you see, so the boss wouldn't know how many times you guys beat us, we got most of them off our contacts," the former Rocket explained.

"So, your 'contacts' can get us the stuff we need?"  Ash excitedly asked.

"They could probably get us much more," Jessie replied.  "We'll call them as soon as possible."

"Great.  The first attack we will carryout takes place in six days."

Later that night, Ash and Misty stood in their's and Brock's common bedroom.

"Do you think we should tell everyone?  I know that Kiyoko already knows, but what about the others?" Misty whispered.

"I don't know.  What if they think it's a little strange us getting together now, with what's going on?"

"I don't know."

"I think maybe we should keep it quite for a little while, you know our little secret, well ours and Kiyoko's."  He smiled at her, pulling her close.  "It's kinda romantic, don't ya think?"

She returned the grin.  "I didn't think you were the romantic type?"

"I'll try my hardest to be for you.  I'd do anything for you."  As her heart began to melt at his sincere words, he leaned forward, his lips meeting hers.  She mirrored his gentle pressure with her own, until the creak of the door caused them to quickly pull apart.  They fained innocence as Brock and Pikachu entered the room, totally oblivious to what they had interrupted.

"God, I'm tired," Brock announced.

"Pika," Pikachu agreed.

Ash and Misty hastily made their way to their beds, pulling their sheets over them, as Brock turned off the light.  The two, however, continued to stare into each others eyes, knowing that the darkness would obscure their longing glares.  Misty reached her hand across to him, letting him take it within his own.  They held hands until sleep began to conquer them, loosening the grip until it was broken.

Pikachu watches as the two hands lost their grip.  Why were they holding hands? he thought.  When he realized the only possible reason, he smiled and looked at his two closest friends.  It had happened, he was sure.  Finally.

Walking in the midst of the trees, the group travelled to the base Jessie, James and Meowth had told them about.  Although several of the other groups had started hitting back, as planned, this was their first raid, and all involved (Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Jessie, James and Meowth) were nervous.  The former Rockets were the only members of the group that had previous experience of something like this, but that didn't make them feel much better.

Misty looked behind them, making sure no one was following.  She felt something hook over her foot, and before she knew it, she was lying on the cold, dusty earth, a short 'yelp' escaping her mouth.

" Mist," Ash shouted, full of concern.  "You okay, baby...I mean Misty?"

" Yeah, I'm okay.  I'm just being clumsy."

" Hmm?" Jessie mused, turning to the two. Ash had his arms around her, helping her to her feet.

The group continued onto their destination, until Jessie held out an arm to stop them.  " Here we are."  Jessie pointed to the large building in the middle of the Viridian forest.  " This is one of Team Rocket's most crucial weapon depots.  Only five officers are stationed here, but it is a very important base to the organization.  If we can raid it, capturing the five of agents and destroying the supplies, we can seriously hamper Team Rocket's future plans."

"Right," Ash began.  He turned to James.  "You ready, James?"

"Yeah."  He pulled one of his pokeballs of his belt.  "Weezing, smokescreen attack."

"Weez."  The Pokemon released thick black smoke, obscuring the path between the building and them.

Ash distributed the infrared goggles among his friends, putting on his pair.  "Let's go."

The group moved within the smog, running to the main entrance, hidden from the security cameras.  Ash released one of his own pokeballs.  "Typhlosion, Flame Thrower.  Burn down the door."

The large Pokemon pulled it's head back before releasing a fire blast that instantly blew the door out.

"They'll know that we're here now, so everyone watch out," Brock advised.

Misty called out her Poliwrath, Jessie her Arbok, and Brock his Golem.  While pulling the goggles off, the five broke into two groups, Ash, Misty and Pikachu following Jessie to the storage rooms, and Brock following James and Meowth to the power room.

>After scaling five flights of stairs, James' group met with their first obstacle.

"Golem, Rock Throw!" Brock ordered.

"Houndour, Crunch!" the female Rocket countered, but Golem's attack hit first, knocking the Houndour out in one hit.

James was having his own confrontation by Brock's side.  "Weezing, Sludge attack!"  The Pokemon's tar instantly blinded the Sneasel.

The male Rocket recalled his Sneasel, and began to run from the scene, frightened by the strength of the two rebels.

"Oh no you don't.  Weezing, knock him out!"

The purple Pokemon hit the man square on his temple, rendering him unconscious.

The female trainer looked on in horror as her partner fell to the ground.  "You're not going to get me so easily, rebel scum!  Ryhorn, tackle that trainer!"

As soon as the large Pokemon materialized, it began to charge towards Brock.  However, without a command, Golem ran in front of his trainer and tackled the Ryhorn.  But the impact was too much, and Golem collapsed.

Brock raised an empty pokeball.  "Thanks, Golem."  The Pokemon was drawn into it's ball.  Brock quickly replaced it to his belt and grabbed another.  "Forretress, Take Down."

Before the Ryhorn had recovered from the tackle, Forretress slammed into it.

"Now Double-Edge," Brock commanded.

The attack finished the Ryhorn.  It's trainer tried to reach for another ball, but James moved in behind her, grabbing her arms.

Brock came closer to her, a smile on his face, while reaching for something from his backpack.  "Don't worry.  This won't hurt a bit."  He placed a hypospray to her neck.  Within seconds the Rocket could feel it's effect.  Her eyes began to droop and her legs weakened.  The last thing she saw before the world went dark was the rebels placing her upon the cold ground.

"Come on, guys.  We gotta get goin'."

"Don't worry.  We're coming, Meowth," James replied.

"What about these guys," Brock asked.

"We'll get them later," Meowth answered.

After another two flights, they found the room they had been looking for.  "Right, there's the switches."  Brock ran towards the electrical box, but it was locked.  "Damn."  As he moved his hand to his pokebelt, Meowth stopped him.

"You don't have to use force to do everything.  Remember, we used to be criminals.  We're used to these kinds of problems."  The talking Pokemon jumped up onto Brock's shoulder and reached over to the lock.  With a rattle of his claws, the door opened.

"Eh, thanks," Brock said, still a little shocked at Meowth's talent.  He turned his attention back to the box.  "Ah, here it is."  He placed his goggles on again, and pulled the lever.  Immediately, all power in the base was shut off, but the three rebels could see perfectly well.

At another end of the base, their friends were also involved in a conflict.

"Quagsire, Slam," called the Rocket, but before the Pokemon could attack Pikachu, the lights went off.

Ash, Misty and Jessie put on their goggles, allowing them to see the heat signatures of the Rocket and his Pokemon.  "Pikachu/Poliwrath/Arbok, tackle," they yelled in unison.

The Umbreon was instantly knocked out as the three Pokemon piled into it.  "That isn't fair," the Rocket yelled.

The three humans walked towards their enemy, standing so close to him that even in the gloom he could see them.

"That wasn't fair?" the black haired teen asked him, angry sarcasm colouring his words.  "What Team Rocket is doing to our people isn't fair.  We don't kill innocent civilians.  I think in this case, it doesn't matter if we go against the rules a little."

The two tall, red-haired women, who stood beside the boy, nodded.

"Misty," the boy said to the youngest woman.

"Okay, Ash." She smiled as she threw a pokeball into the air, catching it after the Pokemon materialized.  The Rocket stared at the human-shaped Pokemon.  "Jynx, give him a Lovely Kiss," the girl giggled.

As the Pokemon came closer puckering it's thick lips, the Rocket began to scream, causing the three rebels to burst out laughing.

"This is the main supply room," Jessie told her two friends.

"Okay, Typhlosion, destroy the weapons," it's trainer ordered.

"Typho," the Pokemon called out as it released a powerful fire attack.  Within moments, all of the weapons had been reduced to molten metal.

"Great job, Typhlosion,"  Ash said as he recalled his Pokemon.

"Now, Poliwrath, put out those fires," Misty commanded.

Poliwrath let out a stream of water, aiming perfectly at the small pockets of fire that burned within the room.  Seconds later, all had been extinguished.

"We make a great team, don't we, Mist?" Ash whispered, placing a hand upon her shoulder.

She looked up at him, a light blush settling over her cheeks.  "Definitely."

Jessie watched on as the two shared an intimate stare.  She had noticed a difference in the way they had been acting towards each other since the night Ash had been shot, and this little display just helped to settle her suspicions.  She wanted to bring the fact up, but they had more important things to do.  "Guys, we better get going.  We've got two more rooms to take care of."

The two teens drew their eyes from each others, and again followed as Jessie made her way to the next supply room.

"Hey, Brock!" Misty shouted down the corridor.

"There you guys are," he replied.  "We've captured four Rockets, so we've only got one left to find."

"Don't worry," Jessie said.  " We got him."

"Did you take care of the supplies?" James asked her.

"All of them have been put beyond use."

"So, all we have to do is get these five back to Erika, and leave her to interrogate them, see if they know anything that can be of use to us," Meowth asked.

"Yeah," Ash answered.  He couldn't believe it.  Everything had went so smoothly, and it had actually been fun.  If only they all could work out like this, he thought.  He was sure their luck would eventually run out.

Ash and Misty were quietly talking by the window as the others, trying not to seem as though they were listening in, sat on the sofa and chairs.

" It's such a beautiful day. You wouldn't think that we were in the middle of a war if you looked out a window," they heard Misty say.

" Yeah, at least it gives us hope for a happy future. They may have destroyed many lives, but the beauty that we fight for will always remain," Ash answered.

James took a quick glance at the pair. They were looking straight into each other eyes, and stood mere inches apart.  This couldn't be an innocent friendly chat. It had to be more.

The two left their position at the window and went into the next room.

" Have you noticed," James began, " that they both have been getting on surprisingly well lately? I know they're close friends and all, but they just seem a little too close to just be friends."

" Hmm, I see what you mean," Jessie answered. " What do you think, Brock? You know them better than we do."

" I don't know, but there does seem to be something there. True, now they're older they don't fight as much, but they haven't fought at all over the past week or so. I know how she feels, but I'm not sure about him."

" What do you mean how she feels?"

Brock realized he'd let the cat out of the bag.  " Ahh, forget I said that."

" Oh no, you're not getting away that easily," James told him. Both former Team Rocket members then came closer to their friend, looking as menacing as possible.

It worked. Brock, feeling uncomfortably claustrophobic, broke.  " Okay, I'll tell you. But don't breath a word to either of them."

" Okay," Jessie and James agreed, excitement rising within them.

" Misty is in love with him. She told me herself."

The former rockets gasped.  " Aww, young love. Isn't it sweet?" James said, with a sentimental heart.

" Maybe that's what's happened. Maybe she told him how she feels and he feels the same," Jessie continued.

" I'm not sure," Brock told them, seriousness on his face.  " Misty also told me that she was afraid of telling Ash how she felt as he means too much to her and she doesn't want to damage their current relationship.  And I don't know how he feels. He's quite a bit younger than she is, and I'm not sure if he has the same feelings for her. I know he has a feelings for her but I'm not sure how deep they go."

" Na, I think he loves her too," Jessie disagreed. " They can't act like that and him not be in love with her. Personally I think something is going on, something they don't want to tell us, at least not yet. You may know them better, but having an outsider's perspective, having less conflicting information, I know they are hiding something."

" Oh, I don't disagree that something may be going on. I've seen the signs for years. I hope the two do get together, but I'm not sure if that has happened yet, or will anytime soon. Anyway, they would have told us by now."

" Maybe they want a little privacy, want to keep it their little secret for a while. It's actually quite romantic."

" Then we should leave them alone," James added.

" No. This has been going on for days. I want to find out what they've been keeping from us. I think it's time we confront them. If they are just good friends, then no harm is done, well maybe a little embarrassment. And if they have been sneaking around behind our backs, they still don't have to tell us. If we just give them the opportunity, I'm sure they will tell us the truth."

" Well, okay," Brock agreed. " We'll try it."

In their bedroom, Ash and Misty just held each other, lying on Ash's bed, happy to be alone.

" I wonder how much longer this war is going to rage on," she said to him.

" I don't know. We have a lot planned, but nothing has shown us that they will ever be willing to give up their control. Every stance we take against them doesn't change their determination. The only way we could stop this is by taking control of their headquarters, and imprisoning Giovanni."

" That would be impossible."

" Don't worry.  We'll beat them."

" Yeah, but when, and...will we live to see freedom?"

" I don't know, maybe not. But at least if we do die, we have one piece of consolation."

" What?"

He placed his hand upon her heart. " We'll always have a place in each other's hearts."

She blushed slightly this comment.  " You've changed so much."

" I hope that's a compliment."

"Don't worry.  It is."

" You've changed a lot too."

" How?" she giggled.

" Well, you don't yell at me as much..."

" That's 'cause you don't piss me off as much as you used to."

"...and you dress a little more feminine."

She put on a front of anger, but Ash new she was just playing around with him.  " What's wrong with what I used to wear?"

" It's just that you looked like a real tomboy."

" I am a tomboy.  I always have been."

" I know and I like the tomboy look, or I wouldn't of had a crush on you since the first day we met.  It's just I like the older Misty better..."  He paused for a moment, wondering what she would do if he said what he was now thinking. What the hell?  Life is short.  "...even if you are still a scrawny little blabber-mouth."

" What?!  I am not scrawny!"  She immediately lowered her tone, realizing he was just trying to aggravate her.  "  Well, I was maybe a little underweight when I was younger, but that's 'cause we were constantly travelling without always eating as much as we should have.  Also, all of my sisters and my mum were a little on the small side when they we young.  It's a family thing.  But we've always filled out when we get into our older teens.  I'm far from being 'scrawny' now." She posed for effort.

He looked down at her curvaceous body.  " Mmm, definitely."

"Hey!" she slapped him lightly on the side of his face.

He leaned a little closer to her.  " I love you."

" I know.  And I love you, too."  She glanced up at him, smiling, and kissed him deeply.  He rolled her over from her side and onto her back, lying over her, still holding the intense kiss.

" You guys in there?"

They both bolted up and sat innocently on the bed, Misty trying to put her hair back into a neat ponytail.

" Ah, ah, yeah. We were just talking."

" Are you trying to get us found out, Ash?" she whispered.  " You're making it obvious."

" Sorry."

" Guys, can you come out here for a moment? We want to have a little talk."

" Okay, Brock." Misty called back. Then she turned back to Ash. " What do you think they want to talk to us about?"

" I don't know. You don't think they suspect, do you?"

" Maybe they do."

" What's wrong, guys?" Ash said innocently, sitting round the table with his friends, although he had a feeling that they had figured out what had happened between him and Misty.

" Ash, Misty," Brock said looking at both of his friends in turn. " Is there anything you're hiding from us?"

" What do you mean?" Ash continued the charade, but he knew there was no way to hide something like this from people that he and Misty had know for six years. He looked to the girl he loved, and realized that she had decided it was time to come clean as well.  They both took each other's hands and placed them onto the table where all could see. " We have been hiding something." He took a deep breath and told them the truth. " We're in love."

"Pikachu," the rodent exclaimed.  "Pika chu chu [I knew it!]."  He ran over and hugged the two.

" Didn't I tell you?" Jessie said smugly.

" Okay. You were right," replied Brock, a little defeated, but ecstatic at what his two oldest friends had announced.  "How long have you been together?"

"About two weeks," Ash answered.

" Guys, why didn't you tell us? You knew we would be happy for you."

" Ah, well...we wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while to get use to what was happening between us and to have a little privacy.  And we thought it was an odd time for us to get together with everything that's going on and all," explained Misty.

" We would have understood. It's a difficult time and we've all had to depend on each other much more than we would have before. It's natural for you to realize your feelings at a time like this. And this is great. I couldn't be happier for you."

" Thanks. You guys always understand."

" Of course we understand," said James. " We're all friends."

Ash squeezed Misty's hand. " You want anything to eat?"

" Nah, I'm okay."

Ash got up and walked into the kitchen, leaving Misty to satisfy the questions of their friends. Brock also left the table and followed him.

" So," the older friend began, " when did you guys first get together?"

" On the night I got shot."

At that, Brock became suspicious. " As I remember...that night the two of you spent the night alone in Kiyoko's bedroom."

Understanding what his friend was insinuating, he began to blush, replying a little shocked. " Nothing happened. You know I'd never take advantage of her. We just spent the night talking and comforting each other."

Brock smiled, happy to know his friends hadn't taken such a vital step so soon.  " Now you know how she feels, and that she has felt that way for a while now, don't you wish the two of you had gotten together a while back?"

Ash contemplated the question for a moment. " I think if it had of happened any earlier, we would have been too young to really make things work. Now we're much more mature. It's a better time for the two of us. But then it's hard for us two to have a proper relationship with all this going on."

" Yeah," Brock replied, sadly, before perking up again at the good news. " Well, congratulations, I'm sure you'll both be very happy together."

" Thanks, Brock. I know we will."

They all watched on as Kiyoko telepathically spoke to Erika, hoping to find out some information on the attack her group had lead the previous night.

"The mission was successful, but..."  An anxious countenance cast over her face.

"What?" Jessie tentatively asked.

Kiyoko lowered her head.  "...but one of there group got killed."

"Oh," James sighed.

Silence spread over the friends for several minutes before Brock voiced what they were all contemplating.  "What if that happened to...one of us?  I mean, we'd be selfish to think that all of us will get out of this alive."

"Yeah," everyone muttered.

Ash looked around the room at his old and new friends.  He couldn't let anything happy to any of these guys.  He had always been willing to risk his life for others, and now was no different.  He pulled Misty a little closer to him, holding her in his arms.  She turned to him with a sorrowful grin upon her delicate face.  He placed his lips gently upon hers, trying to relax her and himself.

" We'll bomb the Team Rocket HQ.  Just an average sized attack like before, something to shake them up, make them realize that we are not a bunch of wanna-be rebels. We need to strike home to show them how committed we are." Ash explained the latest plan to all his friends and fellow comrades. He noticed, by the smiles slowly creeping across their faces, that they agreed full-heartedly to the plan.

" So, who's going to take it on?" Brock asked.

" Me. Alone."

" What?" everyone yelled in unison.

" Are you crazy?" Brock shouted.

" Ash, what the hell are you talking about?" Misty screamed.

" I'm going on my own and that's the last being said of the matter. It's too dangerous to risk anyone else. I don't want to see any of you getting killed when I can carry out the mission on my own."

" Don't you realize that we don't want to see you killed?" Misty shouted back at him, her anger easily evident, making everyone in the room jump, especially her boyfriend to whom the comment was directed.  " Haven't you stopped to think how we feel? We've already seen you nearly die and we don't want that to happen again! Going out there on your own is suicide! You know that, I know that, we all know that!  We agreed to only go out with company, and even then it's too dangerous!  That's what happened to that guy a few nights ago!"

"Yeah, and I don't want the same thing to happen to one of you guys as happened to him!" he shouted back at her.

She paused for a moment, staring into the shocked face of the man she loved. Before she continued, she calmed herself and lowered her voice.  " I'm coming with you, and don't try to talk me out of it. You know I'm just as stubborn as you are."

" But, Misty-"

She cut him off before he could finish. " No buts. I'm going no matter how much you protest. Someone has to be there to look out for you. What would have happened if I hadn't been there a few weeks ago?"

" Misty, please."

" No, Ash. I'm coming."

He knew he had to admit defeat. He looked away from her. " Okay.  I know I won't be able to convince you, but I still want you to stay."

" You know I can't do that."

" Well then, we better get ready then."

She knew he was angry. She could hear it in his voice. He tried to conceal it but she could see through his bluff. She knew him better than his own mother. The pair put on their coats, picked up the bag that concealed the bomb, Misty taking it, while Ash put Pikachu in his back pack. They walked down the three back flights of stairs of the appartment complex in complete silence, not even looking at each other until they exited into the alley, the only light shining on them from the setting sun.  As Misty closed the door, Ash turned to look at her.

Noticing his stare she returned it, glaring straight into his eyes.

" I don't want anything to happen to you, not now, now we're together," he said, and then more quietly, " not ever."

" Then you know exactly how I feel." With a slight smile crossing her face she continued.  " Nothing will happen. We'll protect each other, now and forever."

Although far from happy, he agreed. He walked to her, pushed her against the door with a reassuring force and kissed her passionately, as if never wanting to let go. After a long moment, he broke from the kiss and pulled her as close as he could. " I couldn't
bare to lose you."

She could feel the tears falling down her cheeks, unable to keep them in check with her emotions the way they were.  " We'll be okay. We'll be okay."

He pulled from her and looked at her face. He knew from her sobs that she was crying. " Hey," he raised his hands to her cheeks and wiped both sets of tears away. " Why are you crying?"

" I just...want this to be over with. I want us to have a normal relationship and not have all this hanging over our heads, wondering whether both of us will be...alive tomorrow." Her cries instantly worsened and she buried her head into his shoulder.

Seeing her like this, understanding every word she said, knowing every fear, he felt like crying too, but he knew he had to be strong for her. She had done so much for him since the beginning of this whole mess, staying up with him on those long nights, comforting him, and even risking her own life to save him. He had to be there for her, he had to do what she had done. He rocked her body in an attempt to soothe her. " Misty, everyday is a risk. Even when all this is over, either one of us could die at any given moment." The sobs suddenly became louder. Shit, great going. You've just made everything worse. Even with his maturity, he knew he still could act like the naive, little kid he was years ago, the person who had no clue about women, the person who even now knew little more than he did then about them. He had to figure out a way to console her. " I'm sorry. That definitely wasn't the right thing to say."

She let out a muffled giggle. " You can be so silly sometimes. Do you know that, Ash Ketchum?"

" Sadly, yes."

She looked at his embarrassed face. " Why 'sadly, yes'? Your..." she couldn't find the word.

He did, however. " Stupidness?"

" No. Well, actually yes, your stupidness is one of the reasons I'm in love with you."

" You used to always tease me about my awkwardness and nativity. You still do and now you tell me it's one of the reasons you love me."

" Well, it's one of your greatest contradictions.  From the day I met you, you always put yourself forward as a passionate young man with these huge dreams, never letting anyone get in your way.  But then from time to time - well quite often actually - you would do something silly and unexpected. It's really pretty cute."

" Thanks," Ash replied confused, as he wiped her last tears away, unsure whether he had just been complimented or put down.  Then his former seriousness returned. " Don't worry. This will all be over soon, the rebellion will make sure of that."

She looked hard into his face with a somewhat look of awe. " My hero. And not only my hero but hero of Kanto."

" Everyone in the rebellion is a hero. Why do people set me aside from everyone else? I'm just a normal rebel."

" You're far from that, Ash."

" Why do people think that?"

" Because you are our voice."

" Anyone else could have done it."

" Maybe a few others, but not anyone. The people listen to you not only because of your position as a Master but because you have so much passion in you heart, so much strength. It's hard not to be swept away when you speak of the rebellion. You sure swept me away."

" I may seem strong in public, but you know how sensitive I can be. If I didn't have you, I think I'd have fallen apart by now."

" You would have gotten through it. I know.  It would take too much to destroy your passion." They kissed again and held each other tight for a few moments until they decided it was time to go. Hand in hand, they continued on their way to the Team Rocket HQ.

They walked within the shadows of the alleyway. The bomb needed to be placed somewhere near the entrance of the building opposite them, to show how easy it could be for them to get through their enemy's security defences.

Ash looked at the HQ in front of him, surveying the three cameras aimed towards the main entrance and the electrical monitors which guarded the heavy wooden door.  "Okay, Pikachu.  Thundershock.  Short-out the electricity to them," he whispered to his first Pokemon.

Pikachu climbed from his trainer's back pack, jumping onto the tarmac.  As quietly as possible, he let out his most powerful thundershock into the electrical system.  For a few seconds sparks flew from the defensive devices, their power lights blinking out.

"Perfect, Pikachu."  Misty stroked the Pokemon's soft head, making him coo affectionately.

"Right.  Let's do this and get out as quickly as possible.  It won't take them long to realize their security devices are out," Ash said to his two closest friends.

Misty quickly pulled the bomb from her bag, handing it to Ash.  He ran through the square (where several Team Rocket rallies had taken place) to the building two hundred metres ahead of him, pressed the buttons to activate the bomb, just as Jessie had shown him, and attached it the front wall.

He ran back to the alley, and under the shadow's cover, they watched as the explosion ripped through the wall, allowing the rebels to see into one of the interior rooms.  Moments later, Team Rocket personnel poured into the room, confused as to what was happening.  When the panic began to pass, the rebels left the danger zone with a satisfied look on their faces, understanding that soon searches would begin to search for the responsible parties.

Giovanni sat in his office, his base of operations since the destruction of his Viridian Gym (another incident he held Ash Ketchum responsible for), as the explosion occurred.  He stood, the noise shocking him.  After a few seconds, the din was replaced with the shouts of many of his operatives.  He sat again, and pressed a button on his desk.  "Get me Mr. Nakamora!" he yelled at his secretary.

"Yes, sir," came the soft, but frightened, female reply.

Five minutes passed until his door was opened by one of his most important officers.

"What just happened, Nakamora?"  His voice was harsh and full of anger.

The man trembled slightly.  Nothing ever really unnerved him, but his superior could do it so easily.  "It must have been the rebels.  They have made a number of attacks against us in the past few weeks, but this is the first time our head quarters have been attacked."  He was noticeably shocked by what had happened.

"I knew that!  How the hell did they get so close?"

"Before they came within sensor range, they destroyed our external security systems.  That allowed them to get to the front of the building and plant a bomb."

"What's the damage?"

"There is a hole in the front of the building.  We have a number of agents there now."

"Good.  I want them to stay their until we can stop these damn rebels.  That's all."

"Yes, sir."  He quickly walked out of his boss's office.

Giovanni watched as the door closed.  How could this be happening?  A band of rebel trainers, lead by a boy, was undermining his entire organization.  After several decades, Team Rocket had never needed to worry about it's power.  The Police and Army had never touched them, as Giovanni, and his mother before him, ensured that they had enough allies within the government to prevent those kinds of problems, and any previous 'obstacles' in their way had been swiftly dealt with.  But now, when his dream had been achieved, a gang, that he thought would be simple to eradicate, kept slipping through his fingers, humiliating him at every turn.  But he knew that, one way or another, he would stop this threat and turn Kanto into the country he wanted it to be.  And then, the people would follow him with question.