They had arrived at the Viridian Central Train Station to discover a small escort waiting to transport them to the hotel they were to spend their stay in.

The hotel itself was one of the most prestigious in the city. (“The government doesn’t seem to be holding back any expense,” Gary had laughed after they had been show to their rooms.) The Prime Minister himself was apparently to reside within the same walls.

But the excitement over their assigned quarters instantly ceased when the prosecution solicitor had called for their presence. They had barely been there for twenty minutes. Something always seemed to conspire to ruin their fun.

The group - sans Izzie, who had instead busied herself with a shopping trip - sat around the table in Ash and Misty’s suite, waiting impatiently for the solicitor.

“Where is this guy?” Misty whined, her head set within crossed arms, resting upon the table. “He said he would be here half an hour ago.”

“And you’re trusting a solicitor?” Brock joked.

“He better be trustworthy. It’s his job to put the likes of Nakamora away for the rest of their lives.”

“Don’t worry,” Gary assured her. “He’s one of the top solicitors in the country. They wouldn’t have brought him all the way from the Shuya region if he wasn’t.”

“I know, I know. I just want to get on with this.” She didn’t know why the wait was bothering her so much. Maybe it was just her typical impatience, maybe it was her intense anxiety, or Ash’s wearing off upon her. She didn’t care. She just wanted Mister Hotshot Lawyer to hurry his ass and get there already.

Another five minutes passed without any other sound aside from the incessant drumming of fingers and the occasional sigh. Then the man decided to make an appearance.

“Finally,” Misty gasped, exasperated.

Brock stood and paced over to the door, the chime of the bell still lingering in the air. The solicitor entered. He seemed reasonably young, perhaps in his mid-thirties. His tall figure was lined with an immaculate pin-stripe suit, and the shine upon his shoes instantly drew eyes to the ground. His hair was slicked back, leaving it impossible to be sure whether it was truly black or just appeared that colour thanks to the copious amounts of gel applied. His face was handsome enough, though (Misty believed) a little basic.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” was his greeting. “I first had a meeting with the Prime Minister which ran over time.”

Ash, who had remained quiet throughout the previous discourse, felt his interest pique at his words. “The Prime Minister is in the city already?”

The plain-faced solicitor nodded. “Yes. He arrived this morning.

“My name is Mr. Seto,” he began, making his way further into the room. “I’m the prosecution solicitor for the trials. In other words, I’m responsible for making sure those Team Rocket bastards get what they deserve.” His voice seemed as bare as his features, but there was a certain passion behind his words.

Seto sat at the table’s empty chair and placed his dark leather briefcase upon the surface, snapping the locks open. He withdrew several pieces of white paper, giving one sheet to each of the group before him. “That’s a witness schedule. That will tell each of you the times and dates you will need to report to the courthouse.”

Misty scanned her eyes over the printed agenda. The dates ran for almost two weeks, beginning in just two days time. Several of the names she only recognised in passing as leaders of resistance cells. A few were more familiar, such as Erika’s. She searched for her friend’s names within the list. Gary would be the first to testify, on the third day of the trials.

“Now, I’m here today to prepare you all for your roles. Each of you will have to testify upon a number of different issues.”

Right down to business, Misty inwardly remarked. This man certainly didn’t waste anytime.

Another sheet was passed to each of them. “These define what each testimony will focus upon.

“Each one of you, in testimony, will need to describe your own actions and what you believe were the actions of others on both sides on April 31st, the final day of occupation in Viridian. You will also speak of the actual takeover, and of any retaliation attacks you took part in.

“Gary Oak?”

Gary turned his full attention towards the man at the utterance of his name.

“You, along with other members of your resistance cell, will focus upon the group’s structures, its activities.”

“Okay,” came Gary simple response.

Seto looked down at his own copy of the sheet. “Brock Harrison. Your focus will be upon the massacre at the village of Pari.”

Brock nodded in acceptance, while swallowing back the sour taste that never failed to rise whenever that place was mentioned.

He turned his vision to Ash and Misty. “Ash Ketchum, Misty Williams, you both have the greatest duty of all the witnesses.”

The two felt their stomach’s turn. They knew that would be true weeks before, but it was still an unpalatable thought.

“As well as giving us your own personal accounts of that massacre,” Seto continued, “you will also be responsible for the prosecution of Nakamora. Mr. Ketchum, in addition, you will need to concentrate upon your encounter with the Team Rocket leader, Giovanni Sakai, and his escape.”

Ash’s heart skipped a beat. He knew Seto meant nothing by his words, but to Ash it seemed to emphasise his personal belief that it had been all his fault. Giovanni had gotten away with his evil crimes. Why didn’t he stop him?

His dark musings were interrupted by a slight pressure upon his thigh. Misty, her eyes still trained upon Seto, had set her hand upon his leg, and was now softly rubbing her thumb along the fabric of his jeans. Ash felt himself inwardly chuckle. What, can she read my mind or something?

Glancing through another few neat pages, the solicitor skimmed his eyes over a piece of text. “Just one last thing. According to the reports you gave a few weeks ago, you know the former Team Rocket members…” he checked a document, “…Jessie, James and…a talking Meowth?”

Ash nodded confidently. He knew this was going to be brought up at some instance. “Yes. They fought along side us in the rebellion.”

Seto sighed lightly. “Well, I know you may not wish to hear this, but a warrant has been put out for their arrest.”

Ash, Misty and Brock attempted to display a shocked exterior, but their expression was nothing compared to Gary’s authentic disbelief. “You want to arrest them? But, they aren’t the bad guys.”

“They were members of an illegal organisation at one point, and therefore must pay for their crimes.”

He stood up from his chair. “But…but that’s ridiculous. Why didn’t you just arrest them when you had the chance, then?”

Misty glanced over at Gary’s excited form. He was standing up for those he barely knew? Maybe her recent change of opinion towards Gary was correct. He really was a nice person when it came right down to it.

“It’s a new order from the highest echelons of the government,” Seto told him.

“But-“ Gary looked towards the others. They were supposed to be Jessie, James and Meowth’s friends. Why weren’t they protesting against this madness? Just as he was about to say something to the three of them, he was stopped by the slight shake of the head Ash gave him. He could just tell by the glint in his eye that there was something he hadn’t been included in.

Not affected by Gary’s protestations, the solicitor continued. “Do you have any information about their whereabouts?” he questioned the group.

“No,” Ash told, his face unemotional. “We have no idea at all.”

The solicitor accepted his lie. “Alright.

“Now, I need you all to write detailed reports of what happened. Don’t leave out anything, no matter how irrelevant it seems. I need to know everything so I can put up a good case.”

“Why can’t you just use the reports we gave to the police?” Brock wondered.

“I’ve read them, but they were quite general. I need to know absolutely everything, so I want you to rewrite them with a strong focus upon the areas each of you will testify upon.”

The others submitted to his wish with a unified, “Okay.”

“I think that is everything for now. We can’t do much more until those reports are finished. Then I will discuss their contents with each of you before each of your witness sessions.” Closing the briefcase and heading for the door, he finished, “If you need to speak to me, I’ll be in room 12A. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any problems. I’ll see you all in a couple of days.”

As soon as the door shut, Gary turned to Ash. “What the hell are you doing? I thought those guys were you friends. Are you just gonna let those assholes arrest them without a fight?”

Ash began laughing lightly, unnerving the older boy. “Don’t worry, Gary. Jessie, James and Meowth are at my house.” He glanced down at his watch. It was four o’clock already. “In fact, they’re probably sitting down to one of my mum’s famous pot roasts right now.”

Gary just stood there in confusion. “You’ve hidden them away?”

“Yep, and tomorrow I’m going to have a nice little chat with the Prime Minister about all this shit.”

Gary shook his head. “I’m sorry. I should have known you guys wouldn’t let them take the fall. I’ll know not to underestimate you next time.” He paused for a moment. “You really think you can talk the Prime Minister out of it?”

Ash awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. “Well, it’s not really talking him out of it. More like blackmail.”

Gary smiled. “I didn’t think you were the deceitful type, Ashy-boy.”

“Sometimes you have to learn new skills.”

Ash and Misty had finally given up upon the damn reports they had to write for Mr. Seto. They were almost finished, but when it had come to the night of their interrogation, they had lost all will to continue. Instead, they sat cuddled upon the bed, watching the large television in front of them, half the mini-bars confectionary section littered around them.

Misty popped the last chuck of a dark chocolate bar into her mouth, allowing the silky morsel to melt onto her tongue. This was just what she needed. She leaned into Ash, her back upon his chest, his legs bent at either side of her body. Her head found a resting position upon his shoulder, enabling her to look up into his facial features.

“You’re gonna get fat if you keep eating that much chocolate,” Ash commented.

Misty smirked. “Maybe, buts it’s all free, and some of this stuff is really expensive.” She picked up the wrapper from the treat she had just finished. “This one’s imported all the way from Europe. I can’t give up this opportunity.”

“Doesn’t mean you’re not going to get fat,” he teased.

“As long as I don’t eat anymore sweets tomorrow, I’ll be fine.” Misty nuzzled her head into the curve of his neck. “So, when are you going to have your little ‘meeting’ with the Prime Minister?”

“Well, seeing as he’s already here, I was thinking about tomorrow. Get it over with and save Jessie, James and Meowth any more worry.”

She nodded in agreement. “Are you going to make an appointment?”

He laughed. “Are you kidding? Nah, if I just show up, demanding to talk to him, he’ll be more unnerved.”

“I wish I could come with you. God, it would be so fun to piss off the head of the country.”

“Little rebellious Misty, ne?”

“I’d just like to tell him exactly how I feel about him after he left us to fight on our own.”

Ash paused for a moment, a slight fragment of worry falling over his thoughts. “I just really hope I can carry this off. I mean, what if he refuses to back down?”

Misty shook her head and regarded her boyfriend with a confident gaze. “He won’t. He knows he would have no chance of staying in power if you sided against him. God, your position comes in handy with so many things.”

He could stop a chuckle from escaping him. “Yeah. I’m still really uncomfortable with it, but I’m gonna make damn sure I use it anytime I need to.”

“You know,” she began, a seductive glint in her eye, “power is a little bit of a turn on.”

“Oh,” he softly muttered before bending down to kiss her. Her mouth still tasted sweet with chocolate and vanilla, causing him to prolong the caress.

Misty moved slightly so they could reach each other’s lips a little better, pulling her legs upwards so they sat between his, in the same bent pose. Cupping the nape of his neck with her hand, she brought his head down closer to hers.

Ash’s fingers drifted down over her arms, settling themselves upon her knees, before gliding so gently over her naked legs. She felt a thrill of excitement fill her at his tenderness. The subtle touches continued as they kissed, sending wave after wave of pluses up her spine.

A few minutes of this bliss passed before Ash had the desire to change their position. Urging her to turn and lie down upon the bed, she obeyed, burying her feet among the pillows at the top. He gently leaned over her, holding his body slightly apart from hers with his arms. They reinitiated their kiss once more.

Interrupted from her exploration of his chest the last time they had both fallen into such a passionate embrace, she was determined to continue it now. She tugged upon the end of his T-shirt, motioning for him to aid her in its removal. Sitting up momentarily to discard of the fabric before retaking his previous stance, he felt his body tense in pleasure as she ran her hands over his back. When she touched the sides of his stomach, a glorious shiver of delight flowed through him, causing him to laugh lightly. She knew that area was weak to tickles.

Her fingertips felt so sensitive it almost felt as if his skin was giving off a light electric pulse. She ran them up along his back once more before travelling over his shoulders and onto his chest. Brushing past the nearly healed scab upon his ribs, she found her concentration fail her, remembering the wet, dark night that had caused the wound (and those of his leg). Looking up into his face, his eyes closed, and seeing no similar reaction, she felt her worry fade.

Placing her hands upon the small of his back once more, she pulled him down to lie upon her. His arms no longer needed to support him, Ash laced his fingers within her hair and held both sides of her head within his hands. For a time they just allowed themselves to adjust to this position, gently kissing, before Misty took her lips from his and applied them to his shoulder.

He felt himself gasp a little at the beauty of her kiss. He felt her tongue against his skin, moving along his shoulder, up to his neck, down to his collar bone and then across to his upper arm, occasionally giving him a slight nip with her teeth. This was heaven, having her touch him in this way. But he didn’t want to be the only one receiving the administrations of the one he loved. He lowered his head, pushing the thin strap of her pajama top out of his way, and began to imitate her caresses, bite for bite, lick for lick.

Unconsciously, he felt himself push harder into her body, causing him to realise just how much their contact had aroused him.

He jumped up immediately, grabbing the quilt and pulling it over his lap. His cheeks burned. His heart beat at a furious pace. Oh, I’m gonna really get whacked hard for this one.

Misty, rising from the mattress, puzzled as to Ash’s sudden reaction, attempted to read his expression. “What’s wrong?”

He kept his gaze averted from her. “Nothing. I just…you know…wanted to stop before…in case we got to a point when we…couldn’t stop.” He was clearly abashed. He could still be so innocent about some things. “Sorry.”

She smiled at him. “Don’t worry, Ash. You were right to do so.”

“…”

She turned her attention to the clock, before laying back down, this time her head upon the pillows. “It’s getting pretty late. We better get some sleep.” He nodded in response. Switching off the television, she reached for the quilt, but found it was still clutched within his grip. “Ash, are you okay?”

He shook his head, driving away the last few threads of lust, finally enabling himself to relax somewhat. “Yeah. I’m alright.” He lay down as well, facing away from her. He was certain his blush would still be evident in dark room.

Misty moved forward a little, pressing up against his bare back. She felt him shudder, half from pleasure, half from uneasiness. She had to contain a giggle. He believed he was able to keep all of this from her, whereas, in truth, she knew every thought that passed through his mind, every reaction he had to their playful sessions.

She knew that he wasn’t ready for them to take that final step yet, but for some reason he didn’t seem comfortable to truly admit so to her. Was he embarrassed by the fact he wanted to wait? Was he perhaps worried she would take it as some form of rejection (which she certainly wouldn’t)?

She wasn’t sure which it was. It could have been both, or even something entirely different. But it didn’t worry her. Just like everything, he would tell her when he was ready to. She wouldn’t push.

Misty herself was a little anxious to reveal her genuine feelings about the matter. Unlike him, she had been ready for them to sleep together since that first night, perhaps even before then. Maybe since the first day she had accepted her love for him. But she didn’t want to tell him so. She didn’t want him to feel that she was perhaps rushing him, though she wouldn’t even dream of doing so. She didn’t care how long it would be before they took that final step. As long as he was ready, anytime was right for her.

But, even so, she had the desire for them both to wait a little while at least; until a point that a number of loose ends were tied up, and they could fully focus upon the experience.

She buried her face into his soft hair, loving the feeling of it against her face. “Love you,” she whispered as she neared his ear.

For the first time, Ash turned his head. She could barely make out his features in the darkness, but she knew there was a smile on his lips from the tone of his voice. “Love you, too.”

Ash stood staring at the white panel door, panic flowing through every sinew of his body. He leaned heavily upon his right leg to support his injured left. He wasn’t going to confront this man with a crutch in his hand.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been standing there. Ten minutes at least. Every time he reached for the handle, he felt himself hesitating.

Come on. You’ve stood before Giovanni in the past. This should be a piece of cake compared to that.

But no matter how many times he tried to reassure himself, he couldn’t calm his dread. He knew the weight that his position carried, but for some reason he couldn’t see himself as anything aside from a sixteen-year-old kid. What right did he have to tell the Prime Minister what to do?

But he couldn’t put this off any longer. He had to do this for his friends, and for the other innocents caught up in all of this. He was perhaps their only chance.

He slowly reached for the spherical brass knob, watching the contorted reflection of his hand and face upon it. He was going to do this. He had to! Taking a final deep breath, attempting to centre himself, he placed his hand upon the handle and turned it.

Walking into the small vestibule area of the hotel suite, he was greeted by a young looking woman sitting at a desk to his left. “May I help you…” Ms. Shimokawa - as her name badge identified her as - trailed off.

Ash gave her an uncomfortable smile, worried by her expression. Oh, god. She’s gonna call security and get me thrown out of here. What should I do?

As he was about to mumble some form of apology, she simply stood and bowed, her eyes focused upon the floor. “Master Ketchum. It’s such an honour to be in your presence, sir.”

Baffled by her reaction, he could do nothing but stare at her respectful pose. In Pallet Town, no one had treated him in such a way. But his hometown was a close community. Almost everyone there had known him since he was born. But at any point he had ventured outside of his suite since arriving in Viridian, he could notice people gazing at him, behaving awkward in his vicinity. Come to think of it, Mr. Seto had been the only person to treat him as if he was still a normal human being. He knew this was to come with his newfound fame, but he was sure he was never going to become accustomed to such treatment. Oh, how he craved to be back at home.

Straightening and forcing a confident expression upon his features, he asked her, “Is Prime Minister Watanabe in?”

Ms. Shimokawa finally brought her attention up to his face. “Yes, Master, he is. Does Mr. Watanabe know you are coming, sir?”

“No…I-I…” Stop your damn stuttering, he ordered himself. “I’m sorry. I forgot to make an appointment. Is that a problem?”

She animatedly shook her head. “Oh, of course not, sir. He will be happy to make time for you, Master. I will call him right away, sir.”

Can she not say one damn line without calling me ‘sir’ or ‘Master’, Ash cursed. I’m just a normal guy.

Without sitting, she picked up the telephone beside her, pressing a single button. “Mr. Watanabe. You have a very important visitor her to see you, sir? … Yes, I know you are busy right now, but I really think you should talk to him … No, he doesn’t have an appointment … But…but, sir, it’s…it’s Master Ketchum.” She fell silent for a moment, a smile appearing upon her lips as she listened to the man at the other end of the line. “Yes, I’ll send him in right away.”

Ash inwardly gave a sigh of relief as she placed the phone receiver back upon its holder. “The Prime Minister will see you now, sir. It’s just the door in front of you.”

“Thank you very much, ma’am.” She seemed shocked at his last word. What? Am I not supposed to be polite anymore or something? Ash, putting it from his mind, turned from her and stepped over to the door she had mentioned.

This was it.

Stepping into a temporary office, set up in what would normally be considered the suite’s living room, he focused upon the man standing at the far side of the desk, and begrudgingly shook his offered hand.

“Ah, Master Ketchum.” The man’s voice gave off a tone of genuine delight. “It’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve been wishing to invite you down for a little chat. You don’t know how big a fan I am. I’m hoping that you are planning on going all the way and competing to become the World Champion. It’s been a while since someone from this country has been the Supreme Master. Won’t you sit, sir?” He indicated the seat across from him while settling into his own.

Ash regarded the chair with a disdainful look while retaining his position, staring down at the grey-haired man. His leg hurt like hell, but he wouldn’t let that show. “No, thank you, Mr. Watanabe. I haven’t come here for a social chat. I’m here on unpleasant business.”

“Oh. And what might that be?”

Just get straight to the point. Don’t dilly-dally, he ordered himself. The fastest you get started, the sooner you’ll be out of here. “Three of the most vital members of the resistance movement, three of my closest friends, have a bounty on their heads. I want it revoked.”

Watanabe seemed to easily cover-up his reaction. Only for a fraction of a second was Ash able to detect his appalled expression. His previous courteous manner dropped instantly. “I can’t just dissolve that warrant.”

The sudden harshness in the man’s voice provoked a knee-jerk reaction within Ash. He felt the confidence he’d built up so far fade. But he still held his undeviating sternness. He couldn’t waver. He had the upper hand. If he didn’t bend, everything would go as it should. “Yes you can. You are the Prime Minister, for Christ’s sake. You can do anything you want.”

“And what if I don’t adhere to your ‘commands’?” came the monotone reply. His unemotional responses we so practiced. But there was a slight glint of fear in his eye. It was barely there for a second, but Ash saw it.

Ash suddenly felt his lost conviction flood back into him. He knew. Watanabe knew the power Ash had over him. And he was afraid of it. He was betting upon Ash’s age and his naivety to save himself. If he could intimate the teenager, maybe he would back down. Ash inwardly laughed. He could see right through him. I’m not as naïve as most people think.

“Are you willing to risk that?”

“I won’t let them go just because a kid who thinks he has some kind of influence tells me to.”

How was he going to play this? How could he piss this man off the most? “’A kid who thinks he has some kind of influence’? I think that maybe you’re the one with the misleading interpretation of the influence I hold.”

Watanabe was becoming worried. It was hidden well, but the subtle amount of sweat leaking from the pores of his forehead was a dead give away. “Do I really?”

“Yes. Let me ask you, what is more important to the people in this country, Politics or Pokemon?” There was no response. “In the past it’s been shown that the average person in the streets would trust a Pokemon trainer long before they would a politician. God, how many trainers have actually made it into the upper levels of the government, beating off those with a law or politics degree? I wouldn’t even hazard a guess.

“Now let’s throw another coin into the hat. What if this Pokemon trainer was a Master, and also one of the people considered to be the savior of an entire region? Who would the average citizen trust? Him or a politician who stood back while hundreds of people died?”

The cover Watanabe held over himself was beginning to crumble under the pressure of the truth. His agitation was more evident by the minute, but he still exuded an impressive strength through the losing battle.

It’s crunch time, Ash amusingly decided.

“I am the number one trainer in this country. I am seeded forth in the world. Do you know what will happen if you lose my support? If I call to the people not to back you? And before you ask, yes, I am willing to do anything in my power to prevent you winning the next election if you don’t do as I say.”

The older man was lost for words. “But…but this is blackmail.”

“I know precisely what it is,” Ash replied firmly. “And I know you have no other option but to accept. The most important thing to a politician is power. I doubt that you’re willing to give up your seat just to put three people in jail. So, you can either let my friends go free or say bye-bye to your coveted position. It’s your choice.”

Watanabe looked down at his desk. Ash surmised he was contemplating the options, though there was little need to. There could only be one choice. “Okay. I’ll drop the arrest order,” he surrendered. “Are you happy?”

Ash shook his head. “I’m not finished, yet. I know that the majority of the Team Rocket members in jail have been involved in terrible crimes. I agree that they should face the full brunt of their crimes. But a number of them are really just kids, many even younger than me. They were too young to be assigned to anything serious. I want them released as well, so they can have another go at their lives.”

“I can’t just let them go. They’re-“

Ash interrupted his protest. “Jessie, James and Meowth have already agreed to testify in whatever capacity needed. They will give you the evidence you need to justify their release.

“I also want your reassurance that every single prisoner has a fail trial,” he continued. “They will only be prosecuted for crimes that you can prove they have committed. If I find that one person has been treated unfairly, YOU will be the one to suffer the consequences.”

Ash didn’t like to admit the fact, but, despite the still lingering worry he felt, this was fun. He had the elected leader of a country obeying his every command.

The Prime Minister nodded in submission. “You seem like a very angry young man.”

Bitterness rose within him. “And why shouldn’t I be. I’ve seen people die, have lost a friend, and have nearly been killed myself a number of times. But all through the occupation I was sure that I could rely upon my country to at least help us out in some way. I know that you had to militarize the borders to Kanto so you could prevent against the occupation of another region. But I thought that eventually you would help us. Instead, a group of normal civilians and trainers had to fight for our freedom. No wonder so many people died during those two months.”

Without even waiting for a response to his angered outburst, Ash turned and opened the door. “Good day, Mr. Prime Minister.” He walked past Ms. Shimokawa before entering the hotel’s corridor.

As soon as he closed the paneled door behind him, he leaned up against it, sighing heavily. He’d done it. He’d stood up against the head of his country. He’d made him submit to everything he wanted. It was a great feeling, the ecstasy overriding his anxiousness.

So this time I’m gonna explain the names.

Prime Minister Watanabe: ‘Watanbe’ is one of the most common surnames in Japan, the equivalent of the name ‘Smith’. So I thought it was perfect for a conservative, boring politician.

Seto: A location from the book ‘Battle Royale’ (which the infamous movies and manga series was based upon), which I was reading while writing these chapters. He’s from the Shunya region, a reference to the main character from the book, Shunya Nanahara. It’s one of my favourite books and I love the first film.

Giovanni Sakai: How unoriginal was I when I picked this. Just simply used his Japanese name as his surname. I whole-heartedly apologise for this.

Ms. Shimokawa: I was listening to Mikuni Shimokawa (who provides the lyrics to the themes to Full Metal Panic! and Full Metal Panic? Fumoffu!) at the time, so just used her name. Ah! I’m so bad at picking names.