Disclaimer: I don’t own pokemon. If I did I would be filthy rich. But since I’m not, I’m writing fanfiction. The story however is of my own cunning and the character Lourie is mine. If indeed this fanfic should happen to resemble any that you have previously read plagiarism was not intended.

Author’s note: This takes place when the kiddies are a little older. Ash-17 Misty-19 Brock-20 Gary-17

Rating: PG

 Title: Truth Revealed

Category: It’s like a buffet a little bit of everything or it will be. ;)

Author: Meg

E-mail- dragon_sunset@hotmail.com I want feedback!! I don’t care what it is! This is my first fic so please anything!

Ash, Misty, Brock, Gary, Jessie, James, Meowth, Prof. Oak, and Mrs. Ketchum all stood against the wall at gunpoint. Ash hovered protectively between Misty and his mother in case things got ugly. He had finally grown out of his boyishness and was a head taller than both women, not to mention he was pretty cute. Brock had also grown, and grown and grown… He was quite a sight at six foot seven inches and 250lbs of muscle; he certainly lived up to the title of the Rock Gymleader. Despite everything his eyes were still closed making him somewhat comical, but not quite. Jessie and James positioned themselves more comfortably against the wall and waited to see what would happen next. Meowth just paced as only a feline could. Gary Oak stood by his grandfather. A this close range one could see the professor was starting to look his age, dark circles ringed his eyes, a few more wrinkles were visible around his firmly set mouth, and his hair was powder white. Gary on the other hand looked like pure defiance. His jaw jutted out stubbornly, eyes burning, and his lips were pulled into a tight smirk.

"So what are you gonna do with us? You’ve already taken our pokemon." He asked boldly.

My, he was quick and to the point.

"Well, your grandfather would make a handsome sum, as would you being his heir and everything. Ash Ketchum is a pokemon Master, the police will pay whatever I want for his safety. Misty and Brock are well respected Gymleaders, also valuable. Pickachu and Togepi will be a nice bonus for my superior officer and oh yes you two." My gaze fell on the rocket rejects. They met my stare levelly. "You will be tried as traitors for deserting Team Rocket." I replied.

"So you’re going to kill us off right here?" Jessie asked. She almost seemed bored. James was just as calm as his partner was. The meowth continued to pace oblivious to what was going on around it.

"Unfortunately, no, I will not be your executioner. The big man wants that pleasure for himself. I’m not one to argue with him." I stated.

"You’re sick! We’re not just some things to be priced and sold!" Misty yelled. She had grown into her looks and could now be appropriately called a Sensational Sister.

"Misty’s right!" Brock boomed in agreement.

"Brock, you’re so cute when you’re angry, I said as I stood on tip toes to tweak his nose. But the both of you are sadly mistaken, that’s exactly what you are, objects to benefit Team Rocket! In fact, the whole world is an object to be bargained, so what makes you think you’re any different?"

"You didn’t always think like that, Lourie," Brock whispered.

I felt a faint tugging at my heart but quickly pushed it aside.

"Things change," I snapped. Turning my back on him, I addressed my men in black rocket uniforms. "I’ve some important buisness to attend to keep an eye on them, I gestured toward the guests. And just to make sure you don’t pull anything, Mrs. Ketchum you’re coming with me."

"Nooo!" Ash screamed. He landed a wild punch on one of the agents rendering him unconscious. Brock roared and body checked three of my men into the wall. Gary threw himself into the fight arms and legs flying. Misty clawed, bit, and whipped out her trusty mallet. Jessie and James added a few punches and kicks of their own. I pulled out my handgun and fired a few rounds into the air. Nothing but silence followed. I grabbed Mrs. Ketchum roughly by the arm and placed the barrel by her head.

"That will be quite enough don’t you agree?" I asked. Everyone nodded in agreement. "Good, now get back on that wall until I decide what to do with you." After a few seconds I had an idea. "Tony?" He was a newer recruit but reliable.

"Yes Ma’am?" he inquired eagerly.

"Search our guests make sure they have nothing that will shorten their stay with us. Put them in separate rooms on the tenth floor. Except Brock, take him to the base floor. I’ll deal with him later. Post three men at each door. Think you can handle that?" I asked.

His eyes were locked on Brock as he nodded. I made a mental note to keep them apart things might get a little too interesting. Silently I tapped Tiny on the shoulder and jerked my head over toward Brock. He nodded. With that I strode over to the burlap sack containing our "newly acquired" pokemon. As I picked it up I was startled by how much it weighed. I smiled the boss would be pleased. One pokeball in particular jostled around bumping into my thigh with an electric jolt. Picking it up in my hand I shook it, hard. The pokeball quieted. Growling, I threw it back in the bag with the others. It hadn’t been easy to get that rodent of Ash’s in a pokeball. I hefted the bag onto my shoulder, took Mrs. Ketchum’s wrist with my free hand, and directed her out the door to where the boss was waiting.

***********************************

A voice over the intercom distracted me from my work.

"Yes, Mrs. Smith," I snapped.

"Umm, sir, agent 2001 is here. She is very insistent on an audience with you."

Resting my head in my hands I sighed. Too much was happening too fast. Agent 2001? Oh yes, Lourie Carlyle. One of my best joint agents, very efficient, quick to get a job done, and reported in on time.

"Bring in her file!" I roared. My organization is growing but my memory is fading. Almost instantly the file was on my desk for review. Ah, now I remember, she was to find those dolts who abandoned us two years prior so I could make a public example of deserters. I’m losing to many agents and money as it is. But why the need to see me? I’m getting tired. I pushed the button on the two way intercom and said, "Mrs. Smith, send in Ms. Carlyle."

"Sir, she has an unauthorized person with her. Shall I send them both in?" Mrs. Smith inquired.

"What! I bellowed, Just send in Lourie Carlyle! Unauthorized indeed."

The door opened and closed. And there she stood, wild blonde hair, big green eyes, full pouting mouth, and a lithe figure barely covered by a black rocket uniform. I made a mental note to see my tailors and explain that I run an organization not a whorehouse. Casually slung over shoulder was a full burlap sack.

"Sir," she said, followed by a salute.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t charge you for treason! I realize you are used to working solo and following your own rules, but I would think that even you would know not to bring unauthorized personnel to my office!" I yelled.

"Well, sir, my mission became a bit more fruitful than planned." She spoke as she strode over to my desk and upended her bag’s contents onto it, 24 pokeballs. Six which had a Master’s seal, twelve had Gymleader seals, 4 had our old logo, one was just a regular old pokeball, and the last had a golden hue with the letters ‘G.S.’ engraved on it. I was speechless.

"Jessie and James have been keeping some wealthy company: Ash Ketchum, the rock and water Gymleaders, and the Oaks. I took the liberty of bringing them here. The police have already been told no deposit no return," she snickered.

"You what!" I jumped to my feet and whipped around the desk to strangle her. She threw her arms up protectively and tried to explain.

"Sir, you told me yourself that we’re low on cash, what better way than to ransom important personages? The police will take our demands seriously; they’ll pay whatever we want! Although Mrs. Ketchum may not be worth much…

 My stomach dropped to the floor. Ash’s mother was here? As if to answer my question, the door burst from it’s hinges and clattered at my feet with Sarah Ketchum landing neatly behind it. I sighed. She always had a pretty nasty flying kick.

"I got tired of waiting," she said simply.

Mrs. Smith’s face appeared in the now permanently open doorway with a frozen ‘O’ of surprise. "Sir, I’m-I’m so sorry. She just…"

"Mrs. Smith, just have the door fixed and take the rest of the day off," I said.

"Don’t worry sir, I was just leaving, she grumbled, Whatever happened to typing and answering the phone? No, I deal with flying Amazon women…" Her voice faded as she closed the door to the hallway.

"Lourie, we will continue our discussion soon, but for now, are you not needed elsewhere?" I asked.

"As a matter of fact I am," she gave a quick salute and was gone.

Sarah and I stared each other down until she broke contact and took a seat. Out of old habit I said, "You weren’t given permission…"

"Cut the bull crap, Giovanni, I’m not one of your little minions any more, she said cooly. And honestly using your own son and his friends for money? Not to mention your own wife, I thought you were more creative than that."

I was about to answer when a small explosion rocked the building. Between dealing with Sarah, Team Rocket, recent lab experiments, Lourie, "hostages", the previous explosion, and the police I had a feeling it was going to be a rather busy day.