Episode 2 Jesse, James, and Meowth cringed at those words, for they knew what they meant. Giovanni didn't take kindly to threats of any kind. He was a ruthless street bully who came to the epitome of power and he intended to keep it that way. They didn't have the capacity to kill anybody due to the hidden sincerity in their souls, but Giovanni was another story. James: Boss, please just… Giovanni: It's too late for any more chances you two. When you joined this team you were street trash on their last buck until I took you in. Now it's time to cash in on my troubles. You three are going on one last mission. If you succeed you die, if you fail you die. That is the price you must pay for your insolence. Get them out of here! Guard1: Yes sir. The guards took the shackled and demoralized trio back to their small, cramped, and dingy holding cell. There was only a small tint of light that kept them from being in total darkness. Knowing that this is most likely their last day alive, the slumped down in despair. Meowth: I can't believe it's come to this. Once top cat, now top corpse. Jesse: I guess it ends like this. They sat in silence for a brief period of time. James: What's worst of all is because of us the twerps are going to die as well and all because of us. Jesse: I never wanted to really hurt that kid, to be honest I think he's pretty cool. James: I know…It's because of him we have some of the pokemon we have. Now Giovanni is going to kill him. Meowth: Is there nothing we can do? James: I'm afraid not Meowth, it's out of our hands. Giovanni is going to have an army on top of that kid with every kind of weapon available on the black market. They all let out a long sigh of despair then slowly embraced in each other's arms for comfort. Every second that ticked by was closer to death. Jesse: 'We've been through so much. Now it's going to end like this. The worst part is because of us that kid…That kid with no mean part of his soul is going to die because of us.' James: 'I can't believe it's going to end like this. After all the miserable things we've been through in our lives and all the attempts we've made to get ahead it's going to end. Jesse, Meowth and I are family. Now we're going to die. At least we die together, but at the expense of that kid. That kid who would do anything to go out of his way to help somebody.' With impending death approaching they all closed their eyes to rest. With every minute that passes they hoped that this was all just a dream, but this was real. Ash and co. were now back on their way towards Viridian City. They followed the narrow dirt path through the fields. They walked slowly, enjoying the fine weather. Ash: Hey Mist, look at that. Misty and the rest of their pokemon looked up and saw an odd looking blimp object flying at high speed in the distance. Misty: What on earth is that? Pikachu: I think it's a blimp. Ash: Maybe this means were getting closer to Viridian. They watched the blimp for a while until suddenly it began to ascend. Soon it disappeared in the clouds. Ash: I wonder what that was. Misty: Beats me. They just shrugged it off and continued on their way. Meanwhile up in the blimp a thug from Team Rocket watched the team through binoculars. Then, he picked up a CB communicator. Thug: Boss, you there? Giovanni: Yes, have you found them? Thug: Affirmative, they're about 20 miles outside of Viridian city near the cliffs. Giovanni: Perfect, I'll be there soon in the auxiliary blimp. Keep a close eye on them. Thug: Right. Giovanni got up from his command desk and walked towards the dungeons with two armed guards. He walked until he got to the darkest part of the chamber. The guards then undid the locks and opened the heavy steel door. Behind the door was a dreary, emotionless trio. Jesse, James, and Meowth looked up in a sense of panic. Giovanni: It's time. The three rocket members were forced to get up and were guided towards a hanger. They boarded a big blimp with a large R on the side. They were followed by a group of at least 30 rocket thugs each armed with automatic weapons. After about ten minutes the roof opened up and the blimp took off and sped westward towards the unsuspecting duo. As they got closer, Giovanni went back were they were holding Jesse, James, and Meowth. Jesse: So what's going to happen to us… Giovanni: Something simple enough even you three can do it. We're going to drop you down near the cliffs along the path. You're going to stop those pests for only a few seconds. Then my men will take care of the rest. Meowth: Boss, you can't go through with this. I was once top cat. Don't you care about top cat at all? Giovanni: Shut up! I'm doing this for two reasons: one, those twerps are use to beating you and confronting you so they won't get suspicious; two, this is a punishment for your failure. So I might as well kill two birds with one stone…Literally. I must set an example for the team. Serve me, assist me, or die. You three have chosen the last one because of your failure. With that last comment Giovanni left the room. The blimp then began to descend not far from the cliffs. Several rocket thugs guarded and escorted the trio to the point where they would surround and shoot them and the twerps. They walked until they reached the point where the cliffs surrounded the path towards the city. Then the lead thug pulled out his CB communicator. Thug: Okay, boss where here. Giovanni: Good, now get to your positions. Thug: Right boss. Okay, listen up you three! You stay right here. Any sudden movements and we'll shoot you. We won't kill you, but you'll linger for a bit. So be smart and do what the boss says and wait for the twerps. You can die quick and painlessly, or slow and painfully. It's your choice. AN: I know, It's a cliffhanger. But don't worry, I'll have the next episode up soon. Keep telling me what you think at slickboy444@aol.com. How is it so far? I apologize for these episodes being so short, but I feel it's easier for me to write and you all to read. So, until next episode, best wishes.