The last thug left and the trio stood there and contemplated their final moments. Jesse: Well, I guess this is it James. James: I guess so, but I want you to know Jessie…I'm grateful having been your partner…And your friend. Jessie: Me too James. You're the only real family I've ever had…And that means so much to me. The two teammates looked deeply in to each other's eyes. There was a deep love in their gaze, but it was overwhelmed by despair. Tears began to form. Meowth: Hey! What about Meowth! James picked up Meowth. James: Don't worry Meowth we wouldn't forget you. Not after all we've been through. Meowth: Yeah, but I can't believe it's going to end like this. Just then, over the horizon, Ash and his friends began to close in on their site. Jesse, James, and Meowth knew that if they budged in any way they would be shot in the legs and they would suffer a slow, painful death. They were already very weak from the torture they endured. Time began to slow as the duo approached. Jesse: 'I'm sorry kid. I really am, I never meant for it to end like this.' James: 'there is no way that this kid deserves this. I wish there was something I could do. I can't shout, I can't run.' As Ash and co. got closer, Ash saw something in the corner of his eye. Ash: 'Oh no. That didn't look too friendly.' He began to slow down in his walking pace. Misty: Is something wrong, Ash? Just then he saw something in the ledges to his left. He noticed an ominous shape in the hands of the figure. It was a gun. Ash: Pikachu! Flash attack NOW! Misty cover up your eyes! Misty, confused by what was happening, did so and Ash's obedient pokemon let out a bright, blinding flash of light. Ash immediately ran forward and grabbed Misty's hand to get her moving faster. Soon after they started running they saw Team Rocket standing near the cliff road pass. They looked like they had been beaten brutally. They were also blinded by pikachu's flash. Acting on an impulse, Ash forced them to a nearby ditch with a boulder as cover. By now bullets were flying through the air, but all were missing because of the after-effects of the flash. They quickly took cover while bullets began to fly at an ever-increasing pace. Ash: What's going on here?! Are you two up to something?! Pikachu: Talk or be shocked! James: Kid listen! This isn't our doing. It's a trap set up just for you and your pokemon. Misty: A trap! Why?! Jesse: …Our boss. He considers you a threat. And when you're a threat to Giovanni, you're a target. Ash and co. weren't expecting that. They had always considered Team Rocket a nuisance, but never saw them as capable of killing. Misty: But why are you guys here? Are you in on this?! James: No…Not willingly. Meowth: We're…The bait. Ash looked at the tattered and bruised trio. Ash: 'Bait? I can't believe it! Nobody, especially these three deserve something like that! They were always just there to get ahead. Sure they were tough to deal with, but they always showed they had good souls. They fought Butch and Cassidy, they save me from my encounter with Lugia…' Then, the bullets were getting closer and it only became a matter of time. Misty: Ash, what do we do?! Ash looked in Misty's eyes. She seemed overcome with fear. Ash: 'Think…Think…' Suddenly he got an idea. Ash: It worked before. PIKACHU GIVE THEM ANOTHER FLASH THEY WON"T SOON FORGET! Pikachu: Right, Ash! The little pokemon concentrated, focusing all of it's strength in to the coming attack. Ash: All right everybody, close your eyes! Ash, Misty, and Team Rocket shielded their eyes with their hands. Then, Pikachu let out the mother of all flash attacks. The rocket thugs were once again utterly blinded by the intensity of the attack. After a few tense seconds it was done. Ash: Charizard go! In an instant, the large red dragon appeared with a roar. Ash: Come on guys get on! Team Rocket hesitated. Ash: Come on, you're in this too! They still hesitated. Ash: Look, forget the stupid rivalry. That doesn't matter now, what matters now is getting out of here! With that, Team Rocket boarded the pokemon with the strength they had left. Ash: Go Charizard, Go! Charizard: Hang on back there! Soon the large pokemon had flown out of the reach of the guns of the rocket thugs below them, but in front of them was a large blimp in the clouds with a big R on the side. James: It's the boss's blimp! Ash: Head straight for it Charizard! Jesse: Are you nuts?! We've got to get as far away from that thing as possible! Ash: No, if Giovanni want's to settle a score, we settle it here and now! Jesse: You're crazy! Misty looked back at them with a light-hearted smile. Misty: Come on, you should know by now Ash never runs from a fight! Team Rocket was left with little choice as Charizard flew closer to the blimp. From the main deck, Giovanni could see them. An overwhelming feeling of rage overcame the crime boss. Giovanni: So Ash, you want to settle this face to face? Be my guest you little pest! Giovanni reached in a secret compartment and pulled out handgun and loaded it with ammunition.