The searing pain across his back had dulled some, but it flared up whenever he moved his arm or neck. This didn’t deter him from watching the island looming before him. He saw several cargo ships docked on the other side of the island. It appeared that the side he was approaching was somewhat devoid of activity. An even greater blessing was the tall stack of rocks that could conceal them temporarily. Ash directed his lapras to the rocks where he jumped off and quickly recalled his pokémon, whispering his thank you to it.

A quick peek around the rocks showed that most of the activity was happening near the ships, but there were some Team Rocket members that walked close enough to where he was that he might be able to take some action. He pulled out a pokéball and let Bulbasaur out. The plant pokémon looked up at him curiously, since he didn’t see any other pokémon to battle. Ash pointed to the Team Rocket member that was walking by. Before Bulbasaur could question his trainer, Ash gave the command.

”Bulbasaur! Vine whip attack! Now!”

The pokémon instinctively released the long green vines from under the bulb on his back and whacked the Team Rocketeer squarely on the shoulders. Apart from the initial surprise of suddenly being attacked, he collapsed to his hands and knees, but looked around quickly for what hit him.

”Drag him over here, Bulbasaur! Drag him over here!” Ash quickly commanded.

The vines circled around the Team Rocketeer’s neck and Bulbasaur dragged him behind the rocks at Ash’s direction. The victim grabbed at the vines, trying to loosen them from his neck as he was dragged, but his efforts were futile. Once against the rocks, Ash grabbed his sweater and brought him close to his face. His voice was filled with anger and determination as he spoke.

”Where’s Misty?!”

”Who?” the Rocketeer said. The older, red-haired boy’s face went from puzzled to defiant. “I’ll never tell you, ya little punk!”

Ash blinked in surprise, then gritted his teeth. He pulled his biker-gloved fist back and launched it quickly into the other boy’s face. The boy’s head was close to the rock when Ash connected, thus hitting his head quite forcibly on the smooth, hard surface. With a light groan, the boy slumped into unconsciousness. Ash groaned in dismay.

”I thought that only worked in the---YEEEEOOOW!!!” Ash quickly spun around and crouched, thrusting his biker-gloved fist into the cold water behind him. His accelerated breathing slowed as the heat from the strike cooled off. It wasn’t so much when he hit the Team Rocketeer that hurt his hand; it was coupled with the strike against Gary, which he hadn’t felt until just now when he struck the boy. Ash pulled out his wet hand and shook it, looking really unhappy as he looked over at the body on the ground.

”Crap, that smarts…and now he’s out cold. I wonder if my luck can get any worse.”

Bulbasaur had loosened its grip on the boy’s neck and walked over to his trainer. He made a couple grunting noises and Ash absently pet the pokémon’s head. Ash could only shake his head as looked between where the ships were and the body on the ground.

”How am I going to find Misty with all those Team Rocket members walking around?” He muttered to himself. “How can this unconscious Team Rocket guy help me get past the other….Team..Rocket..?” He paused now, looking at the boy’s uniform, then he smiled. He recalled Bulbasaur and thanked him as Ash went to remove the boy’s clothing. He tried to picture how Brock’s face would look when he would get to tell him this story, but his mind kept drifting back to Misty. He couldn’t get his mind around what it felt like to kiss her, to hold her in his arms as they had rolled around on the lush grass. His hands moved faster to get the clothing off.

Within five minutes, he was stuffing his cap behind him and under his new white sweater, putting the brim into his pants, so he wouldn’t lose it. He tried everything to make it look like the uniform wasn’t too big on him, but he wasn’t succeeding. There just wasn’t enough room to stuff all the extra material. He groaned dejectedly.

”Why did I have to ambush someone bigger than me?”

After a long walk, the activity picked up considerably. He witnessed the loading and unloading of crates of pokémon, pokémon being restrained and worn down for use by new Team Rocket recruits, and numerous other activities that made his stomach turn. While he was watching the horrific action going on around him, he didn’t see the guy he bumped into. Ash fell backward onto the ground, landing hard on his butt. He looked up and was about to yell at whoever it was when he saw it was two very big Team Rocketeers, both wearing black uniforms. The dark-haired one looked to his blond partner, then both of them laughed. Ash’s heart started pounding.

”Hey! You’re supposed to step aside for members with seniority!” The dark-haired one barked at him. The blond one continued to chuckle, enjoying the degradation that Ash was about to be put through. Ash quickly got to his feet, barely able to hold his tongue. He really didn’t want to be discovered by these two apes.

”Ah-ah, I’m very sorry. I’m, uh, er, I’m new here and I’m just trying to get to my next assignment!” Ash stammered out.

”Where’s that at? The daycare center?” Both of the boys busted up laughing and Ash could feel himself become flushed with embarrassment and anger, but he held his tongue. He was useless to Misty if he was caught. Ash managed a nervous laugh, his hand reaching behind his head and holding his neck, so he wouldn’t stupidly try to deck them.

”Hunh? Yeah, heh, right, the daycare center. Hah….eh, no, I’m trying to find the jails or the…’stockade.’ Yeah, that’s it! The stockade.”

The laughter disappeared and the boys eyed him suspiciously now. Ash could feel a drop of sweat threatening to roll down his face.

”The stockade’s that way. The cave opening over there is where you want to go,” the blond one replied, pointing out the gaping maw in the mountainside. Ash perked up, looking a bit surprised, then smiled.

”Great! Thanks a lot you guys!”

Ash darted off toward the cave, ignoring their cries to get some clothes that fit him. The two boys watched Ash for a moment. The dark-haired one spoke up first.

”Nathan, I’m sure I know at least half the members on this island and all of them have been with Team Rocket for a couple years.”

”I’m sure I know the other half with the same qualifications, John. And I’ve never seen that kid before.”

”Neither have I,” replied John, holding out his hand as his partner placed a palm-sized walkie-talkie in it. John brought it up to his face, depressing the black button on the top.

”Tim? Timbo? You copy?”

There was a sharp crackle, then a voice. “Yeah, I copy. John…tell me that you’re going to get someone to substitute for me here soon. The redhead is driving me crazy. She won’t stop crying.”

”No can do, amigo,” replied John. “Besides, I think we’ve got a spy heading your way. He’s a kid with black hair, short, and the uniform doesn’t fit him.”

”Alright,” Tim replied, not sounding too thrilled. “I’ll be on the lookout for him. Over and out.”

Misty quietly sat in her cell, her knees pulled up to her cheeks and her puffy, bloodshot eyes staring off into space. She sat in a small cell about six feet square with the back wall being carved out of the cave wall. She was alone here too as there were no other prisoners. The only other sign of life was a thin brown-haired boy of about sixteen sitting at a desk. He looked bored, but she hadn’t really noticed or cared. Her mind was too occupied with the events of the day. It starts the same way every time. She can taste Ash’s lips upon hers. Such sweetness it was that she was able to summon the courage to let him know how she felt about him. His body against hers in a strong and wonderful embrace. She was in love with a true hero. Suddenly, the ground fades away and he falls, mixing in her last vision of him as he fell out of the helicopter; his hand reaching out for her, the intense fear in his eyes …then he is gone. Misty pursed her lips in sadness and buried her face in her knees. The tears wouldn’t stop as her mind couldn’t shake the vision.

For the hundredth time today, she watched Ash die.

At that moment, the Team Rocket member rolled his eyes at her. Suddenly, something on his desk crackled and spoke.

”Tim? Timbo? You copy?”

Tim picked up the small black device and pressed a button it. His voice was a bit subdued. “Yeah, I copy. John…tell me that you’re going to get someone to substitute for me here soon. The redhead is driving me crazy. She won’t stop crying.”

”No can do, amigo,” replied John. “Besides, I think we’ve got a spy heading your way. He’s a kid with black hair, short, and the uniform doesn’t fit him.”

”Alright,” Tim replied, not sounding too thrilled. “I’ll be on the lookout for him. Over and out.”

Tim pushed a couple of other buttons, then pressed the talk button.

”Security? Send a couple guys down here to the stockade. We have an intruder on his way here.”

”You got it. ETA is fifteen minutes.”

”Roger. Over and out.”

The labyrinth of dimly lit tunnels in the cave got Ash lost very quickly. The fact of there not being any signs didn’t help either. Other Team Rocket members in the tunnel paid little heed to him, even when he tried to get some help. After what felt like an eternity and the body of traffic had lessened dramatically, he came upon a door. This was the first and only door that he had encountered. All the other rooms just had opening cut out of the rock walls. This was a solid dark steel door without a knob.

Ash puzzled over this for a minute, looking around the edges, inspecting the surface of the door, but could find nothing that would allow him to enter. He tried to push on it to no avail. But as he pushed off the door, it moved minutely to the right. Now there was a line of light that shone through into the hallway. Ash pushed a couple of fingers through the crack and pulled to the right a couple inches more. As his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the room, he slid the door open further and quietly stepped inside. He quickly hid behind a nearby desk.

Inside was a very brightly lit laboratory. There were eight men and women in lab coats surrounding a central glass tube. Some were taking notes on clipboards, a few were talking to each other, and a couple more were at some sort of control panel. The glass tube, roughly three feet in diameter and three feet tall, was on top of a cylindrical pedestal that was four feet tall. The top of the tube was sealed with the same type of pedestal that was on the floor, but it went all the way to the ceiling. It was like someone had put in a glass tube in the middle of a support pillar. Some very nasty looking electrodes protruded from the top of the glass tube. The bottom of this tube was a metal plate.

And standing on the metal was a very worn-down, badly burned pikachu.

Pikachu was still trying to claw its way out of the tube, but obviously with little success. One of the scientists gave a signal to a woman at the control panel. There was a loud humming that accelerated in speed and pitch. Before Ash could do anything, two bolts of electricity fired from the electrodes, through the mouse pokémon, to the metal plate it was standing on.

Ash watched in horror as his little friend squealed and jumped in utter pain. He needed to stop them. Now. His eyes darted about the desk and he found a paperweight. It was a little bigger than his palm as he swiped it. Inside the glass, it held what looked a piece of broken concrete, but the flat surface appeared to have some spray-painted graffiti on it. The black base read: This is a remnant of the Berlin Wall, which stood as a barrier against the free exchange of ideas, information, and culture. You helped bring this wall down.

Ash was puzzled by the Berlin Wall reference, but the shrieking squeals of his friend quickly brought him back to reality.

”Now you’ll break down another barrier,” Ash muttered as he pulled his arm back and threw the paperweight as hard as he could.

The paperweight rocketed through the air with deadly accuracy. The glass shattered with a loud crash, scaring everyone in the room, including Pikachu who trembled visibly.

“Pikachu! Thundershock!” Ash yelled. He stood defiantly as all the others turned and looked at him in surprise. His expression changed as his mind clicked in realization and his eyes widened. He dove behind the desk he was standing next to as Pikachu, hearing his master’s voice, started a fierce squeak, and then released it. Thunder, lightning and screams of pain filled the room as the rodent fried everyone within striking distance. Ash heard a number of audible thuds as bodies dropped to the floor, twitching from the surge of electricity.

When it was all over, Pikachu wearily stood in the middle of a ring of twitching, unconscious scientists. Pikachu’s vengeance had been taken out on his captors.

Ash peeked up from behind the desk and smiled with pride at his little friend’s accomplishment. He never ceased to be amazed by what Pikachu was able to do. Ash came out from behind the desk and dashed over to Pikachu. Pikachu blearily saw the Team Rocket member come after him and geared up for another charge.

”Pikachu!” Ash cried, waving his hands in front of him in a panic. “No! It’s me! It’s Ash! No thundershock! No thundershock!”

Pikachu stopped, recognizing the voice of its master. It let out a tired and relieved little squeak. Ash came over and picked him up, hugging it close. Pikachu let out a pained squeal, which surprised Ash. Ash looked his friend over: burn marks, small cuts from the glass, and obviously exhausted. Ash’s face saddened with pity and heartache.

”Oh Pikachu,” his voice softened considerably. “What did they do to you?”

Pikachu let out a weary squeak as Ash kissed it on the forehead. He cradled it like a baby, looking down to Pikachu, like he was looking at his own child. Ash took a deep breath and sighed, shaking his head for his friend who rested fitfully in his arms. Staunch determination returned to his eyes as he stormed towards the door. One love was found, now he needed to save the other. He prayed that Misty was okay as he walked quickly down the tunnel.

Tim came around the corner, holding two trays of food, one of which he placed on his desk. He turned and walked over to Misty’s cell and crouched.

”Here, eat this,” Tim said as he slid a tray of food through the slot under Misty’s cell door. “Maybe you’ll quit your blubbering for a while.”

Misty looked at him evenly. Her reddened eyes seemed devoid of emotion as she watched Tim turn away and go back to his desk to eat his food. Misty glanced at the very unappetizing entrée on the floor. She hadn’t eaten all day and didn’t have the desire to do so, despite the complaints her stomach made. She let out a long quiet sigh, the initial shock of Ash’s death had finally passed, but now she felt like she was drifting in a dreamlike state of reality or as a shadow among the living. She felt so empty of life.

”You know,” Tim said between mouthfuls of food, “you might be getting a roommate soon. There’s a supposed spy that’s trying to find his way here.” He perked up, his voice matching his feigned happiness. “And maybe he’ll rescue you and you can have a hero!” Tim held the excited pose for a moment, then started laughing as he scooped up another spoonful of food. Misty sighed dejectedly, thinking that it must be Brock that’s trying to find her.

”Even though I called security,” he continued, a conceited look on his face, “I’m sure I could kick his ass myself. He’s just some pipsqueak kid playing Superman.”

That’s not Brock, she thought. Her brow furrowed at this as she finally showed some emotion for the first time today. Suddenly, there was a thunderous crackling sound, then silence. From around the corner, a Team Rocket girl, in a black and white two-piece uniform, staggered into view. Her hair was strung out in different directions and she smoldered in a few places in her hair and on her uniform. She lazily turned to Tim and spoke. Her voice taking on a rather childish tone.

”I think I’m going to bake some cookies with my mommy.” With that, she dropped to her knees, then fell face first onto the dirt floor and was out like a light.

Ash came around the corner quickly, just as Tim got to his feet. Ash tossed Pikachu at the Team Rocket member.

”Catch!”

Tim did so and Pikachu made him sorry he did. With a loud squeak, the mouse pokémon gave him the shock of his life. Tim unceremoniously collapsed on his chair, then crashed to the floor. Misty, upon hearing Ash’s voice, was almost sure it was a dream. With Tim down, Ash rifled through the drawers and found the keys. He darted over to her cell and, after a couple tries, unlocked the cell door. Misty stared in astonishment at Ash. She didn’t really see the Team Rocket uniform, but just his face. His dear sweet face, to which she immediately leapt forward and cupped in her hands, almost believing him to be an illusion that would fade as soon as she touched it. But he didn’t disappear.

”Oh Ash! My sweet Ash! You’re alive!!” Misty cried out in delight and amazement.

She kissed him passionately as a new waterfall of tears fell from her eyes. Ash held her close to him and kissed her back. Joy overwhelmed both of them as they expressed their love and delighted in seeing each other again. They kissed again enthusiastically for long moments, deepening their love for each other and creating a permanent bond that would last the rest of their lives.

She still couldn’t believe it. Ash smiled back at her, his arms still around her waist. He was about to say something, but she hugged him very strongly and he winced at the pain that flashed across his back. Misty was immediately concerned.

”Oh my God, Ash, are you okay?!”

”Yeah,” Ash replied, stretching his back out a bit and letting out a long breath. His eyes turned to hers. “I think I injured myself pretty bad when I hit the water. It’s a long story, but right now,” he glanced at the girl on the floor and pointed at her, “you need to put her clothes on. I think they know I’m here…well, some people know for sure, but we’re not going to be hearing from those lab coat guys for a while.”

”They do know, Ash,” she said, reluctantly letting Ash go to remove the girl’s clothing. “A call got radioed to the guy behind the desk. He even called for security, but they haven’t arrived yet.”

Ash nodded as he looked around the corner to make sure no one was coming. Ash heard Misty giggle.

”What’s so funny?” he asked, keeping his eyes focused for intruders.

”Oh, it’s just that you’re practically back from the dead and all you want me to do is take my clothes off.”

Ash blinked and turned to look at her, his face flushed with embarrassment and surprise. Misty giggled again as he shook his head, smiling and returning his gaze back around the corner.

”You are so goofy, Misty.”

”I know, but I can’t help it. You’re alive! I keep thinking this is some dream that I’m going to wake up from…but it’s not. This is all real. You’ve returned to me.”

Ash smiled at that and almost turned to look at her, but the sound of some fabric dropping on the ground stopped him. With discretion being the better part of valor, he didn’t want to get smacked for looking at her getting dressed. A couple tense minutes later, Misty spoke up.

”How’s this?

Ash turned and could barely keep his jaw from hanging off his face. The small white jacket and the black shirt were a bit big on her, but it still showed off plenty of her midriff. The long gloves and boots were rolled down some since they were too long. The tube skirt was knotted on one side, so that it wouldn’t fall off her thin hips. While the uniform was more flattering on a more curved woman, Misty wore it rather impressively. The loose red hair really set off the vision of beauty. Ash was essentially speechless.

”Woof…”

Misty giggled at that and picked up Pikachu, who had essentially drained itself of all its energy. She strode past him and smiled, trying not to lose her balance on the three inch heels she was now wearing.

”C’mon loverboy. We need to get out of here.”

”Yeah…yeah, you’re right.” He followed her, quite entranced by her new look. He smiled to himself as he looked at her backside. “The skirt isn’t covering your butt, is it?”

”No, it’s not!” She anxiously pulled the hem down a bit, but it wasn’t going to work out for her. Then something dawned on her, as she looked upset with Ash. “Hey! Don’t look there!” she yelled, but Ash chuckled to himself. He stopped, gently took her by the arm, and pulled her to him. He wrapped his arms around her lithe body and kissed her. Misty was a little surprised by this, but quickly gave in. She held Pikachu to the side, so it wouldn’t get crushed in their embrace. The kiss broke moments later as they gazed at each other lovingly. Ash almost said something when a girl’s voice echoed over some loudspeakers mounted on the walls.

”Attention, members of Team Rocket! Attention! I have just received word that our fearless leader, Giovanni, who was betrayed by Jessie and James, was arrested a short while ago on two counts of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Please find the nearest lifeboats on the south and west sides of the island. By his order, destruction of this island’s facilities will begin in two minutes.” A more automated, but female sounding voice continued.

“Two minute countdown commencing now.”

“What?” came Misty’s surprised response. “Jessie and James betrayed Team Rocket?”

“I don’t know,” replied Ash, taking her hand, “and I don’t care. We need to leave -- now.” They both darted out of the stockade area and worked their way through the maze of corridors to the outside. They got lost a few times. Dead-ends, wrong turns, they felt and heard the time ticking away. Finally, they saw daylight and bolted for the exit. Once outside, they ran like freed madmen toward the shore.

“Ten seconds remaining.”

”There’s the shore up ahead!” Ash cried out. Both of them poured on the speed. Misty carried the now-awake Pikachu like a football and Ash held Misty’s other hand. On the other side of the island, some explosions were heard. In spite of the distance, it did nothing to ease their fears of getting killed.

“Three.”

More buildings started to explode. Numerous pokémon could be seen taking off into the air. As they ran, Misty watched the fireball engulf the structures and prayed that the pokémon that couldn’t fly would able to at least escape the fire.

“Two.”

They finally reached the shore. Ash pulled out a pokéball and released the lapras into the water.

“One.”

”Okay, let’s get on! Quickly!” Ash yelled. Misty splashed out to the lapras with Pikachu.

“Zero. Thank you and have a nice day.”

Explosions ripped across the remaining structures. The resulting shockwave created visible ripples on the ground, which toppled Ash and Misty. Suddenly, the ground under Ash broke apart, creating a massive crevice. The ground shook harder as more explosives detonated. The result caused Ash to literally bounce into the fissure. His reflexes were sure and he managed to catch the ledge with both hands, but he was quickly losing his grip and sand was filling his eyes. He looked down at the dark, gaping maw that surely led to Hell itself and panic set in. The shaking was too much for him and his fingers slipped away from the edge. Ash began his descent into darkness and death.

A hand reached out and caught him. She was visibly straining to hold him, but as Ash looked up, she had an assured look in her eyes. Misty even managed a little smile.

”You’re not leaving me again. Not ever.”

Ash managed a smile. Glancing around, he managed to get a foothold and get himself out of the pit with Misty’s help. Once out the enormous crack, Ash scooped up Pikachu and they dashed out to the lapras. Once they were on the lapras’ shell, Ash commanded it to swim as fast as possible. It certainly didn’t need to be told a second time as the explosions were scaring it pretty badly. It jerked away quickly and sped off into the open ocean. Ash and Misty turned to watch the sky fill with black smoke, marking the destruction of Team Rocket’s operation, and perhaps, the end of Team Rocket. But who would know for sure.

As they sailed away, Ash put Pikachu on top of the lapras’ head, then sat back down with Misty. Misty sat herself sideways between Ash’s legs as he sat Indian-style. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he around her waist. They exchanged loving glances before Misty spoke up.

“Thank you for coming for me Ash.”

“How couldn’t I come for you,” he replied, smiling warmly. “I’m in love with you.” He could feel his heart pounding strongly as he said it. She giggled a little bit.

“You sure about that?”

He nodded happily, then gently cupped her face with a free hand, pulling her to him. Their lips crushed together, solidifying the truth of his love for her, just as she had for him.

Epilogue

“This is a great birthday gift, Ash. And you look really handsome too!” Ash smiled at her as he straightened his bold yellow tie, then checked the lapels of his blue blazer.

”Hey, only the best for you, Misty. And besides, you’re looking quite lovely yourself, Birthday Girl.” Misty blushed a bit and looked down, smoothing out some imaginary creases on the low cut, full length, dark blue silk dress. Her hair was up and attractively arranged with several small white flowers and a seashell.

They smiled happily at each other. Ten months had passed since the island explosion and their relationship had blossomed by leaps and bounds. Truer soul mates couldn’t have been found in a better pair than Ash and Misty. They waited their turn to talk to the receptionist, who was pointing out the two-for-one sale on the sign above her. Misty noticed the sign, then looked at Ash, who turned a touch red at having been found out as being a cheap weasel. She only smiled and kissed him on the cheek. Ash smiled even more and they simply looked into each other’s eyes. The couple barely noticed the waiting room crowded with screaming kids of all ages and their tired mothers who wanted to get photos of their little “angels.” The two-for-one special they were having at Sears seemed like a good idea, as well as to everyone in the greater Pasadena area. A couple minutes later, it was their turn.

”I take it you two are here for the Sears two-for-one photo special package deal?” the young brunette said, her voice echoed like an uncaring drone. It was evident that she wanted to be somewhere really quiet.

”Yes we are,” Ash smiled in response. “Two pictures for the two of us.”

”Of course, how clever,” she responded, snapping her gum once. “I think Mark is ready for you. Just go through there.” She gestured absently to an open walled area where the source of a lot of camera flashing had been appearing.

”Thanks!” Misty said after Ash paid the woman. They turned and went to the doorway. “This is rather exciting, Ash.”

”I know, but hey, you only turn fourteen once, right? Why not mark the occasion with a happy picture with someone you love?”

Misty giggled and nodded, acknowledging the truth in his statement. They stood in the rather narrow room. One end of the room had a façade of a beautiful sunrise, filled with red, orange and yellow hues. On the other end, a young man with long black hair tied in a ponytail, was loading a new roll of film into a rather large camera. Overhead, a silvered umbrella with a flashbulb in the middle waited for it’s next usage. He turned to them with a pleasant face and almost stopped dead in his tracks. A pregnant pause passed and he cleared his throat and spoke pleasantly, leading them to the sunrise background.

”Good afternoon. I’m Mark and I’m all set to take your picture. Why don’t you stand over here in front of the sunrise background and we’ll try some different poses.”

Ash and Misty made no effort to conceal the awestruck look on their faces. They had even glanced at each other before looking back at Mark, who only stood there pleasantly, arranging the kids for their photo.

”You’re James! You’re James of Team Rocket!” Ash finally blurted out. Mark only chuckled at that.

“Of course I’m not. I’m Mark, as I said before, and I’m a student at Pasadena City College. I work here to pay for my tuition, support my wife, Marcia, and my new baby girl, Janice.”

This information floored both of them and embarrassed Misty a bit as she regained her composure. Ash, however, was still in denial as Mark continued to smile amiably.

”But you are! I totally recognize your voice!”

”I’m not James. James is a wanted man by the more zealous members of Team Rocket, now that their leader, Giovanni, is on trial for his attempted murder, as well as that girl…what’s her name? Jessie? Who knows where they are and, besides that, I look nothing like him. He has light or blue hair. Mine’s black.” He held his ponytail out for them to see, even giving it a pull to show its authenticity.

Ash knew he was right. Giovanni had been on trial for the past ten months for that very reason. Every TV and radio station was broadcasting the courthouse’s events, just like they had for O.J. Simpson a number of years before – “The Trial of New Millennium” its been called. He still found it hard to believe that the Team Rocket duo, the very ones that he had battled countless times, could have switched sides to fight the good fight. Ash looked a bit dejected now and offered his hand to him.

”I’m really sorry. I was sure you were him.”

”That’s okay,” Mark beamed, shaking his hand. “It’s not a big deal. It makes me wonder if I could make some extra money as a James look-a-like for a made-for-TV movie.”

They all laughed, then got back to the business at hand. A few clicks, some different poses and background changes later, they were finished. Ash and Misty selected the photo they wanted, then thanked Mark, apologizing again for their earlier accusations. They all waved their goodbyes, then the couple left. They hadn’t gotten ten paces from Mark when they passed a blonde woman, carrying a sleeping baby wrapped in pink blankets. Both Ash and Misty stopped, their gazes locked on her, and hers on them. She paid them no heed, however, and proceeded to go where Mark was switching out the film. They happily kissed their hellos and Mark gave the baby a little kiss. Then the woman spoke up.

“Are you ready to blast off at the speed of light?”

Ash and Misty were spellbound by what they just heard. Time almost seemed to be suspended as the small family turned and walked past them. The adults eyed Ash and Misty; Mark with a small smile and Marcia with an almost sly grin on her face. Marcia spoke again as they walked away.

“It’s about time you two got together.”

Ash and Misty froze, completely stunned by her comment. Mark and Marcia laughed that familiar laughter Ash and Misty had heard so often, thus confirming their suspicions of who they really were. They continued to watch them until they disappeared behind some clothing racks. Misty was the first to come back to her senses.

”Yeah, and I’m glad we did.”

Ash blinked, then looked at her. She smiled warmly at her rather bewildered boyfriend. She chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around his neck and lovingly kissing him. Long moments passed before he gently broke the kiss, smiling warmly to his lovely girlfriend.

“Me too.”

THE END