Hong Kong, 3 and a half years ago.
Sakura was exhausted from her day job. Not to mention that it was raining as she reached the apartment. As soon as she enters her apartment and placed her stuff down. She sees her boyfriend sleeping on the double bed.
"Hey, Syaoran."
"Hey, Sakura. How's your day?" asked Syaoran.
"Horrible. Just got a rare Egyptian vase. Could have made a sale a year ago. Now they want to look at the pictures. You?"
"I had a great day. We've made a major breakthrough in the Hong Kong Museum Case."
"Really?" Sakura sits on a chair, removing her shoes.
"Yeah. We've found a shoe print. It's sole has a unique flower pattern in the middle."
Sakura picks up her shoe and looks at it. It's exactly as Syaoran described. She quickly hides the shoe under the couch.
"That's great. Anything else," said Sakura as she entered the bathroom and sat on the toilet bowl.
"We've also found a strand of hair. It's at the lab for DNA analysis. From that we will be able to find out what type of shampoo or conditioner it is and if he or she dyes his or her hair.
Sakura looks at her bottles of shampoo, conditioner and pink hair dye. It's official. She's going to get caught if she stays any longer.
"Having those extra men really paid off," said Syaoran.
"Oh, you're just being modest," said Sakura, looking at the open window behind her.
"Aren't you coming to bed?" asked Syaoran.
Sakura turns the shower tap on. "I'll take a quick shower first. Don't let me keep you up." Sakura closed the bathroom door, and then climbs out of the open window behind the toilet, giving out a loud "Hooooeeeeee!" before safely landing inside a dumpster down below...
Ketchum's Twelve
01: 'Rule Number One' Broken
A PikaFlash's Studio Fanfiction
Disclaimer: All characters, songs and scenes belong to their respective owners...
An A/U Crossover Type fanfic...
Cerulean City, Kanto. 3 and a half weeks ago
Ash Ketchum, the leader of a group of eleven professionals, enters the Cerulean City Bank.
"Good morning."
"Morning, and you are?"
"Ron Taylor. I'm here to open a SEP retirement account," said Ash, handing the forms to the banker.
"Ok, Mr. Taylor." The banker looks at the forms. "Oh, it says here that you're already retired."
"Yes. Yes I am."
"What was your previous job?"
"I was a Pokémon Training Coach at Pokémon Tech."
"Well...it seems that you've done quite well for yourself."
"Yes, I have."
Ash looks around, then looks at the banker. "Excuse me..." Ash sees the name tag reading 'Tracey'. "Tracey, but do you have safe deposit boxes here?"
"Yes we do, Mr. Taylor," said Tracey. "In our vaults."
"Your vault?"
"Yes. The vault we have is about a hundred years old. Of course we've added in state-of-the-art upgrades since then."
"Did you know that I once was in a vault while it was being robbed?"
"Well...I'd say that that must have been quite an experience."
Ash had a small smile. "Yeah, it was quite an experience."
In the Ketchum Household, Bulbasaur was mixing paint for Misty.
"Too much green in that," said Misty.
"Bulba. Bulbasaur bulba?" asked Bulbasaur. (So, what do you guys do?)
Misty looked at the Bulbasaur. "Us? My husband and I? Well, my husband has just retired. Which is great, and I did work at an art gallery. Obviously I love art and paint...that's too much blue in that. Can I...?"
"Bulbasaur." (It's your paint.)
"Thanks."
Misty mixes the paint.
Ash walks down the street carrying a bouquet of flowers and sees a jewelry store. "Maybe I should get something for Misty."
Ash enters the store and looks around.
"May I show you something specific?" asked the clerk.
"I'm here to get something for my wife."
"Is it a special occasion?"
"It's our second third anniversary." Ash's cell phone rings and Ash answers it. "Excuse me. Hello Mrs. Taylor. We were just talking about you."
Misty (on Phone): How did it go at the bank?
"It was easy..." Ash realized his mistake. "Great. I mean great."
"No, you mean easy," corrected Misty.
Ash (on phone): What?
"Ash, you're doing recon work on our anniversary?"
Ash had a sweat drop behind his head. "Mist."
Misty (on phone): What are you doing now?
"Casing a jewelry store."
Misty slams her palm on the table. "Well, what a great way to ease back in to society, which was your idea."
Ash (on phone): Misty, let me speak with you about something important. I can't find a restaurant tonight.
"Then, we'll eat in."
Ash (on phone): Great, I'll cook.
"No, I'll cook. You talk."
Ash (on phone): You want me to talk? Words and everything? That's what they make flowers for, you know?
Misty hears a car stopping right outside her house. She looks at a window and sees a familiar man exiting his car. "On no, Ash."
Ash (on phone): What is it?
"Errr...the gas is leaking and Togepi has set the kitchen on fire."
Ash (on phone): Hang up!
Misty hangs up.
Ash runs out of the jewelry store, dropping the flowers and quickly runs off.
Seto Kaiba and his two henchmen, Jono and Honda were right at the front door. Misty opens it.
"Hello Misty." said Kaiba as he enters the house. "Where is he? Where is Mr. Taylor?"
Ash catches a cab to take him to the Saffron City Magnet Train station.
"I want it, Misty. I want it all back."
Misty crosses her arms. "You got it back from the insurance company."
"I want my money back. What your husband and his 10 friends stole from me. With interest. A hundred and sixty million over three years."
Ash sits on a seat on the Magnet Train towards a destination that Ash prepared in the event that Kaiba finds them.
"He's got two weeks," said Kaiba.
Misty gave a smirk. "You'll never find them."
"Right...well," said Kaiba. "As it turns out, I'm not the only person who is trying to find Ketchum's Eleven."
West Shinjuku
Koichi and his fiancée were at a restaurant where the guests were made up of friends, family and Digimons. Koichi taps a glass with a knife.
"Everyone. I know that I'm not supposed to say anything, but make a speech. But now I don't care about the rules. I really want to thank my family and friends. Mom. My dad and other mom. Takato and Zoe. JP, Tommy, Bokomon, Neemon, Patamon, Lopmon, Salamon, Takato, Rika, Henry, Jeri, Guilmon, Renamon, Terriermon and not to mention Matt's band, the Teenage Wolves. And everyone else who has helped welcome Izumi to my family."
In the corner, Koji was disappointed that he wasn't mentioned. So he taps his glass with his fork. "I would also like..."
But before Koji did, a hand appeared and stopped Koji from tapping the glass. "Get up," said the owner of the hand. "Get up." Koji mumbled as he got up.
"Walk."
"Walk," mumbled Koji.
"I would also like to say a few words about commitment...about honor...about responsibility. About a special someone admitting to her...Get up," said Kaiba, pushing Koji to Koichi, who was also forced to get up. "About admitting to her that her wedding and her special honeymoon trip to the DigiWorld...will have to be postponed."
Petalburg City, Hoenn
At a nice house in Petalburg city.
"The researcher? You've met him at Professor Birch's lab last time."
"Pika pikachu pika pika chupika."
"Of course, I have to. You don't expect me to embarrass myself by flying commercial."
"Pika! Pikachu pikapi pikachu pika pika."
"A budget? On a budget? Excuse me, but can you tell me who is the only Pikachu who couldn't get in on the Pokémon Cell phone market? With you and your 'connections'?"
"Pikacha! Pikachu pika pika pika chu pika pika."
"You know, he seems really nice. It's really hard to make nice friends like him. You always do this whenever I meet someone new. You know what? It's getting really boring"
May walks up the stairs, leaving Pikachu alone downstairs. Pikachu sighs as he sits at the minibar.
"Pikachu pika pika chu pikachu," a familiarvoice said. (Translation: Girls on trips are always overexposed with photographers.)
Pikachu looks up and sees Seto Kaiba.
Goldenrod City, Johto
"Did you actually think it's an accident that no one knows my friend, Fat Giovanni? Of course its ain't no accident and you ladies know why. I'm going to tell you what it is."
Kaiba and his goons entered a nail salon owned by James called 'Jimmy's Nail Salon'. James was getting a manicure and a pedicure by his staff.
"It's conspiracy, collusion, complicity. That's all it is. Fat Giovanni inherited Team Rocket from his mother when she was the boss. During that time, Fat Giovanni bought out the group bit by bit using his share of the company."
Kaiba's goons motioned the girls to leave as they replaced the girls.
"And do you know why Fat Giovanni's mother was never mention? It's because he removed her name from all records when...hey, aren't you girls kinda..." James looks up and sees Kaiba.
"Why is it that every time I see you, James, you're playing a race card?"
"You can let go of my feet now," said James.
London England
Eriol Hiragizawa and his assistant, Ruby Moon were in a recording studio, listening to an entire song full of censoring bleeps.
"This don't bother you?" asked Eriol.
"Of course it (beeping) bothers me. What the (beep) you want me to do?"
"Well, it's (beeped) up! You can't hear none of the lyrics. You can't even get the beat with all of them (beeping) bleeps in it."
"If you want to put a (beeping) single on the (beeping) radio, that's what you're gonna have to (beeping) do!" explained Ruby, as she switched off the censored song.
"Well, that's just (beeping) (beeped), "said Eriol
"(Beeping) right. Its (beeping) (beeped)!"
Both Eriol and Ruby heard a piano being played.
"What the (beep) was that?"
"It's coming from sound room number 2." Ruby pressed a button, and they hear a piano being played. Eriol sees the pianist in the room as soon as the lights were switched on.
"Oh, (BEEP)!" cursed Eriol.
Domino City
Yugi was sitting in Seto Kaiba's car, with Seto reading a newspaper.
"You haven't contacted my grandfather about this? Because I don't think I should involve him in it...or my girlfriend."
"It's all on you, Yugi," said Kaiba.
"Good. Thank you, Kaiba. You see I have a whole network of..."
"Get out of my car."
"Thank you." Yugi gets out of the car.
Tokyo University
"Mr. Urashima, there seems to be a problem with your credit card."
Keitaro Urashima was at the Tokyo U cafe with some friends. Keitaro sees that his credit card has been cut up.
"How about this one?" Keitaro said, taking out another business card.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Urashima, but your business manager said that you would understand."
"Seta said that I would understand?" asked Keitaro.
"No, Mr. Kaiba."
"Oh...Kaiba. Dear old Kaiba. Tell Mr. Kaiba that he has won this round." Keitaro told the waiter. "Seto Kaiba. An old practical joker."
Riverview
Metabee was doing stand up comedy at a club.
"This one time, I went to the junk yard. Someone sold me a scrap heap. When I looked at it, I just said..."
Suddenly, Metabee became nervous. "Mom...mother..."
After the show , Metabee was at a bar, sighing. "Thanks for letting me finish."
Kaiba smiled. "What can I say? You're a real funny guy."
Odaiba
Tai Kamiya is at a palm reader placed named 'Ten-Ten's'.
"I'm worried about my friend, Sakura. I mean, she recommended me to you since she's been busy but I was hoping that you could send her a message telling her not to beat her brains out in her hotel business."
"Would you please shut up? I'm trying to concentrate on reading your plam," Ten-Ten angrily said.
"Somebody like you could do well. How's my health? I just had a bad cough."
Ten-Ten was getting annoyed with Tai's interruptions. "Please!"
Kaiba and his goons entered the shop and stood behind Tai. Unfortunately for Tai, he sees Kaiba. Tai looks at his palm reader. "This? You couldn't see this?"
Tomoeda
Sakura and her assistant, Fye walked to a hotel room door reading, "Do not Disturb."
"It was the second call. I tried knocking several times, but he wouldn't answer," said Fye.
"Don't worry. I know him." Sakura knocks on the door.
"Are you people retarded?" yelled a voice from the room. "It says 'do not disturb'!"
"It's me."
Max (from Pokémon Advanced) unlocks the door. "Oh, hey, Sakura."
Sakura enters the room. "Geez, Max. You didn't have to go all Son Goku on me."
"I know this is your place, Sakura, but it's this girl. I love her. I love her but she's driving me crazy! I can't work! I can't sleep! I quit the show and I joined that Beyblade movie! It's almost as if this Jedi thing doesn't even work!"
Max rips off his pendant as Fye recieves a phone call and Sakura looks at the damage.
"Sakura, phone call for you."
Sakura takes the cell phone. "Hello?"
Kaiba (on phone): I have a message for Sakura Kinomoto Avalon, soon to be ex-owner of the Blossom Hotel.
Sakura quickly leaves the hotel room and walks out through the stairs. "This is her."
Kaiba (on phone): Last time we spoke, you hung up on me.
"Well, you called me a Robin Hood Bitch the last time. I got sensitive ears."
Kaiba (on phone): Well, I'd admit that I was a little emotional that night.
"You think about that night a lot, eh? I'm surprise you called before I heard the sound that killed me," Sakura said as she reached the car park.
Kaiba (on phone): I've been asked to show some restraint, otherwise, you would have gone out one day, get into one of your favorite 17 cars and turn the ignition and then...
Sakura's car exploded.
Kaiba (on phone): You got two weeks.
Sakura watched as her car was burning. "Heh."
First Thursday, thirteen days left
At the Mahora Academy Library, the group of eleven are in a meeting, some standing up, some sitting on chairs, some sitting on some large books.
"That twerp of a wife said that he called us 'Ketchum's Eleven'? Who decided that?" argued James. "I'm a private contractor."
"It was a collaboration," said Metabee. "The moniker is just insulting."
"It was the one job we did together," said Koichi. "I don't know where this proprietary stance comes from but I think it's a little bit possessive."
"But one can argue that it was Ash's idea..." said Yugi.
Eriol interrupts Yugi. "Hang on a minute. Each of us had our own areas of expertise. Without us, Ash couldn't get the job done successfully."
"It just hurts," said Koji. "It just hurts. We all agreed to call it the 'Kaiba' job at the time, and then, suddenly, someone decides to call it something else..."
"Wait, if you all have a problem, who do you go to first?" asked Yugi.
"Sakura," answered the others.
"Thanks, let's get back on topic," said Ash. "Based on what we stole plus interests, how much do each of us owe Kaiba?"
"17.34 million dollars," answered Tai. "Assuming that Kaiba gives us prime plus one, which I doubt. Figure 19 to be safe."
"Ok, 19 each. Anybody got that?" asked Ash.
Only Tai raised his hand. "What? You think the stock market is some great mystery beyond the realm of human understanding? Didn't you see the signs? I saw the signs."
"Alright," said Ash. "How much are each of you short? Koji?"
"Well, with interest, I'm short 14."
Koichi was surprised. "You spent all but 5 million?"
"Don't you start, Koichi." Koji looked at his twin brother. You think it's easy to start a business from scratch?"
Koichi shrugs. "Well, with interest, I'm short 7."
"Eight," said James.
"I mostly spent a million on talent development, so with interest, that makes it 7," said Yugi. "Boy, the interest just kills you."
"I'm light 9," said Eriol.
"What's the interest?" asked Metabee.
"About 6," replied Tai.
"Then, I owe 6," said Metabee.
Everyone was surprised at how much Metabee owes.
"What?"
"How?"
Metabee looked around. "I stayed at my Medafighter's place."
Sakura smiled. "I owe 25."
Everyone looked at Sakura as she still smiles. "Hotels, man."
Ash looks at Keitaro. "Keitaro?"
Keitaro gets up. "I haven't spent it all. But I will. Looks like I'm out. As the immortal of the group, I just can't handle it. You guys were great. I can say that you're all aces in my book," said Keitaro as he walks to Ash. "But I want the last check that I write to bounce."
Keitaro finishes his banana and walks out of the library.
"Keitaro? You having a laugh? Keitaro!" Eriol called out as Keitaro walks off.
"Pika pikachu..."
"I can handle Keitaro's share," said Tai.
"You don't have to," said Ash.
"Who else can I talk to if you all are dead?"
"Good point," said Ash. "I owe 10. Amazing?"
"Pikapi, pikachu pika pika."
"And it's a very nice house it is," said Sakura.
Ash tries to calculate the numbers. "So, how much more do we owe?"
"Ninety-seven million, give or take," said Tai.
"He didn't find us on his own. Somebody helped Kaiba," said Sakura.
"Well, I don't think there's anyone we know that would break 'Rule Number One'," said Yugi.
"What we do know is that we need a job. A high paying job," said Ash.
Yugi shrugs. "Well, we're too hot to work anywhere in Japan."
"So, we go abroad," said Ash. "How about we go..."
"We're on the 5:00," said Sakura.
"Good? Where are we going?" asked Ash.
" Hong Kong," said Sakura.
"Then, Hong Kong it is. Clock's running. Let's go."
"Never been to Hong Kong," said Koichi.
"Heard that Chinese girls are hot." said Koji.
James stopped as the others walked out of the library.
"Yo, Sakura." Sakura looks at James. " Hong Kong?" Sakura smiled.
"Don't tell Ashy," whispered Sakura.
5:00pm Flight to Hong Kong
Sakura was having a bit of a nap while listening to music when Yugi wakes her up.
"Hey, Sakura."
"Huh? What?" Sakura removes the sleep mask over her eyes. "Yugi? What is it?"
"Nothing."
Sakura removed the headphones. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Well, Sakura, I don't know if this is the perfect time or not, but I've been doing my homework. I really...want to take a more central role in this job."
"Right."
"I feel like...I feel like I'm ready this time because it's..."
"Way overdue," finished Sakura.
"Yes. So, could you take me with you to the meet and help you negotiate?"
Sakura looked around. "Well, it's just a sit down with Neji...but this guy has his own language."
"I've watched you and Ash closely last time. I've learned a ton."
"Yugi...in my professional opinion. You're not ready."
Yugi was disappointed. "I see."
"But...if you considered yourself ready, I could have a word with Ash and you could come along."
"Thank you, Sakura."
"But you got to be sure you're ready."
Yugi had to give it a bit of thought. "Well..."
"Not sure?"
"I am sure, but if..."
"If you need any help, just call me. Any time," said Sakura.
"Sure. Thank you." Yugi was about to return to his seat, but decides to add a few more things. "You see, I wasn't about to go over and ask you."
"Then, I'd still be sleeping."
"Thanks, Sakura."
Yugi returned to his seat and gives a thumbs up to Sakura.
End of Chapter 1
Character List:
Ash Ketchum (Pokémon) – Danny Ocean
Sakura Avalon (Card Captor Sakura) – Rusty Ryan
Taichi Kamiya (Digimon 01) – Reuben
James (Pokémon) – Frank
Koji and Koichi (Digimon Frontier) –Turk and Virgil
Metabee (Medabots) – Livingston
Eriol (Card Captor Sakura) – Basher
Pikachu (Pokémon) – The Amazing Yen
Keitaro (Love Hina) – Saul
Yugi Moto (Yu-Gi-Oh) – Linus
Misty (Pokémon) – Tess Ocean
Seto Kaiba (Yu-Gi-Oh) – Terry Benedict
(Author's EndNote: While I'm working on the next chapter of Ketchum's Twelve, I'm also doing a few minor edits on Ketchum's Eleven.)