Ash had another night of restless sleep. Once again, he was greeted with a nightmare in his dreams. In this one, he dreamed of dueling dragons.
He was trapped in the dream, forced to watch like someone was holding his head towards a TV. He saw the dragons continuously attacking each other: slashing, biting, pouncing, and ripping each other apart. Only a couple times was a dragon able to charge an attack. Ash even saw a few sprays of blood fly through the air. It was like two cats in a battle to the death.
He was able to wake up, though, thankfully not making another commotion to wake Giovanni. But once he lay back to sleep, even adding a hope not to have another dream, the nightmare would find him again. He was finally freed when morning came, and the travelers left for the last leg of the journey. But by now… Ash was far beyond exhaustion…
"Come on, just a little more," Giovanni urged gently.
"I can't," Ash retorted.
He remained stubbornly on his side, refusing to move a muscle. The boy was so tired he tripped over his own feet. Giovanni and Pikachu were now trying to encourage him to continue, Persian sitting impatiently a few feet away.
"What's the hurry, anyway?" Ash demanded. "And don't give me any lame excuses."
Giovanni heaved a heavy sigh. The man paused for a long moment, but to Ash's amazement, he confessed.
"I don't think your kidnapper was alone," he told the boy. "I've been pushing you because I want to gain as much distance as possible so his accomplice doesn't find us."
Hearing Giovanni's words felt like a hammer was hitting Ash's gut. His eyes snapped open as his veins froze. It wasn't because he was stunned at new information; the revelation summoned new images in his mind. He remembered… He remembered someone else being there…
Ash trembled. His memory was still messed up. He felt like he should remember but he couldn't. The fact he lived a false reality… scared him to death. And he was so disoriented when he woke up, he even forgot who he was for a moment. No, he couldn't go through that again. He couldn't let that awful man's partner—who may have the same power—do that to him.
And with that, he slowly picked himself, moving at an inch at a time.
"Good boy," Giovanni praised.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered.
Finally, Ash shakily got to his feet. At first when he straightened, he looked weak, but it was quickly replaced with new determination.
The sun burned brightly that afternoon, having the entire land glow. There was not a cloud in the sky and a sea of blue stretched in every direction to the horizon. The air was warm and no breeze blew, adding to the heat. A typical summer day. Ash was going to have a chat with Mother Nature with all these seasonal changes.
The group of travelers exited the forest and entered a small field of grass, the green stalks gleaming in the sunlight. About a dozen yards ahead of them was a small rise, shielding the view on the other side. Giovanni was once again a few paces ahead with his Persian on his heels. Ash was not far behind—new energy in him—with Pikachu nestled on his shoulder. When he and his partner were nearing the rise, a wave of recognition passed through them. This place looked familiar. At the same time, Giovanni reached the top first. A grin crept across his face and his eyes gleamed.
"Ah, so it seems everything was worth it," he mused.
Ash trotted the last few steps to join his side. When he did, he let out a small gasp of relief and gave a small laugh. Before them was Nimbasa City.
The city expanded for miles, crammed with buildings of all different sizes. There were a few parks and lakes of course, adding beauty to the mostly metropolis area. It almost seemed like the city didn't need the reserves, as it seemed to gleam. From their vantage point, Ash was able to point out several of Nimbasa tourist attractions: its famous Ferris wheel, the Big Stadium, the Pokémon Musical, and even the Pokémon Center. Yes, they had finally made it.
The air was cheery in Nimbasa City. Everyone was in a good mood, even businessmen coming to or from work. This included the small group of travelers walking through the streets. Ash walked beside Giovanni with their Pokémon at their respective places.
Unable to bear his excitement any longer, Ash leaped in front of Giovanni, actually cutting the man off. The man blinked as the child pumped his fists in the air and fire burned in his eyes.
"Okay, where do we start?" he asked rather loudly.
Giovanni suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. They just got here… "Well, first of all, we need rest more than anything. But I have some business to do." It was then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet. He plucked several bills and rummaged through them, keeping them well in Ash's vision. The trainer couldn't help but stare at them with curiosity and greed. Giovanni held them out right in front of the boy and said, "Go treat yourself. I'll find you later."
Ash gave a questioning glance. Giovanni nodded. Understanding he had permission, the boy snatched the money and counted the tiny green papers. There was a few hundred dollars in total. Ash gasped.
"Wow, thanks Giovanni!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing across the crowd of people.
Giovanni winced. Don't say my name so loud!
Ash turned to his Pokémon. "Come on, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!" the rodent laughed.
He leaped off of Ash's shoulder as the trainer twisted around on his heels and took off. Pikachu was hot on his heels. Giovanni calmly watched the boy disappear into the city. When he was sure he was gone and he wasn't being watched, Giovanni went into his own direction. He avoided watchful eyes until finally he came to a lone payphone.
He put in a few cents and punched in several numbers. Holding the phone to his ear, he waited patiently as the phone rung several times. As last, there was a click of someone picking up. A young man's voice answered.
"Yes, Kanto Industries, how may we help you?" he asked, his tone in a generic polite tone.
"I would like to buy some insurance, please," Giovanni replied in the same manner.
Immediately the Team Rocket agent straightened. It was all business from there.
"Sir!" the subordinate chimed.
"Is the prisoner secure?"
"Yes, sir." Suddenly there was an unsure pause. "Though… he's surprisingly reluctant. It may take a little longer to break him."
"No matter. My Dragonite?"
"Already returned to storage, sir."
"Well done. Keep the prisoner for a little longer. I'll deal with him when I return soon."
"You're not coming back now, sir?"
"I have some things to take care of."
"But, sir—"
Giovanni cut him off by showing his annoyance. "Stop staying sir!"
"Yes, sir."
The Boss slapped his palm square on his face.