Ash groaned as he regained consciousness. He had no memory of where he was and what had happened. All he knew was that he was in a sort of torture chamber before everything went black and now he was regaining consciousness in another one. One thing he noticed was Misty, Brock, Gary, and Paul and Reggie were all standing around him and Giovanni stood on the other side of the room.

"Not this time," Misty shot at Giovanni. "And this time you won't escape."

"Jessie, James, get them!" Giovanni ordered. "Get them now!"

The said agents rushed at them with James and Meowth taking the boys and leaving Jessie to Misty.

"You're the one who's not going to escape this time, twerpette," mocked Jessie. "You and your pathetic twerpy friends are not going to escape our clutches this time."

Jessie then threw a hard chop to the side of Misty's head, staggering Misty for a brief second before she roundhouse kicked her down dangerously near the pool.

Misty tried to get back up but Jessie pinned her down by her arms, looking directly into her eyes.

"It's all over," she taunted slowly. "You have messed with us for the last time, twerpette. After I finish you, I will finish off your little friends nice and slow."

"Oh Sharpedo!" Jessie called in a sing-song voice. The Sharpedo came swimming towards where she was holding Misty.

"But first, let me send you where you feel most at home, with the water types!"

Jessie was about to dump Misty into the water but Misty brought her feet up to Jessie's chest and pushed her off of her. Misty then got up.

"You have messed with our lives for the last time," shot Misty. "It's time for that to end by ending you, you bitch!"

The two then charged at each other with such ferocity that it looked like two lions fighting each other.

"You twerps are no match for us," taunted Meowth as he and James cornered the guys. "We'll take you out and no one will stand between Team Rocket and total domination!"

Gary and Brock stood in front of Ash, Paul and Reggie, signaling that they would handle it.

"Go guys." Gary ordered.

"We'll hold them off," agreed Brock. "You guys just take out Giovanni and then we can get out of here."

Ash ran off with Paul and Reggie while Brock and Gary took Pokéballs off their belts.

"Let's go, Croagunk!"

"Let's go, Electivire!"

Both creatures emerged with vigor and were ready to take on the challenge before them.

"You twerps want to battle us? Then a battle we shall have!" Meowth got into ready position with his claws unsheathed.

"Let's go Carnavine!" James called out while tossing a Pokéball but just like last time, Carnavine attached itself to his head.

"Attack the twerps, not me!" James cried out. "Get off me, Carnavine!"

Eventually Carnavine let go and stood with Meowth across from Electivire and Croagunk, waiting for any one to attack first.

"Let's start with some fury swipes!" Meowth cries out as he charges at Croagunk first, about to start swiping his paws across Croagunk's face, until Croagunk moved out of the way and used poison jab, paralyzing Meowth instantaneously.

"Good job, Croagunk," encouraged Brock. "Now use brick break!"

Croagunk's left appendage started glowing white and came right down on Meowth's head with the intensity of a club, knocking Meowth down for the count.

"Carnavine, use bullet seed on Electivire!" James commanded.

The Venus flytrap Pokémon shot small seed-like things from its mouth towards the electric type, but Gary was not nervous at all.

"Protect!"

Electivire shielded its arms in front of it and a green wall appeared in front of it, stopping Carnavine's attack.

"Now use thunder!"

Electivire then shot thunderbolts from its hands right towards Carnavine and made a direct hit. The Venus flytrap cried out in pain as the volts surged through its body and it collapsed right next to Meowth with stars in its eyes.

James tried to fall back but he slipped on some left-over water from the pool and fell right on the floor with a resounding CRACK! He tried to get up before Gary and Brock stood over him with their arms crossed across their chests.

"You're fired!" Gary sneered. "Or should I say...terminated."

Misty was now running out of moves to make. She was torn up pretty good during her battle with Jessie with plenty of shiners and bled a little from her lip. She knew she had to end this soon.

"What's the matter, twerpette?" Jessie taunted. "Afraid to fight me any longer? Why don't you just surrender your little boyfriend up now and you can walk away unscathed."

"I would rather die than do that!" Misty snarled.

"Suit yourself." Jessie cackled as she went in for a kick to Misty's midsection, which would drop her into the waiting jaws of the Sharpedo, but Misty clocked her with a well-timed dodge and roundhouse kick to the jaw, knocking Jessie out cold.

"That's for six years of having to deal with you." Misty spat on her unconscious body.

Brock, Gary, and Misty chained the bumbling trio into the shackles that once housed the three of them. They then turned on the switch which moved the beam up and over the pool.

"You can't leave us here like this!" James protested.

"Uh yes we can." Gary smirked.

"Come on, twerps. We can talk this out!" Meowth interjected.

"You've had your chances and you continually misuse them." Misty also smirked. "Chao."

The three of them walked out of the room despite the cries of the three villains.

Ash, Paul, and Reggie were staying hot on Giovanni's trail so that they could capture him and turn him over to the police and end his evil reign, or if worst comes to worst kill him.

"Which way?"

"This way." Ash replied, running to the left.

They ran about 400 feet before they realized it was a dead end.

"I think we took a wrong turn." Reggie observed.

"Pika-pi!" Pikachu's voice was all of a sudden heard.

Ash looked down each hallway to see where it was coming from and then listened very carefully for Pikachu's voice.

"Pika-pi!" There it came again. This time from the left side.

"We're almost there." Ash ran ahead, leaving the two brothers in the dust. He would free Pikachu and then get the hell out of here.

"Ash, wait up!" Reggie cried.

There was suddenly laughter behind the three of them. They turned to see Drake standing before them with Pikachu still in the glass hold in his hand.

"Looking for this?" Drake smirked.

Pikachu pleaded to Ash in his own speak, though Ash knew exactly what he could be saying. Ash was on the verge of snapping and going on an all-out killing spree starting with Drake.

"Let Pikachu go now!" Ash demanded. "It's me you want."

"Sorry, son. No can do. Leave if you want but Pikachu is staying right here." Drake taunted.

"Son?" Paul and Reggie asked curiously.

"It's a long story." Ash replied before facing Drake once again.

"Now as to the reason we have to confine your Pikachu," started Drake. "Are you familiar with the role of cities such as Sunyshore in Sinnoh, Mauville in Hoenn, and Cerulean in Kanto, as they relate to the entire region?"

"Not necessarily," admitted Ash. "I've been to all three of those cities though. I won gym badges there. What does this have to do with Pikachu?"

"It is true that they all contain Gyms, but more significantly, they are all located near power plants. Those plants provide electricity with the aid of Electric Pokemon. As you know perhaps better than anyone, Electric Pokemon are great producers of electricity, but they can also absorb it. We have a collection of captured Electric Pokemon that we can use, but having your Pikachu would be the icing on the cake. Thanks to a certain former leader of the Pewter City Gym, its ability to capture and release electricity is higher than any Pokemon that isn't considered legendary. That's why we want it." Drake explained.

"What would you use all those electric types for anyway? What is the objective?" Ash further inquired.

"It is quite simple, my boy. It would cast each region into darkness and help us improve a second prototype of an ultimate weapon we have being developed in Kalos at the moment. The original one called for the use of a legendary Pokémon but we could not find the legendary Pokémon required so we had to settle for just using electric types." Drake monologued while he took out a small projector from his pocket to show the weapon.

The weapon looked like a giant anti-aircraft gun but with some modifications.

"We have nuclear missiles primed and ready for the destruction of every region in the world. Without those power plants to deliver power, they are sitting ducks for our missiles." Drake added before continuing. "Here's a little history lesson for ya: Kalos used to be a major producer of nuclear weapons before they turned peaceful. We had some inner sources to rely on to get us some of the left-over weaponry."

"You're insane!" Paul proclaimed.

"Goal-driven," corrected Drake. "I'm completely sane."

"We will see about that." Ash shot before taking out a Pokéball. "Quilava, I choose you!"

The echidna-like Pokémon emerged with a growl and igniting the flames on its head and rear end in an intimidation move.

"Drapion, crush him!" Drake tossed a Pokéball as well.

The scorpion Pokémon emerged with a roar, leaving Quilava shaking a little bit in fear.

Ash turned to Paul and Reggie.

"Guys, get out of here," he requested. "Find Misty and the others and then get out of here."

Paul and Reggie nodded to him before taking off.

"Alright let's get started," said Ash. "Quilava, use flamethrower!"

Quilava did as told and emitted a stream of fire from its maw while the flames on its head and rear end kicked into overdrive.

"Evade," Drake replied.

Drapion jumped over the stream of flame.

"Now counter with Cross Poison!"

Drapion rushed toward Quilava, its claws glowing purple while crossed in an X shape.

"Dodge it!" Ash commanded quickly.

Quilava dodged the attack just barely before Ash cried out another attack.

"Use flame wheel!"

Flame engulfs Quilava as it started to spin right towards Drapion.

"Prepare Ice Fang, then fire Pin Missile straight through the ice!"

A barrage of chilled needles headed straight for the fiery echidna-like Pokemon and it was a direct hit. Quilava was sent flat on its back. Quilava lay knocked out, unable to continue on.

"Quilava, return!" Ash returned Quilava back to its Pokéball.

"Why are you so interested in me if all you needed was Pikachu? What does this secret weapon have to do with me?"

"The answer is simple. 1, I knew that Pikachu would not go willingly. Its bond with you is too strong. That much was easily clear. So I needed your cooperation, forced or not. 2: I have heard stories of all your adventures. A trainer of your skill would make a very valuable ally of Team Rocket's cause." Drake responded in kind.

"I hate to disappoint you, Dad," said Ash, but with venom at the word 'Dad.' "But I would never do anything to hurt others. Pikachu, use iron tail!"

Pikachu broke the plexiglass surrounding him, enabling him to be free. He quickly stood in front of Ash, awaiting a command to attack.

"Use thunderbolt on Drake!" Ash commanded.

"Pika-CHUUUUUU!" Pikachu cried as he shocked Drake and Drapion at the same time, giving him and Ash some time to escape as they both took off running.

"Now let's catch up to Paul and Reggie, and then find the others!" Ash said.

"Chu!" replied his starter Pokemon, clearly in agreement.

As they took a right turn, Drapion emerged from the ground with a roar, sending Ash and Pikachu to the ground in shock at his appearance.

Drake appeared right behind Drapion, wagging his finger in disapproval.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, my little friend." Drake admonished. "You can't get away from me that easily. Now you are going to pay."

"We'll see about that!" Ash shot back. "Thunderbolt, Pikachu!"

"CHUUU!" The electric mouse cried out as it sent a bolt of lightning toward its insect-like opponent.

"Evade." Drake commanded.

Drapion jumped over the thunderbolt attack and then lunged its tail forward to grab Pikachu and then pinned him to the ground, rendering him useless.

"I have you now," smirked Drake. "How quaint it must be for the father to finish the son."

He gave Drapion a certain look and Drapion started to charge up cross poison and it was directed right at Ash.

"They say as a trainer draws his last breath, he can hear the cries of his Pokémon," he sadistically chuckled.

"Do it, Drapion!"

Drapion fired the cross poison right towards Ash, it would for sure be deadly upon impact.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!" A voice cried as someone jumped in front of Ash, taking the hit instead. It was Paul. A giant red gash in the shape of an 'x' was cut through his shirt and his skin, blood oozing out of the wound.

"NO!" Reggie raged as he knelt beside his brother, inspecting the wound. Paul was also poisoned on top of that, coughing from the impact of the attack.

"Pikachu, use iron tail to break free!" Ash commanded.

Pikachu nodded in affirmation before using iron tail to bounce himself out of Drapion's grip.

"Use thunderbolt while still in the air!"

Pikachu channeled all his energy into this thunderbolt and this time the attack was dead on, emitting a giant cry of pain from Drapion before it fell to the ground for the count.

"You're finished, Drake." Ash said while standing over Drake, who was also knocked back by the thunderbolt.

"I'm not finished yet!" Drake responded before he felt a sharp sting in his butt. He cried out in pain before his upper body fell to the ground.

"It seems to me like you are." Brock's voice piped up. He was there along with Misty and Gary, who had arrived just in the nick of time.

Ash looked to see Croagunk behind Drake.

"Thanks Croagunk," applauded Ash. "You really saved my butt."

"Croa," responded Croagunk.

"Forgetting someone?" Giovanni was then seen rushing through the hallway before Ash moved out of the way and he just kept running until he crashed head first into a glass box and hitting a button inside.

"Warning! The self-destruct button has now been pressed!" A computerized recording said as sirens went off. "You have one minute to evacuate the building!"

"Let's get out of here!" Ash cried.

"Good idea." Misty agreed.

Reggie picked Paul up in his arms as they ran. He used Paul's jacket as a way to keep pressure on the bleeding.

The group of six ran back to the entrance with Gary leading the way as he knew exactly where to go, though not without some protesting from Ash but due to Paul's critical condition and the circumstances, Ash decided better of it.

Once they reached outside, they ran as far away from the building as possible. There was a forest right next to the headquarters so they ran as deep as they could before they heard a giant boom behind them. They ducked into nearby bushes and hid behind trees to ride out the blast radius.

Once the explosion was over, everyone made sure to check on Paul's condition.

"Come on, Paul," urged Reggie with tears in his eyes. "You'll be just fine. Look at me."

"Brock, do you have any medicine on you?" He pleaded. "Please!"

"I'm sorry, Reggie. I don't." Brock replied sadly. "I'm really sorry."

"Well at least find me a pecha berry! That'll help."

Gary ran off to find some pecha berries.

In between the coughing and the excruciating pain, Paul just barely managed to force out a word.

"Reggie..." He rasped.

"What is it, Paul?" Reggie replied.

"I'm sorry for..." he coughed. "I'm sorry for the way our relationship deteriorated. It was all because of me. Please forgive me."

"Paul, you could never destroy our relationship. You will always be my brother."

Paul coughed a few more times before Gary finally came back with what seemed to be a whole bush's worth of pecha berries. He quickly gave one to Reggie.

"Here, Paul," he encouraged. "Eat this. It'll help."

"No Reggie," Paul squawked. "It's the end for me. The one thing I'm proud of is us patching up our love."

Paul's body then fell limp on the ground.

"Paul?" Reggie nudged him, praying to Arceus that Paul would awaken.

"Paul, please!" Tears streamed down Reggie's face as he buried his face into his dead brother's chest in complete anguish and agony.

Paul then opened his eyes and smirked up at everyone else.

"Gotcha!" He cried, laughing at the end.

Reggie looked up through his tear-stricken eyes to see Paul laughing.

"I totally got you!"

"You asshole!" Reggie started punching Paul on the arm in complete anger at being fooled with something as serious as poisoning.

"Let me guess, you also faked the poisoning?"

"No I did not," Paul struck down. "I'll gladly take that pecha berry."

He quickly took a bite of the berry and as soon as that happened, he started feeling like his old self again.

Everyone else laughed at the two brothers and their playful banter. Misty noticed Ash standing over by the edge of the forest, looking at the decimated remains of Team Rocket's headquarters. The police had shown up by now and were busy escorting Drake and Giovanni, both immensely scorched, into cop cars.

She walked over to him.

"It's finally over," she commented.

"What's over, Misty?" Ash asked curiously.

"Team Rocket. It looks like we hopefully won't have to deal with them anymore." Misty elucidated.

"I'll pray for that." Ash agreed.

Misty looked longingly at Ash. Now was the time, she decided.

"Ash, there's something I want to tell you," she blurted. "This was what I meant to tell you last night."

"And what would that be, Misty?" He replied.

Misty said nothing as she turned his face towards hers and she gave him a quick peck on the lips before she touched his cheek with hers so she could whisper in his ear.

"I love you."

Ash was shell-shocked to say the least. Misty, the tomboyish mermaid, the girl whom he had lots of memories with, loved him. It didn't make sense.

"I'm sorry, Misty but I can't do this." Ash replied gently. "I can't return your feelings. It's not you, Arceus no. It's me, ok? I just can't involve myself in this kind of thing. I hope you understand."

Misty for sure did not expect this at all. The boy whom she had a crush on since she was ten years old just flat out said he wasn't interested in a relationship.

"I guess I can," she quietly said. "You have no idea, though, how long it took me to say that."

"I understand, Misty. And I am sorry but I just can't bring myself to love you like that. I love you as a friend and that is just it." Ash elucidated further.

"We've had a fun adventure that's for sure." He looked back into the woods to see Brock and Gary horsing around while Reggie tended to Paul's wound. "Nearly got killed, involved in an evil scheme, and I finally got to know my father. I'd say that's enough adventure for one lifetime."

"You're right," agreed Misty. "Come on, let's go join the others so we can all go home."

A/N: Review!