Chapter 25

Meanwhile in the generator room, Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, James, and Meowth were trying their hardest to release Pikachu from the indestructible enclosure. They attempted to break the glass countless times. It became difficult to do so considering they had to keep quiet, so Giovanni wouldn't hear them and become suspicious. After failing to shatter the glass cover surrounding Pikachu one last time, Jessie and Meowth gave up, and began searching for another solution. The two villains slowly walked around, examining the generator room's complex machinery for important clues. Meowth strolled past a large, square, metal plate that looked slightly out of place, considering it was located on the side of the power generator. He put one paw on it, and the metal plate wobbled around, indicating that it was moveable. Meowth lifted up the metal cover and revealed a giant panel of nearly one hundred different buttons. They ranged from purple, to yellow, to green, each serving a different purpose.

"You guys…" Meowth stuttered as he called the attention of the others, "You guys gotta see dis; it's a big button bonanza!" The group looked clueless at the assortment of flashing buttons on the panel, not knowing in the slightest which one to push to potentially release Pikachu.

"Hey look, that one's different than the others," Misty pointed to a button in the center of the panel. It was larger than the rest, and the only red button on the control board. It also possessed the infamous capital 'R', this time in black lettering. "Should we push it?" Misty asked cautiously. The humans contemplated the possible outcomes, but their thoughtful moment was immediately cut short.

"Oh, what da heck," Meowth courageously said as he thrusted his paw straight down, pushing the red 'R' button, "Someone's gotta do it!" The humans gasped in shock at the talking Pokemon's impulsive action, unaware of the level of havoc it would cause.

"The money is just one of the many perks," Giovanni said confidently, "The best part is the power, the invincibility! I promise you, if you join this industry, you will not once regret your decision." The boss was finishing up his speech regarding why Rhia should join Team Rocket, "So Rhia, what do you say? Will you join me in becoming rich and powerful beyond your wildest dreams?"

Surprisingly, Rhia paused to genuinely consider Giovanni's generous offer. She thought to herself, "Wow, so if I join Team Rocket… I can become even more rich? And even more influential? Maybe Giovanni really does need my help to succeed… Oh my, Team Rocket is just calling my name! I mean, I am finally home, back where I belong… This is all I've ever known besides Pokemon training. With working alongside Giovanni, I can do both. Alright, I've decided…" Just as Rhia was about to open her mouth and give the boss an answer, a loud, ear-piercing alarm started blaring.

"Meowth!" Jessie yelled urgently after Meowth impulsively pushed the button, "Are you crazy?"

"Dat's a stupid question," Meowth smirked. The group turned around and faced the generator, along with the contraption containing Pikachu, waiting to see if anything would happen. Suddenly, the generator shut down and the power light on top of it went off. Then, the glass above the enclosure folded down, and a breath of fresh air hit Pikachu. Simultaneously, the shock-absorbing hand, foot, and ear cuffs let him loose as well; Pikachu was finally freed.

"Pika pi!" Pikachu cried gleefully as he leaped into Ash's arms.

"Pikachu! I've got you back! Finally," Ash cheered happily as he began to cry tears of joy; at last, the closest companions on the planet were reunited. Misty, Brock, Jessie, James, and Meowth gazed at the two buddies with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes; the sight of Ash and Pikachu's true bond made everyone emotional.

Unfortunately, their gleeful moment was interuppted. A shrieking alarm nearly blew out their eardrums, and red, emergency lights began flashing all around them. The power gauge on the generator was now flashing at about halfway full as well.

"What, what's going on?" Misty stuttered.

"Uh oh…" Meowth said as he recalled his knowledge on this type of machinery.

"What 'uh-oh'?!" Jessie and James questioned desperately.

Meowth picked his head up and his voice grew frantic, "Dis alarm's an emergency signal. Da generator's not supposed'ta be turned off until da power gauge is full, and it's stopped at half… Dis is tellin' da boss dat somethin' went wrong… And someone's gonna hafta' pay for da mistake!"

"WHAT?!" Everyone shouted all together as they began to panic. There was no way out of the mechanical room, besides the air vent and the single door leading into the boss' office. Both the heroes and the villains were completely trapped.

"What in the world is that?" Rhia screamed as she covered her ears from the blaring alarm.

"It's the alarm sounding from the generator room!" Giovanni exploded with anger, "Those three screwed up big time…Come on Rhia, let's go see what's going on; follow me and be prepared for anything!" Rhia froze in place; she had one, miniscule thought about joining Team Rocket, and now the entire plan was crashing down around her. She sprinted nervously behind Giovanni into the generator room, and noticed a thousand red lights flashing everywhere. Rhia quickly scanned the room, and realized that Pikachu was nowhere to be found, and neither were the twerps. Did they successfully escape after all?

Jessie, James, and Meowth were standing with their heads hung down, facing Pikachu's opened enclosure, with no Pikachu inside.

"You fools!" Giovanni thundered, "What have you done? Where is that Pikachu? Give me an explanation right now!" The trio laughed menacingly.

Jessie turned around confidently, "Is that big boss talk I hear?"

"It shrieks to me loud and clear," James turned and faced the boss with a smile.

"On the wind," Jessie chanted.

"Past the stars," James added.

"In your ears!" Meowth shouted as he finally turned around.

"Bringing chaos at a break neck pace," said Jessie.

"Dashing hope putting fear in its place," said James.

"A rose by any other name's just as sweet," Jessie posed.

"When everything's worse, our work is complete," James followed suit.

"Jessie!"

"And James!"

"Meowth, dat's da name!"

"Putting the bad-guys in their place!" Jessie and James said in unison.

"We're Team Rocket; in your face!" Meowth, James, and Jessie struck a final pose once their motto was complete.

"Hah, this must come as a surprise," said James proudly.

"I hate to break it to ya, boss," Meowth began, "but we're quittin' Team Rocket for good!"

"And we couldn't think of a better way to say goodbye than by ruining your Pikachu plans," Jessie smirked fiendishly.

James continued, "Only the best finale for your best agents."

By this point, Giovanni was fuming with rage, "You idiots! You've ruined everything! You're going to pay for this!" The boss instantly released his strongest Pokemon, Tyranitar, from a dark ball. "Once Tyranitar is finished with you three, you won't have anything left in you to cry for mercy!" The boss laughed manically.

Jessie, James, and Meowth grinned slyly amongst each other. Without saying a word, Jessie pulled out King's master ball and released him, ready for a battle. Giovanni's eyes grew wide in astonishment as he stared up at the towering Groudon, completely forgetting there was a battle at hand.

"I can't believe it!" the boss shouted furiously, "You numbskulls gave me a measly Pikachu, while you had a legendary Pokemon in your possession? Are you out of your mind?!" While the boss was distracted by the trio having one of the most powerful Pokemon known to mankind, Rhia glanced around the room, wondering what to do. Suddenly, she noticed four familiar figures hidden behind a crate amongst the shadows, watching the scene; it was the twerps, and Pikachu was with them! However, their facial expressions consisted of anxiety and fear - they had nowhere to escape. Rhia decided to use her quick-wittedness to her advantage. As Giovanni was preoccupied with the trio's tomfoolery, Rhia discreetly waved a hand signal towards Ash, and he noticed. Rhia urgently pointed to the door of the generator room, leading to the boss' office and their only escape route. Team Rocket had King; they would be alright. As sneakily as possible Ash, Pikachu, Misty, and Brock bolted out of the generator room and into Giovanni's office, with Rhia tip-toeing close behind them.

"Okay, guys, please listen to me," Rhia stammered frantically, "The only way for everyone to get out of here safely is if Pikachu hides in my purse and leaves with me right now!" She looked genuinely worried.

"No way!" Ash yelled spitefully, "Pikachu's not going anywhere, we won't fall for your dirty tricks again! I know you're close with Giovanni, you'll change your mind and take his side in two seconds!" Ash had little to no trust in Rhia due to her previous antics.

"This entire building is going to be searching for Pikachu," Rhia mentioned, remembering how determined Team Rocket agents are, "There's no way three grunts won't be noticed making a run for it with the stolen Pokemon in their arms! We've come this far, Ash! I can't let you guys get caught! Please, you have to trust me!" Tears of sincerity began to form in Rhia's eyes.

"Ash, I think we have no other choice," Brock mentioned urgently. During the midst of this conversation, Pikachu thought quietly to himself. He remembered that Rhia was the last person he saw before he strangely ended up at headquarters, and he became suspicious of her intentions. However, Rhia has always had a very strong emotional connection with Pokemon. She can sense their emotions, and they can sense hers as well. Pikachu looked at Rhia, deep into her bright blue eyes, and saw that she was genuine.

"Pika, pika pi… Pikachu!" Ash's best friend tugged on his shirt collar. Pikachu told Ash that he would be fine leaving with Rhia, that he trusted her entirely.

"Wait, Pikachu… You said you'll be okay going with Rhia? She's, being honest…?" Pikachu nodded his head anxiously in agreement. "I just… I mean…" Ash stammered, "Okay. Just this once, I'll trust you," he said to Rhia. She beamed with excitement.

"Really, Ash? Really, Pikachu?" Rhia asked, making sure there were no issues with this part of the plan. However, the conversation was soon put on hold by a tremendous flamethrower attack piercing through the side of a wall.

"Rhia!" echoed Giovanni's voice from the generator room, "I need your help in battle immediately!"

"Oh no," Rhia panicked, then opened her large purse, "I've gotta go right now! Pikachu, hop in." The electric mouse nervously entered her handbag and hid inside. She addressed the twerps, "You know the pine tree we camped out by last night? That's where we'll all meet. Escape from here as soon as you have the chance," Rhia hastily stood up, "Good luck you guys, and be safe!" She sprinted out of the penthouse office and bolted down the hall with Pikachu in tow, quickly making her escape.