THE END OF TEAM ROCKET
Part 16
Disclaimer I don't own Pokemon
Ash sighed in exhaustion as he sank gratefully to the couch in
Misty's living room. It had been nearly a month since the shooting and he
had just been released from the hospital. He was going to stay with
Misty and her sisters. Giovanni was still in jail waiting for his trial
and Ash knew he would probably have to testify. He dreaded it. Just
the thought of seeing the man who had hurt him scared Ash.
"How are you doing, Ash?" Brock asked as he sat on the couch next
to Ash. Pikachu climbed into Ash's lap.
"I'm ok," Ash said. "I'm just tired."
"We'll get you up to bed, honey," Mrs. Ketchum said as she went to
Ash. She helped him get to his feet and Misty came over to help him.
They helped him up the stairs to a room. He sat on one of the beds and
Brock sat on the other.
"Thanks," Ash said as he lay back against the pillow.
"Do you mind sharing a room with Brock?" Misty asked. "We thought
he could help you if you need anything."
"No, I don't mind," Ash replied. "Misty. . .thanks for letting
Mom and I stay with you. I'll try not to be much trouble."
"Ash, you're not any trouble," Misty said. "We're just glad
you're all right."
"Let's get you to bed, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said as she got out
Ash's pajamas. "Do you need any help?"
"No, I'll manage," Ash said. He looked embarrassed.
"Ok, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said. "I'll check on you later. Brock,
can you help Ash if he needs anything?"
"Sure," Brock said. "We'll be ok."
"Ash, you get some rest," Mrs. Ketchum said. She and Misty left.
Brock helped Ash into bed and Pikachu climbed up to lay beside Ash.
"Thanks, Brock," Ash said as he drifted off to sleep.
"Sure, Ash," Brock replied.
The next day two men came to see Ash. They introduced themselves
as lawyers who were prosecuting Giovanni. They wanted to represent
Ash, Misty, and Brock in the coming trials. Misty and Mrs. Ketchum went
up to Brock and Ash's room so they could all discuss the trials.
"Ash, we're starting Giovanni's trial Monday for the charge of
attempted murder," one of the lawyers said. "We'd like you to testify.
Do you think you can?"
"Yes, I can," Ash said. "If my doctor says it's ok."
"Ash, are you sure?" Mrs. Ketchum asked. "I know you're scared."
"Yes, I'm sure," Ash said. "Mom, I have to. I want him to go
to jail for shooting Brock and I."
"You're a brave boy, Ash," one of the men said. "Now here's what
we'll do. . . ." They talked for over an hour about the trials. The
second trial, for shooting Brock, was to be held immediately after the
first trial ended. Ash wouldn't have to be at that one as he didn't
remember how Brock had been injured.
"Ash, are you ok?" Mrs. Ketchum asked after the men left. "Honey,
I know you don't want to do this."
"Yeah, I'm ok," Ash said. "I just wish it was over already. I'm
scared."
"I know," Mrs. Ketchum said. She hugged Ash gently. "It's going
to turn out all right. I promise."
"Thanks, Mom,"Ash said, hugging her back.
Giovanni went on trial the next week on the charge of attempted
murder. It was several days before Ash was called to testify.
"Ash, the lawyers called this morning," Mrs. Ketchum said as she
brought Ash's lunch up to him. "They want us at the courthouse at three
o'clock. Can you do it, honey?"
"Yes, I can," Ash said. "Let's get it over with."
Ash and Mrs. Ketchum arrived at the courthouse a little before
three o'clock. Brock and Misty were already there, waiting for Ash. They
went to a small room just off the courtroom. Both the lawyers were
waiting for them.
"This is it," one of them said. "We're going to call you to the
stand in a few minutes. All you have to do is answer some questions."
"I know," Ash said. "I'm just scared."
"It's going to be fine, honey," Mrs. Ketchum said. "We're all
here for you." She was holding Ash's hand.
"You can do it, Ash," Brock said. "You're a tough kid."
"Ash, you should know that Giovanni has made some unpleasant
remarks to some of the other witnesses," one of the lawyers said. "If he
says anything to you, just ignore it. He can't hurt you anymore. We're
going to see that he never hurts anyone again."
"Ok," Ash said. The lawyers left.
"Hand in there, Ash," Brock said. "It will be over soon." He saw
the look of fear on Ash's face. "We're here for you, buddy." Ash just
nodded.
A few minutes later a policeman came to the door.
"Ash Ketchum? They're ready for you," he said.
"We're on our way," Mrs. Ketchum said. The lawyers had brought a
wheelchair for Ash because he was still very weak. Mrs. Ketchum helped
him into the chair and pushed him into the courtroom.
Everyone in the courtroom turned to look at Ash as he was wheeled
in. For the first time since the shooting, Ash found himself
face-to-face with the man who had shot him. His face went white, but he just
looked straight ahead.
"Hey, kid," Giovanni growled quietly as Ash was pushed past him.
"Why didn't you die? You were supposed to die." Ash didn't say
anything, he just stared straight ahead as he was pushed to the witness
stand. Ash was sworn in and his mother helped him to the witness stand.
The judge regarded the young boy for a moment. "How are you
feeling, Ash?"
"Ok, I guess," Ash replied. "I'm still pretty weak, but I'm
getting better." He looked calmly back at the judge.
"Are you nervous, Ash?" the judge asked.
"Yes," Ash admitted. "But I'm ok."
"We're just going to ask you a few questions," the judge said.
"This won't take long."
"I'm ready," Ash said. He looked out into the courtroom, smiling
slightly when he saw Brock, Misty, and Mrs. Ketchum sitting by Daisy,
Violet, and Lily. They had closed the gym for the day to be there for
Ash.
One of the two lawyers stepped up to Ash.
"Now, Ash, can you tell us what you remember about the evening you
were shot?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. "We were on our way to Cerulean City to
spend a few days visiting Misty's sisters. We were still a few miles
outside of town when Jessie, James, and their Meowth from Team Rocket
stopped us and told us to give them Pikachu. Then a helicopter landed,
and Giovanni got out. He said he wanted Pikachu and I said no, Pikachu
is mine. He pulled a gun from his pocket and shot me." Ash was silent
for a moment. "All I remember after that is the pain. . .then waking
up in the hospital."
"Had you seen Giovanni before with Team Rocket?" the lawyer asked.
"No," Ash said. "I had heard them talk about their boss, but I
hadn't seen him."
"Ok," the lawyer said. "Ash, is the man who shot you in this
courtroom?"
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. He still looked calm, but he held the
arms of the chair to keep his hands from shaking.
"Can you point him out to us, please?" the lawyer asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash said. He pointed to Giovanni. "There he is, the
man in the red suit."
"Let the record show that Ash Ketchum has identified Giovanni as
the man who shot him," the lawyer said. "Thank you, Ash. I don't have
any more questions."
"Do you have any questions for the witness?" the judge asked
Giovanni's lawyers.
"Yes," one of the lawyers said, coming to stand in front of Ash.
"Ash, you say you'd never seen Giovanni before the shooting, yet you
knew he was Team Rocket's leader?"
"Sir, I didn't say I knew he was Team Rocket's leader," Ash
replied. "I only said I had heard Jessie, James, and Meowth talking about
their boss."
"You didn't remember who he was, but you remember he shot you?"
the lawyer asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. "I didn't know his name, but I clearly
remember his face." Giovanni's lawyer asked Ash a few more questions.
Ash answered them all, managing to keep calm despite being nervous.
"That's it," Giovanni's lawyer said finally. "No further
questions."
"You may step down," the judge said to Ash. "Thank you for your
help, Ash." Ash nodded. His lawyers helped him into the wheelchair and
Mrs. Ketchum pushed him from the courtroom, followed by Brock, Misty,
and her sisters. Giovanni didn't say anything as Ash was pushed past
him. Ash wouldn't even look at Giovanni, he just looked straight ahead.
"Ash? Honey, it's all right now. It's all over," Mrs. Ketchum
said, seeing the tears in Ash's eyes. Ash had managed to remain calm
while he was in the courtroom, but he'd been so scared. Mrs. Ketchum
knelt in front of Ash. He put his arms around his mother and let the tears
come.
"Ash, it's all right," Brock said as he and Misty knelt beside
Ash, putting their arms around Ash's shoulders.
After a short while Ash managed to stop crying.
"Are you ok now, Ash?" Misty asked.
"Yes, I'm ok," Ash said. "Thanks for being there for me. It
really helped."
"Ash, we're very proud of you," Mrs. Ketchum said. "I know it
took a lot of courage to face the man who shot you. You're very brave."
"I'm just glad it's over," Ash said. "Mom, can we go now? I'm
exhausted."
"Of course, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said.
"Come on, Ash," Misty said. She held Ash's hand. "Let's get you
home."
END PART 16
TO BE CONTINUED
Part 16
Disclaimer I don't own Pokemon
Ash sighed in exhaustion as he sank gratefully to the couch in
Misty's living room. It had been nearly a month since the shooting and he
had just been released from the hospital. He was going to stay with
Misty and her sisters. Giovanni was still in jail waiting for his trial
and Ash knew he would probably have to testify. He dreaded it. Just
the thought of seeing the man who had hurt him scared Ash.
"How are you doing, Ash?" Brock asked as he sat on the couch next
to Ash. Pikachu climbed into Ash's lap.
"I'm ok," Ash said. "I'm just tired."
"We'll get you up to bed, honey," Mrs. Ketchum said as she went to
Ash. She helped him get to his feet and Misty came over to help him.
They helped him up the stairs to a room. He sat on one of the beds and
Brock sat on the other.
"Thanks," Ash said as he lay back against the pillow.
"Do you mind sharing a room with Brock?" Misty asked. "We thought
he could help you if you need anything."
"No, I don't mind," Ash replied. "Misty. . .thanks for letting
Mom and I stay with you. I'll try not to be much trouble."
"Ash, you're not any trouble," Misty said. "We're just glad
you're all right."
"Let's get you to bed, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said as she got out
Ash's pajamas. "Do you need any help?"
"No, I'll manage," Ash said. He looked embarrassed.
"Ok, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said. "I'll check on you later. Brock,
can you help Ash if he needs anything?"
"Sure," Brock said. "We'll be ok."
"Ash, you get some rest," Mrs. Ketchum said. She and Misty left.
Brock helped Ash into bed and Pikachu climbed up to lay beside Ash.
"Thanks, Brock," Ash said as he drifted off to sleep.
"Sure, Ash," Brock replied.
The next day two men came to see Ash. They introduced themselves
as lawyers who were prosecuting Giovanni. They wanted to represent
Ash, Misty, and Brock in the coming trials. Misty and Mrs. Ketchum went
up to Brock and Ash's room so they could all discuss the trials.
"Ash, we're starting Giovanni's trial Monday for the charge of
attempted murder," one of the lawyers said. "We'd like you to testify.
Do you think you can?"
"Yes, I can," Ash said. "If my doctor says it's ok."
"Ash, are you sure?" Mrs. Ketchum asked. "I know you're scared."
"Yes, I'm sure," Ash said. "Mom, I have to. I want him to go
to jail for shooting Brock and I."
"You're a brave boy, Ash," one of the men said. "Now here's what
we'll do. . . ." They talked for over an hour about the trials. The
second trial, for shooting Brock, was to be held immediately after the
first trial ended. Ash wouldn't have to be at that one as he didn't
remember how Brock had been injured.
"Ash, are you ok?" Mrs. Ketchum asked after the men left. "Honey,
I know you don't want to do this."
"Yeah, I'm ok," Ash said. "I just wish it was over already. I'm
scared."
"I know," Mrs. Ketchum said. She hugged Ash gently. "It's going
to turn out all right. I promise."
"Thanks, Mom,"Ash said, hugging her back.
Giovanni went on trial the next week on the charge of attempted
murder. It was several days before Ash was called to testify.
"Ash, the lawyers called this morning," Mrs. Ketchum said as she
brought Ash's lunch up to him. "They want us at the courthouse at three
o'clock. Can you do it, honey?"
"Yes, I can," Ash said. "Let's get it over with."
Ash and Mrs. Ketchum arrived at the courthouse a little before
three o'clock. Brock and Misty were already there, waiting for Ash. They
went to a small room just off the courtroom. Both the lawyers were
waiting for them.
"This is it," one of them said. "We're going to call you to the
stand in a few minutes. All you have to do is answer some questions."
"I know," Ash said. "I'm just scared."
"It's going to be fine, honey," Mrs. Ketchum said. "We're all
here for you." She was holding Ash's hand.
"You can do it, Ash," Brock said. "You're a tough kid."
"Ash, you should know that Giovanni has made some unpleasant
remarks to some of the other witnesses," one of the lawyers said. "If he
says anything to you, just ignore it. He can't hurt you anymore. We're
going to see that he never hurts anyone again."
"Ok," Ash said. The lawyers left.
"Hand in there, Ash," Brock said. "It will be over soon." He saw
the look of fear on Ash's face. "We're here for you, buddy." Ash just
nodded.
A few minutes later a policeman came to the door.
"Ash Ketchum? They're ready for you," he said.
"We're on our way," Mrs. Ketchum said. The lawyers had brought a
wheelchair for Ash because he was still very weak. Mrs. Ketchum helped
him into the chair and pushed him into the courtroom.
Everyone in the courtroom turned to look at Ash as he was wheeled
in. For the first time since the shooting, Ash found himself
face-to-face with the man who had shot him. His face went white, but he just
looked straight ahead.
"Hey, kid," Giovanni growled quietly as Ash was pushed past him.
"Why didn't you die? You were supposed to die." Ash didn't say
anything, he just stared straight ahead as he was pushed to the witness
stand. Ash was sworn in and his mother helped him to the witness stand.
The judge regarded the young boy for a moment. "How are you
feeling, Ash?"
"Ok, I guess," Ash replied. "I'm still pretty weak, but I'm
getting better." He looked calmly back at the judge.
"Are you nervous, Ash?" the judge asked.
"Yes," Ash admitted. "But I'm ok."
"We're just going to ask you a few questions," the judge said.
"This won't take long."
"I'm ready," Ash said. He looked out into the courtroom, smiling
slightly when he saw Brock, Misty, and Mrs. Ketchum sitting by Daisy,
Violet, and Lily. They had closed the gym for the day to be there for
Ash.
One of the two lawyers stepped up to Ash.
"Now, Ash, can you tell us what you remember about the evening you
were shot?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. "We were on our way to Cerulean City to
spend a few days visiting Misty's sisters. We were still a few miles
outside of town when Jessie, James, and their Meowth from Team Rocket
stopped us and told us to give them Pikachu. Then a helicopter landed,
and Giovanni got out. He said he wanted Pikachu and I said no, Pikachu
is mine. He pulled a gun from his pocket and shot me." Ash was silent
for a moment. "All I remember after that is the pain. . .then waking
up in the hospital."
"Had you seen Giovanni before with Team Rocket?" the lawyer asked.
"No," Ash said. "I had heard them talk about their boss, but I
hadn't seen him."
"Ok," the lawyer said. "Ash, is the man who shot you in this
courtroom?"
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. He still looked calm, but he held the
arms of the chair to keep his hands from shaking.
"Can you point him out to us, please?" the lawyer asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash said. He pointed to Giovanni. "There he is, the
man in the red suit."
"Let the record show that Ash Ketchum has identified Giovanni as
the man who shot him," the lawyer said. "Thank you, Ash. I don't have
any more questions."
"Do you have any questions for the witness?" the judge asked
Giovanni's lawyers.
"Yes," one of the lawyers said, coming to stand in front of Ash.
"Ash, you say you'd never seen Giovanni before the shooting, yet you
knew he was Team Rocket's leader?"
"Sir, I didn't say I knew he was Team Rocket's leader," Ash
replied. "I only said I had heard Jessie, James, and Meowth talking about
their boss."
"You didn't remember who he was, but you remember he shot you?"
the lawyer asked.
"Yes, sir," Ash replied. "I didn't know his name, but I clearly
remember his face." Giovanni's lawyer asked Ash a few more questions.
Ash answered them all, managing to keep calm despite being nervous.
"That's it," Giovanni's lawyer said finally. "No further
questions."
"You may step down," the judge said to Ash. "Thank you for your
help, Ash." Ash nodded. His lawyers helped him into the wheelchair and
Mrs. Ketchum pushed him from the courtroom, followed by Brock, Misty,
and her sisters. Giovanni didn't say anything as Ash was pushed past
him. Ash wouldn't even look at Giovanni, he just looked straight ahead.
"Ash? Honey, it's all right now. It's all over," Mrs. Ketchum
said, seeing the tears in Ash's eyes. Ash had managed to remain calm
while he was in the courtroom, but he'd been so scared. Mrs. Ketchum
knelt in front of Ash. He put his arms around his mother and let the tears
come.
"Ash, it's all right," Brock said as he and Misty knelt beside
Ash, putting their arms around Ash's shoulders.
After a short while Ash managed to stop crying.
"Are you ok now, Ash?" Misty asked.
"Yes, I'm ok," Ash said. "Thanks for being there for me. It
really helped."
"Ash, we're very proud of you," Mrs. Ketchum said. "I know it
took a lot of courage to face the man who shot you. You're very brave."
"I'm just glad it's over," Ash said. "Mom, can we go now? I'm
exhausted."
"Of course, Ash," Mrs. Ketchum said.
"Come on, Ash," Misty said. She held Ash's hand. "Let's get you
home."
END PART 16
TO BE CONTINUED