Chapter Seven: Showdown!! vs. Giovanni
The rising sun begins to slowly peek over the horizon and shine its light down upon the dense jungle below it. As the light grows brighter the figure of a lone man can be seen trudging through the tangled foliage. It is Giovanni, the once illustrious leader of Team Rocket, now reduced to tramping through the wilderness on his own. His suit and trousers are torn in several places and he is covered with dirt. With every step Giovanni swears under his breath, cursing the annoying pests who had proven themselves much more formidable than he ever thought. Although at first glance it hadn't appeared to have done much damage, the hyper beam from Lance's Dragonite had in fact severed a vital fuel line in the jet's wing and in less than an hour the plane was losing power and Giovanni was forced to set it down, still a significant distance away from his planned destination. With the jet no longer usable, Giovanni was forced to make the remainder of the long journey on foot. But even worse was the fact that Giovanni's missile barrage had not been successful in destroying its target. The contacts were still alive and Giovanni knew that with his special powers the one named Ash would be fully healed by the next morning. With the inconvenient sabotage of his jet Giovanni knew there was a small chance that the enemy could reach the ship before he did, in fact, it may have been Lance's plan all along. Now, as the newly risen sun begins to warm the leaves and earth, Giovanni reaches the edge of a tall ridge looking over the entire area. He nearly collapses from the exhaustion of being forced to hike all night, but the sight before him suddenly brings new strength to his limbs, and he clutches the two GS balls in his hands with restrained anticipation. Resting in a crater, overgrown with jungle growth, only a few miles away, is a large metallic gray shape, rising up from the jungle floor. The surface of the ancient ship is rusted and encrusted with green vines and plants but the original shape can still be made out clearly. Giovanni smiles sinisterly and laughs to himself. "I'm finally here. The place where it all began, and where it will all end" he says to himself as he takes in the moment, enjoying his feeling of accomplishment and triumph.
meanwhile
Only the faintest rays of sunlight can be seen in the darkness as everyone gathers together in the dim lobby of the hospital. Everyone spends the first few minutes greeting Ash and expressing their concern for him, then silence fills the room as Lance arrives. A tangible feeling of tension fills the room as everyone realizes that this is the moment of truth.
Lance: (looks around the room) Is everyone here? (the others nod Lance looks at Ash) How are you feeling Ash?
Ash: (smiles) I feel as good as new. It's as if nothing happened to me at all. (flexes his arm)
Meowth: We all just got done telling the twerp how amazing his recover was and all that…
Oak: Ash's recovery is nothing short of astonishing. Somehow these powers enhanced and sped up his immune system and his natural healing. I may be a Pokemon scientist by trade but I'd still love to study the technical aspects of something like this.
Tracey: (blushing and hanging onto Oak's arm) Oh Professor Oak, I love it when you try to talk all intellectual like. Its soo hot! (everyone sweat drops)
Oak: (anger mark popping out of his head) Stop that! You're embarrassing me.
Misty2: (sweat drops, turns slightly green) I never want to hear the words "hot" and "Professor Oak" associated with each other in the same sentence EVER again.
Everyone else: Here here. (Tracey ignores them and continues to huggle Oak, everyone sweat drops)
James: (whining) I wish I could have had contact powers back when I got shot by Butch and Cassidy. I felt that injury for months.
Jessie: (pokes him in the ribs) Stop being a baby. I was hurt worse than you were and you don't here me complaining?
Lance: (laughs) the Contact healing powers are quit enviable, aren't they? (face becomes serious) Are you sure you're up for this fight Ash?
Ash: Yeah. There is no way I can let the Giovanni get away with everything he's done.
Misty: (a single tear running from her eye) We'll fight hard, for Brock
Lance: (nods and then turns to the others) And what about you all? Has anyone decided that they won't be coming with us? We will be going into perilous danger so of course no one will blame you if you decide to remain here.
Jessie: (flashes Ash and Misty a thumbs up) There is no way that we're going to let our friends go into this fight by themselves. We are in this 100 percent.
James: Yeah, plus we can't just stand by and let the man we served for so long destroy the world.
Meowth: We're going to take him down.
Jigglypuff: (steps forward) Jiggly jigglypuff puff puff jigly pu pu.
Lance: (totally clueless) Um…what was that?
Meowth: (sweat drops and sighs loudly) It says it's going to fight to protect me, the person that it loves.
Misty/Misty2: AAAAAAAH! That's soooooooo romantic.
Ash2: I knew they were going to say that.
Ash: (nods) What else is new?
Misty/Misty2: (glaring evily) What was that, Ash Ketchum!?
Ash/Ash2: (big sweat drops) Nothing ma'm! (both hide behind Professor Oak)
Brock2: (laughs) It's nice to see everyone is still acting like themselves even after all that's happened. (becomes serious and turns to face Lance) I'll go. I don't know what use I'll be, but I'll stick by my friend's sides.
Jessie2: I guess we're on the same stage as the big twerp. I don't know how we'll be of any help. We're not exactly the best Pokemon trainers on the block.
James2: (hangs his head) Our plans are always failing…
Meowth2: (also depressed looking) We're always getting blasted off.
Jessie2: There's no way we could be of use for anything…
Misty: (steps forward) But…
Jessie2: (interrupts Misty, smiles brightly and laughs) But that doesn't mean we're not coming along.
James2: (smiles and gives a thumbs up) We can't just walk away after what we've learned.
Jessie2: (strikes a pose) We have to protect the world from devastation, for real this time.
James2: (strikes the same pose) Yeah, Team Rocket's going to blast off at the speed of light, and show our former boss what we are really made of.
Meowth2: (jumps up onto James' shoulder) He better surrender now, or he's in for a fight, from all of us!
pop Wobbuffet: Thaaaaaaaaaat's right!!!!!
Jessie2: (smiles at her pokemon) Wobbuffet, you're ready for the fight aren't you?
Wobbuffet: That's right!!!
Jessie2: That's the spirit (calls the pokemon back and turns to Lance) We're at your service.
Lance: (laughs lightly) I'm glad to have all of you with me. That just leaves…(turns to Ash2 an Misty2)
For a moment a long heavy silence settles over the crowd as Lance and Ash2 look at eachother. Finally after what seems like forever, Ash2 breaks the awkward silence.
Ash2: (swallows and steps forward) I've decided…
Lance: (interrupts) You know you don't have to do this.
Ash2: (A little irritated with being interrupted) I know, I know. We all had to decide for ourselves if we would fight or not. You told me that last night. So after carefully considering everything I…(takes a deep breath) I decided I'm going.
Lance: (quite surprised) Really?
Ash2: (sarcastic tone) Don't look too surprised. Yeah I'm going. I decided…(becomes serious) that I can't just run away from life. In the last 24 hours reality kind of smacked me upside the head with a sledge hammer. I was shown the truth about the fate of the world, the truth about my purpose, and I learned the truth behind my long lost father. It all came pretty fast, and I didn't really want to accept any of it. I just wanted to go back to my old reality, where everything was normal. But this is the way things are. I can't just run away, because this IS reality. I just have to accept it and then try to deal.
Lance: Ash, you don't have to go because you feel obligated. No one is forcing you.
Ash2: (laughs) I know, you said that last night too. Stop trying to change my mind, I'm going, ok?
Lance: (laughs) Alright, alright, as long as it's your decision. That's all I'm checking. (turns to face Misty2)
Misty2: (smiles and grabs Ash2's hand) I'll go wherever Ash goes. We're a team and we won't just stand by and let Giovanni destroy the world.
Lance: Well I guess that settles it. (looks around at everyone, smiles) We're all in this together. Let's go and save the world.
Ash: Um…(raises his hand like a school child) How are we going to get wherever it is we have to go?
Lance: We'll all fly on my Dragonites.
Brock2: What about…? (points to Delia, Oak and Tracey)
Oak: (laughs and waves his arms) I'm staying here. I'm just a Pokemon researcher; I wouldn't be of any help, besides I'm too old to fight.
Delia: (a little reluctantly) That goes for me too. We'll both be waiting right here for you all to get back safely.
Lance: (looks at Tracey) What about you? Your Pokemon were a great help in the battle with Team Rocket last night.
Tracey: (acting serious) I thought about it last night, and I decided that I can't go. (suddenly glomps Oak) My Oaky-kins needs me. (in a loud whisper) I'm his very important assistant you know. (smiles and winks at the group. Everyone sweatdrops again)
Oak: (glares at Tracey) What ideas are you giving them now?
Lance: (nervous laughter Ok….I guess that's a valid reason for not going…I think.
Pikachu: (impatiently paces around Ash's feet) So are we all ready to go or not?
Pikachu2: (sitting on Ash2's hat) Yeah, I'm ready to get this fight underway
Togepi: (bouncing excitedly in Misty's arms) YAY! It's time to save the world
Misty: (looks at Togepi sternly) Oh no you don't. You're staying here at the Pokemon center where it's safe.
Togepi: But…
Misty: No butts about it. I'm not taking you into a dangerous situation like this.
Misty2: (looking down at her own pokemon) That goes for you too Togepi. You're going to stay here and get along with that other Togepi while we're gone ok?
Togepi2: (disappointed) Ok ok
Delia: (looks at the two girls) Misty we can take care of your Togepi for you.
Misty: Thanks a lot. (hands her Togepi to Delia) You be good Togepi and don't give Mrs. Ketchum any problems ok?
Misty2: (hands her Togepi to Tracey) That goes the same for you as well, Togepi. Mommy will be back soon.
Lance: (turns towards the door) We should get going before we lose anymore time. It's almost dawn, and we'll have to hurry if we want to beat Giovanni to the site. Let's go everyone.
Lance walks confidently out the Pokemon center doors and everyone follows quickly behind. Lance removes two pokeballs from his belt and throws them into the air. The balls open and two very large Dragonite emerge from them in a flash of bright light. Lance leaps onto the back of one pokemon and motions for the others to get on quickly. Ash, Misty, Jessie, James, Jigglypuff and Meowth squeeze onto the back of the Dragonite Lance is on while everyone else boards the second Dragonite. At Lance's signal the two Pokemon begin to slowly rise into the air.
Oak: (waving goodbye) Take care everyone!
Tracey: Be sure and give that creep Giovanni an extra zap for me, Pikachu!
Pikachu2: (gives a little salute) You bet
Togepi2: Bye mommy!. Be safe
Togepi: I love you mommy
Misty/Misty2: (waving) Bye Togepi!
Delia: (tears in her eyes) Lance, Ash! You better come back in one piece, you hear??
Ash2: (does his piece sign) I promise I'll be alright, mom. I'll see you later
Lance: (turns his head and calls back) Don't worry Delia. Everything is going to work out fine. (turns his head back and whistles to his pokemon) alright guys, you know where to go. Take us… to ANGELUS ERRARE!
In an instant the two Dragonite shoot off into the rising sun at break-neck speed. Delia, Oak, and Tracey watch the two pokemon until they are no longer visible. After a few moments of silence Delia speaks up.
Delia: (dries her eyes quickly) So…now all we can do is wait and pray that they succeed.
Oak: So what should we do now?
Tracey sets Togepi down on the ground to play and scratches his chin, as if deep in thought. Suddenly his eyes light as an idea comes to him.
Tracey: (snaps his fingers) I know. At times like these, when there is desperate need for something to fill time, we must turn to one of the most terrifying and powerful of all plot devices. I think it's time….(looks straight at Professor Oak) for a gratuitous sex scene.
Delia: (blushing) Oh my!
Oak: (totally shocked) WHAT!?!?!?!!?
Tracey: (gets up in Oak's face) You heard me. Drop you pants, professor. Let's do it, right here, right now.
Oak: (still in shock) But…but…this doesn't even make sense!!! What mind altering chemicals have you been on lately, Tracey? The plot does not call for any sex!!
Tracey: That's exactly my point. If it made any sense then it wouldn't be gratuitous now would it? Now…(tries to rip-off Oak's lab coat) Give that sweaty, love machine, man body to me!!!
Oak: (running in terror) AAAAAAH! NO! Get away from me!! Why are you doing this!?
Tracey: (right on his heels) The Yaoi fan girls expect it. Now get back here!
Oak runs into the Pokemon Center with Tracey right behind him. Delia sweat drops and picks up the Togepi that Tracey set down.
Delia: I guess there will be no shortage of entertainment while we wait. (long sigh) Come on Togepi, let's go see Nurse Joy. (walks back into the pokemon center)
meanwhile The two Dragonite streak across the landscape at amazing speed, carrying the group of Pokemon trainers onto their mission to save the world. The trip is relatively silent, as no one really feels like talking. The gravity of the situation weighs down on them like an anvil. This is a battle, not just for the sake of the world, but for the entire universe. They fly in silence for what seems like forever, over lakes, deserts, and finally a large tropical looking jungle area, before Lance finally points out their destination to them. Nestled in the center of a crater, overgrow with vines and lush jungle plants, is a towering monument than can't be mistaken for anything other than what it is, a spaceship. The Dragonite land at the edge of the crater and the trainers all hop off as Lance quickly calls the Pokemon back into their balls. For a moment everyone just stares at it in shock, too amazed to say a word. Finally the silence is broken.
Meowth: (looking up…and up) It's…HUGE!!!!
Jessie2: It's got to be at least as big as a whole city!!
Lance: (nods and smiles) This is the spaceship brought down all those centuries ago by the final battle of Zohar and the Wave Existence. The Eldridge.
Ash: (rubbing his head) I feel kind of weird. This place is different than anywhere else.
Misty: (nods) Yeah. It feels….I don't know, electrical or something, and it feels like…
Misty2: (finishes the sentence) Like we're in two places at once.
Brock2: (shakes his head) Well I don't feel anything.
James2: Me either (everyone else nods)
Lance: They're right though (everyone turns and stares at him) It was in the sky, high above this very location, that the timeline was distorted and warped. This is the very point where Zohar and the Wave Existence fell to earth. The time distortion originates from this point. It is the only place on this planet where the timelines overlap. Your feelings are correct Misty. At this place a person can exist in both timelines at the same time.
Meowth: That's kind of creepy
Jessie: (a little annoyed) Let's just get this battle over with already.
Lance: (nods) You're right, we've spent enough time talking. Let's go.
With Lance in the lead, the group struggles down the vine encrusted crater walls towards the vast towering wall of the Eldridge spacecraft. After several minutes the group reaches the bottom and gazes at the vast wall of metal before them. The hull is scared with dozens of huge tears and burns that it received during its entry into the atmosphere and the crash that followed. Lance locates a gash near down the ground that looks like a good way into the craft and motions for the other to follow him through. Everyone heads towards the crack except for Ash and Ash2, who stand staring at a very large inscription on the side of the hull. The inscription is worn from years and years of exposure to the elements and the words are barely legible, but both trainers are still able to make it out. "The Eldridge, our Angel in the sky. May light and hope guide you always, through the darkest of nights, so that you will not lose your way". Ash and Ash2 stare transfixed at the inscription until Misty and Misty2 approach.
Misty: (concerned) Ash, are you alright?
Misty2: (the same) Are you guys coming or what?
Ash: (snaps out of it and blinks) I'm ok. We're coming right? (looks at Ash2)
Ash2: (shakes his head in a daze) Yeah…yeah, were coming.
The two trainers run to catch up with the rest of the group. Misty and Misty2 glance at the inscription with curiosity and worry before finally turning back to join the others. The group enters the ship through the gouge in the hull and finds themselves in the dark rusty corridors of the ancient ship. Ash and Ash2 have their Pikachu use flash to help light the way and the group slowly makes its way into the bowels of the spacecraft. The group walks in silence for a long time before Ash finally summons up the courage to talk to Lance.
Ash: (talking low) Lance, do you know anything about the Eldridge? Where did it come from, what was it doing here?
Lance: (speaking low as well) I don't know. Maybe it time traveled here from our own far future, or maybe somewhere in the galaxy there are other humans who are farther along technologically than we are. (shrugs) Or maybe it came here from another dimension entirely, from some alternate universe or timeline we don't even know exists. (looks at him) Why do you want to know?
Ash: (very solemn) It's something about that inscription. No matter where they came from, I think it's clear that whatever this ship's mission was, it was an important one. "Our angel in the sky"…"light and hope"…(smiles) It must have been carrying the dreams and wishes of all its people, to bare an inscription like that. But…it failed. It crashed here. Everyone's lives went to waste. It was a false hope. (becomes serious again) I hope that's not what will happen to us. I hope this isn't a waste.
Lance: (puts a hand on Ash's shoulder) I think your half right about the Eldridge. Maybe it did fail its mission and crash here. Maybe all the hopes of its crew and its people were let down, but at least they tried. You know what else I think that inscription implies? It implies that the mission that ship was undertaking was not just something very important but also something very daring and courageous. They would have had to be strong to carry that much expectation and hope on their shoulders. That's not a waste.
Ash: (nods a little reluctantly) I guess so.
Lance: You know, you can't regret the things you did do, you can only regret the things you didn't do. Just going on the adventure is what really matters, not the outcome. As long as you're following your heart, it's never a waste of time. I'm sure that's how the crew of the ship must have felt too.
Ash: (smiles) Yeah, your right!
Lance: And besides, everything is connected together. If they hadn't ended up crashing here then things wouldn't have happened the same way that they did. Maybe the earth wouldn't have had its one last chance, through us.
Ash: That's true. (puts his hands behind his head) I guess I shouldn't spend all this time worrying about it. We need to be thinking about what's about to happen.
Lance: (gives him a small thumbs up) You're right. We just have to concentrate on what's right in front of us and do our best.
Ash: (nods, then looks ahead) Still…I can't help feeling like I needed to read that inscription, like remembering it would be important. I think the other Ash probably felt the same thing. (shrugs, then becomes serious again) Lance, I have to ask you one more thing. Is Giovanni really…?
Lance: (looks away a little guilty) Yes….he is your father.
Ash: (grabs Lance's arm angrily) WHY!? Why didn't you tell me?
Lance: Because I hoped you would never have to find out. I mean, you saw how the other Ash reacted when he found I was his father. I couldn't imagine how the truth about Giovanni would affect you.
Ash: (looks down) I guess your right. All my life I imagined my dad was some famous legendary trainer. That I would meet him one day and he and I and mom would be a family again. But it wasn't like that at all.
Lance: (smiles a little) That's almost what the other Ash said about me. I guess were both disappointing fathers.
Ash: (looks up at Lance) Do you know? How it happened, I mean.
Lance: (reluctantly tells) I guess it was pretty much how Giovanni suggested it was. Delia was very lonely, and trusting. She knew he wasn't the nicest guy, but she thought it wouldn't matter, she thought she could change him if she stuck with it. But…well, you've seen how he is, so you can imagine how he treated her
Ash: I don't get why she wouldn't just leave him, if he was that bad towards her.
Lance: In those kinds of relationships the victim isn't just abused physically. They are also abused mentally, and manipulated to the point where they are too scared to leave or become convinced that they themselves are inferior and somehow deserve the treatment they receive. It's a sad situation. (Notices Ash's sad expression and turns away) It must be hard to hear me saying these things about your mother, as if she was just some nameless statistic. I'm sorry Ash, I'll stop now.
Ash: (smiles sadly) No Lance, it's ok. I've got to learn to accept reality the way it is, just like the other Ash learned.
Lance: Ash, are you really going to be all right with this??
Ash: (face hardens with resolve) Yes, I'm completely sure about this. Giovanni has to be stopped, he must be pay for everything he's done, and it doesn't matter who he is.
Lance nods and places a sympathetic hand on Ash's shoulder. Ash smiles sadly, slowly falls back towards the others, and the group continues on in silence, through the vast, seemingly endless corridors of the great ship. After what seems like an eternity they finally reach what Lance identifies as the heart of the ship. Before them is a small door with a tiny round window, rusted and falling off its hinges after the many years. For a moment everyone stands there staring, wondering what they will face on the other side
Lance: (looks around) Well, is everyone ready?
Brock2: As ready as we'll ever be
Jessie: This is it, no turning back now.
James: (holds Jessie's hand) Let's do it
James2: Yeah, let's show the boss what we're really made of!
Jessie2: And save the world at the same time.
Jigglypuff: (cracks its knuckles…er…arm stubs) Jiggly, jiggly!!
Meowth: I'm with ya jig, let's put some hurt on that creep.
Meowth2: Yeah!
Ash: (takes Misty's hand and squeezes it) We're ready aren't we?
Misty: (smiles warmly, gives Ash a quick discreet kiss on the cheek) Yep. We'll be fine as long as we're all together.
Misty2: She's right. (grabs Ash2's hand) You ready?
Ash2: (sighs and gives a tired smile) Yeah, let's go and face destiny head on.
Lance: (turns back towards the door and grabs the latch) Alright everybody, lets go. Hopefully we got here first, but if we didn't then be ready for anything.
After a moment's hesitation, Lance lifts the latch and the ancient door squeaks open. The hallway is flooded with light as the group steps into the huge room beyond. While the rest of the ship was dark and silent this place is alive. The walls glow brightly with blue and green veins of light. The room is circular and all the veins travel across the walls and floor towards the center where two cylindrical pedestals rise up, one from the floor, one from the ceiling. Sitting on top of the floor pedestal is a boxy looking machine with two semi-circle slots in the top. And standing in front of the pedestal, looking infinitely confidant, is Giovanni.
Giovanni: (smirking evilly) I see you made it here safely. I just got here too. I was worried for a little while there,l Lance, your attack on my jet was well planned. You really did almost beat me here. But…in the end it looks like you were just in time, to witness the beginning of the end!! (pulls out the GS balls and turns towards the pedestal)
Lance: (reacting instantly) Oh no you don't!
Lance throws a pokeball to the ground and a huge Aerodactyl emerges in a flash of light. "Fireblast!!" Lance orders the Pokemon as he points at Giovanni. The Aerodactyl takes in a huge breath of air and then exhales a red hot pillar of flames, straight for the Team Rocket leader's head. Giovanni reacts with amazing reflexes, rolling out of the way at the last second as the stream of flames rockets by overhead. On his feet in seconds, Giovanni turns to the group and quickly launches his counterattack. The sleeves of his garish orange suit suddenly explode with flames as two missiles launch and streak towards Lance's friends. Reacting quickly, Jessie and Jessie2 jump forward and activate their pokeballs, releasing their wobbuffet onto the field. "Wobbuffet, counter now!" they yell in unison. The two wobbuffet glow red and the missiles stop just inches from their blue, blobby faces, just before they streak off back towards Giovanni. The two missiles slam into the ground where Giovanni was just a few seconds before, creating a small crater. In the few seconds his missile attack bought, Giovanni races back towards the pedestal with the GS balls. "No! Aerodactyl hit him with a full power hyper beam, quick!" Calls Lance as he spots Giovanni's move. The giant prehistoric Pokemon gathers in energy and launches the huge yellow beam of light straight towards Giovanni, just as the TR leader makes a dive for his device. The beam grazes Giovanni's lower back, burning away suit and flesh, but fails to stop the madman as he roughly slams the two GS balls into the semicircle slots on the top of the machine. In pain but still laughing triumphantly, Giovanni slumps to his knees as blood trickles down the back of his legs from his burn. The machine on the pedestal instantly comes to life, causing the two pokeballs to begin glowing and pulsing with greater intensity.
Giovanni: (laughs) Hahahahah, there is nothing you can do to stop us now. You're all doomed.
Ash2: (nods to Ash and Pikachu, steps forward) We'll stop that thing. Ready, Pikachu?
Pikachu/Pikachu2: (taking position at the front of the group) That machine is toast!
Ash/Ash2: Use Thunder now!!
The two Pikachu charge up and unleash an amazing blast of electricity. The two separate lighting bolts merge into one greater force and streak towards Giovanni's machine. Suddenly the machine is surrounded by a glowing multi-colored bubble of energy which quickly absorbs the electrical energy. The GS balls instantly glow brighter and Giovanni laughs evilly as the stunned trainers look on.
Giovanni: I told you there was nothing you can do. Any energy you try sending at my wonderful little device will just be absorbed and serve to speed things up even further.
James: What kind of machine is that!?
Giovanni: (waves his hand around the room) Isn't it amazing that this ship's power core is still functional after all these hundreds of years? The technology that these people used was outstanding. (waves at the machine) This device will use the infinite power of this ship to seal the fate of the world. When it's done energizing and uniting the two GS balls the dimensional key will be complete and the seal on Zohar will finally be cracked. As you already experienced first hand, there is no way for you to stop it by force. I have won!! (laughs evily again)
Jessie: (clenches her fist in defiance) Then we'll just have to beat you and find some other way to deactivate it.
Meowth2: (steps forward) I still don't get it boss. Why are you doing all this?? What happened to the great dream of Team Rocket??
James2: What happened to your great ambition to unite and rule the world by capturing powerful Pokemon for yourself?
Misty2: (sweat drops) Great ambition? Yeah right.
Giovanni: HAHAHAHA!! You pathetic fools. Haven't you realized it yet? Team Rocket and its grand ideals are nothing more than a fantasy. Young down on their luck trainers like you are easily swayed by such loaded words and phrases. I created Team Rocket for no other purpose than to find the dimensional keys and prevent the contacts from completing their mission. Everything else was just a cover, even my own history. Team Rocket has been around for much longer than everyone thinks. It "officially" came into being when Madam Boss established it, but she too was just a puppet of mine. With my influence I was able to fake records and establish myself as her son, and when she was out of the way I was able to take my place as "official" leader of the team. But everything has always danced to my whims, mwahahahaha! (smirks evilly)
Jessie2: (sweat drops) Um…that's all very interesting. (backs away from the crazy laughing man)
Brock2: (bigger sweat drop) And he told us all that without us even asking. What is this, a James Bond movie?
Ash slowly steps out away from the group and stares Giovanni right in the eyes. His face contorts as he tries to hold back tears. Giovanni smirks again focuses on Ash.
Giovanni: So, little contact, are you really ready to fight your own father?? Is that something you can handle? (laughs evily) Let's see you try and take me down!
Ash: (glares at Giovanni) I don't care who you are!! It really doesn't matter. (clenches his fists) You killed my best friend, you've screwed up all our lives, but worst of all, you…(angry tears burst from his eyes) What you did to my mother….it's unforgivable. You took advantage of her and treated her like something less than dirt. All this time, she had to lie to me about who you were, she had to lie about everything, just to protect me. I'll NEVER forgive you!!!!
Ash glows with icy blue light again, but this time it is ten times brighter than the previous times. The light shines out from Ash like an aura and as it falls on Misty, Ash2, and Misty2 they begin to feel strange. An indescribable power and confidence suddenly fills them and the others gasp as they watch the three Pokemon trainers begin to glow with blue light as well. Giovanni gasps and the arrogant smirk slowly melts away.
Giovanni: (suddenly worried) The other contacts are awakening.
Ash2, and both Mistys step forward to join Ash and glare at Giovanni. "Come on guys, lets battle!" proclaims Ash2 bravely. The others nod and take a confident step towards Giovanni, causing him to back off slightly. The blue energy surrounding the 4 trainers pulses and suddenly shoots off several beams of light that arc through the air and shoot straight towards Giovanni. The TR leader leaps for cover behind the central pedestal and the beams smash into the floor where he was just standing; causing an explosion of sparks and wires as the strong energy rips through the metal floor. Smoke billows up and obscures the view of the room's center. Quickly taking advantage of the situation, Lance gives the order to attack. "Call out your best Pokemon, lets try and take him down fast" he yells to the others as he runs forward, drawing his pokeballs at the same time. The others nod and follow, drawing their pokeballs as they go and calling their Pokemon. TR and TR2 call out their Wobbuffet, Victreebell, Arbok, and Weezing. Brock2 calls out Onix, Pineco, and Vulpix. Lance releases his three huge Dragonites. Ash 1 and 2 and Misty 1 and 2 run ahead of everybody, ready to fight with their contact powers, as Pikachu 1 and 2 follow behind. Suddenly six pokeballs fly out from the thinning smoke cloud and clatter on the floor at the feet of the trainers. The pokeballs burst open and 6 large Pokemon shapes appear. The bright pokeball light fades away, revealing a Rydon, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Golem, Persian, and Cloyster. The humans slide to a stop and eye the line-up of intimidating Pokemon. The smoke from the earlier explosion finally clears and Giovanni steps up next to his Pokemon.
Giovanni: (laughs confidently) Your Pokemon will be no match for my highly trained gym team.
Brock2: You're bluffing! We have three times as many Pokemon. You're going down.
Lance: (shakes his head) No, he's right. His Pokemon are super strong and highly trained. I was barely able to defeat one before.
Jessie: We'll there's no turning back now.
Lance: (tenses up) Everyone get ready.
Ash: (clenches his fist in anger) We'll take Giovanni, you guys try and hold off his Pokemon for us. (looks down at his Pikachu) Ready?
Pikachu: (nods) You bet, buddy
Ash2: (looks down at his Pokemon) How about you, Pikachu?
Pikachu2: YEAH!!
The two battle lines stand and glare at each other. Neither side moves, or even twitches, as the slightest movement would immediately set the battle in motion. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, Giovanni takes a step forward and shouts his order. "Golem, break their line now!" he bellows, and the large rock Pokemon instantly springs to life. Golem curls itself into a huge rock sphere and launches itself at the ceiling like a pinball. The rock ball strikes the metallic ceiling at an angle and immediately ricochets back, straight at the heroes. Everyone quickly dives out of the way as the huge Pokemon slams into the ground and ricochets back up to the ceiling again. Taking advantage of the moment, Giovanni orders the rest of his Pokemon to attack. "Attack, my Pokemon team! Destroy them all!" He cries enthusiastically. Cloyster opens its shell and unleashes a powerful blizzard attack which fills the room with a blinding swirl of snow, and the rest of Giovanni's Pokemon instantly leap forward to attack.
Lance: (shielding his eyes from the snow) Darn it, my Pokemon are weak against ice. Everyone, try to draw them apart and take them on individually! (Dodges to the side as Golem goes careening by again)
Jessie: Come on James, we are going this way! (grabs James's hand and runs to the right)
James: Alright, no need to pull. AAAW! (barely ducks under a Nidoqueen hyper beam, that comes out of nowhere)
Meowth: This is going to be an interesting fight. Come on Jigglypuff (grab's Jigglypuff's paw and runs after J and J)
Jessie2: Then I guess we'll go this way. Come on James. (runs in the opposite direction of J and J 1)
James2: (whining) I think I'm having second thoughts. We can't beat the boss's Pokemon, no way. (glances behind him and sees Nidoking appear) EEEEEEEEE, Jessie wait for me!
Meowth2: (runs from the Nidoking) AAAAH! Don't leave me behind guys; I can't fight that thing by myself. This is bringing back bad Orange Island memories!
Brock2: Were' going to have to stop this snow if we want a chance to survive. Vulpix can handle that ice type. (runs straight ahead)
Misty: (clenches her fist and looks at Ash) Come on Ash, let's go show Giovanni a thing or two with these powers.
Ash: (smiles confidently) You've got it Misty. I'll make him sorry he ever met my mom.
Misty2: This power is amazing. (flexes confidently) I'm ready to fight, how about you Ash?
Ash2: (squeezes Misty2's hand) Let's go save the world together. (The four contacts charge into the blizzard towards where Giovanni was last seen standing)
The battle wages fiercely as Giovanni's Pokemon attack the humans scattered across the room. Our hero's Pokemon outnumber Giovanni's team but with Cloyster's blizzard raging and visibility nearly zero it's all Lance and company can do to defend and dodge attacks, as Giovanni's Pokemon push forward. Nidoqueen backs one Team Rocket trio into a corner, while Nidoking backs the second trio towards the opposite wall. Lance faces the powerful Rydon with his three Dragonites, but begins to fall behind due to the blizzard weakening his Pokemon. Giovanni laughs evily and disappears into the blowing snow, away from the four contacts. The outcome of the conflict doesn't look good.
Lance: (dodges a punch from Rydon) We can't survive much longer with this snow!
Ash2: (shakes his fist in frustration) Where is he (ducks as Golem goes bouncing by)
James2: We can't fight if we can't see. (pushes Jessie2 out of the way just in time, as Nidoking lets loose a megapunch)
Jessie: Come on big twerp, hurry up and take out that ice machine.
Brock2: I'm doing the best I can. It must be moving around in the snow.
Giovanni: (voice coming from an unknown location) Golem, stop the gym leader before he can faint Cloyster.
Brock2 spins around and readies himself for the attack. Suddenly Golem blasts out of the blizzard, straight towards Brock2's back. The gym leader turns too late, and has barely enough time to register the huge Pokemon shooting towards him before…Onix flings its huge snake like body in front of its master and blocks Golem's attack just in time. Golem grabs the sides of Onix's head and the two Pokemon begin to wrestle and struggle for the upper hand.
Brock2: Good work, Onix. Try and hold it off for a few more minutes, while I find that pesky Cloyster. (thinks for a moment, then snaps his fingers in excitement) I've got it!!. Pineco, jump up in the air and use rapid spin. Vulpix, get under it and shoot a fire spin straight up at him.
Pineco bounces into the air and begins to spin while at the same time Vulpix positions itself, leans its head back, and unleashes a huge fire spin straight up at the bug Pokemon. Pineco's rabid spin pushes the whirling flames outward and creates kind of miniature flame tornado. The flames melt and push away the raging snow flakes and, for a few brief moments, clear the view enough for Brock2 to spot his target, a few paces to his right. Cloyster fires off several aura beams towards Brock2, but the trainer easily dodges out of the way and orders his Pokemon to attack before the enemy can hide itself again in the snow. Vulpix launches a powerful flamethrower straight towards the clam Pokemon, but Cloyster clamps its shell shut and defends again the heat. Vulpix pulls back and Cloyster emerges from its shell before launching a powerful spike cannon attack. The attack passes Brock2 by millimeters as he dives to the floor. Cloyster confidently slides forward towards the apparently dazed trainer, ready to finish him off. Cloyster stops and grins down at the trainer, but as it readies another powerful spike, Brock suddenly springs to life. "NOW! Explosion Pineco!!" he orders as he quickly rises to his knees and rolls away to take cover behind Onix's rocky body. Cloyster turns just in time to see a glowing Pineco, who stealthily snuck up behind it while Brock2 was providing a distraction, readying its most powerful attack. Cloyster takes the explosion attack point blank in the face and instantly faints. The storm of snow slowly comes to a stop and dissipates revealing Giovanni and all his Pokemon.
Giovanni: (surprised and angry) H…How did you find Cloyster?? Well…no matter. We don't need stealth, we'll beat you anyway.
Ash: Let's see how you do against the four of us!
The four contacts charge towards the Team Rocket leader. Suddenly they are stopped in their tracks by a blast of electricity as Giovanni's Persian steps out to protect its master.
Misty2: We can take that Pokemon. It doesn't look to tough.
Giovanni: (laughs ruthlessly) Don't judge my Persian on its appearance. It has some nasty surprises waiting for you.
As if to prove Giovanni's words, the Cat Pokemon suddenly launches another huge burst of lighting straight at the trainers, forcing them all to leap away to take cover. Meanwhile, Lance and the two TR trios are still fairing badly against their opponents. Arbok, Weezing, and Victrebell are enough to hold off Giovanni's Pokemon but aren't strong enough to cause significant damage, and neither team can successfully bait their opponent into attacking Wobbuffet. Nidoking launches another powerful Hyper beam straight at Jessie2 and James2. The two trainers leap to the side as the beam creates a crater where they were just standing.
Jessie2: The snow is gone but we're still getting pummeled. We can't keep this up much longer. glares at James2) Your Pokemon suck, James!
James2: HEY! What about yours??!!!
Jessie2: My Arbok is in top condition. It's much stronger than your plant or your big ball of hot air.
Meowth2: Is this really the time to argue about this? dodges another Nidoking punch Besides, at least Weezing and Victreebell are trying to help, unlike someone's Pokemon I know.
Jessie2: (long depressed sigh) Yeah, your right (turns and glares at Wobbuffet) You're not helping!!!!
Wobbuffet2: That's Right!!!!!!
While J and J 2 continue to dodge and fight Nidoking, Lance's Dragonites are pushed back again by Rydon. Rydon steps back and glares confidently at its opponents, who pant and wheeze with exhaustion. Taking advantage of the opening, Lance orders his Dragons to quickly launch an ice beam attack. The three Dragonite fire blue beams of light which converge into one powerful beam that heads straight towards Rydon. Rydon moves with surprising agility for a ground type and avoids the beam, which travels across the room and strikes Nidoking in the back, freexing it solid. Jessie2 and James2 stare dumb founded at the frozen Pokemon for several seconds.
James2: (sweatdrops) Thanks. I guess that works.
Jessie2: That was close
Meowth2: (kicks the two of them in the shins) Don't just stand their gawking, lets go help the other Jessie and James.
Jessie2 and James2 run across the room and join Jessie and James, who are having just as much trouble taking down Nidoqueen.
Jessie: (dodges an ice punch) You guys got here just in time.
James: Yeah, we really need the help.
Meowth2: How are we going to beat this thing? (dodges a tail swipe)
Jigglypuff: Jiggly Jigglypuff Jigglypuff.
Meowth: Jiggly says to get it immobilized and it will do the rest.
Jessie2: Great, how do we do that??
Jessie: Team work. Our Pokemon together should be enough to fight this thing.
The two Team Rocket trios spread out in a circle to surround Nidoqueen and launch their attack. Both James have their Weezing use smoke screen to trap the large Pokemon. Confused, Nidoqueen begins to stumble about and blast off hyper beams at random. It's so distracted that the two victreebell are easily able to trip it up with their vine whip. As soon as the Nidoqueen hits the ground the Arbok move in and use wrap to immobilize it.
James: We did it!! (gives James2 a high five)
Jessie: (pokes Wobbuffet) And you were useless.
Wobbuffet: That's Right!
Jessie2: Now we just have to wait for Jigglypuff to finish it off. (thinks about it for a second) Um….yeah.
Meowth2: (sarcasticly) Jigglypuff will beat it. That makes perfect sense.
Jigglypuff launches itself high into the air over Nidoqueen's head as everyone watches on. As it slowly falls, it inhales, expanding itself to three times its normal size. The cuddly pink Pokemon then looks down, takes aim, and exhales a huge black ball of crackling energy. The black ball plummets to the ground and slams into Nidoqueen, causing a huge explosion that knocks the two Arbok back into their masters. The dust clears and everyone sees that Nidoqueen is fainted. Jigglypuff floats down to the floor and lands next to Meowth.
James: (eyes as big as dinner plates) What…exactly happened?
Meowth2: (huge sweat drop) That was a shadow ball attack!!!
Jessie2: (quivering in fear) Jigglypuff has an attack like that?
James2: (fear hugs Jessie2) Jigglypuff is scary!!!
Jigglypuff: (smiles, pure cuteness and innocence) Jiggly!
Jessie: (holding her arms out protectively in front of the others) Everyone back away….slooooooowly.
Jigglypuff: (confused) Jiggly?
Everyone: AAAAAAAAH, run away!!!!!!!
The Team Rocket Members run across the room in terror with Jigglypuff waddling behind them. They end up running straight into the middle of Lance's battle with Rydon. The strong ground type is finally able to knock out Lance's Pokemon, who were too drained from the blizzard, and forces him to call them back. Before Lance can call out anymore Pokemon, Rydon leaps forward and takes a swing at him, causing the Dragon master to fall back. Lance trips and lands on his back, totally exposed to Rydon's attacks. Rydon raises its fist, ready to bring it down and end Lance's existence, when Golem suddenly slams down right between the two of them and careens off across the room at an angle straight towards Meowth. No one has any time to react, no one except Jigglypuff. The pink balloon quickly covers the distance between it and Meowth, using its roll out attack, and flings itself in front of the cat Pokemon. Jigglypuff's body glows red as the Pokemon summons up its counter attack. Golem hits the red aura and stops dead in its tracks, but Jigglypuff is unable to bounce the giant rock back, having used too much energy for its shadow ball attack. Suddenly Wobbuffet 1 and 2 step forward and begin to glow as well. The three pokemon's combined counter is enough to return Golem's strength and bounce the Pokemon back. Golem goes flying back across the room at twice its previous speed and promptly smashes right into Rydon's head, instantly knocking it out. Lance looks down at the Pokemon in surprise.
Lance: (sweatdrops) Well…I guess that works too.
Jessie: (hugs her Pokemon) Good job, Wobbuffet, you finally did something useful in this fight!
Jessie2: (hugs hers too) It took you long enough
Wobbuffet/Wobbuffet2: That's Right!!!
Brock2: (joins the group) That was awesome. I never thought you guys would be this useful in a fight.
Meowth2: (sweat drops) Thanks…I think
Meowth: (blushing slightly) Thanks for saving me there, Jig. I owe you.
Jigglypuff: Jiggly jiggly!!! (hugs Meowth)
Meowth: (blushes brighter red) Alright alright, that's enough.
Lance: We've still got one more Pokemon to go plus Giovanni. Let's go help Ash and the others. (everyone nods)
The group turns and runs to the far side of the room where the four contacts are currently engaged in battle. But when they get there all they can do is stand and watch the amazing fight unfolding before them. Giovanni's surprisingly versatile Persian is locked in fierce combat with the 4 trainers. The cat type launches a powerful hidden power attack straight at them, but the 4 leap away with incredible agility and circle the Pokemon again. Ash2 positions himself behind the Pokemon and launches a blast of blue energy at it. Suddenly the Pokemon seems to multiply and become an army as its powerful double team attack takes effect. The blue energy blast flies by harmlessly and Persian counter attacks by unleashing an icy wind attack, which sweeps across the battle field and forces the contacts back. Standing safely back on the sidelines, sneering and calling the occasional attack to his Pokemon, is Giovanni. The 4 trainers, especially Ash, keep trying to get a shot in at the gloating leader, but Persian's amazing agility always keeps it in the best position to protect its master. The fight is in a stalemate.
Jessie: (watches the battle transfixed) That Pokemon is amazing.
Lance: (grits his teeth) Yes it is. It's holding its own against all four contacts and their powers. This doesn't look good.
Brock2: Giovanni is open. Let's attack him while they have his Pokemon distracted.
The group charges towards Giovanni and, to their surprise, he seems to not notice them. His attention is completely consumed by watching the battle between his Persian and the contacts, or so it appears. As they are closing in on the apparently oblivious Team Rocket Leader, they are suddenly stopped in their tracks and knocked to the ground by a high voltage zap. Everyone tries to move but find that they are now paralyzed by the force field. At the sound of the zap Giovanni turns and smiles mockingly at the trainers.
Giovanni: I'm very impressed that you were able to defeat my Pokemon, but it seems that small accomplishment has given you delusions that you can actually win this. (laughs evily) I am in complete control. (turns to the contacts) Halt your useless attacks now, or I will kill them all.
Ash 1 and 2 and Misty 1 and 2 instantly cease their attacks and glare at Giovanni in anger and defiance.
Misty2: You cheap bastard!! How low can you go!
Ash: (clenches his fist) Let them go, or I'll…
Giovanni: Ha, don't make threats you're not in the position to back up. I hold the trump card here. Now kneel before me!!
Brock2: Forget about us. Take him down!!
Lance: We have to hurry and stop the GS ball device! We have to beat him now!
The four trainers glance around at each other, looking defeated. Ash turns back to stare at Giovanni, and then, after a few seconds, gives a very small nearly imperceptible nod. Misty is the first to surrender. She falls to her knees and the glowing contact energy visibly dims. The others follow after a few moments of hesitation. Lance and his group gasp as Giovanni gloats.
Jessie: (angry) What are you doing twerps? Get up and fight.
James2: You can't give up so easily after everything that's happened!!
Lance: You have to forget about us, there are more important things to worry ab…
Misty: (about to cry) No, your wrong! (everyone becomes quit) If I have to watch anyone else get hurt, if I have to see anymore death…I won't be able to take it. I'd rather give up than have to watch you all get killed.
Ash2: (nods in agreement) She's right. We'll just have to find another way to win. (glares at Giovanni)
Ash: (stares into Giovanni's eyes) And we will, don't you worry
Lance: (tries to protest) But…
Giovanni: (laughs sarcastically) Your little speech was quit touching, really it was. But I'm afraid your prediction will never come true. This is the end for you. Persian, use Thunder on them.
Giovanni's Persian leaps forward and unleashes a maximum power thunder attack right into the four contacts. Drained of their energy, the four of them slump to the ground. Giovanni turns his attention to the hostages imprisoned in the force field.
Giovanni: Now that those 4 are down for the count, I can finish you off.
James: HEY! I thought you said you would let us go if they surrendered.
Giovanni: HAHAHA!!!! I never said such a thing. Now kindly die and get out of my hair!
Giovanni launches a fire storm of missiles straight at the group. Everyone closes their eyes and waits for the inevitable pain of being blown apart. The first missiles reach their target and explode, and soon Giovanni's view is blocked by fiery explosions and smoke. Giovanni laughs evily, happy that he has finally defeated his enemy, but is completely shocked when the smoke clears to reveal Ash, standing protectively in front of his friends with an energy shield out in front to block the projectiles.
Ash: (smiles) Nice try Giovanni, but you won't beat us that easily!
Giovanni: (completely shocked) But….HOW!?!? You shouldn't have enough energy to block an attack like that.
Ash2: (stand up confidently) All part of the plan!
Giovanni: WHAT!?
Misty: (laughs and points) Look behind you, Giovanni
Giovanni looks behind him and his eyes widen in surprise and fear as he realizes his fatal mistake.
Ash2: Now, you two, maximum thunder attack!!
Pikachu/Pikachu2: Eat this, Team Rocket scum!!!
Both Giovanni and Persian take a full, point blank thunder attack in the face. Giovanni is knocked to the ground, barely conscious, and Persian is instantly fainted. The force field trapping Lance and his group dissipates. Ash confidently walks towards the fallen TR leader and stands over him.
Ash: (explaining their moves) We did our best to fight your Pokemon and distract you so our Pikachu could sneak up behind you and charge up an attack.
Ash2: We knew we couldn't get you with your force field up, and we knew you would only let your guard down if you thought you had won…
Misty2: So we played along with your little game so you would think you had us beat.
Jessie2: Wow twerps, I'm impressed.
Lance: That was an excellent strategy indeed.
Jigglypuff: (glares at Giovanni) Jiggly Jigglypuff!
Meowth2: It said "I'll make you pay for trying to harm my friends and my love"
Jigglypuff suddenly glows yellow and launches a beam of intense yellow electrical energy straight at Giovanni. The beam fries the TR leader to a black crisp and paralyzes him at the same time. Everyone stares at Jigglypuff in complete astonishment.
Ash: (sweat drops) Jigglypuff sure has some…interesting attacks.
Lance: I didn't know that Jigglypuff could learn Zap Cannon.
Misty: (big sweat drop) Remind to never EVER make Jigglypuff mad again!
Jigglypuff: Jigglypuff Jiggly (kicks Giovanni in the head and walks off)
Meowth: (sweat drops) That was a nice attack Jigglypuff. I never knew you were so versatile.
Silence falls over the group as they look down at the pitiful form of the once great Team Rocket leader. As Giovanni attempts to crawl to his feet Ash steps forward and glares down at him.
Giovanni: So…are you going to kill me or not?
Ash: (slowly shakes his head) No. I know I should, you more than deserve it. For what you did to Brock, and to my mother, and what you tried to do to the world. But…I don't want there to be anymore killing. I won't sink to your level, I won't become a murderer. (grabs Giovanni by the collar and drags him to his feet) But what I will do is make you tell us how to stop your little machine before it finishes its task.
As if to answer Ash's demand the machine suddenly begins to beep and whir incessantly. The two GS balls on the machine suddenly begin to warp and swirl together, and Giovanni gives out one last laugh of arrogance.
Giovanni: You fools!! It's too late. The machine has finished its task!. The seal will open! We have won
Lance: No, it can't be. Stop it now!!
Giovanni: I can't, no one can. Say goodbye to your world, you pitiful mortals. The time of Zohar's awakening has come!
The two GS Balls suddenly solidify and become one and a beam of rainbow glowing light shoots out of the ball. The beam bounces around the room and finally strikes the far wall. A huge glowing vortex opens in the wall and begins to steadily grow larger. At the exact same moment Giovanni glows and, with a flash of multi-colored light, vanishes into thin air.
Meowth: What the…where did he go?
Lance: He has finished the task he was created for.
Jessie2: (points at the vortex) What the heck is that thing?
Lance: The seal has been broken. The vortex will continue to grow until it is large enough, then…Zohar will emerge, and destroy our world.
James: What are we going to do?
Lance: (looks around at Brock and the TR trios ) We can't do anything, except get out of here. Everything is up to the contacts now (looks straight at Ash and company)
Ash: (nods) Leave it to us.
Jessie: (shakes Ash and Misty's hands) Good luck you guys. We're all counting on you.
Jessie2: (looks at Ash2 and Misty2) You too. (winks at them) You know, you guys aren't so bad. I'm glad we became friends with you.
Misty2: (smiles) Thanks
Brock2: (eyes the vortex) You guys better get moving. (smiles at his friends) See you on the outside.
Ash2: (gives him a thumbs up) Count on it. (turns to Pikachu2) You and the other Pikachu need to get out of here too.
Pikachu2: Ok, I'll see you later. I know you'll win, I believe in you.
Pikachu: (nods in agreement) No one can beat our trainer, he's invincible
Ash: Thanks Pikachu (gives him a quick hug) Now everyone, get out of here!
Lance: (turns and runs back towards the door) Come on, let's move it or lose it!
Ash and company watch as Lance and their friends head towards the door and the safety that awaits them outside. A mild feeling of jealousy fills them, but after a few moments they turn towards the vortex, resigned to their mission. They eye the slowly growing vortex with caution.
Misty: So…how do we fight this Zohar character?
Misty2: I guess we just jump right in.
Ash2: But what happens if it keeps growing larger while we are inside. If it gets too big, he will escape.
Ash ponders this for a moment, but then notices something. The advancing vortex slows as it touches the glowing aura radiating from their bodies. The solution snaps into his mind a few seconds later.
Ash: Someone is going to have to stay back and use their powers to hold back the seal, to keep it from breaking while the others fight inside.
Ash2: So…who goes in?
Ash: (takes a deep breath) I…I think Misty and I should go in. You two stay out here and hold back the seal?
Misty2: But…Will two of you be enough to fight Zohar?
Misty: (smiles tiredly) If you think about it maybe this is the way it was supposed to be all along. Two teams of contacts, one to fight, one to stop the seal from breaking completely.
Ash2: Are you sure about this? (Ash and Misty nod) Well then, I guess I'll have to go along. Good luck. (extends his hand)
Ash: Thanks. (shakes Ash2's hand) This has all been very interesting, to say the least.
Ash and Misty turn and walk away from Ash2 and Misty2, towards the swirling, intimidating hole in the wall. They stop right in front of the doorway and stare into the bright abyss for a few moments. Ash reaches out and takes Misty's hand in his.
Misty: (squeezing Ash's hand affectionately) Well…Are you ready?
Ash: (takes a deep breath and nods) Yeah…Let's go show Zohar that you don't mess with Earth.
With that Ash and Misty face forward and leap bravely into the swirling aura borealis of color.