This is the last chapter before the holiday special series or miniseries for each part. We also get to learn a little more about Zephyr and Lawrence. And more love blossoms in the air. Plus, we see Zephyr and Lawrence do a version of the Team Rocket motto. (But don't expect this to be the last time you see our main character say the motto.) Well, sit back, read and review to your wildest desires ... just not too wild.

Chapter 13

You Have to Fight For Your Right To Write

Zephyr and I had just arrived at a small town. I begged him to come here. This town was famous for one main reason. It was home to the Johto Exposer. Now this newspaper wasn't like any other newspaper. It wasn't like one of those ridiculous tabloid papers and it wasn't a stuffy paper. It allowed people to give their opinions. It was open to anybody, whether they are part of Team Rocket or just a trainer on a journey of a lifetime. Well, that's just the normal audience but Johto Exposer has about a billion or a trillion customers. Right now, my buddy and I just stopped by a small-scale restaurant. We sat down and waited for the menus. In a minute or so, a waitress arrived and gave us for menus.

"My name is Irene and I will be your waitress. Can I start you off with an appetizer?" The waitress asked.

"Nope, we will order lunch and maybe some dessert." I replied.

"Can I get anything for you to drink?" Irene asked.

"I will have A Sierra Mist." I ordered.

"And I will have an Triple Berry Lemonade." Zephyr said.

"Okay, one Sierra Mist and one Triple Berry Lemonade. I will be back to take the rest of your order." Irene said as she scribbled something down and walked away."

"Triple Berry Lemonade?" I asked.

"Yeah, most restaurants have it. It is a mixture of Blueberry, Strawberry and Raspberry Lemonade. It is really good. You should try it." Zephyr suggested.

"Normally I would but I think I will skip it. I have tried Strawberry and Raspberry Lemonade before but I have never tried Blueberry Lemonade. And I don't think I will start now." I replied back.

"Fine, be picky." Zephyr argued.

The next few minutes were spent arguing about which was the best drink ever. Normally, I don't get into these silly debates. But since he had insulted Eggnog, I had to give him a piece of Venema Rage. No one in the world makes fun of Eggnog and gets away with it. We argued a bit more until Irene came back. She gave us our drinks. It was a good that I did take a glance at the menu while we were arguing.

"So what will you two be ordering?" Irene asked.

"I think I will have a BBQ Chicken Burger. Also I want Curly Fries instead of the Seasoned Fries." I ordered.

"Well, I think I will have a BLT with Seasoned Fries." Zephyr said.

"Okay, I have your orders. They will be ready in 30 minutes to an hour." Irene said as she jotted our orders down and walked away.

"A BLT? You do know that they don't always make it the right way. You find something gross in it." I advised Zephyr.

"Like what?" Zephyr asked.

"I don't. Sometimes you find Bell Peppers, Horseradish, Limburger Cheese, Slowpoke Tail ... "I said as I listed the ingredients that were common to come up in a BLT sandwich.

"A SLOWPOKE TAIL? How is that possible?" Zephyr exclaimed.

"I really don't know. I didn't find it; it was Sanfra who found it. Sanfra ordered one and found a Slowpoke Tail in the sandwich. Well, she did notice a pink and white thing sticking out of her sandwich." I told Zephyr.

We spent the next 15 to 20 minutes discussing latest gossip. Then he brought up why we were here. I gasped when he asked that question. How could he not know about the Johto Exposer? It was a famous newspaper worldwide. People from Japan, Asia, Europe and even Australia even read, subscribed and wrote into the Johto Exposer. I guess I would have to fill him in on what he knew and what he didn't know.

"So are you a subscriber to Johto Exposer?" I asked.

"Excuse me but what is that? I have read a lot of newspaper, so refresh my memory." Zephyr asked.

"It is one of the best newspapers in the world. It prints out a thousand or more newspapers a day and its articles are top-notch. Even Team Rocket responds to it. Yes, that part is strange but it is my favorite newspaper. I haven't been to this place since I was 10." I explained to Zephyr.

"You're not 10. I thought you were. So you must be 16?" Zephyr asked.

"More like 14-15. Yes, it was Team Rocket that made me start late. I was surprised those trainers back at New Bark Town didn't notice my age difference." I explained.

"I have to apologize that I thought you were two or three years older than me." Zephyr responded.

"Two or three years older than me? You are 13!!!! You don't look it. You look like you are 17 or 18." I responded back.

"Please, stop it!!! You are making me blush!!!! Of course I know about Johto Exposer but I am always on the move. I read it on the move but I haven't read everyone since I am in places where they can't deliver the newspapers.." Zephyr responded back.

"Well, you are in a real treat. I doubt you have been the plant. I haven't been there in 4 to 5 years. Maybe I can get a tour for both of us. Things might have changed over time and there might be new surprises." I replied.

"That would be great." Zephyr said.

Irene arrived with our lunch and we ate quietly. I wanted the next 10-15 minutes to be in silence. I needed to save my energy for the plant. I bet I could get us interviewed. I've always wanted to do that and maybe this will teach Giovanni twice to come after me. Anyways, getting interviewed is fun. It isn't like interviews for other papers. You are asked things that are boring. Sure, sometimes you get asked things that are embarrassing, but that is the breaks. We split the bill. I paid for one half and he paid for the other. We got some mints to go. The mints here never changed and that is definitely a good thing.

"Prepare for amazement because you are about to visit a place of wonder." I said as we walked out the door.

The Johto Exposer Newspaper Plant was that far unless they moved down because of environmental issues. I knew that wasn't the case since the Plant was plotted on a place where it would cause no trouble for the environment and the town. We walked down to the site but we noticed picketers. This was new to me. I wouldn't have expected a strike for the workers here. The workers here were all given good and noble benefits. We both walked closer and I was able to read one of the signs. One of them said Save the Plant from Evil Corporate Newspapers. In fact all of them said some thing like that. Now I was curious as a Persian to know what was going on here.

"What is going on here?" I asked one of the picketers.

"Two Stuffy Newspaper CEOs are threatening to shut down the plant and replace it with some Wal Street Journal type newspaper." One of the Picketers said.

"Yeah, Madame Gerasa and Bryan are trying to keep them from shutting it down but they don't think they can last any longer." Another Picketer continued.

"I think we have a problem on our hand." Zephyr said.

"Yes, and I know actually how to fix it. Now, listen to everything okay and we shall probably get our names in the newspaper." I said to Zephyr as I whispered the plan into his ear.

Meanwhile inside the plant, the beautiful Ms. Geresa and the talented trainer Bryan are trying to negotiate with the Corporate CEOs. Everything they tell them goes in one ear and leaves the other. Both owners realized that CEOs today care nothing about loyalty; fun, and perfect pension plans of their workers. All CEOs, well power-hungry ones, care about is money, money, money and more money. It seemed that this was the end of the Johto Exposer.

"So are you ready to hand over the plant?" One of the CEOs asked.

"You can't win this one. Hand it over and we promises that your workers get somewhat a good pension plan." The other CEO said while grinning.

"I don't think we have any choice, Amanda." Bryan said.

"I guess that is true, Bryan. I will release ... "Amanda said but she was interrupted.

"Don't hand your plant over to those evil CEOs."

"You haven't given up when other newspapers tried to take over. Your family hasn't either so don't start now."

"Who is there?" Both CEOs asked.

Suddenly two figures slid down. I stared at the two CEOs. They stared back at Zephyr and I. I wasn't going to let this plant be shut down. It was time to show these Power-hungry CEOs that when you mess with a powerful Newspaper company, you mess with its subscribers. It was time for Operation shutdown.

"Hold it right there. You two will leave the premises or you will be arrested." One of the CEOs growled.

"Shut down this plant and you shall prepare for trouble."

"Get ready for payback, because I shall be bring it double."

"To protect all newspapers plants from CEO devastation."

"To unite all goodness within each newspaper nation."

"To sort out the evil and protect the good and love."

"To unite all worthy newspapers plant to the heavens above."

"Zephyr"

"Lawrence"

"Fans of the Johto Exposer surrounds all Evil at the Speed of Light."

"Surrender now, because it is futile to fight."

I really didn't want to use that but a good impression usually strikes fear in one's enemies. Anyways it is fun to use the Team Rocket motto whether it is different or not. I looked straight into my enemy's eyes. I could almost see flames in their eyes. I could see that they weren't happy. But I was happy to see them not being happy. I would do anything to take them down.

"See, I told you. Fans of this Newspaper would do anything at any lengths to keep it from shutting down." Bryan said.

"You are so confident, are you? How about you and your obsessed fan battle us two on two?" The first CEO said.

"Yes, that is a worthy idea. If you win, we will leave and never return. If we win, this plant is our and you and your fans will have to never return here. I'd suggest you all be arrested but I don't want to go that far." The second CEO said.

"I agree to your challenge. Well, Lawrence, what is your decision?" Bryan asked.

"You two CEOs will wish you never battle a Venema. I will make you pay for what you were about to do. I accept." I growled.

"I shall be the referee for this one. This is to be a two on two battle. Each trainer or CEO may use one pokemon and one POKEMON only. If each side's pokemon, no matter if it is one or both, is knocked out, then the other side is the winner. Ready, let the battle begin." Amanda said.

"I think I will use my loyal pokemon. Cerberus, I choose you." I said as I released Houndoom.

"If you are going to fight fire with fire, then I shall choose Arcanine." Bryan said as he threw his pokemon.

"Fools, we shall easily defeat you. Vaporeon and Corsola, go." Both CEOs shouted.

Both pokemon appeared on the sides on the field or should I say plant. The CEOs were grinning thinking that they have the advantage. Sometimes people can be two overconfident. Just because you think you have something figured out doesn't mean that it will work. I was about to show these CEOs that you always expect the un-expected. I winked towards Amanda and Zephyr. I turned to Bryan and I got in battle mode.

"Vaporeon and Corsola, use Water Gun on those Fire-Freaks." Both CEO shouted.

"Cerberus and Arcanine, dodge out the way of the water attacks!" Bryan and I told our faithful and loyal pokemon.

Our pokemon jumped aside the stream of waters rushed past. I ordered Cerberus to do a Power Rush at Vaporeon. I had been teaching my Pokemon with new and old attacks plus some strategies and attacks of my own. If you plan to win, then win with style and substance. Normally, I didn't believe that but I had to be flexible at some parts of my life. Bryan wasn't talking to his pokemon so I knew his pokemon and he had a way to battle without talking. Cerberus got knocked down by Corsola and backed up to my feet.

"I took down that weak Vaporeon. I think Vaporeon might get up but that Corsola is one tough cookie. I don't know if I can beat her." Cerberus said.

"Focus on Vaporeon. I think Bryan's Arcanine can handle Corsola." I said to Cerberus.

"She probably good. I mean Arcanine could. I am sorry but that female Arcanine is so beautiful and skillful in her ways of battling. Should I impress her?" Cerberus asked.

"Just do your best and maybe she will notice you," I said to Cerberus and then turned to the CEOs, "this battle is over. Prepare for the ultimate defeat."

Bryan and I both ordered our pokemon to use Take Down. The CEOs must have expected this so they ordered their pokemon to dodge it but Cerberus had a few tricks up his sleeve. He turned around as soon the Vaporeon dodged and then knocked Vaporeon to the wall. At the same time, Corsola was being slammed to the ground. It was about to revive it when Arcanine used Flamethrower on it. Corsola got so hot that it couldn't even focus. It fainted right then. Both CEOs looked at their pokemon and at our pokemon.

"The CEOs' pokemon are unable to battle. Bryan and Lawrence are the winners." Amanda shouted.

"Unfair!!! Unfair!!!! That match didn't count. We were just testing you. It doesn't matter we will take this place over." Both CEOs laughed.

I got angry. How dare they try to get out of their loss so quickly!!! I ought to give them a piece of my mind. I started to rush at them but Bryan held me back. Cerberus told me that it wasn't worth the effort. I just had to get them for their lying plans. I was about to push Cerberus aside when a metal star flew past me. It almost hit one of the CEOs. I turned around and saw Zephyr with a bunch of throwing stars.

"Unless you want to experience more of my 'star' treatment, I'd suggest you never bother this place again." Zephyr said grinningly.

Both CEOs got scared and rushed out. I sighed and hugged Cerberus. I thought I heard him say that what I was about to do was foolish, but he understood. Then Cerberus walked over to Arcanine. I probably didn't know what they were talking about but I was glad Cerberus was happy. I smiled at Amanda, Zephyr and Bryan. Then Amanda hugged Bryan and hugged me the hardest. I expected this to happen. Then she hugged Zephyr so hard I could see his face turn different colors. Well, he did scare away those CEOs.

"How would you two like to be interviewed for the special edition of The Johto Exposer? Maybe you could write a few articles in there also." Amanda suggested.

"I don't know. It all depends if my partner here is up to it." I said while looking at Zephyr.

"Of course I will. How can I not get an article about me in a newspaper." Zephyr said joyfully.

"What about Cerberus and Arcanine?" I asked while looking at the two dog pokemon who were glaring into each other eyes.

"Let's give them so alone time. Those two seemed to starting a bonding relationship." Bryan said.

The four of us headed for one of the conference rooms. The doors of the building opened to reveal the workers of the plant. They started to shake my hand and congratulating me for getting rid of those awful CEOs. I told them that I couldn't have done it alone without Zephyr and Bryan. They understood, well some of them did because a few wanted to idolize me. I turned around and saw the two dog pokemon howling a love song. I smiled and continued to walk.

"So my love, do you think we will ever see each other again?" Cerberus asked.

"Don't worry, love. I bet we will together on Christmas Day." Arcanine said in a growly voice.