The Weight that tips the Scale

The trial continued on through the next day without much change. The prosecution brought in more and more witnesses to testify against Team Rocket. The evidence piled up against Jessie and James, with little defense on their side. It seemed that the scales of justice had been tipped against them.

The trial had been called to recess for the day. James and Jessie were taken to a side room where they could talk with their lawyer.

"Well things aren't looking too good for us. I haven't been able to find a single witness to testify for you."

"Not a single witness?" growled Jessie.
"I've looked all over, but nobody wants to testify for you."

"What about how we helped the twerp?"
"Well I'm afraid that although you may be telling the truth…"

"May be?"

"Well, I believe you, but I'm not sure that the jury's convinced, and they are the soul ones we have to worry about winning over."

The next morning the guard showed James and Jessie into a secure room in the prison. He shut the door behind him as he left.

"Jessie, what are we going to do?"

"I don't know James. Things aren't looking too good for us."

The lawyer burst into the room excitedly.

"I've got good news for the two of you! Ash Ketchum has come out of a coma."

"Well that's just great, but what does that have to do with us?" said Jessie sarcastically.

"Come on Jessie don't be so cold."

"Shut up James."

"Well now that Ash is out of a coma we can possibly have him testify that you helped him."

"That's great," said James enthusiastically.

Even Jessie seemed a little uplifted by the news.

The trial started like all of the previous ones had. The jury quickly filed into the seats, wanting the trial to end as soon as possible. As the baliff announced the judge's entrance everyone in the court room rose.

"You may be seated," said the judge.

The defense lawyer rose from his seat and stated "Your honor defense wishes to introduce a new witness."

"Has the witness been subpoenaed?"

"Well your honor the case is a bit extraordinary."

"How so?"

"The witness, Ash Ketchum, has just come out of a coma. He still remains at the hospital. We are uncertain at this time whether he will be able to make a court appearance due to his injuries. Your honor, defense wishes to obtain the permission of the doctor looking after Mr. Ketchum, and the permission of Mr. Ketchum's parents or guardians."

"Defense may enter Mr. Ketchum as a witness upon obtaining written permission from the doctor, and parents or legal guardians of Mr. Ketchum."

"Thank you your honor. I move that we recess for a day so that the new witness may be properly introduced."

"Motion sustained. The trial shall take a two day recess. We shall reconvene onl Thursday the 16th at 10 A.M.," the judge said adamantly as he pounded his gavel.

The sunlight shone brightly through the small hospital windows. Although it was still early in the morning the hospital was lively with doctors and nurses scurrying down the hallways. Ash was awakened by the soft click of the door as it opened.

"Ash," came a soft voice as a hand shook him.

Ash groaned and slowly tried to open his eyes.

"Yeah?" he replied groggily.

"Ash, my name is Carol. I'm just going to do a couple of tests now. Can you sit up?"

Ash struggled to sit up. He got up part way before he collapsed back onto his pillow.

"That's all right," Carol said as she scribbled down some notes on a clip board.

"Now are you able to move your arms?"

Ash raised his arm into the air slightly. To his surprise it was more difficult than he had expected.

"Good job Ash. Now don't try moving around too much yet. You still need time to heal. You have a few broken ribs, and your left leg is broken. I suggest you just get some more rest."

Carol turned and walked out of the room gently closing the door behind her. Ash fell back to sleep for about an hour when the door clicked open again. A person of moderate height walked through and gently shut the door. They then proceeded to the bedside and pulled out a chair. After sitting down upon the chair the figure reached over and gently stroked Ash's hair.

"Who's there?" asked Ash groggily.

"Oh sorry Ash, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Is that you Mom?"

"Yes, I just came to see how you're doing."

"I still feel rather tired."

"Just go back to sleep Ash, you've been through a lot."

Mrs. Ketchum gently stroked Ash's back. It felt rather soothing. He quickly drifted off to sleep. Mrs. Ketchum enjoyed spending time with Ash like this. For quite a few years he had been trying to become more independent as he prepared for his pokémon quest. She had missed being there to cradle and soothe him. She couldn't help but think how cute he looked lying there sleepily. The quiet darkness of the room soon overtook her, and she fell into a slumber.

"Excuse me I'm looking for Mrs. Delilah Ketchum."

"I don't know if she's here. What exactly do you want with her?"
"Well there's an important court case involving her son. I am an attorney and would like to ask her a few questions."

"Let me check and see if she's in," replied the receptionist looking over the clipboard.

"Well it looks like she signed in this morning. If she's still here she would probably be with her son. I'll have one of the staff escort you to the room."

"Thank you for you help."

The man took a seat looking through the papers in his briefcase, studying his notes for the trial.

"Excuse me sir if you'd come right this way."

The man followed the nurse back to Ash's room.

Mrs. Ketchum was yanked from her peaceful sleep by a sharp rap on the door.

"Who is it?" Mrs. Ketchum said weakly.

"It's one of the hospital staff. There's a man here that wishes to speak with you."

"I'll be out in a minute," she replied.

She slowly got up from the chair and stretched. She looked over to Ash, he was sound asleep. She gently brushed his hair with her hand before walking over to the door.

"Hello Mrs. Ketchum I'd like to speak with you about a court case involving you son. Would you mind coming with me to a room where we can further discuss this? Is there a quiet room where we could talk?"

"Right this way," replied the staff member.

The three of the walked down the hall and turned into a corridor that was a lot less busy than the rest of the hospital. It was probably used for office space and meetings. The staff person stopped at a door and pulled out a set of keys to open the door.

"Thank you again," replied the defense attorney.

He walked into the room and pulled out a chair for Mrs. Ketchum. He then set his briefcase upon the table and took a seat.

"Mrs. Ketchum your son is involved in a current court case. We wish to have him appear as a witness at the trial. We have spoken with Doctor Heiner, and he has said that he felt it would be alright for Ash to leave the hospital for a few hours."

Mrs. Ketchum sat in her chair thinking.

"Well I'm not sure."

"This case is very important. Ash would provide testimony vital to the case. Now I don't mean to seem to be pushing you towards a decision, but please consider this."

The defense attorney told Mrs. Ketchum a bit about the case. She remembered hearing some about Team Rocket from Ash, Misty, and Brock. At first she didn't really want to help them in a court case, yet a small part of her felt some sympathy for them.

"Now this can't be verified, but one of the defendants claims that he was the one that brought Ash to the hospital. We don't know all the details, but from what I have seen of my clients I believe they are telling the truth."

"Would you give me some time to consider the matter?" Mrs. Ketchum requested.

"That's no problem. I thank you for your time Mrs. Ketchum, please call me at this number with your decision," the defense attorney said handing her a small business card.

He picked up his briefcase and left the room.

Mrs. Ketchum walked back to Ash's room. He was awake and sitting up in his bed. Brock and Misty were there and talking with him.

"Hey Mrs. K how are you doing?" asked Brock.

"Oh I'm doing fine. Thanks for asking."

"What's wrong mom?"
"Oh it's nothing."

Ash stared at Mrs. Ketchum intently.

"Well alright I was just talking with a man. He says he's the defense attorney for Team Rocket."

"Are they on trial?" asked Misty.

"We saw them at the Police Station the day Ash was brought to the hospital," commented Brock

"Well he said that they would like Ash to appear as a witness. He also said that it was Team Rocket that brought Ash into the hospital."

"What?" said Brock in wonderment.

"Why would Team Rocket bring Ash here?"
The whole group stared at Ash questioningly. He felt quite uncomfortable having everyone staring at him like he had done something wrong.

"I don't know if they did," he stated like a little kid making an excuse for a broken vase.