In the Dark of Night

"Hello, this is Giovanni Industries. How may I help you?"

"I'm looking for 'the big man'."

"I'm not sure what you are talking about."

"Tell him it has to do with Team Rocket."

"I'm not sure what you are talking about."

"Just get him on the phone!"

"Uh hold on a second, and we'll hook you up with one of our sales managers."

The secretary set the phone down. She got up from her desk and walked over to a nicer looking office.

"Um, sir we have a caller asking for the 'Big Man'. Says it has to do with Team Rocket."

The manager's attention was quickly redrawn from the stack of papers on his desk.

"Transfer it to my phone."

"Alright sir."

The manager picked up his desk phone.

"This is the Giovanni Industries, assistant manager Brimsley speaking. How may I help you?"

"Just get the big man on the phone, and tell him that I have vital information concerning Team Rocket! Don't make me go through any more of lackeys."

"Now see here. If you are trying to threaten Mr. Giovanni or this industry we'll find you and have you arrested."

"Look, I'm a member of Team Rocket. I have something to report."

"We have no knowledge of such an organization. Now I ask that you hang up and stop this foolishness before we have to involve the police."

"Hey pal, if you don't hook me up with the Big Man right now you will be the one that has to worry about the Police!"

The manager paused for a second. In all likelihood this person was bluffing, but there were still some loose ends, and at this point and time the organization would rather not have even hints of the police snooping around.

"Alright sir, I will transfer you to someone that can help you. Just hold on for a second."

The manager hit a button on his desk phone. Transfering to a second line he quickly punched in a number.

"Hey Giles, this is Brimsley. I have a call that I think you should handle. It's related to "the loose ends.""

The manager switched back to the first line.

"Thank you for waiting sir. You will now be transferred."

Meoweth was getting tired of these tactics. He had never had this much trouble contacting the base in the past. Obviously that manage had known more than he had let on.

As Meoweth pondered this a voice came over the phone.

"Am I to understand that you are claiming to have some information pertaining to Team Rocket?"

Meoweth was a bit shocked at the abruptness of this new speaker. He cut to the chase, rather than skirting around the issue like the former person had.

"Yes, I am a member of Team Rocket and…"

"What is your number?"

"613-4523-91"

"Are you sure that number is correct?"

"What do you mean is it correct? Of course it is."

"Alright, I just found it doubtful that you had gotten out of the Pokémon shelter."

There was something about this new speaker that just spooked Meoweth. How could he have know that Meoweth had just gotten away from the shelter? This guy definitely was a high up in the organization.

"I broke out of there. Now I have a question for you. Is there any news of members 613-7485-90 and 613-6314-90?"

"Records show that they are currently being held at the Blackthorn prison. We have arranged for their "transfer", but we are still looking to make arrangements for you. Is there a number that we can call you back at?"

"No, I don't think that would work."

"Okay, just hang on a minute… we'll send an informant to meet you at the park right off of 5th avenue. He'll meet you by the baseball field at 10 PM this Friday."

"I'll be there."

"Very good. I am glad that we got this settled. Just remember, you are not to tell anyone about Team Rocket, nor this conversation."

"Alright."

It was all coming together. Soon the team would get back together, and continue just like old times.

The guards had come around calling for lights out about two hours ago. James lay in his bed waiting for sleep to claim him. It had never been easy falling asleep in this place. The guards on constant patrol awoke the prisoners every couple of hours. They almost seemed to delight in tormenting the prisoners. Either that, or they were taking out their frustrations about having to work such a late shift on the inmates. James was brought out of his peaceful state by the dull clack of shoes on the cold cement floor. If the guards came around at this time of night it typically wasn't for any pleasant reason.

The jingle of keys echoed down the hallway that was cell block 4. The prisoners did their best to remain motionless, for the guards usually were quite irate at this time of night. Those that had caught the attention of the guards often regretted it. James stirred in his bed as the officer's flashlight danced from cell to cell. He had not been here long, but James had learned to avoid the guards. The clack of shoes on the cement floor resounded down the hall as the guard marched down the cellblock. James turned in his bed trying to ignore the guard as best he could. The sound of footsteps came closer and closer, until they suddenly stopped. The keys jingled loudly as the guard raised the key chain and put one into the lock of James' cell. James shuddered as the door slid open. The other prisoners got up to see what fate await James. Some of them felt pity for him for rarely did the guards come this late at night to take prisoners, unless it was for some rather unpleasant reason. The guard stood menacingly in the doorway.

"Get up!" commanded the guard.

James got out of his bed trying to make it seem as if he had just be roused from his sleep. As he got to his feet the guard slapped a pair of cuffs upon his wrists.

"Come on now," said the guard tugging on James's arm.

James followed. Prepared for the worst he dismally followed the guard down the hall. All of the other prisoners watched intently as he was led down the hall.

"Back to bed," shouted the guard, and at his command most of the prisoners quickly got back into their cots.

The guard led James down the corridors of the prison. There was hardly a sound as they proceeded down the hallway. They came to a small metal door. The guard pulled out a key and opened it. Behind the door was a loading dock. Crates lay scattered around the dock. A truck remained parked at the base of the loading dock awaiting it's cargo. The guard took out a key and removed James' cuffs.

"Get in the crate."

"What?"

"Get in!"

James followed the guard's order. He prayed that whatever the guard had planned for him wouldn't be anything too horrible. As he crouched down into the crate the guard closed the lid.

"Now just stay quiet," said the guard

James could feel the crate being picked up off the ground. He assumed that he was being loaded into the awaiting truck. The crate was set down with a thud. Through the box James could her the sound of the truck's motor starting up. He wondered where they were going to take him, and what was in store for him. He had heard horror stories of prisoners being taken and sold off as slaves.

The truck drove away from the loading docks. It pulled up to the prison gates and stopped. Two armed guards approached the truck. The driver rolled down the window.

"What's in the back?" asked the guard.

"Oh a variety of things. Food stores, clothes, you know the usual."

"Mind if I have a look?"

"Not at all."

The large rear door of the truck was pulled open. One of the guards got into the truck and looked around. James lay in the crate trying to imagine what was going on outside. He didn't know whether to keep silent, or to call out for help.

"Alright, you can go," said the guard.

He pulled out his walkie-talkie and ordered the gate to be opened. The truck drove off into the night. James lay in the crate wondering where they were going and when he'd get out of this crate. The truck drove for about half an hour before stopping, but to James it seemed as if hours had passed. The truck came to a sudden stop. The rear doors were flung open. A couple of large figures got into the back of the truck and began ripping the lids off of the crates. James was glad to have fresh air come into the crate, but was reluctant to get out of the crate for fear of what awaited him.

"It's alright come out."

A short stout man stood over the crate. It was the one that James and Jessie had seen at the prison earlier.

James pulled himself out of the crate. He was a bit stiff and sore from the trip.

"Where are we?" came a familiar voice.

James looked over to spot Jessie emerging from a similar crate.

"Jessie?" James stated in a state of surprise.

"Come on outside now and we shall conclude this business," stated the businessman.

James, and Jessie were more than happy to get out of the truck, and into the cool night air. The night sky was clear. The stars shone brightly as James looked up to the sky. They seemed full of promise and hope.

"Well it looks like yet again I sprung your lazy butts."

"Meoweth?" said James looking over to the short figure standing beside the businessman.

"Yeah, some of us can get ourselves out of trouble."

"Now see here you little ingrate, we had a plan," shouted Jessie waving her fist.

"Heh, the same old Jessie," chortled Meoweth.

"What did you say?" Jessie said in a seething manner.

James just had to laugh at the two as Jessie ran up to Meoweth locking her arm around his head as she ground her fist into his noggin. James knew that it was taboo to say the "o" word around Jessie.

James couldn't believe it. The group was back together. Things were starting to seem like normal again. Once again they were a family.

"All right now if we've had enough of this foolery, let us conclude the matter at hand," stated the businessman.

"Does this mean that we're free?" asked James.

"So to speak."

"Did you hear that Jessie? We're free!" shouted James enthusiastically.

Jessie was to busy hassling a protesting Meoweth to take note of the good news.

"Now we can get back to the way things were. What does the boss want us to do next?"

"Nothing! You are no longer members of the Team Rocket organization."

"What?" stated Jessie dropping Meoweth to the ground in shock.

"The contract you signed nullifies all affiliation that you may have with Team Rocket. You are to turn in all Team Rocket affiliated material. Now it's time for you to hold up your end of the contract" said the businessman as he held out a black pokéball. A red beam jumped out of the ball, and Meowth disappeared with a flash.

"What are you doing?" shouted James.

"According to byline 64 of the contracts you signed all pokémon, whether on loan from Team Rocket, or captured by members thereof shall become the property of the Team Rocket organization. Meaning that Meowth belongs to Team Rocket and will have to be returned forthwith."

"You can't do that!" James protested reaching for his pokéballs forgetting that they had been taken from him.

The businessman walked off towards an awaiting helicopter.

"Come back here!" shouted Jessie.

The businessman stopped and turned slightly. "The terms of the contract have been met. You are free to go. Now unless you'd rather go back to prison I recommend you get out of here."

"Give us back Meowth!" demanded Jessie.

"I told you that he belongs to Team Rocket. Do not think that you will be shown any special favors, you are no longer members of Team Rocket."

The businessman sighed in frustration and continued his walk towards his armed escort. James and Jessie watched helplessly as the great bird of steel rose into the air and took off into the night.

"How can they? How can they just leave us like this? It just isn't right."

"Come on James we'd better get out of here before they figure out we're gone."

"We have to do something. They can't do this to us."

"James, there's nothing we can do. If we try to go to headquarters we will be branded as traitors and hunted down."

James and Jessie walked forlornly into the darkness of the night. They were free but there was a great emptiness in their hearts. Anger and bitterness began to fester in the void in their hearts as they walked off into the shadows.