Review Responses:

Soft Flame Matthias- Did you think that side note was too much Misty- bashing? Because I didn't mean it to be; I just thought it seemed funny. Anyway, thanks for sticking with me so far! And, about your note about Misty's name in the previous review, I'd heard that name before (and also Williams), but I wanted to try something original, as I've never heard a last name in the dub and I should think Waterflower is more of a nickname than a real surname.

DreamyGal- Thanks for joining up! Why do you think this won't end up as AAML? I'm at least as much as an AAML fan as anyone else- not that I'll rush into anything, but do you think I'm going to leave Ash in TR permanently?

Kaxanthedragon- Glad to see you again, and hope you can stay with it!

And anyone else who's reading- review!... But wait until the end of the chapter!

Chapter Three: Release and Reunion

He was barely aware of his own footsteps as they echoed through the corridor, barely even registering the knowledge that he was finally free. Pokemon poaching was nasty, but it could only get you so many months in the hole… especially when conducted in some backwater corner of a place like Ilex. Now, they couldn't do anything to hold him anymore.

The whole process was a blur, which resolved into a view of the warden's office; as the guard who had escorted him walked away, he was left alone with the thin old man sitting behind the desk- and, unusually, one more standing to the side.

"I suppose you've reflected on the importance of this day," Warden Bishop said, rising from his chair. "This is a new chance for you- you may have done some horrible things in the past- never mind, you have. That's why you're here. But none of that matters now. All that matters is what you do from here on out."

Fool. He'd reflected, all right. And he knew this was a new chance. For vengeance.

"As you know, we have been unable to verify your exact point of origin- largely due to your own lack of cooperation." Bishop gave him a piercing look. All he had ever told those who had interrogated him regarding his identity was, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." And the fools wouldn't have, either; there was a good reason why they couldn't find anything out on their own. That was the main reason, in fact, they had kept him here for so long- but how long could you imprison someone just because you didn't know who he was?

"Young Mr. Jiraudan has informed us that you are an extranational working as part of a task force against organized crime- namely, Team Rocket and other such organizations- funded by leading citizens such as his family. Though this story seems to stretch credibility, as we were never informed of such an undertaking- he claims that it was due to the possibility of leaks within regular law enforcement- his sources seem to check out, and I can't have you sitting around here consuming the taxpayers' money anymore without any real charge. And, in exchange for your return, our friend here has promised to keep this division fully informed of your activities."

His friend. He'd never laid eyes on this prissy piece of slime before in his life, but if he had his reasons for extracting the prisoner, that was his business.

"Then it's all settled," Lawrence Jiraudan interjected. "The prisoner will be released into my custody?... I really must thank you for your cooperation."

Bishop nodded and called for the guard. Without another word, Jiraudan turned and walked out, followed by the prisoner. Outside the office, the guard smirked. "Guess you won't be marauding anymore, eh?"

The prisoner grimaced, but was laughing madly inside. For these unenlightened scum knew him as the Iron Masked Marauder- but in higher (or, perhaps, lower) circles, he was signified by one whispered name.

Bisashu- the Vicious One.

And how he looked forward to making that true once again.

"What's pinching your feet now, Erik?" Giovanni was annoyed by his friend and partner in crime's apparent sullenness- even more so than usual, considering how well things were going. Even this stand-in for a vampire should have been a little excited.

Professor Sebastian didn't respond, continuing to peruse the science fiction novel he held.

"Be that way, then. Not even you can dampen my spirits today!" Jason Caligula Giovanni dropped into a chair across the polished wooden table- in one of the Silph tower's spare meeting rooms- from the scientist and rested his feet on the table's surface- displaying a lassitude he would never allow his lesser subordinates to witness- and sighed blissfully, staring at nothing for a moment.

"Tell me," Erik Sebastian spoke a moment later- Jason's head snapped back towards the speaker slightly- "how is it you can love behind-the-scenes manipulations and also love to grandstand so much?"

Jason gave a short laugh. "You know those magic shows we all enjoy- they're all about misdirection, you know that. Wave one hand in the air while the other disposes of an extra card, or the high-tech equivalent."

"…Well, that's a bit hard if you're waving BOTH bllody hands around at the SAME TIME, isn't it? You attract entirely too much attention with your constant need for pomp!"

Giovanni moved his chair back a little, unnerved by Erik's unusual outburst. "Man, for once in your life, try to understand that I know what I'm doing. I'm boss around here for a reason, right?"

Erik smirked. "Yes- you inherited it."

Whatever Jason intended to say in response to this died in his throat as the door to the conference room opened and two figures strode in- one much shorter than the other, with a Pikachu perched on a shoulder.

"Ah, hello, my boy!" Giovanni beamed at Ash, but noticed the pensive look on his face.

"We have a couple of visitors," the man behind Ash stated.

"What, Lionel, in addition to the other hundred or so morons coming and going every hour?"

Lionel Dwight, Silph Enterprises' security head and former Viridian Gym Guard, only glanced down at Ash.

"Some… old companions… of mine have dropped by," he answered apprehensively; Pikachu's face was unreadable.

"You don't mean…" Jason wrinkled his brow, but was grinning inside. "Not the ones from Pewter and Cerulean?" A momentary pause on the parts of both in the doorway convinced him to continue. "Well… this has all the makings of a splendid reunion…." He stood and smiled wryly. "I suppose we had better greet our guests."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "Yes, this is a wonderful bit of sleight of hand."

Giovanni's mouth tightened ever so slightly as he glanced back at his chief scientist. "Do me a favor, Erik… stick to your science, and leave me with mine." With that, he followed the other two through the door, not bothering to close it.

Erik sat there for a moment. "That's two favors- idiot." Sighing, he put down his book, got up, and left, shutting the conference room door.