The case heats up for Team Rocket and Team Ash in:
#59: Turnabout Trainwreck: Part 3
The courtroom was loud with chatter as everyone waited for the trial to resume from recess. Team Rocket and Team Ash were talking to Mr. Wright and among themselves all the while.
"Say, Mr. Wright, you mentioned earlier that you didn't have a good feeling about Gadot's next witness. What did you mean by that?" Meowth asks.
"Well, for one I've dealt with Gadot before, and he like many other prosecutors I've encountered in the past have always introduced some insane and often unexpected witness to the stand. I feel whoever he has next will have some damning statements that'll be tough to refute if we're not careful," Phoenix explains as he rubs his chin, partly in thought.
"That sounds a bit scary, but I'm sure its nothing that can't be handled. I mean, we really didn't do anything bad after all," Serena comments.
"With the exception of Team Rocket's idiocy of trying to escape from our cell, none of us deserve to have been falsely arrested in the first place," Paul comments.
"Even still! Whoever that cloaked person was is the one that needs to be brought to justice," James responds, crossing his arms.
"Just who was that guy anyways? Think we'll see that person again anytime soon?" Ash asks.
"Who knows. All that matters right now is that we get cleared of all charges so we can all get on with our lives," Cassidy responds.
The judge re-enters the courtroom and takes his seat before banging the gavel.
"Order, order! We will now resume the trial of "Ash & Team Rocket vs The Unnamed City Far From Home," the judge announces. "Mr. Gadot, is your second witness present?"
Gadot smiles evilly once again.
"Your Honor. For my second witness testimony, I'd like to call… 'Mr. R' to the stand," Gadot announces.
All of Team Rocket and Team Ash's jaws dropped as a very familiar figure stepped into the witness stand.
It was the cloaked man in the brown trench coat with high cuffs that concealed his face, the very person that got them all arrested in the first place.
"What?!" Brock proclaims.
"It's him! That's the one responsible for this whole mess!" Jessie says in an accusatory manner.
"Leave it to me, everyone. We'll see what kind of holes we can poke in his upcoming testimony," Phoenix says to them, trying to abate everyone's anger.
The judge then goes to explain the disposition of the witness to the court.
"Ahem. This man here is the key witness in the attempted theft that the defense team is being accused of. This incident took place a few days ago on the streets of this city, where the witness claims these individuals pick-pocketed his wallet and attempted to flee the scene. The witness then explains that he called out for help and the local police immediately apprehended all parties involved. We will now have cross examination by Mr. Wright," the white-boarded judge explains to the court.
"Okay, time to get really serious," Phoenix says with a big sigh of anticipation, ready for anything to come from this new witness.
CROSS EXAMINATION
"Indeed, the judge said it himself. I'm just a wandering traveler who just so happened to be the victim of a burglary attempt. I was fortunate that the police were nearby to apprehend these well-known criminals…" Mr R explains.
HOLD IT!
"Well-known criminals you say? How do you come to that conclusion upon encountering them that evening?" Phoenix questions the witness.
"That's quite simple. I am very aware of the exploits of everyone on your stand," Mr. R responds.
"And how is that relevant to your claims that they stole your wallet? You make it sound like you've met these individuals before," Phoenix questions.
OBJECTION!
Gadot slams his mug of coffee on his desk.
"My client does not need to answer that statement. Whether he knows someone or not does not excuse the act of burglary," Gadot responds sternly.
OBJECTION!
Phoenix slams his hands on the desk.
"I find it very strange for the witness to even bring up the personal statuses of my clients. I want to know what impact that has on his decision to so quickly call for the arrest of my clients," Phoenix presses.
"Your Honor, this is a waste of time. My client is being badgered by useless questions in attempt to devalue his testimony" Gadot tells the judge.
"Sustained. Mr. R, please answer the question. What is your relationship with those you are accusing?" the judge asks Mr. R.
"Well, Your Honor, I've known all of these individuals from both near and far. The members known as Team Rocket in particular has had a direct impact on my career," Mr. R explains.
"And what career is that? What exactly do you do?" Phoenix questions.
"…I am a Pokemon Trainer," Mr. R responds.
"What?!" all of Team Rocket and Team Ash respond in confusion.
"So you're saying your relationship with Team Rocket is an important factor when you tried to falsely accuse them theft, is that right?" Phoenix questions.
OBJECTION!
"Mr. Wright is clearly discrediting the validity of my client by saying his burglary claim was false," Gadot fiercely responds.
Phoenix smiles confidently and places his hands on his hips.
"That's right," Phoenix responds. "That's because the wallet retrieved from the scene of the supposed crime doesn't even belong to Mr. R," he reveals.
The entire courtroom went in an uproar at this shocking revelation.
The judge slams his gavel several times to get the court to quiet down.
"Mr. Wright, those are some damning claims you have made. For your sake, I hope you can back up your words. Do you have proof of this?" the judge questions.
"In fact I do, Your Honor," Phoenix responds with confidence.
"Very well. Bring out the evidence," the judge instructs one of the nearby court security guards.
"I'm sorry, Your Honor, but I regret to inform you that the evidence requested by Mr. Wright has suddenly gone missing," the court security guard states.
"Say WHAT?!" Phoenix, as well as Team Rocket and Team Ash all exclaim in disbelief.
Even Gadot looked visibly annoyed at the fact the evidence wasn't there either.
"That is unfortunately. Without the evidence, we cannot validate the claims of either the prosecution or the defense. We may have to end up dismissing this case until that wallet is found, followed by a retrial in the future," the judge explains.
"What?! A retrial?" Phoenix says in disbelief. "Then what happens to my clients in the meantime?"
"Your clients would all go back to jail until a new court date is set, granted if that wallet is found. If not, then the prosecution will have to find new evidence and witnesses to make it happen," the judge explains further.
HOLD IT!
The court goes silent as Mr. R gets everyone's attention.
"Your Honor, I have a proposition," Mr. R states.
"A proposition? What do you mean?" the judge responds in surprise.
"How about we settle things the easy way. What do you say I challenge both Team Rocket and Team Ash to a Pokemon battle. Right here, right now," Mr. R proposes.
"What do you hope to accomplish by doing this?" the judge questions.
"It goes back to what I said earlier in my testimony. I know every person I'm accusing. Team Rocket are, or 'were' known to be well-known members of the infamous crime syndicate stationed in the Johto Region. They steal Pokemon and do other shady tasks that are highly illegal. I've encountered them many times in my travels," Mr. R reveals.
"I see…and what of Team Ash?" the judge questions.
"As for Team Ash, I have a personal grudge against them, specifically their leader. He is nothing but a charlatan, a fake symbol for all Pokemon fans. He is only popular due to his appearance in syndicated media. Meanwhile I am the true protagonist and the true face of all great Pokémon trainers known all over the land," Mr. R reveals.
"Wait a minute…" James questions out loud.
"Hold on...if what you are saying is true.." Ash adds.
"WHO'S THAT POKEMON TRAINER?" all of Team Rocket and Ash proclaim, pointing an accusing finger at the cloaked man.
Mr. R laughs.
He then throws off is trench coat and reveals his true identity to everyone.
"I'm Trainer Red, the canon protagonist of original Gen 1 Pokemon games," the young man reveals, wearing an outfit very similar to Ash but with a red jacket in contrast to Ash's blue. "And I'll give you all justice right here and now by beating all of them in a Pokemon battle! If I win, then all of them should be locked up for good. If they win, then they all go free."
All members of Team Rocket and Team Ash immediately turn to Phoenix.
"I can't believe its him of all people!" Brock says in complete surprise.
"That little bastard! I remember him, he's just as bad if not worse than dealing with Ash!" Butch exclaims in anger.
"I can't believe someone like him is doing this to us, I never knew him to be this spiteful," Serena says with much concern.
"That twerp is asking to be beat! With all of our powers combined, we'll beat him in a battle in no time!" Meowth says, ready to rumble.
"I agree with you all that he needs to be taken down, but is this even allowed?" Paul questions Mr. Wright.
Phoenix nods.
"Like I said before, I've encountered many strange things in this courtroom over the years. If you all think you can defeat him to secure your freedom, then show your true meddle," Phoenix says to them.
The judge bangs his gavel to get everyone's attention.
"This is highly unusual, even for the cases I've presided over in all my years on the bench. But I'll allow it if the prosecution is okay with his client's proposition," the judge states.
Gadot grabs his coffee and takes a long gulp.
"Be my guest," he says to Trainer Red with a sardonic grin.
"Good! Then prepare for trouble!" Team Rocket proclaims in unison.
"And make it double!" Team Ash chimes in together.
TR: "To fight injustice for where it may stand."
TA: "To battle for glory across the land."
TR: "To face all challenges of any kind."
TA: "And come out victorious with our strengths combined!"
"Team Rocket!"
"Team Ash"
"Team Rocket, winning our freedom with the speed of light."
"Team Ash joining forces with our rivals, now prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Pika pika!"
Trainer Red chuckles as he reaches into his pocket for his first Pokeball before speaking to his challengers.
"Good. Let's get started. Who's first? I think I'll start with you!"
The battle for freedom has begun as both game and anime universes collide in an epic showdown. Who will come out victorious in the end? Please review and stay tuned to the next chapter!
