Chapter 34: Time to Take Down
"Guys we can't just give up!" Ash said.
"But if we fight back, they'll really hurt us! Or worse!" Daisy said.
"And if we give them our Pokemon what do you think they'll do to them?!" Ash protested. "We're Pokemon trainers! We live to battle and connect with our Pokemon. Becoming stronger together in battle, and closer as friends. We've been through ups and downs on all our journeys but we've always pulled through… because we believe in each other."
"Easy for you to say," Jessie said suddenly, speaking for the first time since Ash arrived. "You're always the one sending us blasting off."
"Yeah, we're just a bunch of failures," James said. "Dreaming of stealing Pikachu from ya and having all sorts of promotions and bonuses. But our only bonus was getting thrown into a cell."
"Hey, you guys never gave up either!" Ash said. "No matter how many times I sent you blasting off you always got back up and came back for more! And I know you guys' care about your Pokemon."
"Yes… but the boss doesn't," Meowth said. "Well maybe his Persian. But in the end, they're all just tools to him and he doesn't care about their well-being if they don't serve him."
Daisy, Violet, and Lily looked down. "We've never done any of those things. After getting beaten a bunch of times we just gave up and never got back up and just started giving out badges instead of fighting trainers to let them really earn it."
"Yeah, we're nothing like you guys," Violet said.
"But don't you care about your Pokemon here?" Ash asked.
Lily nodded. "Yeah, Dewgong, Gyarados, Starmie, all the others. I don't want to battle, but I don't want to give them to some evil crimelord either!"
"Its not gonna be easy," Brock said. "But if we don't stand up to evil then who will?"
"There will always be evil in the world. Whether it be in the past, present or future," Professor Oak said. "Just like that Pokemon Hunter and the Iron Masked Marauder we faced a few years ago Ash."
Ash looked at him, remembering the Iron Masked Marauder and saving Celebi from him back in Johto years ago. Then he remembered the friend that he'd made during that incident, Sam who'd come into the future with Celebi. He also remembered Professor Oak had known Sam's name after they'd called him and told him about what happened with Celebi who'd taken Sam back to his own time.
But Professor Oak hadn't been there facing the Marauder with them.
"What are you talking about Professor? You weren't there with us when we saved Celebi."
Professor Oak laughed. "I'm sure you haven't forgotten my first name now have you? Professor Samuel Oak?"
Ash frowned. "Samuel Oak?"
Brock quickly put the pieces together. "Wait! You're the Sam that came from the past and was with us when we saved Celebi from the Marauder!"
Ash and Misty both gasped, while most of the others who hadn't been there during that journey were confused.
"That's right Brock. I'm the Sam that was with you for that short time. Funny how fate can bring old friends back together even across time," Oak said.
"Sam," Ash said.
"Ash. I've watched you grow into a fine young man who has faced many challenges and adversity, even from people as annoying as these guys!" he pointed at Jessie James and Meowth.
"Hey!" they all shouted.
"But you've always emerged victorious, or in the case of your many league challenges, earned a high place," Oak continued. "You've faced the Unknown, Entei, the Marauder, and many others. You've saved the world before. And I'm sure you can do it again. But you can't do it alone. None of us can, not even someone who is deemed a Chosen One."
Ash chuckled as he recalled being labeled that in the Orange Islands.
"I will stand with you. It's a risk… but if we wish to continue living in this world peaceful with our beloved Pokemon then it's a risk we have to take!" Professor Oak said.
"You're right Professor!" Dawn agreed
Misty nodded. "Yeah. I'm pretty scared by all this but we can't let our Pokemon be taken. Even if they destroy cities, we can't give in to them."
"No way I'm letting anyone else get hurt! There are a lot of pretty girls in every city and I have to protect them!" Brock declared.
Rebecca frowned a little bit as he said a lot of pretty girls.
"I can't let my daughter be put in danger either!" Anthony said putting an arm around her.
"I just got my own Pokemon a few months ago!" Max said. "No way I'm gonna leave them now!"
"My Mimey is my only company when Ash isn't around!" Delia said. "I can't imagine not having him around!"
"I love my Pokemon," May said. "No way I'm giving them up after all we've been through together! Might as well be giving up my dream of being a Top Coordinator."
"All of our dreams revolve around Pokemon," Ash agreed looking at her.
"Well, our ones right now," she said with a blush.
"My Pokemon are part of my family too!" Norman declared. "No way I'm giving them up!"
"I can't be a Pokemon researcher without Pokemon!" Tracy agreed.
They all looked at each other.
"Well, we all agree then?" Ash asked.
They nodded, even Misty's sisters.
"Can't put on a Pokemon show without Pokemon!" Daisy said. "Guess we're gonna have to battle in this case!"
"Alright guys. I think its time we take down Giovanni for good!" Ash said.
They nodded.
"Sounds good Ash!" Brock said.
"Count us in!" James said. "We're not part of Team Rocket anymore… and we're letting the boss have our Pokemon."
"Though given our track record he might not care to have them," Jessie said before turning angry. "Still no puts me in a prison cell and gets away with it!"
"But how are we going to find him?" Misty asked.
"Doesn't matter. We will," Ash said confidently. "We just need to try hard enough and we'll do it."
"That's right!" May agreed. "Give it our best shot and we'll find him and take him down! He's out there somewhere with that battle ship!"
"Couldn't hurt to have a plan though," Max said.
"I can help you find Giovanni. My psychic powers will help me see him," Sabrina said.
She closed her eyes and reached out with her mind for the man responsible for her parents' demise.
Well only 5 more chapters after this if I recall my plan correctly. Time to face Giovanni in the final battle then we'll get into the resolution. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think I had Professor Oak reveal he was Sam in the 4th film to Ash earlier in the story back in Pallet Town. He did plan to though so I finally got around to that. If I misremembered let me know in a review (or just review anything you want to on the current chapter or the story overall). I'm always open to a bit of criticism as long as I don't feel you are being mean. Wow, been over a year since I published this fanfic here. Hope you guys have enjoyed it. Don't forget to check out my newer Advanceshipping fanfic as well if you haven't please.