After a night back at Fuji's house, they awoke to get ready to return home.
"All right, colors," Daisy announced. "Where do we go from here to get home?"
"Well, the road at Mt. Moon got destroyed in the earthquake, sorry to say," said Karl upsettingly.
"But we could take a ferry in Vermilion City back to Pallet Town." Hadley knew that Vermilion offered ferries to Fuchsia City, Pallet Town, and Cinnabar Island. The easiest route back home. There was nothing more they could do here.
"I wish you luck, kids," declared Fuji. "We may meet again."
---
After they arrived at Vermilion City via bus, Karl ran toward the nearest pay phone. "Hey, anyone got change?"
"I've got a phone card." Daisy handed him the card.
Karl inserted the phone card and took the receiver. "Hey, Professor Oak!"
"Karl? What happened to Daisy or Kevin?" Oak asked, scared. "Are they... all right?"
"Hey, give me that!" Kevin took the phone. "Yeah, we're fine! Tell him, Daisy!"
"Yes, Grandpa, we barely escaped from Team Rocket, and we'll be coming home through a ferry in Vermilion City. We're at that city right now, in fact."
"And Professor Oak, we found out that Team Rocket is indeed the recipient of the Pokemon. Their skills seem abnormal, and I think Team Rocket messed with their genes."
"Hmm. I should give them a DNA test." Oak knew it! Team Rocket was a bad bunch. "I'll see you then. I'll pay back Daisy for the four S.S. Anne tickets."
The S.S. Anne would be here June 16... That was today. Karl remembered reading the news about that.
---
The S.S. Anne's foghorn boomed.
Daisy inserted her debit card – her main source of money. She would be going to college once the summer was over, so that money was essential. When dollar bills ejected from the slot, Daisy collected them.
After buying the S.S. tickets, they climbed up the ramp to the luxury ship. Yes, it took rides to Cinnabar Island and Pallet Town. It was just a matter of waiting now. There didn't seem to be anything dangerous around here. Team Rocket wouldn't attack a ship like this. What are they, terrorists?
---
"Police have identified a body found at Vermilion Harbor to be Robert Oak," said a news reporter on a television.
"Yep. Dad's dead," said Kevin sadly. "We'd better get home soon before the others worry about us." The authorities had to take over for them from here on.
Daisy sighed. Team Rocket was right. Security was going to have to be enhanced at home.
"How much time do you think we're going to get there?" asked Karl.
"In about three hours," replied Hadley. "That shouldn't take too long."
---
Searching for the Color Triad and Daisy, Conner, Sandy, Becky, and Darkao had also arrived on the S.S. Anne.
"We can't let those kids get away," said Conner firmly.
"If those Pokemon are found to be altered, it could make us suspects," Darkao said.
"You got that right, buddy," Becky agreed. "They'll really pay for laying the beatings on us."
Sandy then added, "I think they deserve to suffer for disrespecting us."
---
Kevin returned to the table with cans of Pepsi and Sprite. "Here you go everyone." The place was relatively well-decorated. There were paintings, memorabilia, and fine floor board.
Karl chugged his Pepsi. "Thanks, Blue! You know, it really doesn't seem so bad here."
"Red! Go easy on the Pepsi!" Hadley cried out. "In any case, I've got a feeling that someone's after us."
"Green, don't be such a paranoid." Kevin brushed off that idea. "When we're together, there's nothing to be afraid of."
"Surprise, everyone!" That was Becky's voice. Team Rocket had arrived!
"I told you so!"
Hadley yelled in anger. "We're out of here!"
"You're not
going anywhere," said Darkao. "We must have your Pokemon!"
"No way, Jose," insisted Karl as he ran away.
"My name is not Jose. My name is Mandroph Darkao."
"Don't care, we're leaving," Kevin and Hadley ran off.
"GET BACK HERE!" the Rockets all yelled out.
Karl, as he entered the lobby, cried out, "Help! They're coming to get us!"
"High-rank Rockets are here, and they want our Pokemon!" Hadley added.
The crowd all broke into a mass hysteria.
"Come on, guys, let's get on an emergency boat and out of here," Daisy said fearfully.
---
Outside, the four entered an emergency boat.
"Let me on, too, I'm an expert." Misty had followed them and entered the boat as well. She lowered and released it.
Daisy turned the boat on, speeding away. "Let's get away from those guys."
"Missing a TM? I've got it right here," Kevin pulled out a small disc from his pocket. "While we were in the hideout, we searched a storage room and found it!"
Misty knew that it would be found. "Well, keep it. My Pokemon can't learn Dig anyway."
"Finders keepers." Kevin put the TM back.
The currents were very quick and rough. Water had frequently splashed into the boat.
Another boat had arrived. Oh, no. Not Team Rocket again.
Daisy, after being splashed by the seawater, was picked up by a Machoke.
"We got you! Come on, Lappy; let's get the others as well!" Becky called out Lapras, who shook its head.
"Come on, do what I tell you. Or I'm releasing you."
Lapras dove into the water.
"OK, buddy, you asked for it!" Becky crushed Lapras' PokeBall, freeing the Pokemon.
"It's just as well," Darkao said. "They're underwater now, and they've drowned. We've done it." They cruised off in victory.
---
Lappy saw that Karl, Hadley, Kevin, and Misty had fallen into the currents. Kevin and Misty swam toward it and hung on. Lappy rushed toward Karl and Hadley, who grabbed it. Then they returned to the surface. Team Rocket was gone.
"All right! We've fooled them." Kevin was proud of himself.
"They've got Daisy again." Hadley knew that they had to go and rescue her.
"We're reaching land, everyone," Misty said as they reached a long road.
"All right, then. Thanks a lot, Misty." Karl's breathing and heartbeat returned to normal.
"No problem, Red." Misty then departed on the long road back home.
Lappy was still at the shore. It didn't seem to be leaving any time soon. Perhaps since it no longer had a trainer, it wanted to be caught.