Author's Notes:

It was mentioned in a review that it was strange Lt Surge would use an Ice type Pokémon. He favors electric type, and most of his Pokémon are electric type, but that doesn't mean he can't branch out. Even Brock had some diversity in his line-up. Don't expect all the Gym Leaders to strictly stick to one type like Misty. Besides, it makes the matches more interesting!

Leaving Vermilion

Jet waited impatiently as Surge's lawyer piled his winnings on the table. After the chaotic match between Jet and Lt Surge, the former was unceremoniously thrown out of the Gym and told to leave the premises. After three days of arguing over the phone, many tears from Mrs. Surgio, and the threat of legal action on Jet's part, the Lieutenant finally agreed to meet with Jet along with his lawyer.

Jet did not bring legal representation to the meeting, as there was no need. "I understand things did not go as planned during our match, and that was regrettable," Jet began, "but that was an official league Gym challenge. The terms of the match were agreed upon by both parties before the battle begun. You chose to end the battle before it was finished. That was your forfeit, not mine."

Surge angrily retorted, "I cancelled the match due to my Beartic's injuries; that was not a forfeit! I don't owe you squat!"

Surge's lawyer added, "Except, of course, your down payment for the challenge. It will be repaid in full."

Surge nodded, "Yeah, there is that."

Jet shook his head, "Your lawyer isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the box, is he? What kind of law do you practice? You can't cancel a match once it has been started unless agreed upon by both parties; especially a league gym challenge!"

Surge's lawyer said in an affronted tone, "That's preposterous! As Gym leader, my client reserves the right-"

Jet pulled a folder from his bag while the lawyer talked about his client's rights. Jet then pulled a paper from said folder and placed it in front of the two men, "Read it."

Both Surge and his lawyer looked down at the document in front of them while Jet spoke, "I can do research too. To summarize, unless both parties agree to post-pone or cancel a battle, if one party was to end the match before it is decided by the agreed upon terms prior to the battle then it counts as a forfeit."

Jet leaned forward and said forcefully, "I did not agree to cancel the match, or post-pone it. You forfeited! Now either pay me what I'm due, or I will be forced to inform the League of your failure to cooperate. Do either of you two ass-clowns know what the penalty for not paying the victor his due winnings are? Anybody? Top of your heads?"

The lawyer looked nervously at his boss, who simply glared at Jet with pure hatred. Jet glared right back and continued, "Suspension of your trainer's license, confiscation of all your Pokémon, and loss of training privileges until the sum is paid in full. Now," Jet sat up straight and said in a threatening manner, "we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way! Either way, I will get paid. I will get that badge. And I will be named victor."

There were a few moments of silence. Then, Surge turned to his Lawyer and said, "Go to my wife. Tell her to write the kid a check. Tell her to get him a badge and one of the TM's for Spark. Be quick about it."

When Surge's lawyer left, Surge stood up, "You know, I had that Beartic for over four years now. Got her when she was only a Cubchoo; anniversary present from the Mrs."

Jet didn't say anything, so Surge continued, "Puny little thing, it was. Never used her in Gym battles. The wife's thinking was that it would help against any rock or dragon types anyone tried to use against me. Took a long time to train her to evolve. Got her at level twenty five, I think." Surge smiled to himself when he said, "I was so proud when she evolved last month."

Jet stood up too and said, "I really am sorry for your loss, Lieutenant."

Surge looked over at Jet and said, "She survived. The defibulator worked. She'll never battle again, though. Severe trauma; can't even walk."

Jet said nothing. Surge continued, "You got skill. There is no denying that. When I read in the paper about you being a ruthless trainer, I thought it laughable. But then I battled you in a real match."

Surge moved closer to Jet and said in a quiet voice, "You shouldn't be allowed to train Pokémon. Those monsters of yours are as vicious as wild beasts, just trained to fight better. If I could, I would take away your license and lock you up. A path of death awaits you kid."

Jet felt his heart sink upon this statement, though he could not explain why. "You don't know a damn thing about me! So full of yourself! You really think you're better than me don't you?"

Surge drew himself up to full height and said, "Yeah, I really do."

Jet shook his head, "You're just deluding yourself."

The door opened and the Lawyer came in. He handed Jet's winnings to Surge, who then turned to Jet.

"As Leader of the Vermillion City Pokémon Gym, I hereby award you with the Thunder Badge. This badge is proof of your victory here. You have also earned this TM for Spark. It is a medium power Physical attack that uses electricity to paralyze your opponent. And finally, this check has been earned by defying the odds of my Gym and proving yourself victorious." Surge spoke in a monotone voice as if he was reading from a script. After handing Jet his prizes, Surge then sighed and said, "Now get out of my face, and pray we never meet again."

XXX

The next day Jet woke up early so he could leave Vermilion far behind him. After packing his bag, showering, and getting dressed, he headed downstairs to check out. The plan was to head back to Cerulean and see Misty again. From there, he really had no idea where he wanted to go but was leaning towards Chestnut. Maybe I should go home after Cerulean, he thought to himself, at least until after winter.

Upon entering the lobby, Jet noticed two very familiar faces walk through the front door. He stopped dead as he realized that those two familiar faces were Jessie and James from Mt Moon. His heart began to beat extremely fast. Why were they here? They couldn't be looking for him, could they? After all, his face was plastered all over the papers a week ago, they could have easily deduced where he'd be staying. But why now? Would they try anything?

Maybe they just came to buy supplies or heal their Pokémon? It then occurred to Jet that there Pokémon were probably stolen from some trainer. Jet thought back to the incident at Mt Moon and then again to when his Pikachu was shot. Suddenly, all he could feel was anger and hatred toward the pair that just walked through the door, They should not be allowed to walk around freely! As the pair approached the reception desk, Jet decided he was going to find out exactly what they were up to.

He walked up to the reception desk behind them. James was already talking to the receptionist, "If you could just tell us what room he's in it would be a great help."

"Well, I can't tell you that but I could call his room and tell him to come down."

Both of the Rockets looked at each other, and Jessie said, "Actually, it's more of a surprise thing."

So they are looking for me! Jet thought to himself. The very thought pissed him off even more, "Surprise for who?"

Both of the Rockets quickly turned around at the sound of Jet's voice. Jet smirked, "Well if it isn't Jessie and- your name is James right?"

"Uhh…" James began; Jessie simply leered at Jet with a look of pure contempt.

"You know," Jet began with the air of trying to start a polite conversation, "usually I'm pretty bad with names and faces. I have to meet someone a few times before I can recognize them." Jet then added in a more serious tone, "Not you two though! You made a hell of an impression."

Jessie gritted her teeth, "That so?"

Jet took a step closer to her, "It is. Hell," he added with a grin, "I'd be able to pick the pair of you out in a police lineup any day!"

James looked nervously at Jessie. The receptionist, slightly confused, asked James, "Umm, is everything ok, sir?"

"Yes, ever-" James began, but Jet spoke over him, "Just catching up, that's all. By the way miss, I'd like to check out of my room, please."

The receptionist looked up at Jet in surprise, "Oh… Yes, of course! Name please?"

Jet walked past Jessie and James to check out with the receptionist. James turned to Jessie and said in a low voice, "What now? We can't exactly put a gun to his head in a crowded lobby!"

Jessie whispered back, "That's what he's counting on, the cocky little shit! We have to get him outside without drawing attention to ourselves!"

"How the hell do we do that?" James whispered angrily, "I don't exactly see him coming with us willingly!"

"Ok, thank you for staying with us," the receptionist smiled at Jet, "We hope we see you again!"

"Thanks," said Jet while putting his trainer card away in his wallet. He then turned to Jessie and said, "So, I'm curious; exactly how did you two get out of Mt Moon?"

Jessie put on a fake smile and said, "You know what? How about you step outside with us and we'll tell you all about it!"

Jet however, acted as if he didn't hear her, "Because I remember the place being surrounded by cops. Weren't you naked? How did no one notice you?"

Jessie suddenly lunged at Jet, but was held back by James, "Calm the fuck down!"

People all around the lobby began to stare. Jessie paid them no attention, "I'll kill you, you little shit!"

The receptionist quickly picked up the phone and said, "I'm calling security!"

Jet turned to her and said, "You might want to call the cops too. These two are members of Team Rocket."

Jessie screamed, "Let me go James or I'll kill you too!"

"Jessie," James yelled, "We have to get out of here!"

Jet grinned and said, "Really; what was your plan anyway? Kidnap? Execution? Why are you here?"

"Jessie, come on!" James said, forcefully, "You're making a scene!"

Jessie elbowed James and said, "Let go, god damn it! I can walk myself!"

James let go of Jessie's arm. Once free, she turned to Jet and said, "I hope you're enjoying yourself, because I don't care what the boss says; I swear to god I'll kill you myself!"

Jet smirked, "Take out your gun and do it now, then. What are you waiting for?"

"Jessie!" James yelled, "Let's go!"

Jessie, however, spoke in a deadly voice, "Oh no, I'm not going to kill you now! I'm going to find your family, and kill them first! Then, I'm going to get your little red headed bitch, and slit her throat right in front of you!"

"God damn it, Jessie," said James almost pleadingly, "shut up and let's go! You're drawing attention to us!"

"You made a huge mistake, threatening my family," Jet said in a low, deadly voice, "See, before I just despised you. But now? You just made me your enemy."

Jessie laughed, "And I'm supposed to be scared of you kid? Give me a break!"

James yelled his partner's name again, "JESSIE!"

Jessie turned and saw security guards marching there way. She then looked at James and said, "Let's get out of here!"

They headed for the door without another word. Jet, however, ran in front of the door, blocking their exit. "You're not getting away that easy," Jet said, taking off his bag and throwing it aside, "You'll have to go through me!"

"Fine!" James yelled as he lunged at Jet. The security guards saw the commotion and charged in to break up the fight, but James was already on the ground; he had been closed-lined by Jet. One of the security guards looked from Jet, to James, to Jessie and asked, "What's going on here?"

Jessie pointed at Jet and yelled, "He attacked us! Grab him!"

Jet immediately put his hands in the air as a sign of surrender and said, "She's got a gun! Both of them are members of Team Rocket!"

"That's ridiculous!" James said breathlessly as he stood up from the ground. Jessie exclaimed, "You just saw him attack that poor man! Grab him!"

Jet however, said, "Call the cops! Let them sort this out! These two are wanted criminals responsible for the cave in's at Mt Moon last month!"

The security guards looked at each other in confusion. One of them, evidently the one in charge, said, "Ok, none of you three move! Don't say a word! The cops are on their way!"

Another security guard pointed at the glass door and said, "They're already here, Bob!"

And so they were. For at that very moment, an officer stepped out a squad car that had just parked in front of the Pokémon Center. Jessie watched the cop get out of his car in horror, and decided there was only one way out; make a run for it.

Leaving her partner behind, Jessie ran towards the "Personnel Only" door next to the reception desk. James yelled, "Wait for me!" And followed suit. Neither made it to the door, however, as both was tackled by the Pokémon Center Security.

"God damn it!" said Bob the security guard, "Hold those two for the police! And will someone please get this damn crowd to back the fuck up! The boss is going to have my ass for this shit!"

XXX

Jet found himself sitting in an interrogation room, waiting to be questioned for the third time. The room was empty save four chairs, a table, a security camera, and a two way mirror.

Jet was not in handcuffs, but his bag and pokeballs were being held in another room by the police. The cops had found a couple of nine mil pistols on Jessie and James. Upon search of their car, they had found several pokeballs holding stolen Pokémon, a stack of cash in the glove compartment, and two shotguns in the trunk.

It was this evidence that made the cops believe Jet's story and kept him out of handcuffs. The only reason they still held Jet there, is because someone from DCI was coming to get a statement. Jet wanted the cops to get as much information as possible to put Jessie and James behind bars. More than ever, however, he just wanted to leave Vermilion and just get on with his life.

The door opened suddenly and Jet was surprised to see the same guy that questioned him after the sinking of SS Anne walk into the interrogation room. He sat down in front of Jet and asked, "You again, huh?"

Jet leaned back and smiled, "Yup. Me again. You're from DCI, right? Special Agent- help me out here?"

"Morales," the fed responded with a frown, "You seem a lot different from the last time we spoke."

Jet sighed, "Well, I was only half conscious at the time. So how does this work? You guys have my written statement-"

Morales nodded and said, "We do. I just want to get a few details from the source itself." Morales leaned forward and asked, "Why did you approach the two suspects if you knew they were dangerous criminals?"

Jet shrugged, "I had a hunch."

"A hunch?" Morales repeated disbelievingly, "You want to explain that to me, kid?"

"Well," Jet started off slightly irritated, "If you read my statement then you would see that I figured they wouldn't pull a gun on me in the middle of a public place. The organization, from what I read anyway, prefers to fly under the radar. I figured their friends wouldn't like it much if they drew attention to themselves."

Morales seemed unconvinced, "But you would draw attention to yourself?"

"Well, yeah." Said Jet as though his it was only logical, "I figured they were looking for me. I could either a; hide and wait for them to find me. Or I could b; fight back."

"Mhm," Morales sat up, "And this was your idea of fighting back?"

Jet huffed, "They're in handcuffs aren't they? They're going to jail, right?"

Morales sighed, "It's not that simple, kid. These two have already had run-ins with the law. They have friends in high places. Nothing ever sticks."

"What?" Jet asked angrily, "But you found stolen Pokémon in their car!"

Morales let out a sarcastic laugh, "Their lawyer will say it's just circumstantial evidence!"

"You have witnesses!" Jet said standing up from his chair. "That's a little more than circumstantial! A witness testimony will stand in court!"

"Calm down, kid." Morales said dismissively, "They committed no crime in the Pokémon Center. The only thing that we maybe, (and that's a big maybe), could get them on is the stolen Pokémon in their vehicle."

Jet, however shook his head, "What about what happened at Mt Moon? I witnessed that! My friend Amy witnessed it too! Hell, a geologist doing a study in the caves at the time was there and he saw everything! What about that!"

Morales looked as though he were thinking about what Jet just said. Jet laughed and said, "Wait a minute, wait a minute! You mean to tell me that it didn't even occur to you to charge them on that? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Morales stood up angrily, "It did occur to me! I just forgot you weren't the only witness in that cave! I didn't work that case!"

Jet rolled his eyes, "Whatever dude."

Morales pulled a note pad from his jacket and asked, "Could you give me the names of the other witnesses?"

Jet sat back down and sighed, "Amy Oak. She's staying in Goldenrod right now."

"What about the Geologist?"

"His name was Seymour." Jet said, rubbing his eyes.

Morales frowned, "You don't know his last name?"

Jet sucked his teeth, "He was the only person at the time of the accident that had a permit to be in those caves. Plus he filled out a witness statement after we escaped! Do some police work! That's your job right? To investigate and solve crimes?"

Morales dropped his note pad on the table, "I don't like your attitude, kid!"

Jet stood up again, "Yeah, well I don't care for you much either. We're done here."

Morales laughed, "No we're not!"

"Yes we are!" Jet said forcefully, "unless you're going to charge me we something."

Morales' smile faded into a frown. Jet walked toward the door and called back, "If you need me to testify in court, the cops have my email. Otherwise, go fuck yourself."

Jet walked out of the interrogation room and shut the door behind him, leaving Special Agent Morales standing with a blank look on his face.