Chapter 12

"Dinner at the Ketchums"

After another day of restoring the Viridian City Palace of Justice, we left that night knowing that everything was going according to plan for the most part. Amanda and I were driven in a chauffeured limousine to Pallet Town which was not too far from Viridian City. It was here that Amanda's friend, Ash Ketchum lived with his mother and his Pikachu. In fact, Amanda's decision to have us stay with Ash and his mother proved to be a wise one, knowing that a majority of hotels were going to be booked for the trial.

"This is it," she said, as we drove up to the house. "Did you think that we were going to sleep on the streets?"

She patted me on the shoulder as we laughed and got out of the limo and grabbed our bags before going up to the front door where Ash and Delia Ketchum were waiting for us.

"Amanda," said Delia, extending out her arms. "It's good to see you again after so long."

"It's good to see you again too, Delia," she said as she hugged her and Ash. "This is my boss, Jeff Schneider, who is running the trial."

"So, we finally meet," said Ash, shaking my hand. "Amanda has told me so much about you and I have always admired your cases."

"And I have admired you and your desire to become a Pokemon Master," I said. "I must say that you sure have come a long way."

Just then, a Mr. Mime came over and grabbed our bags before carrying them upstairs. I had forgotten that Delia had a Mr. Mime that did housework around the Ketchum residence.

"Don't worry, Jeff," reassured Delia. "Mimey is so good with things. I'm sure he will take care of your bags."

"I hope so," I said nervously as we walked inside the house. We then walked over to the living room and sat down on the couch, where Amanda took off her high heels.

"That felt good," she said, taking them off her feet. "My feet are killing me."

"I'm sure that you have a few long days ahead of you," said Delia as she prepared dinner. "This trial is going to be big from what I have heard. How many people are going to be on trial anyway?"

"We've decided on 40 men and women," I replied, before turning to Ash. "And Ash, the two Team Rocket agents with the talking Meowth that tormented you and your friends repeatedly are among those that will be tried."

Ash took a sip of water and looked over towards me with a worried glance, with which I was surprised to see coming from him. After all, Jessie and James tormented Ash the most and to see a worried reaction from him made me feel concerned.

"Why are you trying Jessie and James?" asked Ash worriedly. "I know that they have tortured me and my friends on a consitant basis, but don't you think you should be leinant towards them?"

"Pika, Pi," added Pikachu.

"I am afraid Ash that Jessie and James may have played a role in several terrorist attacks, including both the 9/11 attacks and the 9/11 airliner bombings. If we find them guilty, then they could pay with their lives."

Ash turned white as a ghost upon hearing those words as Delia finished with preparing dinner. Amanda placed her hand on Ash's leg in an effort to calm him down.

"Jeff," he replied. "I need you to know that they have helped us out in the past despite the fact that we are enemies. You must understand that."

"I do, Ash," I said. "But, Amanda and I are the ones prosecuting them and it's the eight judges who will decide the eventual outcome. So, I am afraid you are just going to have to wait while this trial plays out."

"Jeff is right, Ash," added Amanda. "You need to trust us on this one. We are in a position to eradicate crimes against Pokemon once and for all. You and your friends will never have to worry about Team Rocket or its affiliates ever again when all is said and done."

Ash wasn't sure about this, but he had to trust us and what we were assigned to do and that was to bring justice to the people who lives were snatched in terror attacks caused by Team Rocket and their affiliates.

"If you can at least convince the judges to give them a life sentence," said Ash. "Then that would be happy for me."

"Now, Ash," I replied in a fatherly voice. "I am a prosecutor, not a defense attorney. It is up to them to speak to the judges about that, not us. So, we need your cooperation on this matter, understand?"

"I understand," sighed Ash as we went to dine on Steak and Salmon that Delia had made for us.

When we went to bed that night, Amanda and I were still dumbstruck by why Ash would want us to be light on Jessie and James.

"Something must be keeping Ash from realizing the full truth," said Amanda as she changed out of her skirt suit. "Jessie and James are criminals and they must pay for their crimes."

"All we need to do is make them answer for their crimes," I said, getting into one of the two guest beds that were provided to us . "Then maybe Biddle and the other judges would give them maybe a sentence of life imprisonment. But, it's our job to get justice for the terrorist victims and we cannot allow little distractions like this to ruin what we have to do."

"I agree," said Amanda. "Ash is going to have to discover the truth eventually of what is going to take place."

She then yawned as we both turned out the lights and went to sleep, knowing that the trial was going full steam ahead, but Ash would have to learn that people need to pay for their crimes and Jessie and James were no exception as well as any of their other defendants for that matter…