Hello everyone, you must be so surprised to see a new chapter for 50,000 Volts before your very eyes, but it's true, the story is back! The last update I made was in February 6, 2017...a very, very, long time ago. I can't stress how sorry I am for abandoning this story for so long: between that date and now I was just finishing up College, setting up my life, and actually began writing my first professional novel titled "EarthMoon: Journey of Exiles." Now I am back!

I made a promise to myself very early on in the development of this story, that I would finish it and I would finish it strong! Well, that's exactly what I'm going to do! It may take a while, but I am determined to give you all a conclusion to my most beloved fanfic.

A reader by the name of "Johnnyapple" actually tried to continue the novel during my absence. I honestly was inspired to come back and update the story because of them, so please thank them! I actually used some of their ideas for this chapter, so yea XD I hope you don't mind!

Anyways, I recommend that you all re-read the fanfic from chapter 1 to get up to date with what has happened so far.

Here is the latest chapter, and we finally return to Lucas and Orion after 5 years of absence (I know...I can't believe it myself!) When we last saw them they were captured by two Team Rocket grunts at Rigel's house a few days before/during chapters 34-38; however, Rigel and Charmeleon stopped them before they could fulfill their evil deeds, but it came at a price…

Enjoy this next addition to 50,000 Volts!

...

A quiet song echos throughout a sandy beach below sunset-covered sky. The sound of a guitar, soft percussion, and string violins can be heard throughout the area, also accompanied by the gentle crashing of waves against warm sand. Flying overhead are the last gulls for the day as they prepare to return to their nests past the sand dunes. Below them are two creatures, two humans, resting on the ground: holding hands, and close enough that they welcome each other's warmth and protection. Their hands lock in place and she rests on his shoulder. They watch the sun sink below the horizon in silent bliss.

...sailing…takes me away…

...just a dream and the wind...to carry me…

...and soon I will be free…

I open my eyes and the dream ends abruptly...and reality returns to me just as quickly. The same song from my dream turns out to have come from the speakers above. I look around and remember where exactly I am...the hospital lobby. I look down to see my small, stubby, yellow paws...I'm still a Pikachu. I give a low sigh in response...it was just another dream of her...

"Jen..." I shake my head before I look next to me. The thought of Jennifer goes away as thoughts of somebody else invades my mind. Orion is beside me...still awake...and still showing the same face of dread since the whole incident. It seems as though he had been unable to sleep, but I can't blame him...who can? His face shows everything to me...he is in deep pain...he is just completely broken right now...and the rest of the family shows the same emotion. Across from him is George, Rigel's father...his hand is bandaged and bloodied...and I'm not exactly sure why...but he did try to ask us exactly what happened. I tried to explain the best I could that Orion and I were captured in the bag when everything first happened. The authorities seemed to explain better than I could though, "Team Rocket" they said...but he already knew in his heart who it was before they even gave the answer...but denial gripped him too much. No matter how hard he tried to deny it...his seemingly perfect life came crashing down all around him, and now George too was overwhelmed with grief...his hands covered his face.

I couldn't believe it myself at first...when they took us out of the Team Rocket bag in the hospital I saw, with my own eyes, just how bad everything was. The T.V. above us showed pictures of the house...half of the house...burned away…gone...completely destroyed...the air around us was rife with questions and not enough answers…

Who were those people from Team Rocket...how did they find us...and why did they go so far as to do what they had done?

It's because of them Rigel is now in intensive care...and we were all overwhelmed with heartache. The kid never deserved this...he never deserved any of it...I may have gone through some tough crap these past few weeks...but Rigel suffered just as much...if not worse than all of us. Rigel just got into the middle of it all and got hit because of it...and now he was hurt. He was already suffering from asthma, but now he had this...

His mother was still in there…crying beside his bed, arms crossed...head hidden...trying her damn best to comfort her son as he struggled on. Orion and I weren't allowed in due to safety reasons...so much of what we could see in there were glimpses but they were enough to strike dread in both of us...

Now it was night-time, hours after the confrontation and there was nothing to do but wait...and hope...hope for the best...hope for an absolution to come. I look out the window...it is snowing, a little more than earlier today, but it was everywhere in Viridian City. The leaves on the trees are still green as it were summer though…but it's something I remember from my days as a kid. I honestly didn't have it this bad as a kid. Sure, I only had my mother since my brother and father were at the war, but I still had an eventful childhood, despite not becoming a Pokémon trainer…

At this point it was selfish for me to even think about Bill...we were supposed to go tomorrow...and hopefully I was supposed to reunite with my own family afterwards, but all that isn't relevant anymore...at least right now...no matter how hard I try to tell myself how important it was. I am staying by Orion and Rigel's side...I want to see him get well again…hopefully things will be better tomorrow.

...

Chapter thirty-nine: Rigel

I woke up to the sound of the nurse coming in to give me medication for the pain and to check on the small machine keeping me alive and stable. My mother is resting in the armchair by the wall, she hasn't really left the room since getting here. And from what she told me, dad is watching over Orion and Lucas outside in the lobby, with the authorities close by just in case...they told me some guy was going to be asking questions once I get better...if I get better…was I going to get better? That man...that...Team Rocket grunt...was on top of me, choking me...but he's gone now. They told me they put him in jail…I'm just glad Orion and the others are okay and that maniac is behind bars.

I briefly look towards the counter where a Pokéball rests idly. Charmeleon, he must have blown up the house...but he saved us nonetheless. They must have put him back into his Pokéball after everything happened. I guess I'm just thankful to be alive and surrounded by my family, people that I know and trust. But Lucas...how did they find us? Why did this have to happen to us? Did you know about this...no...he told me he didn't belong to Team Rocket...how would he have known if he has been a Pikachu anyways? I doubt they could have g…

I widen my eyes with all of my strength…could it be that they put a tracker into his body...maybe while we were unconscious inside the prison cells at the outpost? Could they have put a tracker inside all of us!?

Ugh...I'm too weak to think anymore for right now...I just...can't...

Morning comes by in what seems to be a fraction of a sec after closing my tired eyes. Out the window the sun is about half way up the sky, but it's covered by grey clouds: snow still falling outside. The sound of what appears to be cars and sirens can be heard too, but an even louder sound of the nurse gets my immediate attention. I slowly, with pain, turn my head to face them. It turns out that dad is right behind them, but mom is nowhere to be seen...maybe she went outside?

"He's stable, his body has been reacting well with the treatments" the nurse explains as my dad steps in closer, putting his hand on the covers, "Hey champ, how are you feeling?"

I give a little smile, the best I can of course.

"We're bringing breakfast to you Rigel, how does yogurt sound?" she asks and I give a slight nod of approval before she checks my vitals one last time, "we'll have that up for you right now" the nurse adds before leaving, closing the door behind her.

From what I can see Dad is holding on to mom's coat, he rubs the back of his scalp, "your mother is out smoking, she'll be back soon. I ah...I'm going to take Orion and Lucas to get something to eat, they seem famished. They're really worried about you son" He goes for the door to open it again, "Ah...I'm not supposed to let them in but...a minute won't hurt...let's just keep this between us, okay?" As soon as the door opens, dad quietly calls for them and they quickly enter with him closing the door again. My Pikachu jumps on the bed easily and goes to hug my head as I let him. His yellow fur brushes against my skin as I welcome his embrace. Gosh...it's only been a day almost but it feels like forever since I've seen him. Orion has a face of total genuine commiseration, so too does Lucas, who is lifted off the ground by my dad and placed on the bed. They both give eyes of sorrow yet relief to see me, Lucas even places a paw on my arm, nodding, "R...Rigel..." he says softly. I still can't get over his ability to talk now, and it was getting better with the passage of time. His tone of voice is, without a doubt, just as genuine as Orion's Pokémon language. How could Lucas be a spy, work for Team Rocket, he wouldn't have cared about me...he probably would have run off...but no...he's here...he's not a bad person...my time with him is proof of that.

"I'm so...glad you guys are okay" I say underneath my mask.

We finish our reunion as dad pulls them away from me, "sorry guys but they could come in here any minute, I'll get them to see you again later Rigel" I don't object, I understand, but the very short time with Orion and Lucas was more than enough for me. I catch one last glimpse of them as they cutely wave goodbye. I weakly raise my hand to them in a return gesture. Dad closes the door and returns, "Rigel. You're very brave...you are probably the bravest person I've ever known, and I mean that. You're selfless too" he nods softly, "I love you son, we all do, and we'll help you every step of the way."

...

I'm glad we were able to see my trainer Rigel, even if it was just for a short time. It was enough to fill me with energy again. I sensed from him that he is staying strong during all of this and that's what matters. Lucas walks up to me and pats me on my shoulder, "your 'dad' was awesome for letting us see Rigel. He's a great kid, Orion" he says to me. I simply nod and smile back to the other Pikachu, "I know."

My human mom returns shortly afterwards, giving off that strange odor that some humans have when they 'smoke'. She opens the door and we can hear what seems to be coming from a television set; maybe Rigel is watching cartoons or something? Nevertheless, dad comes back out as the nurse arrives carrying a small plate of yogurt and fruit.

"Thank you" he says as she takes it to Rigel. Dad walks to us and sighs softly, "Don't think I forgot about you boys" he gives a slight chuckle, "Let's head over to the cafeteria and get you breakfast."

It took us a few minutes but we ended up in the main building of the hospital, and the three of us were now in a large room filled with humans and other Pokémon, though most are our size or slightly larger. The place is clean and bright and orderly. We stand in a line that goes around, and basically covers all areas that serve food. The first station dad grabs a big tray for all of us and we follow him down the line to where the dairy products are. Lucas asks for cheese and I do the same, so the human gives us some simple slices of cheese on plates. Next, we go through the hot foods: we get pancakes for all of us. Then we get some drinks: Oran and Pecha berries for Lucas and I while dad gets coffee, which I admit I had a liking to on several occasions. He gets condiments for all of us and pays. Finally, the three of us sit in a booth among other people having their daily breakfast. I have to say the food wasn't half bad, but I was only eating because I had too...I am still overcome with worry and dread. I knew I wasn't the only one; we just sat here and ate our food mostly in silence.

It might have been to get dad's mind off the pain of thinking about Rigel's condition or maybe it was a show of kind gesture to him. Or maybe: it was to get us out of the mood we were in, but once we were done eating dad grabbed Charmeleon's Pokéball from the room and asked us to accompany him again. We set out in his car to the Pokémon center. Once we arrive we follow him to the counter and he checks Charmeleon in at the front desk for treatment. The same pink-hair woman from days prior shows up and takes the ball. It doesn't take long for them to heal the reptile, so we leave very soon after. Lucas and I thought we'd head back to Rigel and mom, but dad takes a detour. He turns his head back to us while we sit in the back, "we're heading to a store before we head back."

And so, a while passes by: snow blankets the ground and streets, and people walk by wearing heavy coats. It takes a while to get where dad is taking us due to traffic and the weather, but we finally approach what seems to be a fairly large store for humans. Once we get off and enter the building Dad, Lucas, and I are surrounded by a crowded showplace: where there are at least a few hundred shoppers and Pokémon passing by us. Father leads us through the store, "we're going to get gifts for Rigel" he simply tells us. Lucas and I feel our hearts swell by this kind gesture, so we don't waste any time trying to find what would cheer Rigel up. We went to a section of the store that displays gift-greeting cards and other stuff that one usually gives to somebody on the holidays or special occasions. We look thoroughly through the shelves and it does not take long to decide on what to get.

Dad gets an assortment of items such as a teddy bear, some toys, and candy in one basket. He also obtains a "get well soon" card as well as an envelop to go with them. Me and Lucas quickly decide on a fruit basket in the meantime. Once we got what we need we head to a register and then outside again. It doesn't take long to return to the hospital and ultimately to Rigel. Dad gives a wholeheartedly "thank you" to us both before he gives Rigel our gifts (along with the now healthy Charmeleon.) Upon the boy's inspection, he sees that we all had signed the card along with mother's signature. Rigel could actually tell who's handwriting belongs to who at this point, and his eyes swell when he sees Lucas and my handwriting: thanking him for being the best and wishing for a speedy recovery. We watch for the doorway as our parents let Lucas and I in to hug him, if only for just a minute, but...like before...the seconds were worth it for me.

...

Some days pass by, they bled into one another seamlessly and it got to the point I didn't know how long it has been since the incident at the house. I was transferred to another section of the hospital: they told me it's because my condition has gotten better since and it's true, I no longer required a mask to breathe and my swelling and pain had since diminished. Still, they said they'd keep me here for probably another day or two, just enough for them to make sure I am ready to leave healthy. I haven't really been able to talk much since losing my voice, but it's recovering...just enough for me to talk, at least for a bit.

The cops were anxious to talk to me, all they've heard from was from mom and dad, but they wanted the story from my perspective: they wanted me to explain everything, and I wasn't really sure how I was going to tell them. Should I tell them about Lucas...and how he used to be like us...or how he has the ability to talk like us? Should I tell them about the base deep within Viridian...well...they knew about it already anyways...it's been all over the news. But they probably don't know who's really responsible...I do remember watching the news with Lucas and Orion, the news showed that crazy scientist lady, in handcuffs, being sent to jail. I forgot her name...but Lucas...he has to remember her...

Nevertheless, today they're coming back, anticipating an interview with yours truly. I had told my parents to tell them I was finally well enough to talk with them. I was actually told by mom that they had allowed her and dad to rest at a hotel, and they said I would be moved there once I get out of the hospital. I'm not sure how to feel about that...but I assumed they were doing it for our protection. To be honest, I am getting tired of being here anyways...

Around the afternoon after I have had lunch, they walk in...with dad and the nurse right behind them.

"Good day Rigel, how are you feeling today?" the nurse asks as I nod, "better, my throat still...*ow*...hurts..."

She nods to me in understanding before moving away, "I understand. Rigel, these are detectives Dean Kilde and Hideo Yoshida"

The young adult, Yoshida, alongside the slightly older, Kilde, both men wearing black suits, greet me and I greet them back in return. The nurse leaves us, heading out the door.

"Thank you for allowing us to talk to you Rigel. I'm sorry this had to happen to you, but we're here to help you the best way we can" detective Kilde opens the conversation. Both men take out notes and pens and get ready to write information down. Dad stands opposite of them, crossing his arms, and rests against the counter behind him.

"Your parents explained to us a while back about your run-ins with Team Rocket and how they stole your Pokémon. The people who attacked you have been confirmed to be members of the organization." Detective Kilde says.

"Tell us, what happened that day inside the house?" Detective Yoshida begins with the first question.

"I..." I rub my throat as pain. The nurse and dad jump in but I hold a hand out to stop them, "I...was playing with my Pikachu…in the...backyard…when we...were done...I went to put the toys away...and get something to drink in the kitchen...that's when I saw them outside...both of them…a man and a woman...looking through the window."

The detectives write down the information as I continue, though I still feel pain every time I talk:

"they entered the house...uh...um...they had guns...filled with syringes...I went into the library and called for help...they went upstairs as I went back outside to find both Pikachu inside a bag...I...tried to carry it...maybe go down the street for help...but it was too heavy and I couldn't get them out easily. So...I went back inside to look for something to free them, and that's...when I saw Charmeleon inside his Pokéball...then I was tackled...but…I managed to release my Pokémon and I guess...a fire started because of him...one of them threw some kind of smoke bomb...I guess it happened while I was running away…but I heard Charmeleon's attack...and then everything blew up..."

"Hmm, the male grunt explained to us what it was he used during questioning...it must have been a chemical reaction with your Pokémon's fire attack that caused the explosion" Detective Yoshida explains.

"What happened to that lady grunt? If I remember...she was...in the same room as Charmeleon..." I ask them, and they seem to look at each other in response, but they soon collect themselves and answer.

"She's hurt, but she is currently being treated for her injuries. Rest assured, both persons will be prosecuted and sentenced, and your information will prove vital during the trial." Kilde says, "Rigel...what can you tell us about Team Rocket? Is there anything you'd like to share with us regarding your encounters with them?" Kilde adds.

This is it...my time to tell them...but would they believe me if I told them about Lucas...about everything?

"Well...where do I start? Like you said before...they stole my Pokémon, namely my Pikachu." I begin.

"Give us info, such as...their appearance." Yoshida asks, his voice appears raspy, maybe it's cause of his heavy accent?

It was two people...they were young...but definitely older than me...one wore a black and green jacket...I think...but he definitely had a yellow guitar on his back...the other was a girl, taller than him...but none of them wore Team Rocket uniform...that's all...I remember about them." I stop for a second...thinking to myself...should I tell them of the girl's ability to use fire from her hands? Screw it…

"But...the girl...she...h"

"What?" Kilde asks, moving closer to the boy.

"...this will sound crazy but she used fire from her hands like she was a Pokémon!"

I expect the worst, cringing at my own words no matter how true they were.

Unexpectedly, Yoshida and Kilde look at one another and nod, "I think your descriptions match a similar pair found in Celadon City" one of the detectives explain while I give a look of surprise, "whaaa?"

But then, I vaguely remember the headlines from days prior...a fire started in that city due to a Team Rocket member…

"Yes, it's a surprise to us too, but there have been similar isolated incidents throughout the area. So far, no one knows how they are mimicking Pokémon" Yoshida tells me as I look with disbelief, gosh I guess they are taking it pretty well...wait...wasn't I told about this at Team Rocket's base...Lucas…

I explain to them how I went into Viridian Forest to find my Pikachu...up until that point I didn't realize it but I needed to tell them…

"It's a crazy story...but I ran into the same people who took my Pokémon and I was taken into their base...some insane lady...she had…long hair...brown...I think...she wore these round glasses, had a labcoat on...I think she was talking about being part of some kind of experiments with some guy who was with her...I don't remember what he looks like." I explain the best I can.

"Can you try to remember their names?" Detective Kilde asks, rubbing his chin.

"I ah...I don't..." I slowly shake my head in response.

Dad listens closely to the conversations going on, but up to now, unknown to me, he was thinking about what Lucas had told him inside the house's library...he suddenly remembers what the mouse wrote on paper...Giovanni is the leader of Team Rocket. Of course he didn't want to believe it at first, but maybe now...maybe with what's going on...and what Lucas had told us…

"Giovanni" dad says quietly before the men turn to him.

"What" Yoshida asks.

"Giovanni...Rigel told me. The man is responsible for everything" I didn't tell dad that...wait...was he covering for Lucas, is that why he is lying?

The room falls silent for a second before I add, "he wasn't there dad...but..."

"Giovanni the gym leader?" Kilde raises an eyebrow at this.

"He told me something else...the lady he described...Bar...Bari?" Dad sort of remembers the other name that Lucas wrote down.

"I'm not sure that was her name, dad" I do a momentary facepalm at this.

"Sarah Bartoli?" Yoshida says out of nowhere as we shrug, "because your son's descriptions of the lady scientist matches that of her. We found her to be a high-ranking member of Team Rocket. From Bartoli we found her connections with the gym leader: Giovanni" he says as Kilde nods in approval. Dad and I just look with confusion, so maybe Lucas WAS right about Giovanni?

"Unknown to the public we had been closely observing Giovanni for several months now. It seems as though he and a multitude of thieves had been running an operation all over the Kanto region. Team Rocket have been stealing Pokémon from trainers and from the local wildlife to use in robberies and other criminal activities" Detective Kilde tells the both of us, "Though, we didn't have proof of his illegal activities until we recently stumbled upon an outpost in Viridian City."

"That must be the one I was in! It looked like a prison, they were holding Pokémon there, they had to have been stolen!" I shout before I grab my throat in pain.

"No doubt. He is the Team Rocket leader we've been looking for all this time" Detective Yoshida adds.

Unknown to dad and I, there was actually a secret raid on a Team Rocket hide out in Celadon City's game corner by the police, which thanks to information found there...lead them to the Viridian Gym. The authorities raided the location just a few days ago...but there was no sign of Giovanni.

"What puzzles me is how these grunts managed to find you at your home" Kilde asks, almost to himself.

I thought about all the possibilities, how they could have simply just kept their distance...but the girl grunt...she looked similar to the waitress at the restaurant in the Ingleis Mall...maybe they had been watching us since our escape from the Viridian Forest...that's when I remember what I thought about days prior: a tracking device...it sounded crazy but what the heck this entire conversation has been pretty nuts!

"Me and my Pokémon were unconscious at some point inside their base...this is going to be so far fetched...but...could they have maybe...put something in us...to track our movements?" I asked.

"Rigel..." dad retorts but one of them men interjects, "perhaps, but the doctors would have found any such device in you" Yoshida tells me.

"What about my Pokémon?" I add.

"We could order a search to be done on them, if that is alright with you?" Kilde says back. I simply nod back, it's for the best...we have to be sure…

And so, a few more minutes pass by before the detectives' leave, satisfied, before dad and I are left alone. It wasn't long after that they took Orion, Lucas, Charmeleon, and Mankey to a separate facility on-site. Despite Lucas protesting, dad explained to him what was to happen and he understood. My Pokémon were taken in Pokéballs while Lucas was sent in with father. After a few hours, the tests came back POSITIVE...there was indeed a tracker inside one of us...and it actually was Lucas...why would they do it? They said Orion and I would be let go before the whole chaos at the base...why did they put a tracker inside Lucas? That lady scientist...she wanted to take Lucas with her...is that why?

It takes about a day but they harmlessly remove the black device from Lucas and he is treated very quickly after the procedure, and is given back to us by the staff. Soon enough, I am declared healthy enough to leave the hospital by the end of the first week, and am given medication to quell the swelling and pain. I am escorted into the deepest part of Viridian City, to one of its busiest and luxurious sections: where a hotel is...and where I will soon be joining mom with dad, Orion, my other Pokémon, and Lucas…

I'm just glad to be finally out of the hospital...maybe things will be better for us now...I hope.

...

Annnnnd there we go: the end of the chapter, I am so happy that I got to continue this story, I felt like I did a lot of people wrong by disappearing for such a long time, but I'm back! The next chapter might be out in a few days, I got the whole plan worked out on how the rest of the story will go. I might reach some people for help in deciding the FATE of Lucas: should he stay a Pikachu, or should he change back, etc.

Props to anybody who caught that Detective Pikachu (Hideo Yoshida) reference near the end of the chapter. I kind of figured that he'd be younger here (since the movie is like 20 years after the original anime), maybe he's in his 30s here? Anyways yea, I hope you all enjoyed this recent addition of 50,000 Volts, there are more to come!