Hi readers! Happy 2024, I can't believe that we've made it this far. Cheers! The next few chapters will be the first time the stories (Lucas and Ansel story-arcs) converge again since Volume I.

…

Chapter sixty-five: Plea Deal

The green military train disappeared from the horizon, leaving its former passengers behind to dwell on the consequences of their actions. One person had been saved, but the other…I didn't have time to dwell on it for too long, however.

"Ansel…" I could hear mom mutter as she looked at me…placing a frail hand on my face to feel it. I sighed, feeling relieved and yet disappointed: I probably felt like a disappointment to her…after everything I did. I guess I realized that after so long…all this happened because of me. Yet, all I heard from her was, "I'm so thankful you are alright."

I looked to her reading, you're not angry at me. And it seemed as though she understood my expression without difficulty.

Michael!

That is when dread filled me again because Arcanine had found Leila's brother nearby. My mother and I heard Leila shout as the latter tried to attend to her older sibling. Arcanine sat idle across from her, making sure the coast was clear while Holo scanned the area above.

I gave a look of worry to my only surviving family member, a grave expression in fact, "Michael is going to get sick, mom…that Grunt stabbed him with something…I've seen what happens to people when they get it. Leila here BARELY…" I stopped myself, realizing just how dire this might all seem to Michael in particular.

There was really no way of knowing what would happen to him: whether he'd turn into a Pokémon like Lucas, die of rejection, or gain powers like my partner, Leila.

The thirty-year-old's pain-ridden form had ceased, it didn't look like he was undergoing a transformation. From prior viewing of the tape given to Ansel by Doctor Bartoli: transformations from subjects were typically fast…it happened within minutes of being administered. So then, that meant he would most likely get sick…

Then came his blood type…if he is O+…there is a high chance he'll end up like his sister: with Pokémon abilities. Regardless, our group was now dealing with a dilemma…what to do.

Ultimately, I limped over to help Leila as my mother stood behind us in slight shock and confusion. I called out my Fearow to guard her in the meantime. The girl I dedicated my life to looked in my direction, placing a hand on my shoulder…with a face that screamed despair descending into utter hopelessness. I had to be there for her somehow…but how? What could I do? As far as I knew, Doctor Bartoli NEVER made an antidote or a vaccine of any kind…as far as I knew this stuff was irreversible!

Ultimately, in the midst of everything…we heard sirens approaching…as well as the sound of helicopter blades. We knew it was over.

All I could do…was sigh deeply as we are quickly surrounded by the Celadon authorities, and we are forced to surrender…

…

We are all escorted back to Celadon City…to a police outpost (their precinct seems to have been one of the targets hit as were other places throughout Kanto.) Our Pokémon were forced back into their Pokéballs (not to mention our weapons and such like my taser and baton…not to mention my new guitar with them…) and Holo was forcibly shut down and taken away as well. Michael was taken into ICU at a local hospital not too far away while Leila, my mother, and I were interrogated separately.

It was about twenty minutes until someone finally came in to talk to me. By then, I was already fed up. After introducing themselves to me, they tried building a rapport, but I had no wish to get friendly with them.

Ultimately, I realized just how dire my situation is…Leila and I are probably going away for a long this…this is it…why bother fighting anymore? I just answered what was asked by the end of our interaction…

I was ultimately taken into a separate room. Once the door opens and I am led inside, I see Leila sitting in the middle of the interrogation room. Across the chamber there is a video monitor…a PC used to communicate with others (many are found in Pokémarts and Pokémon Centers.) The screen was on…and being displayed where two men were seated looking at us. They were two detectives, all the way from Saffron City.

As I am seated next to Leila (who is silent) and I am introduced to the adult men: Hide Yoshida and Dean Kilde.

"These are the ones?" Kilde inquired before the officer behind us (who was on guard) nodded.

"I see…" Hide muttered softly through the CRT screen, "you two managed to evade the law for so long, but now your days as fugitives has come to an end" Dean Kilde stated, almost in a stoic manner.

Leila simply looked away…you could sense the apprehension…but also the contempt she had for the authorities. Everyone, even the detectives, knew how strong Leila was, which is why her arms were bound with metal braces and she was under watch.

I sighed, "well, you have us…honestly…after everything: I rather be in your custody than Team Rocket…" Both men in suits hid a smirk behind their neutral faces: we were NOT expecting what they had planned for us.

"So, it is true then, you both defected?" Kilde asked, crossing his legs, folding his arms too. Hide next to his partner had his hands joined, but soon he moved closer to the screen…waiting for the response from one of us.

"Hell yeah…" I muttered softly.

Leila got even more impatient, however, "look, just book us and be done with it! We all know how this ends…" She suddenly blurted out, making me jump a bit at her gesture. I could swear I felt heat coming off her, but it went away shortly after. I think she's starting to get the hang of controlling her fire abilities. I had attempted to calm her. Inside, however, I felt like this was all mind games rather than just protocol…what exactly are these two detectives trying to do? Could it be cunning misdirection? If so, what exactly do they have planned for us both?

"I have more questions for you both" Yoshida retorted, "you both know Verdigris…correct? You know what lies within the 'abandoned' resort?"

Leila and I ultimately looked at one another…we both knew exactly where this conversation was leading. Inside, I wanted to tell them…

"Leila…or as she was known as…Km…and I made frequent trips through the region…through a compound close by called Outpost 3C 273." Leila looked at me, surprised that I am coming clean and admitting to everything. I told them about the secret routes leading into the forest and toward Verdigris (including the Research Base where Km and I were primarily stationed deeper in Viridian Forest.)

"Then you possible know how to find the others?" Kilde asked, leaning forward, anticipating a lead.

"I know…and so does she." I said with complete confidence.

"Ansel…no…" I heard the girl across from me beg but I shook my head, "we should end this, Leila…" I said to her, "for everyone…"

She stayed silent for a few moments, still bound despite everything. She did want revenge, but she also didn't want to be some kind of lackey for the authorities. Then again, she figured there wasn't any point in debating the nuances of loyalty and integrity with herself. Ultimately, she gave a deep, winded, sigh and nodded back:

"For Michael…"

I nodded, turning back to the PC displaying the detectives, "if we agree to help, will you help her brother Michael?" I asked. Giving a fierce glare to them. They didn't respond emotionally…instead keeping professional despite this, "he's currently being treated. He is receiving the best care as far as we've been told" Kilde stated.

"We cannot guarantee you will not be punished for your crimes. But you can bring closure to all of this" Yoshida, with a very heavy accent, added.

I sighed, we'd just be delaying the inevitable, but they're right, as much as I hate admitting it: this all should end…

"I'll do it. We can show you everything where they are in Verdigris, assuming Rk and the others didn't move elsewhere."

I looked toward Leila, who was hesitant still, but she eventually caved in, "fine…"

"We will meet in Viridian City later this afternoon" Kilde finished as the video feed ceased and the monitor shuts off. I lean back against my chair, sighing deeply while Leila had a look of shock and disappointment.

It felt like it was over for the both of us, but we should at least make things right…go out with one last bang before the curtains fall, eh?

Either way, Leila and I are escorted out of the building and chauffeured into a helicopter while under supervision (and in handcuffs.) Holo was brought with us, although he was kept off, and we were placed in cuffs. We are flown across the Kanto region toward Viridian City to meet up with the two detectives.

I sat silently in one of the cold, hard, seats of the chopper: letting my mind flood with past images of our time with Team Rocket, our eventual betrayal and our escape…and the pains that came from it. Rage builds up inside me from all the abuse and lies I was subjected to during my time there; however, I also thought of the wonderful moments with Leila and Michael inside the haberdashery…and my rage disappears.

Maybe a simple life like that can still be in our grasp…think optimistic Ansel…maybe helping the cops can lead to great things…you never know? I thought to myself.

It'll probably make me feel a lot better knowing Team Rocket might finally be snuffed out…once and for all…

…

Rigel couldn't take it anymore. He had enough of this waiting game: Lucas and Jennifer were probably in trouble and we're on our way to Verdigris…where it all began.

The two detectives left him in a police hideout as they left to conduct business with the Ex-Grunts. The young teen couldn't believe it, maybe he was the first to see how everything was coming full circle…who knows? His Pikachu, Orion, certainly felt the same anxiety his trainer/brother was experiencing. Both couldn't just sit idly by…do nothing.

Their parents still hadn't shown up, and it wouldn't be a day or so before they would reach Saffron City from Cerulean City/Bill's Cottage via car. And now, the detectives went and left them both!

"This sucks…we can't just sit here and do nothing!" Rigel stated in frustration to his Pikachu in particular. Orion nodded in agreement, standing up from a small chair he was sitting on, "I bet we know more about what's going on than they do!"

Orion, this time, didn't return the same confidence: he hesitated, giving quite an amusing face in the process.

"Right?" The teen begged his Pokémon to agree. Silence followed and the fourteen-year-old sighed, "either way, we've got to contribute somehow! We can't just stay on the sidelines, 'ya know!"

"Yeah…" Orion said in Pokémon speech, folding his yellow arms in response and nodding once. The mouse just hoped if they were to somehow make it to the others they wouldn't get captured again (that's getting old, like cartoon t.v. shows with recycled material.)

And so…Rigel decided to do something he'd gotten used to doing for the past 2 months since being in the Viridian Forest: escape.

While the agent tasked to look after him was distracted, Rigel opened the window leading outside. He was about ten-stories off the ground, nothing to break the fall…no way to climb down…or is there?

He ducks to be eye level with his Mouse Pokémon and said quietly, "I got a crazy idea, buddy…you up for it?"

Orion grinned, not carrying if the idea was dangerous or not…he lived for the thrill. Being in this place, a place so miserable to be in for so long…knowing your friends are in danger…he couldn't resist. "Always" Orion squeaked, nodding his head.

"Alright then, come on, bud. On my shoulders!" Rigel directed before the rodent ran up the teenager's back and rested on him. The boy faced the window again and took a deep breath, taking out a Pokéball. He needed to time this perfectly, or else…

With no further delay, and fear that the agent could catch them at any moment, the teen jumped out the window and started falling, with his Pikachu hanging on tight. They both yelled, though it was hard to tell whether it was from fear or from joy. Rigel released threw the ball toward the ground and his flying-type was summoned. The "dragon" caught them midair just in the nick of time! The duo landed on Charizard, and the beast began climbing in the air towards the sky as Rigel/Orion cheered. The trio soon broke the cloud cover and were met with the glow of the morning sun.

"Charizard, we need to get to Viridian Forest, back to Verdigris…think you can take us there?" Charizard just gave a silent mental nod. He made a dive to follow a path leading out of the city and toward train tracks leading west from Saffron City.

For the time being, both Rigel and Orion would enjoy the view and feel a sense of freedom from their actions. They wanted to set their own path, their own destinies, and now they gave in to the excitement of youth and urge to prove oneself. Yet, they both felt a sense of duty…thoughts that compelled them to help their friends. It would take a while, but hopefully the trio can make it to Lucas and Jennifer on time. Rigel himself didn't care if he would get in trouble with his parents or the detectives…he wanted all of this to finally end.

And the end was coming…the final showdown.