Downfall

by LuckyLadybug

Post-Series. When the Team Rocket organization starts to fall, it begins with little things.

Pokemon

Downfall

By Lucky_Ladybug

Notes: The characters are not mine and the story is! I wrote this in 2017, but never posted it because I thought it needed more and it was meant to be the next installment in a series I was doing and I wasn't sure where to take said series after this point. But reading it over now, it is a complete fic by itself. And I think it's actually pretty good writing, so I've decided to share it. Originally it was supposed to be a Classic Era AU, but I think now I want it to take place following the last season, since Ash gets to reunite with Misty and Brock there and I could say it happened again after the last episode. I'll just ignore the two Advanced episodes where Togepi evolves and leaves. I didn't like that anyway.

When the Team Rocket organization started to fall, it began with little things. The police learned of a scheme by Butch and Cassidy in time to apprehend them. Annie and Oakley were released from prison and someone anonymously reported on their ventures. Domino was fired from The Pokemon Institute.

Over time, the seriousness of what was happening began to increase. More large-scale operations were brought to a halt. Several laboratories were shut down and the badly traumatized Pokemon were rescued and relocated to Pokemon Centers and retreats. Many high-level operatives were arrested and charges with crimes that could not be refuted, even by Team Rocket's best lawyers.

Giovanni was certainly aware that something big was happening. He launched a full investigation into who could be sabotaging Team Rocket's plans, but without success. Although he recognized that there must be a mole, he could not uncover who it was.

Of course, that was because he was looking in the wrong places. Out of all of his thoughts on who could be responsible, he never once considered that it was who it actually was.

And that was how, little by little, Team Rocket's power began to whittle down and never ceased to diminish, no matter what Giovanni did.

xxxx

Ash and company were certainly amazed and puzzled by what had been happening over the past few months. Jessie, James, and Meowth continued to stalk and attack them as though nothing had changed, but every time they did, Team Rocket as an organization had crumbled a little bit more.

"You know, you guys should really see the writing on the wall," Misty remarked during one of their confrontations. "Team Rocket's falling apart!"

"That's right," Brock nodded. "Maybe you three should get out while you still have a chance."

But they always scoffed.

"The illustrious Team Rocket will never fall," Jessie said arrogantly.

"That's right," James nodded. "The boss is far too clever to let this mole destroy the organization he's worked years to build up."

"He probably knows who the rat is right now," Meowth nodded.

"Well, he sure doesn't seem to," Ash retorted. "Another laboratory was raided last night!"

"And it will be replaced by several more," Jessie purred.

Their conversations always went in circles like that these days. The trio's faith in Giovanni never faded, even as more and more of Team Rocket was dissolved by the law. Ash and company, finally realizing they would never face the reality of what was happening, gave up trying.

"I can hardly wait for all of Team Rocket to fall," Misty commented one afternoon as they ate at a sidewalk cafe. "No more agents stalking us!"

"And no more trying to get Pikachu!" Ash added.

"That'll be the day," Brock said. But he too realized it was coming.

"Gee, I almost feel sorry for them," Ash suddenly remarked. "What are they going to do with their lives when Team Rocket is gone?"

"I hope they won't vainly decide to keep following us around in the hopes of catching Pikachu and restoring Team Rocket to its former glory," Brock said in concern.

"No way. You think they would?" Ash blinked.

"I hope not," Brock said.

Misty rolled her eyes. "That sounds like them to me."

The trio in question was actually sitting two tables away, in disguise and overhearing everything. But if they had any comments to make, they kept them to themselves.

xxxx

It was an understatement to say that Giovanni was furious.

"What's going on, Domino?!" he snarled at his top agent while slamming a fist on the arm of his chair. "Team Rocket is falling apart! Why can't we learn who is responsible?!"

"We're doing everything we can," Domino retorted. "Whoever it is has access to all of our top-secret projects, information on agent locations, and what you ate for breakfast!"

"Then it has to be a top-ranked agent," Giovanni growled. "But who?"

"With all this going on, you're surely not going ahead with the summit meeting tomorrow," Domino frowned. "It could be dangerous to gather that many top agents in one place."

"On the contrary," Giovanni replied. "That meeting might be just the thing to flush out our enemy. If it is a top agent, we'll have the perfect chance to catch them red-handed."

Domino scowled. "You're the boss, but I don't like it," she proclaimed. "It could give that agent a chance to destroy you!"

Giovanni petted his Persian's head. "This has become a battle of wits," he said. "We shall see who destroys whom."

The Persian meowed in agreement.

Displeased, Domino turned to leave. "You're both too bloodthirsty," she muttered. "You're not looking at the whole picture."

But she was ignored.

xxxx

Professor Oak was very interested when Ash spoke to him about what was happening that night from the local Pokemon Center.

"So, Team Rocket is finally headed for its downfall," he mused with a thoughtful rub of his chin.

"It sure is, Professor," Ash said. "It's really weird. I mean, it's great that it's finally happening, but it's still weird."

"It is," Professor Oak mused. "And with those troublemakers still after you, you could be right in the thick of it. Just promise me you'll stay safe."

"I'll sure try," Ash said.

"Hey, Ash! Misty! Brock!" Tracey popped up at the side of the screen. "What do Jessie, James, and Meowth think about what's happening?"

"Oh," Ash sighed, "they just keep insisting their boss will figure out who's doing this and stop it."

"They sure have a lot of blind loyalty to him," Tracey remarked. "I wonder if he deserves it."

"He's an international crime boss," Misty said with a roll of her eyes. "Of course he doesn't deserve it."

"Well, what I meant is if he even treats his employees with respect," Tracey said. "They're always worrying about what he's going to think about their failures, but he never fires them."

"Yeah," Ash mused. "That is kinda weird."

"They probably don't tell him everything," Brock said.

Misty nodded. "If he really knew how many times we've beat them, they probably would have been out on their ears long ago."

"Well, in any case, they're certainly going to find their lives a great deal different if Team Rocket does collapse," Professor Oak said.

"We all are," Ash said. "But it'll be a good different."

"I can't argue with that," Professor Oak smiled.

xxxx

Even with Team Rocket being slowly dismantled, Ash had never really thought this day would come-but today Team Rocket Headquarters was falling apart.

"Something big must be happening," Misty noted as they all watched Officer Jenny speeding down the street of the current town they were in, leading a convoy of local police and Interpol agents towards the woods.

"Just like I thought!" Ash exclaimed. "Let's find out!" He ran over. "Hey, what's happening?!"

"We've just received information on where Team Rocket Headquarters is," Jenny replied. "It was delivered by a mysterious Growlithe at 8:03 A.M. We were also told that most of the high-level members are there today for a meeting. This is the best time to get them all, so we're going to raid it now. Move aside! This is going to be dangerous!"

Ash frowned. "I think we should go along," he protested.

"Ash!" Misty exclaimed.

"They won't want us there," Brock hissed. "Don't waste Officer Jenny's time!"

"Well, why shouldn't we be there?" Ash countered. "After all, who's been more plagued by Team Rocket than us? We should be there to see it fall!"

Jenny frowned. "I don't agree, but it's true that no one else has had more experience battling Team Rocket. I hate to say it, but you might be able to offer some pointers. Let's go!"

Delighted, Ash climbed into one of the police cars. Much less delighted, Misty and Brock followed.

xxxx

The new Team Rocket Headquarters building, constructed to replace the one Mewtwo had destroyed, was similar in some ways, different in others. Not that Ash had ever seen the original building to know the differences. This version, instead of looking more like a mansion or even a small castle, more closely resembled a skyscraper with a helicopter pad on the roof.

"So . . . how're we getting in?" Ash wondered.

"We're just going in," Jenny replied.

The police rushed the building from every door, their Pokemon in tow. Ash, Misty, and Brock ran in too.

The building was in utter chaos when they stormed inside. Alarms wailed and red lights flashed on and off. Some of the highest-ranked agents who were still free managed to flee into the surrounding woods, but most were apprehended and arrested. Eventually the only ones left were the trio and their shadowy boss, Giovanni.

"There goes Jessie, James, and Meowth!" Misty exclaimed, pointing as they fled down a hall.

"Those guys are mine," Ash vowed. He took off running after them before anyone could protest. "Team Rocket!"

They didn't slow down or stop until they came to a metal doorway. Then they stopped and turned.

"Well, if it isn't the twerp," Jessie remarked.

"Come to witness Team Rocket's downfall, have you?" James snapped.

"I'm here to bring you guys in!" Ash retorted. "Pikachu, you know what to do!"

Pikachu nodded and got into position. "Pika!"

"And after we get you guys, we'll help Officer Jenny bring in Giovanni!" Ash continued.

"I don't think so." Jessie shoved him back from the metal doorway. "This is a job for us, Twerp."

Ash stumbled, but quickly righted himself and glowered at his old enemy. "Oh yeah, sure. You'll help Giovanni escape!"

"Hardly," Jessie retorted.

"Who do you think has been feeding information to the authorities all this time?" James said smoothly.

"And is really responsible for everything that's happening here today?" Jessie added.

Ash's eyes widened. "No way," he gasped. Then he glowered. "I don't believe it. Giovanni's gotta know that somebody on the inside has been selling him out. You're just saying this to try to get away!"

"If that were true, how could we know that Officer Jenny received the directions to this building at exactly 8:03 A.M., delivered by a Growlithe?" James replied.

Ash stared at him. "If Team Rocket had had that information, they would have cleared out before the raid," he knew. "Instead, no one suspected anything!"

"Heh! We've been workin' against our old organization for a long time now," Meowth grinned. "We had to pretend everything was normal so's no one would suspect us! Not even the boss knows."

"We'd be dead if he knew," James shuddered.

"But . . . why?" Ash asked. "You always acted so loyal to him. . . ."

James brushed that stubborn strand of hair away from his face. "Let's just say we became aware of some high-level operations that we didn't agree with," he said.

"And we decided to do something about it," Jessie said. "After all, we're uniquely qualified."

"Double agents," Ash whispered, still unable to believe it. "You've been double agents!"

"Meowth, that's right! Now get outta here, Kid!" Meowth pressed a red button on his remote and the metal door between them started to slide down.

"No, wait!" Ash exclaimed.

Misty and Brock caught up to him just then. "Ash, come on, we have to go!" Misty cried.

"But . . ." Ash looked back to the metal door as it slammed into place.

"Ash, there's no time!" Brock practically physically moved Ash around and pushed him back down the corridor. "Giovanni's set bombs off all around this place so it will systematically collapse! Officer Jenny's Growlithe just found some of them!"

"What?!" Ash stopped running and turned back. "Brock, we can't go! Jessie, James, and Meowth . . . !"

"They're still in here?!" Misty exclaimed. "I thought they were heading for the exit!"

Ash desperately shook his head. "They're the ones who've been giving Officer Jenny and Interpol all their information!" he cried. "They've been working as double agents! They admitted it to me! They couldn't have known about the details unless they were the ones doing it! Now they ran back to get Giovanni and locked me out!"

Misty and Brock both stared at him. But the building rumbled and sent them tumbling before anyone could say anything more.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu yelped.

Ash barely managed to grab him before he sailed down the hall. Then Brock was leaping up and grabbing him. "We have to go!"

"But . . ." Ash strained against his friend, but in vain.

"They didn't want you to get hurt, Ash!" Misty said in desperation. "They know their way around here better than we do! We have to go now!"

Ash still didn't want to leave, but he had to admit Misty had a point. And he didn't want Misty, Brock, or Pikachu to get hurt either. Finally he gave a shaky nod. "Okay. Let's go."

Relieved, Misty and Brock ran on either side of Ash as they tore towards the exit.

xxxx

Giovanni emerged onto the roof, his Persian in tow. Good; the helicopter was in position. All they had to do was climb aboard and they would be free to go off and plot what to do next. Team Rocket HQ was falling apart, but as long as he was free, the organization would thrive. And he had no intention of being caught.

He still didn't know who the mole was in Team Rocket. And they had better pray that he never found out. He would not be merciful once he knew their identity. No one betrayed him or the organization and got away with it.

"Hold it right there!" called a familiar voice.

His lip curled in disgust and aggravation. "The last thing I need right now is for you clowns to screw up my departure."

"We know." Jessie stepped out from around the helicopter. "And I'm sorry, Boss, but prepare for trouble."

James came from the opposite side. "I'm sorry too, but make it double."

Giovanni stepped back, staring at his incompetent agents in disbelief. "What is this?!"

Jessie's eyes were both sad and determined as she continued. "To protect the world from devastation."

James looked less regretful than she did. "To unite all peoples within our nation."

"To denounce the evils of truth and love . . ."

"To extend our reach to the stars above."

Fed-up and frustrated, Giovanni ran forward and tried to get around them. "Stop this nonsense! Come with me if you want. I never thought you simpletons would be the last ones out with me."

Jessie stepped in the way and took one of his arms. "Jessie."

James took the other. "James."

"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light."

"Surrender now, or prepare to fight."

Meowth somersaulted down from the top of the helicopter. "Meowth, that's right."

"Wobbuffet!" announced Wobbuffet as he suddenly appeared from his Pokeball as usual.

Giovanni snarled, tearing his arms free of the agents. "I demand to know what's going on here!"

His Persian hissed.

Meowth shifted. "Well, Sir, you see, it's like this. . . ." He swallowed hard. "We sold out Team Rocket. And you."

Giovanni went stiff. For a moment he did absolutely nothing. Then he began to turn purple. This information was absolutely incomprehensible and outrageous. "WHAT?! YOU?! THE THREE OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?!"

"Yes, we are." Jessie grabbed for Giovanni again. "And we just dismantled the helicopter. We can't let you get away, Sir."

Giovanni snarled. "It's bad enough that Team Rocket is falling to pieces at all, especially thanks to it being an inside job. But now to learn that it was put together by the most unlikely of all my agents . . . !"

James smiled a bit. "For once, we did something without messing it up."

The roof started to crack underneath them.

Giovanni pushed them away and ran to another spot. "Perhaps, but now it is clear that you will never live to see the fruits of your efforts. We are all going to perish together." He sneered. "I can take a certain satisfaction in that."

"Well," said James, "at least we know we're leaving the world a better place."

"Bleeding heart," Giovanni jeered. "You were always too soft for Team Rocket."

The Persian hissed again and suddenly leaped at Meowth, who shrieked and desperately lashed out with Fury Swipes. The bigger cat fell back, clawed across the face, but then lunged again for Meowth's small body.

"No!" Jessie tackled the Persian around the middle and sent it flying away from Meowth.

"Jessie?!" James exclaimed.

Meowth stared in alarm. "Why did you do that yourself?!"

"I don't want to call out any of our Pokemon," Jessie said through gritted teeth. "Maybe they'll survive the fall if they stay in their Pokeballs." She got up, battered and scratched.

Meowth sniffled. "So you saved me, even though we're all gonna die in a minute anyway."

Jessie gave him a fond but sad smile. "I didn't want you to die that way."

"I don't want to die any way," James whimpered. "But . . ." He swallowed hard. "At least we're going together."

Jessie looked to him. "Yeah. And let's make sure we do." She held out a hand.

James took it.

Meowth wrapped himself around James' leg, while Wobbuffet hugged Jessie.

"Oh no you don't!" Jessie exclaimed. "At least one of us is going to make it out of this!" She took out Wobbuffet's Pokeball and made it pull him into it, despite his protests.

And the floor gave way.

xxxx

Ash, Misty, and Brock were still running. All around them, the building was still shaking and groaning as it started to come apart at the seams. They only barely managed to dive through the nearest outside door before the rest of Team Rocket HQ roared to the ground behind them. Brock pushed the others to the ground and threw his arms around them to protect them in whatever way he could until the debris settled.

Ash was leaping up as soon as the quaking stopped. "Jessie!" he called. "James! Meowth! Where are you guys?!" He coughed as the dust rose from the crumbled building and reached his eyes, making them water.

Everything was eerily silent.

Misty and Brock got up and went over to him. "I'm sure they got out," Brock said.

Misty's attention wandered. A gasp left her lips. "I don't think so," she said weakly.

The boys followed her gaze to the remains of a helicopter and a man in an orange suit sprawled near it.

"Giovanni," Ash remembered.

Brock went over to check for a pulse. "He's alive," he said in surprise.

"But he didn't make it out in time," Misty said quietly. "And that means Jessie, James, and Meowth probably didn't either."

"And they're definitely not on top of the debris, like Giovanni somehow miraculously is," Brock said, his voice grim.

"No!" Ash yelled. He ran forward and climbed onto a stack of broken and twisted metal and wood. "They've gotta be okay!" In desperation he threw one piece aside and then another.

"Pi-Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed.

"Ash, you can't dig through the entire building!" Brock exclaimed. "Search-and-rescue teams will be here soon. They're professionals! Let them do this."

"It might be too late by then!" Ash shot back. "Like you said, they're not on top like Giovanni, so they must be . . ."

He trailed off. The removal of another chunk had revealed a limp cream paw.

Misty gasped. "Meowth!"

"Or Giovanni's Persian," Brock frowned.

"It's too small for that!" Ash dug deeper, with Pikachu's, Misty's, and Brock's help, and soon revealed the lifeless form of their old enemy. "Oh Meowth. . . ." Gently Ash reached out and lifted the cat out of the rubble.

"He's so limp," Misty whispered, haunted by the sight of all the limbs and the tail hanging straight down. Even the ears and whiskers had fallen.

Ash trembled. "Meowth. . . . Wake up. . . . Please?"

No response.

A cry tore from Ash's lips as he crashed to his knees, sobbing over the dead ex-Team Rocket agent. "No. . . . Meowth. . . . Not now . . . not like this. . . ." He cradled the battered Pokemon with one arm while gently laying his other hand on Meowth's head. His tears splashed over the cream fur. "Why? . . . Why? . . ."

Pikachu hopped down and looked up sadly at Ash. "Pika . . ." He laid his front paws on Ash's lap.

Togepi stared, trilling sorrowfully at the scene.

Misty looked at Brock. "Oh Brock . . ."

Brock swallowed hard. "He didn't have a chance. . . ."

The debris Ash had loosed suddenly shook. A large cat leaped out, badly hurt but alive, and limped over to Giovanni. "Meow?" The Persian nudged his owner and then laid down next to him, his eyes resigned and sad.

Ash looked up through his tears. "Why did Giovanni and his Persian survive when Jessie, James, and Meowth didn't?!"

"We don't know about Jessie and James yet," Misty said helplessly.

Brock narrowed his eyes and walked over to the debris. He dug deeper, throwing chunks of metal and wood far away from them as he prayed for a miracle.

Somehow it wasn't a surprise when he started to dig to red and blue hair at the same time. Typical of the strange friends, Jessie and James had been clutching each other in terror when the building came down. Wobbuffet was hugging them both.

Brock rocked back, sickened. It looked so sad to see them like that, knowing they were . . .

Misty came over to him. "Brock? . . . Oh." She set Togepi down and hurried to finish the job Brock hadn't quite completed. She sniffled, unsuccessfully blinking back tears as she cleared the rest of the rubble away from them. "Poor Jessie. . . . And James. . . . And Wobbuffet. . . . They were probably trying to stop Giovanni from getting away in the helicopter when the building crumbled under them and they fell. . . ."

Ash forlornly looked up. "They're dead too?"

Misty nodded. "I wonder why Meowth wasn't with them. . . ."

"Probably thrown free in the fall," Ash said. He shakily got to his feet and plodded over to where Misty and Brock had been digging. Clenching his teeth against a sob, he bent down and laid Meowth's small body on both Jessie and James. "They should be together. . . ."

"Pikachu," Pikachu said softly.

Togepi walked over to him and trilled, sad and confused.

"Pika-Pika," Pikachu answered.

Ash brushed an arm across his eyes. "We never knew they were the ones feeding the police that information to bring down Team Rocket, until they told me just a few minutes ago. . . . I wonder how many times they helped out and we didn't realize. . . ."

"There were a lot of times when they helped out and we did realize," Misty said.

Brock nodded. "They were our enemies for so long, yet they came through when we needed help."

"Even when they didn't really want to admit it," Ash said with a weak smile.

"They saved your life today, Ash," Brock said.

"Yeah," Ash said quietly.

"Maybe they were afraid they wouldn't make it." Misty brought her hands together. "Wherever they are now, I hope they find peace."

Ash and Brock copied her gesture. "Goodbye, guys," Ash whispered.

Pikachu and Togepi were also holding their hands together. "Pika," Pikachu said.

Togepi started to trill, then suddenly perked up and scrambled forward into the debris.

"Togepi!" Misty exclaimed. "What are you doing?! You're going to get hurt!"

Togepi slid down and shook Jessie and James as best as he could with his little hands. When he didn't get a response, he did the same with Meowth and Wobbuffet.

"Oh Togepi," Misty said sadly. "They're gone."

But Togepi didn't give up. He shook them again and again, until Misty's heart broke and she reached and lifted him out of the hole.

"They're not going to get up, Togepi," Misty told him. "They can't."

Togepi looked up at her in confusion, trilled, and looked back at the ex-Team Rocket agents.

The stirring of the two humans stunned the mourners. "Oh . . ." Jessie groaned.

"What happened?" James mumbled. "Did we make it?"

Ash was staring with wide eyes. "You've alive," he gasped.

"You really did make it," Misty breathed.

Brock was also stunned. "We all thought you were dead."

"So did we," Jessie muttered.

"Wobba," Wobbuffet mumbled.

Jessie started. "How did you get out again?!"

"He wanted to die with us," James sniffled.

"I think maybe Wobbuffet saved you," Brock said. "He may have used a move like Counter to try to keep the majority of the debris from hitting you."

That gave Jessie pause. "Really, Wobbuffet? Did you do that?"

"Wobbuffet!" said Wobbuffet.

But they all quickly realized that something still wasn't right. As they slowly sat up, Meowth slipped and fell into their arms.

"Oh no," Jessie whispered.

"Meowth. . . ." James gazed at the furry member of their team, heartbroken to see the closed eyes and lifeless paws.

"He pushed us away when we were falling," Jessie said. "He thought we might stand a better chance landing in a different location."

James nodded. "But it didn't save him," he said, cradling the little cat.

"He didn't land with you guys," Ash said. "I dug him out first. . . ."

"The Persian grabbed him again as we fell," Jessie remembered.

Ash swallowed hard. "So . . . did the fall kill him . . . or did the Persian?"

"Does it matter?" James said forlornly.

A weak "Meow" startled all of them.

"Meowth?!" Jessie cried.

The large blue eyes slowly opened. "We're okay?" Meowth mumbled.

James laughed for sheer joy. "We all are now," he agreed. He hugged Meowth gently.

Jessie joined the hug. "We all made it," she said in relief and awe.

"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet exclaimed. He hugged them too.

Meowth looked overwhelmed and thrilled to have so much positive attention. He hugged them all, a happy purr rising in his throat.

Ash beamed. Without really thinking about it, he ran over and hugged them all too.

They stiffened, staring at him. "What . . ." Jessie started.

". . . Is this for?" James finished.

"For a lot of things," Ash said. "Right now, I'm just really glad you're all alive and safe."

They looked at each other, shrugged, and returned the hug.

It was time.

xxxx

They were gathered at the cafeteria in the Pokemon Center, former enemies and current . . . well, they weren't sure what they were.

"What made you guys decide to turn against Team Rocket?" Misty asked.

"Well . . . it was shortly after that whole mess at St. Matthew Beach," Meowth said. "We was tryin' to figure out what to do with our lives and we ended up accidentally stumbling on some of the Pokemon experiments The Black Tulip was in charge of."

James nodded. "We saw that a lot of the Pokemon . . . didn't survive," he said softly.

"You really didn't know Team Rocket did things like that?" Misty said in surprise.

"We knew they experimented on Pokemon, but we never really thought about it being fatal for a lot of the weaker Pokemon," Jessie frowned. "We didn't know the experiments were deadly."

"Or maybe we just didn't want to know and pretended it wasn't so," James sighed. "We also didn't know that the boss intended to kill anyone who opposed him if he succeeded in taking over the world. We found that out when we accidentally stumbled on some files we weren't supposed to see."

"That's scary," Ash said.

"It doesn't surprise me, though," Misty grumbled.

"Giovanni thought the mole had to be a top-ranked agent because of all the information they had access to," Brock said. "How did you three even get it?"

"We were more highly-ranked than we've been in the past," Jessie said.

"We may have . . . erm . . . exaggerated our involvement in some of the past catastrophes to make ourselves look better," James said.

"So we had access to more stuff! And what we still didn't know, we found out!" Meowth grinned. "One of my talents is hacking into stuff. After we found some of that out by accident, we figured we'd better deliberately see what else we didn't know. And when we decided the old team just wasn't for us anymore, I kept doin' it!"

"Well, good for you, Meowth," Misty blinked.

"We did know all along that Team Rocket wasn't a good organization to work for," James said. "We've known that from the beginning. When we joined, it seemed the only place we could turn to."

"And we tried to make ourselves believe its ultimate goals would help the world," Jessie said.

"Then when we wanted out, we didn't know how to get out or where we'd go if we left," Meowth said.

"Which . . . is still a problem," Jessie said slowly.

"Well, Officer Jenny said you'll have immunity because of your help in bringing Team Rocket down," Brock said. "You'll need to testify in court, but you won't have to go into the Witness Protection Program since Giovanni is under arrest."

"That certainly helps," James said.

"But how the heck are we gonna figure out how to live honest?" Meowth worried. "I know we kept doin' good things, but we also kept tryin' to be bad. Are we really gonna be able to get that out of our systems?"

Ash bit his lip and looked down. "Maybe if you had an example to follow. . . . Or several. . . ."

"Pika?" Pikachu blinked at Ash.

Misty stared at him. "Ash, what are you thinking?"

"I think I know," Brock said.

"Excuse me," Ash mumbled. He pulled his hat low and got up, walking over to the window.

Misty, Brock, and Pikachu quickly followed him. Team Rocket stayed where they were, puzzled, and shrugged.

"Ash, what is it?" Misty asked as they approached.

"Are you thinking of asking Team Rocket to throw in with us?" Brock wondered.

Ash heaved a sigh. "I'm not sure. I mean, yeah, I guess I kind of wondered if we could teach them how to be honest . . . or if we should. . . . Like, we were always fighting to protect the world from them when they were trying to be bad, and maybe if they want to turn over a new leaf I kind of wonder if it's our responsibility to help them so they won't cause more trouble, even without meaning to. . . . But that's a really big commitment and we all have our own goals we're working towards already. . . ." He leaned against the window. "But . . . if we don't help them, who will? It's not like anybody else would."

"Hmph. And I don't see why we should either," Misty objected. "They should be able to figure out for themselves what they need to do."

"It's not like they don't know how to be honest," Brock agreed. "I think it's more that, at least until they've really got the hang of it, they could use some positive influences around to keep them from falling back into their old ways."

"And that has to be us," Misty sighed.

Togepi trilled.

"Pikachu . . ." said Pikachu.

"Well, it doesn't have to be," Ash said. "But if we don't do it . . . are we going to feel right about it? Am . . . I going to feel right about it?"

"That's a decision you'll have to make for yourself, Ash," Brock said. "But for the record, I'll support you in whichever one you make."

Misty's shoulders slumped. "I will too," she conceded.

"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded.

Ash smiled. "Thanks, you guys." He hesitated a moment, then turned, heading back to the table. The Team Rocket trio was still watching him in confusion.

"What was that all about?" James asked.

Ash looked at them again. "I never thought in a million years I'd consider it, and I don't have a right to ask, if the others aren't okay with it . . . but . . ."

"Hmm?" Team Rocket regarded him in confusion.

Brock nodded. "It's alright with me."

Togepi chirped.

Misty frowned a bit. "Well, I still don't know how it would really work, but if you think it would, we could try it."

Ash smiled. "Come with us," he offered to their former enemies. "We'll show you how to live honestly. And maybe along the way you'll find the paths in life you want to take."

They stared at him.

"You mean it?" James gasped.

"After all we did to you guys?" Meowth exclaimed.

Jessie looked suspicious. "What's the catch?"

"No catch," Ash said, shaking his head. "We're not enemies any longer. That doesn't mean everything's forgiven, but . . . I want to move on." He held out his hand.

James took it first. Meowth laid his paw on top of their clasped hands. Jessie, still frowning and unsure, finally relented and placed her hand on Meowth's paw.

"This isn't going to work," she said.

"That makes two of us who think that," Misty remarked. "But . . . let's try it." She laid her hand on Jessie's.

Brock added his.

Togepi was thrilled with the idea. He happily waved his little hands before laying one on Brock's.

Pikachu also looked doubtful, but he was willing to give it a try when Ash was willing. He added a paw.

Ash smiled. "Great! Welcome to the team, Team Rocket! . . . Wow, that felt weird to say that."

"It felt weird to hear it too," Misty said.

"For us too," Jessie said.

"But it's nice," James smiled. "We have a chance to start over, Jessie! It's what we wanted."

"I just wonder how well it will work to start over with the people we've hurt countless times," Jessie said.

"That was when we were on opposite sides," Ash said. "We're not now. So maybe it'll work."

"We'll see," Jessie said.

xxxx

Deep in the woods, the group of escaped Team Rocket agents stopped running and looked back towards their destroyed headquarters.

"What are we going to do now, Domino?" one female agent asked.

Domino narrowed her eyes. "We're going to start over," she vowed. "Team Rocket will rise again, as Team Phoenix. I will lead us to victory. And those idiots are going to be sorry that they've put me in charge."

"They must not be as stupid as we always thought," a male agent pointed out, "or they couldn't have destroyed us from within over a period of months."

"Well," Domino smirked, "so we underestimated them. I won't make that mistake again. And, I'm sure, neither will Giovanni. He won't be in prison forever. We'll get him out when we're strong enough. And meanwhile, I'll hold the reins." She pointed deeper into the trees with her tulip staff. "Let's go."

The remnants of Team Rocket vanished into the night. They would later rise from their ashes, but for now they would quietly sink into the darkness.