Author's Note: Hey, fellow readers! Happy New Year! Here is the next chapter! Just a few more before we head to the next season!

I don't own Pokemon or its characters, but I own Denise and my other OCs

Enjoy!

Pokemon: Friends to the End

Chapter 144: The Treasure Is All Mine!

In a Forest…

In preparation for the Daybreak Town Contest, Dawn decided to battle Ash with her Prinplup against his Monferno.

Denise, Combusken and Brock stood together to watch the battle.

"Alright! Let's go!"Ash remarked. "Monferno use Flamethrower!"

Monferno blasted out a Flamethrower to hit Prinplup.

"Quick, Prinplup!"Dawn called out. "Dodge it and use Bubble Beam!"

Prinplup dodged the Flamethrower and fired Bubble Beam towards Monferno.

"Monferno use Dig to dodge it!"Ash ordered.

Monferno tried to use Sig to avoid Prinplup's oncoming Bubble Beam, but the match stopped when his hand got hit when he uncovered a buried treasure chest.

The Playful Pokemon cried out in pain as he ran around holding his injured hand.

"Monferno, what's wrong?"Ash asked.

"Pika?"Pikachu said.

"What's going on?"Dawn questioned.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"It seems that Moferno hurt himself somehow."Denise complemented.

Combusken spotted something on the ground and pointed at it.

"Combusken!"Combusken said.

The group followed Combusken's gaze and saw a small treasure chest buried within the ground, where Monferno dug.

"Wow!"Ash remarked. "It's a treasure chest! Cool!"

"Pika pika!"Pikachu cheered.

Brock picked the treasure chest up from the ground to check it.

"Yeah."Brock agreed. "And it's really well made."

"It could be filled with tons of jewellery inside."Denise replied with a hint of excitement. "What do you think, Combusken?"

Combusken smiled. "Combusken?"

"Whatever's inside, must be worth a lot."Dawn suggested.

"Prinplup!"Prinplup agreed.

"Brock, come on."Ash insisted. "Open it."

Brock tried to open the chest, but wasn't able to.

"Whoa."Brock responded. "It's stuck tight."

"Let me try it."Ash suggested.

Brock handed the treasure chest to Ash, but he wasn't able to open it either.

Then Dawn and Denise each took a turn to try to break the treasure chest open, but it was too strong.

"Oh dear."Dawn commented. "None of us can open it."

"It's obvious the person who buried this treasure chest, didn't want anyone to open it either."Denise stated with a small frown.

"So, what should we do with it?"Ash asked.

"I think it's best if we bring to Officer Jenny."Brock suggested.

"Ahoy there!"

The four trainers and their pokemon see three pirate-like figures have appeared from nowhere.

"Treasure chest is our middle name!"Meowth chuckled.

"We're the Treasure Chest Gang!"James declared holding a rose. "And I never met a chest that met our chesty charm!"

"And right now, trust us with our treasure chest and we'll have it safely in the arms of Officer Jenny!"Jessie added.

Jessie attempted to take the treasure chest from Ash, but he refused to give to her.

"Hold on a second!"Ash protested.

"You trust us or else-"Jessie growled.

"Who are you guys?!"Ash demanded.

Team Rocket began reciting their motto.

"That's rude! But if I tell you, your head will explode!"

"Though it's more fun reciting this mode!"

"Enough secret code!"

Team Rocket removed their disguises to show their true selves to their enemies.

"You three again."Ash sighed in disapproval.

"Toss the treasure, twerp!"Jessie demanded.

Ash looked at Pikachu.

"Okay Pikachu, time to use Thunderbolt."Ash ordered.

Pikachu nodded at his trainer before firing Thunderbolt to send Team Rocket blasting off.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF ONCE AGAIN!"Team Rocker screamed and disappeared in the sky.

The heroes then continued their journey with the treasure chest in their possession.

"Man, what's in here?"Ash asked. "I really shouldn't care, but it's kinda eating me."

"Me too."Dawn agreed.

"You two aren't the only ones, Ash and Dawn."Denise chuckled. "I'm always hungry for secrets and opening a treasure chest is usually one of them."

Suddenly Team Rocket appeared in front of the heroes, much to their dismay.

"Ugh."Denise scowled in annoyance. "Not you clowns again."

"What do you guys want?"Ash questioned.

"That treasure chest is mine!"James declared. "I buried it here back in my youth!"

"You think we would believe that none sense?"Dawn scoffed.

"Yeah."Ash agreed. "Like we will fall for that dumb lie."

"It's the truth."James assured with a desperate look. "You got to believe me."

"Alright."Brock answered. "If this treasure chest is yours, you should be able to open it."

"Brock is right."Ash agreed and held the treasure chest. "Open it and we'll believe you."

"I accept your challenge."James declared.

James walked forward while Meowth and Jessie watched him.

"He sounds like he knows what he is doing."Meowth remarked.

"About time for a change of pace."Jessie answered.

"Come on!"James shouted arrogantly. "Open up!"

James tried to open the chest, but wasn't able to causing Meowth and Jessie to sweat drop.

"Me and my big mouth."Meowth groaned.

"Back to the real world."Jessie sighed.

"That's it. The password could be the word 'open' followed by the name of a Pokemon."James suggested and bent down. "Okay! Open Growlithe! Open Growlie! Open Growlie Growlithe!"

After trying giving the password for the third time, the treasure chests looked like it is opening and but it was really the security system.

"Oops! My mistake!"James panicked and glanced at his friends. "Security System activates after giving the wrong password as a third time! Run!"

James tells them to run, but the cannon blasts the trio off again.

"A SECOND BLAST OFF IS TOO MANY!"Team Rocket yelled out and disappeared in the sky again.

A While Later…

Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise arrived in front of a gate that was the entrance to an impressive looking mansion.

"A mansion!"Denise remarked.

"Whoa."Ash complemented. "Check it out."

"I wonder what kind of people live there."Dawn said.

The gates suddenly opened as a butler rushed out of the mansion.

"I can't believe my eyes!"Sebastian shouted. "It's Master James' treasure chest!"

Sebastian took the treasure chest from Ash to check if it was the one that belonged to his master.

"It's his treasure chest, alright."Sebastian commented and showed the Growlithe drawing underneath the chest. "You, see? It's the picture of Growlie, Master James' pet."

"Growlie?"Dawn said in confusion.

"I think I heard that name before."Ash stated with his arms folded.

"Of course."Brock said in realisation. "It's the nickname that James gave to his pokemon when he was young."

Sebastian shows a picture of young James with his pet Growlithe named Growlie.

"Ah, it's young Master James!"Sebastian sobbed in joy. "If the treasure chest is here, that means Master James has returned! Where is he?"

Sebastian started looking in the garden for his old master as Denise looked at Ash.

"Is this young Master James that the butler talking about is the James from Team Rocket?"Denise asked.

"Yep."Ash answered.

"This place looks to me more like one of James' summer estates."Brock commented.

"Summer estate?"Dawn said in confusion.

"Oh, you two don't know of course."Ash complemented.

"You see James' family is about rich as they come."Brock admitted.

Dawn, Denise, Prinplup and Combusken became stunned at Brock's statement.

Then Sebastian went back to the heroes to question them.

"Now what have you done with Master James?!"Sebastian demanded.

"Nothing, sir."Ash assured. "We know James, but we don't travel him."

"That's one way to put it."Denise murmured quietly.

Inside the Mansion...

Sebastian allowed Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise to come inside and stay in one of the rooms.

Ash and Brock spoke to the Twinleaf sisters about James and that he came from a rich family.

"Young Master James?"Dawn said in surprise. "I don't understand why a guy like him is doing with Team Rocket in the first place."

"Me neither."Denise added. "I never expected him to be a wealthy guy."

"If I have to guess, he probably joined Team Rocket looking for freedom."Brock suggested.

Then Sebastian arrived inside the room with a tray trolly filled with delicious sandwiches and exquisite looking cakes.

"Refreshments are served."Sebastian declared. "Please help yourselves to whatever you like."

"They look delicious."Dawn commented.

"I feel hungrier looking at them."Denise chuckled.

"Are you sure?"Brock asked.

"But of course."Sebastian assured. "Why this is the very least I can do for you for finding Master James' treasure chest."

"Awesome!"Ash, Denise, Brock and Dawn answered in unison. "Thank you!"

Pikachu smiled. "Pika!"

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.

"Combusken."Combusken responded.

The four trainers and their three pokemon then started enjoying the snacks and treats that Sebastian has prepared for them.

Pikachu, Prinplup and Combusken sat together while happily eating a plate of frosted cupcakes together.

"This is great!"Ash remarked.

"You can say that again!"Dawn insisted.

"It's so good!"Denise said in delight.

"If I may, where exactly did you find the treasure chest?"Sebastian questioned.

"Well, you see-"Ash started.

DING DONG!

"If you pardon me."Sebastian replied with a bow.

Sebastian went to answer the door and found Jessebelle (Jessie) standing outside with two bodyguards.

Jessebelle appeared be very similar to Jessie, who had long fuchsia pink hair styled tied in a style of large ringlets on each side and blue eyes. She wore a short dark pink gown with white long sleeves with a purple collar and matching dark pink high heels.

"It can't be! Lady Jessebelle!"Sebastian said in amazement. "Hello!"

Ash, Denise, Brock, Dawn, Pikachu, Prinplup and Combusken stood above the stairs while watching Sebastian speak to the noble-like lady.

"Hey, whose she?"Dawn asked.

"She looks exactly like Jessie."Denise stated.

"Jessebelle."Ash answered and folded his arms. "Her name sounds kind of familiar too."

"I remember!"Brock commented in realisation. "She was going to marry James!"

"Going to marry James?"Dawn said in surprise. "That means Jessebelle is James' fiancée!"

"Didn't see that coming."Denise commented.

"My apologises for making you wait outside."Sebastian said and bowed. "Here, Lady Jessebelle. Please come in."

Sebastian begins to cry with happiness and Meowth orders Ash to fetch the chest.

"I am quite comfortable; I just came to get that little old treasure chest."Jessebelle declared.

"The treasure chest?"Sebastian said in confusion.

"You see, James asked to me go and get it for him."Jessebelle explained.

"Master James?"Sebastian repeated. "Does that mean Master James is with you, Lady Jessebelle?"

"Correct, sir."Jessebelle answered.

"This is unbelievable!"Sebastian cried in tears of joy. "At long last, Master James has returned! How long have I waited for this day to come!"

Jessebelle lightly laughed as Meowth called out to Ash to order him to get the treasure chest.

"You! Down here!"Meowth called out. "Bring down the treasure chest!"

"Who?"Ash asked. "You mean me?"

"Yes, you!"Meowth snapped. "Now give me that treasure chest!"

"Man, he's sort of grouchy."Ash commented.

Ash went back to the room to get the treasure chest while Denise raised her eyebrow in suspicion.

After getting the treasure chest, Ash started walking towards Jessebelle and her bodyguards with Denise, Dawn and Brock.

Suddenly James' Growlithe named Growlie wanders out from where he stood.

"That pokemon…"Denise started.

Denise took out her Pokédex to scan Growlithe.

"Growlithe the Puppy Pokemon."Denise's Pokédex buzzed. "Growlithe are very loyal and won't move unless their Trainer commands it."

Dawn looked at Sebastian.

"Is that the Growlie, you were talking about?"Dawn asked.

"Correct."Sebastian agreed. "It's Master James' dear pet. It also happens that Growlie is staying in the manor for the day. I couldn't be more pleased."

Growlie sniffed a familiar stench and immediately recognised James through his disguise.

James smiled as his old pokemon licked his face.

"Stop it, Growlie."James chuckled. "That tickles."

"Young Master James!"Sebastian gasped.

Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock seeing James inside the manor.

Sebastian hugged James as he cried again in joy, feeling happy to see him after so long.

"Hello, Sebastian."James said with a nervous smile. "Let's not overdo things."

"Alright. Don't move!"Sebastian declared as he stood up. "I have calls and I will hand you over to your father, young man!"

Sebastian threw out his pokeball and a Spinarak came out.

"Spinarak use String Shot to tie up Master James!"Sebastian ordered.

"Still up to your old tricks, eh?"James questioned and threw out his pokeball. "Now Mime Jr! Use Tetter Dance!"

Mime Jr comes out of his pokeball and uses Teeter Dance, which allows James to send Sebastian and Spinarak down a hidden trap door into a dungeon.

"Sorry, but your better for me down there than up here."James admitted.

"Guess there is no need for these disguises anymore."Jessie remarked.

Jessie and Meowth then removed their disguises to reveal themselves as well.

"As you can see, it's my treasure chest and I'm taking it."James stated as he took the chest from Ash. "Now the password that I have to open by force."

"But why are so hung up about that treasure chest in the first place?"Dawn asked.

"It's best if you tell us, so we can understand more."Denise suggested.

"For once I agree with the twerpette."Jessie commented. "Tell us."

"Alright. I'll tell you."James commented and started to. "But a tragic wail worries me as you will see!"

The heroes and Team Rocket sat down in the waiting room to listen to James' story about his treasure chest.

"Alright, it all happened when I was very young…"James started.

James became irritated to see everyone very busy enjoying eating the cakes.

"You're not listening to me one bit!"James argued.

"We're all ears, pallie."Meowth assured while eating a cupcake.

"I was weary with the formal balls that mummy and daddy would host night after night."James narrated. "But one night while looking at the stars at night with Growlie, I met Jessebelle. She was my first love and so I wrote my feelings for her in a letter. That was when my mummy and daddy gave me this treasure chest. So I placed my letter in the treasure chest and then paid Jessebelle a visit the next night. But before I got to tell Jessebelle how I feel, she said our wedding was already been arranged by our parents. She then demanded that I get a Skitty to replace my Growlie. I refused to part with my best friend and ran out of the house. I had no idea how selfish Jessebelle was. After going out, I ordered Growlie to use Dig to create a hole on the ground to bury my treasure chest so that nobody can find it."

"So all this, Monferno dug up your treasure chest back up."Ash complemented.

"Wait."Dawn instructed. "But that letter isn't such a big deal though, is it?"

"Big deal?!"James repeated and became horrified. "If Jessebelle was to get her hands on it, there will be horrors! My life is over!"

Denise slowly ate her slice of blueberry cream tart before speaking to James.

"Haven't you at least tried asking your parents that you don't want to marry Jessebelle?"Denise asked.

"Of course, I have!"James answered. "And they still don't listen!"

Suddenly the security systems go off, earning everyone's attention.

"What is that?"Ash asked.

"Just the security alarm."James answered.

The TV screen behind James came on by itself revealing a bunch of helicopters making their way to the mansion with two carrying a sofa that Jessebelle was sitting on.

"It's Jessebelle! How did she know I was here?!"James demanded and headed to the hidden phone to speak to Sebastian, who was in the dungeon. "How could you, Sebastian?!"

"I am so Master James!"Sebastian apologised and started to cry. "But please try to understand that I did it for your own good!"

"Good to my foot!"James retorted and looked at the others. "We've got a code red!"

The screen then showed guards surrounding the building, so James couldn't escape.

"Sadly, we're trapped."James stated.

"Do you have a plan, genius?"Meowth questioned.

"I have an escape room just for special moments like this."James admitted.

After opening the secret passageway, James and the others started running to get out of the mansion.

"Hurry!"James instructed. "Jessebelle won't be far behind for long!"

Brock, Ash, Dawn, Denise, Prinplup and Combusken ran as they followed Team Rocket.

"But I don't get why this has to do with us?"Dawn said.

"Yeah."Ash agreed. "I don't get that either."

James stopped running to glare at the heroes.

"This fiasco would've never happened, if you hadn't found my treasure chest in the first place!"James argued. "You'll have to clean up this mess!"

"That's a funny thing to say since you were the one who chose to hide it in the first place."Denise retorted.

"Did you remember the password by any chance?"Brock asked.

"That's it!"James remarked and looked at the treasure chest. "Open, Carnivine!"

James said the password, but the treasure chest didn't open.

"Wrong password again!"Jessie snapped.

"Master James!"Sebastian's voice called out.

The group notice Sebastian and Jessebelle running towards them.

"Run!"James panicked.

The group started running again to escape to escape into the tunnel in front of them.

When they arrived outside, Brock and Ash started placing rocks on the closed doors to trap Jessebelle and Sebastian inside.

"We'll hold them off!"Ash declared. "You guys run!"

"Go while you have the chance!"Brock insisted.

"Hold on."James suggested and bent down to place the treasure chest on the ground. "First I have to dispose the letter first. Open, Dialga!"

"Open, Palkia!"Jessie guessed.

"Third time is the charm."Meowth commented. "Open, charm!"

After hearing the three passwords, the treasure chest changed form.

This time the chest transformed into a huge and scary looking robot though it was only a foot tall.

It shoots at Team Rocket, but Growlie came and used Flamethrower to stop the laser.

"Growlie, thank you."James thanked and looked at the robot. "It's imperative that we destroy that letter and treasure chest! Flamethrower, go!"

Growlie fired Flamethrower at the treasure chest robot, but it didn't cause any damage.

The treasure chest robot fired a small missile, sending Growlie back.

"Growlie!"James shouted.

Growlie stood up back and growled at the robot.

"Growlie, you're so brave!"James remarked proudly. "Alright! Surrendering to a treasure chest is not our game!"

The treasure chest robot fired more missiles but Growlie dodged all of them.

"Use Dig!"James ordered.

Growlie dig into the ground and tackled the treasure chest robot off its feet.

"Now seal the deal with Flamethrower!"James ordered.

Growlie used Flamethrower causing the robot to turn back into its treasure chest appearance.

"Come on."James murmured.

"Congratulations!"A voice from the treasure chest declared. "Impact password level 33, so this treasure chest will leave!"

The treasure chest turned into a rocket and goes in the sky, disappearing from sight.

Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Ash, Pikachu and Brock were silent at what they just witnessed.

"Daddy never messes around when he makes something by hand."James stated.

"The pointlessly amazing things that rich people do with their money."Jessie complemented.

"Save the fat mail for later!"Meowth retorted.

Suddenly a Solar Beam from Jessebelle's Vileplume burst out causing the blocked entrance to open while Brock and Ash were thrown back.

Dawn, Denise, Prinplup, Combusken and Pikachu rushed forward to help Brock and Ash back up.

"Ash!"Dawn gasped. "Brock!"

"Are you guys okay?"Denise asked in worry.

"Yeah."Ash groaned. "What was that?"

"Take a look."Brock insisted.

James became shocked to see Sebastian walked out with Jessebelle.

"I had enough with playing tag with you, James, my love."Jessebelle sneered.

"Jessebelle."James said lightly.

"The preparations have been completed for our wedding ceremony."Jessebelle declared. "It will take place at my house with your mummy and daddy being there for you too."

"You must make the right choice, Master James!"Sebastian encouraged.

James looked down in defeat.

"Alright."James answered. "Let me at least say farewell to my chumps."

"Good."Jessebelle said with a smirk. "I'm glad you decided when to quit."

James glanced at his companions and enemies while Jessebelle sat down to drink some tea that Sebastian has prepared for her.

"Look twerp, I need you to use Thunderbolt on us."James stated.

"Huh?!"Ash, Dawn, Denise, Brock, Jessie and James said in unison.

"I know you can't predict where we're blasting off to, but I need to be saved from Jessebelle's grip."James explained.

"You get a blast off all by yourself?!"Jessie argued.

"Why drag us into it?!"Meowth demanded.

James gave Jessie and Meowth a confident grin.

"Simple."James said with a smirk. "Team Rocket is a team and always stick together."

"Hey!"Meowth argued. "That's for sharing!"

"Meowth is right!"Jessie agreed.

James looked at Ash with a desperate look.

Ash nodded. "Okay."

Jessie and Meowth began to freak out as Pikachu got off of Ash's shoulder.

"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!"Ash ordered.

Pikachu uses Thunderbolt causing Jessebelle to stand up and run towards James.

"James!"Jessebelle yelled out. "No!"

Then James and Meowth were sent in the sky.

"What a thrill!"James remarked and waved goodbye to Growlie. "Goodbye, Growlie! Take care! Hey, I just remembered the password to open the treasure chest was 'Open, password'."

"How do you function without a brain?!"Meowth scowled.

"The chest would be lovely for our marriage."Jessebelle suggested.

James and Meowth see Jessebelle was blasted with them instead of Jessie.

"That ain't Jess!"Meowth shouted. "That's Jessebelle!"

"An unwanted shot!"James panicked.

"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"James and Meowth shouted.

"I do! I do!"Jessebelle remarked. "I do!"

The trio then disappeared in the sky with Jessebelle.

Jessie notice she landed on Jessebelle's couch and her companions were no where to be seen.

"Hey, where did everybody go?"Jessie asked.

The guards mistook Jessie for Jessebelle and were happy to see her.

"Lady Jessebelle has returned!"

"Lady Jessebelle!"

"Put your glasses off!"Jessie snapped as the guards surrounded her. "I am not Jessebelle!"

Later that Day…

Dawn, Ash, Denise and Brock were walking together as the sun was beginning to set down.

"To say this was a bizarre day is putting it mildly."Dawn sighed.

"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped with a sad frown.

"It was kinda crazy too."Denise chuckled.

"Combusken."Combusken agreed with a nod.

"Cheer up, Dawn."Ash suggested. "You've got a Pokemon Contest coming up before you know it."

"Right."Dawn agreed before looking at Ash and her twin. "Also you two have your next gym battles at Sunnyshore City."

"You bet."Ash remarked.

"We'll win for sure."Denise added.

"All three of you will do great."Brock assured.

"Thanks, Brock."Ash, Dawn and Denise answered in unison.

Pikachu smiled. "Pikachu."

Somewhere…

James and Meowth were running away from Jessebelle, who was chasing after them.

"Leave me alone!"James demanded.

"Never James dear!"Jessebelle said lovingly.

"I hate running from bug messes!"Meowth shouted in annoyance.

Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter:)

Denise's Team

Torterra (Male): Solar Beam, Giga Drain, Seed Bomb and Earthquake

Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump and Aurora Beam

Luxray (Male): Shock Wave, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang

Gardevoir (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Trick Room

Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic

Combusken (Male): Ember, Peck, Focus Blast and Fire Spin

With Professor Rowan

Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish