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Kosaburo and Yamato watched in fascination as the noble Garuda soared into the sky, the symbol of power itself. Yamato flipped open her cell phone and called Sakaki. “Yes?” “Sir, we’ve been keeping an eye on the princess, but we have some news that we think..” “Out with it!” he snipped icily. Yamato cleared her throat nervously. Despite Kosaburo and her high status they were still intimidated by Sakaki. “Um..yes...she has somehow obtained an immensely poweful creature that we’ve never seen before.” “Is it a new species of Pokemon?” “No, sir. In fact, it can crush a Pokeball in its mouth,” she explained. “It can be trained quite successfully, not to mention that it’s quite a beautiful thing.” “Sounds tempting. Follow it.” “That’s the most interesting part of all. They’re headed for the Shirasagi Palace.” “What ?” he roared furiously. “Get over there immeadiately and tighten security. If anyone attempts escape, kill them.”

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The feeling of the wind rushing past her and soaring at the height of birds gave Saikobi and exhuberance she’d never known. Of course, poor Musashi was afraid of heights, a fact known a little too late. She gripped the body of Garuda with all her stregnth, so frightened was she of falling and dying. “Hold on!” shouted Saikobi. “I see the palace!” The palace gleamed like the white heron it was named for in a grey mist. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, yet she knew better. Garuda was in no need for directions. He landed gracefully and silently on one of the higher terraces. Saikobi jumped down and extended her hand to Musashi. She looked nauseated and about to faint. “Come on,” whispered Saikobi, climbing down the tower towards her parents quarters. Musashi stumbled after her, trying to regain her sense of balance. “We’ll try to make it to my parents’ rooms without being seen and get them out. When we do, we’ll take them to the Great Temple of Bhudda. They’ll be safe there.” Musashi nodded and they crept catlike along the tiled rooftop. They sought a hiding place behind a magnificent golden phoenix sculpture. Shouts and the clicking of gun barrels could be heard from far below. A force of men garbed in black were rushing about with loaded weapons on the lower grounds. “Oh God,” Saikobi said waveringly. “Don’t move.” A gunshot caused both of them to cry out. “Sir, I heard something on the roof!” “Go investigate!” Musashi and Saikobi exchanged anxious glances. “What do we do now?” Musashi screamed. “You’d better not get me killed!” Saikobi grabbed her wrist and ran in the direction of the Emperor’s chambers. Gunshots followed, clearly aimed at them. They slipped on the smooth tiles and did more falling than running. When they did reach their destination, Saikobi leapt off the roof to reach a nearby window. She kicked it open and leapt into an elegant, yet empty room. Not waiting for anyone, she raced down a corridor, Musashi calling after her to wait up. Saikobi was immeadiately apprehended by two formidable guards. She struggled but they were too strong. “Let go!” she cried furiously. “Talk to us like that again and there’ll be a bullet in your head,” one of them threatened, jabbing her in the side with the butt of his gun. He hit a wound, and she crumbled. “Ahh...a fellow member,” said the other, spying Musashi. “This should be interesting. Do you know the penalty for treason?”“I didn’t do anything!” she protested. “You were helping the royal family escape!” he accused, snatching her arm. Then he added darkly, “You know what happens now.” They were dragged downstairs to the main courtyard, where Sachiko, the Emperor, and the Empress were chained. “Mother! Father!” Saikobi called out with tears. They were taken aback to see her, but the dispair written on their faces told her not to hope for much. Sachiko hung her head and didn’t bother to look up. The man who had Saikobi spoke. “Men! We have treason here! These people sought to destroy us! They sought to destroy Team Rocket! Now we’ll show the world what happens....” “No,” Saikobi whispered in horror. “.....when people turn against us....”“No!” He tightened his grip on her. She looked at Musashi, who wore a downcast expression. “Why?” she asked. Musashi shook her head. “I had no idea.” Knowing what was coming she added in a strained voice, “I’m sorry.” Thirty thousand yen at the cost of three lives didn’t sound so wonderful anymore. Confused, Saikobi looked at her family and then at the man who held her. “The Boss will want to deal with these two personally,” he said. “As for the others.....kill them.” Saikobi thrashed hysterically as she was led to a sinister black car. “No! You can’t do this! No! NO!”

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Meowth hummed to himself as he lead the way through the circulation system. It was dark and dusty so his cat eyes served well. “It should be down da next corner,” he said. Satoshi looked fearfully at his surroundings. He was beginning to think that maybe it wasn’t worth it, but the protagonist in him reminded that he had to have his Pikachu. Being his cocky and annoying self, he was determined not to give up. Lost in his own thoughts, he wasn’t aware of the metal buckling underneath him. He didn’t hear it creak until it was about to collapse. Satoshi fell into a long abandoned, thickly darkened chamber. Kasumi, Meowth, and Kojiro looked down to see him sprawled on his back, eyes swirling, but fine otherwise. “I wonder what’s down there,” said Kasumi as she slowly lowered herself down into the room. She knelt beside Satoshi and helped him to his feet. He summoned Charmander to use his light. “I’ve never seen this place before,” said Kojiro in a hushed voice. “Have you Meowth?”Meowth shook his head. “Nope.” Kasumi gasped as her eyes found a massive door in front of them. It was gilded wood, and covered with ominous faces and symbols. “What is this?” She reached out to touch the door, noting how every face carved on its ancient facade was different from the last. “Let’s open it!” offered Satoshi. “Don’t you think it would be a bit hard to move?” argued Kasumi. “Hey, I have a question,” interrupted Kojiro. “Whatever happened to that hormonal guy with no eyes?” “Takeshi?” they replied in unison. “I think he’s in jail for sexual harassment,” Satoshi concluded. “But nevermind him! Let’s open this thing!” He called out Bulbasaur. It used its vine whip to pull the door open, but it had been shut for so long. It seemed unwilling to yeild whatever secrets it was keeping. And it was keeping plenty.