Tension engulfed the small, crowded Celadon house as night fell.
Trae poured four cups of coffee and set them carefully on a tray with some
sandwiches. Everyone had skipped lunch, and she doubted anyone would be very
eager for dinner.
Setting a cup of tea next to the coffee, she sighed and lifted the plastic
dish, turning towards the entrance. Everything had seemed strange after the
trial. The occurrences were too quite, too anxious…
Trae shook her red hair vigorously. She too was falling into the despair of
knowing they had lost. It seemed strange to feel that way when she had
hardly known Giovanni, but in a way, this trial could be the end of the
Rockets.
Stepping into the large den, she found that everyone was at least trying to
relax. “Good,” she thought. “We all need to.” She felt that it was unhealthy
for so much strain to be overpowering them.
“Hey, Trae,” Dan spoke in a tired voice, sitting back in a two-seat blue
velvet couch. Part of his mind reassured him that the case was one, but the
larger part, the more sensible part, knew otherwise. There was no way to
win. Especially not against Scott Tress…
“Thanks,” Shadow grinned as Trae handed her and Dan next to her the cups.
Drinking a mouthful, she found that it helped sooth her a bit. The fears
about losing were partially silenced. The whole thing was strange, though.
Even if Giovanni was convicted, there had to be another way, yet no one
could find it…
“Give… coffee…” Mike, sitting sideways in a black chair, with his feet
hanging over the arm, attempted to lighten things up, though fairly
unsuccessfully. Shrugging, he took the warm cup and took a sip. “It’s
drinkable,” he joked. No reply. Everything was too quiet and sulky for his
taste.
Ginger took her mug quietly, staring away from the couch she sat on to the
wall. Racing around in a wheel, her mind seemed to be going nowhere. What if
they lost? She wouldn’t see Giovanni again. And that would be the end of her
parents, as she knew them. Everything was wrong.
Trae settled onto the couch next to Ginger, set the tray down, and picked
up her tea. “So, what do you guys want to do?” she attempted, but got no
real answer.
Felicity strode into the room with a glass of ice water and collapsed onto
a white two-seat couch. Upon seeing everyone so silent, she spoke up. “So,
why so glum?”
“They’re just depressed,” Mike was glad to have someone to talk too.
“Hey!” Shadow laughed.
“That’s better,” Felicity nodded, and switched on the television. “Want to
watch a movie?”
“Sure,” Mike and Shadow spoke in unison, and Trae nodded.
“All right, any ideas?” she waited half a second, then jumped up and walked
over to a cabinet. “Okay, I’ll choose,” she slipped in the video, and
pressed ‘Play.’ After this, she settled back onto the couch, grinning.
“Gee, what movie could you possibly have chosen?” Mike rolled his eyes in
mock annoyance, knowing full well what it was. “Could it be… oh, I don’t
know… ‘The World is Not Enough?’”
“Hey, shut up, it’s starting,” Felicity watched the screen intently, and
Mike, laughing, did the same as the bright MGM studios logo flashed
brilliantly.
Shadow leaned over to Dan and whispered, “You did a good job today. Don’t
blame yourself.” She really felt sorry for him. After all, he was leading a
sinking ship, and doing his best to keep it up.
“Thanks, so did you.” Dan liked the compliment, especially from her.
Trae tapped Ginger on the shoulder, and asked, “Are you okay?”
“What?” Ginger twisted her face, managing to hide how she really felt.
“I mean… never mind,” Trae drew back and turned back to the movie. Ginger
had been so exclusive lately, and the reactions were strange to Trae.
Ginger turned back to the screen, though she basically looked through it.
There was nothing she could do about their situation, and that was what
bugged her. She was helpless to the verdict. Inside, she felt herself being
torn apart by the wild emotions, and she hated it. It hurt her so bad…
Felicity noticed none of the occurrences, felt none of the emotions,
traveling around her. After realizing her parents didn’t care, she had
learned to ignore what she felt, to go with her will and instincts. It was
strange. Almost like not feeling pain…
Somehow, the movie managed to calm nearly every soul occupying the house,
and, eventually, everyone stopped worrying completely. Strangely enough,
watching a movie was the best they had done in what seemed like a long time.
Once again, the courthouse was silent, waiting. The quiet that engulfed the
room was almost choking, yet no one spoke. Tension lay thickly over them,
preventing the actions, and straining their nerves.
“This is the third day of the trial Giovanni Oak versus the state of
Kanto,” the bailiff suddenly broke the silence, to the relief of the people
in attendance.
“Will the prosecution give their closing statement?” Snype’s roaring voice
seemed to crack at their skulls, pounding noticeably.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury,” Tress rose slowly, taking in the
moment, feeling victory. “Over the past days, I have fought to prove that
Giovanni Oak is indeed guilty of being the head of the organized crime group
of Team Rocket, and must be punished. What you have heard from the defense
were statements, but we had the hard facts on paper. In closing, I would
like to add that he is most obviously guilty, and, if not punished, will
continue to ruin the lives of innocent citizens everywhere. Thank you.”
Sitting down, Scott looked toward Dan and smirked knowingly. Trapped, Dan
would have no way out. The evidence was clear, and he had proved it.
Clearing his throat nervously, Dan stood up. He had heard Tress, and he
knew that what had been spoken was right. Knowing that the fate of Team
Rocket possibly rested on the case didn’t help much, either…
“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we have been in this courtroom for what
seems to me like an endless amount of not; not three days. During this time,
we argued endlessly, each trying to prove our side correct. I believe that
the evidence I have given is sufficient enough to put reasonable doubt in
your mind about the fact that my client was the head of Team Rocket. He was
only an unlucky man who, when attempting to catch the criminal, was
convicted. Consider the doubt, and consider our facts. Thank you.”
Closing his eyes, he sat down, unable to look up. He had tried, but there
was no way…
“The jury will recess to decide on a verdict!” the judge’s voice boomed,
shattering his thoughts and causing him to pop his eyes open in time to see
the twelve men and women file through a large oak door.
As the door shut, small lines of conversation began to float around, and in
the next minute, conversations sprouted. People stood up and stretched
anxiously, chatting with their neighbors to pass the time.
“You did a good job.”
Dan looked to his left, and saw Giovanni smiling strangely. “The man’s about
to be sent away and he’s smiling,” Dan thought, than spoke, “Not really. It
didn’t help…”
His boss shrugged. “Maybe not, but everyone was impressed.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” Giovanni looked into his eyes. “Especially Tress. He got a strange
look on his face, and trust me, it wasn’t because he was glad.”
“Thanks…” Dan realized that not looking at the members had actually helped
him think.
One look at Tress told him that Giovanni had been right, though. The man was
glaring at him jealously. Dan almost laughed. “Imagine, he’s jealous of me…”
-
Shadow glanced down the row and sighed, turning to Trae. “I wish I knew what
the jury was saying,” she confessed. Everything was too secretive.
Everything dragged on in this case, it seemed. If the jury didn’t decide
soon, she felt that she would go insane.
“I don’t. I really don’t want to know what they’ll say,” Trae bit her
fingernails nervously, a sign that she was truly stressed. She felt the
pressure of being a Rocket, of the organization falling… And she hated it.
“Well, at least Dan gave a good closing statement,” Shadow pointed out,
defending their friend.
“He tried,” Ginger agreed on her other side. “But I doubt that it worked.”
Fear showed in her darting eyes, tearing at her insides. She didn’t want
this to be happening. She didn’t like it at all…
“We’ll just have to wait and see,” Mike sat back in his chair. He could see
why everyone was worried, but stress wasn’t going to help at all.
“Whatever happens, happens,” Felicity added, looking over from the end. She
couldn’t see why everyone was worried either. Fate was unstoppable, and
nothing could help that. Choosing to be panicked was their choice, choosing
to be calm was hers.
“Let’s just hope they decide soon…” Shadow ran her fingers through her hair,
sighing. -
“All sit!” Snype barked sharply, watching in pleasure as everyone jumped
into the seats. “The jury has made their decision,” he nodded toward the box
where the people had returned.
Suddenly, the wave of silence reappeared, and the crowd hushed. No one
moved, no one dare to.
“Ahem,” the leader of the twelve members stood. “We have come to the
conclusion that the defendant, Giovanni Oak…”
Anxious eyes and ears waited for the verdict, some happily, others anxious.
“…is guilty of the crime of having been the leader of the notorious group of
criminals known as Team Rocket. He is therefore guilty of all past crimes
committed by the group, from the murders to the thefts, and is given a
lifetime sentence of prison. Thank you.”
“The verdict is decided. The defendant is guilty,” Snype looked at the paper
in front of him. “As is custom, he may speak.”
Dan looked questioningly at Giovanni, who was already standing up. “God,
what is he going to say…” Dan thought, knowing how angry the man could get.
Keeping the anxiety out of his voice, Giovanni spoke, “I have been sentenced
to a lifetime in prison. I find it doubtful to believe that any one of you
members of the jury actually listened to our side of the case,” he glared
icily at the group, “Or that the judge wasn’t unfair,” he shot the look at
Snype, “So this will be relatively unclear to you. However, I would like to
tell anyone in my family that happens to be here that I appreciate any
effort they might have made to attend the trial.”
With that, he sat down quietly. He had said only part of what was on his
mind, but the rest was inappropriate. Having known that this fate would
eventually come, he was prepared to unhappily yet calmly accept the
consequences. To go out with dignity.
Yes, he was done for, but that didn’t mean the Rockets were dead. No, they
were just beginning. All they needed was a new leader…
“Take this,” he handed Dan an envelope beneath the table. “Open it when you
get back.”
When Dan just stared, Giovanni sighed. “This world is harsh on judgment, and
quick to act without thinking. Remember though that the hardest working will
come out on top, and will survive. We cannot be wiped out, we will fight
until the end.”
Looking straight into the young man’s eyes, he shoved the paper at him.
“Take it.”
Nodding in a confused manner, the younger man took the paper and pushed it
into his pocket as Snype spoke. “Dismissed!”
“Good day. You did a commendable job,” Giovanni walked out with the escorts
coolly, keeping his dignity.
“Take that,” Tress laughed, walking by the other lawyer.
“Shut up,” Dan muttered, walking into the crowd.
“What?” Tress struck up a whiney voice.
Dan waved him off, heading toward the door, and was about to head out when
something caught his eye.
“What the hell are you talking about?!?” Geoffrey Oak’s voice could be heard
above the roar of the crowd.
“She said, ‘You’re fired,’” John Orested grinned.
“But, I…” Geoffrey strained to explain.
“Look, Oak, we don’t tolerate people like you in this organization,” a thin,
blond young woman with suspicious green-brown eyes and a hard face spoke, an
edge of anger in her voice. “You were on the side of the opposition, with
the head of Team Rocket, who we have been working against!” Now she was
shouting, not noticing anyone who stopped to stare. “I don’t care what you
say, you knew he was! I can’t prove it in court, but I CAN fire you!!!”
“Amy!” Geoffrey’s eyes were widening. “You’re not serious…”
“I damn well am!” the anger was sharp and biting by this time. “I don’t care
WHAT you thought you were doing, it was against what we’re working for, and
it was against orders,” she paused for a breath, than shouted even louder,
“YOU’RE FIRED!”
Under the stares of the people who still lingered, she quieted a bit. “You
can never go back to headquarters. You can never go back to the office. You
can never work for us again. You are banned from the Pokemon Intelligence
Agency, Geoffrey, and I’ll see too it that you aren’t allowed to work for
any other government agency, either!”
She looked down at Oersted, taking a paper and handing it to Geoffrey.
“What’s this…?” he asked, though he knew perfectly well. The slip made him
cringe inside…
“Your discharge,” she snarled, her voice back down to its normal level. “I
hope you’re happy with your choice.” She turned toward the door, “Come on,
Agent Oersted.” Without another word, she walked off.
“Told you,” the shorter man grinned, walking past.
“Good God…” Geoffrey quickly shoved the paper into his pocket and headed in
the direction of the door. “That damned Oersted…” he muttered.
“Hey…” he felt someone tap him on the elbow, and he turned viciously.
“What?!?”
It was that kid, Dan. “What do you want?” he repeated, exasperated.
“I saw what happened…” Dan began, ready to apologize.
“Damn,” Geoffrey turned, and walked out, not even looking back.
“What…” Dan thought, but shook it off. He had too. It was time to go back
home…
Opening the creaky door, Dan realized immediately that the air of the house
was, and would be for the rest of the night, heavy with gloom, anger,
uncertainty, and even bits of hopelessness. Cloudy and shady, the emotions
blocked out anything positive given off by the more optimistic inhabitants.
Quickly rushing up to his room, Dan pretty much tore off the suit, pulling
on casual clothes. Having no wish to be reminded of his recent failure, the
young man tossed the other outfit into a box, and walked out of the room,
down to the kitchen. There, he found a pot of boiling coffee, poured some,
and sat down at the table in an attempt to enjoy the brew.
Sighing, he realized that the attempts were futile. How could he enjoy
himself after that? How could he, after seeing his client, the head of Team
Rocket, sentenced to a lifetime in prison? Why had he agreed to be the
lawyer? Why hadn’t he pushed for a better one?
“Hello,” Shadow’s soft voice managed to penetrate through his thoughts as
she sat down across from him, a mug of coffee in her hand.
“Hey,” Dan looked up and replied in a gloomy voice that reflected his
feelings.
Shadow looked into his face, a worried expression in her deep eyes. As much
as she felt the defeat of the trial, she was more torn apart by the moods of
everyone else. Feelings of traction and tension seemed to be creating
electric sparks, ready to start a fire of either anger or anxiety. Heavily,
she felt that it was her responsibility to keep everyone together, no matter
how hard it was.
Gazing across at Dan, she felt a wave of pity for her friend. Still young,
he had been thrown in as a lawyer for an important case. Though he had tried
very hard, the evidence had been incriminating, and he had been thrown
against the rocks. “You did a really good job on the trial.”
Shrugging, he replied dully, “We lost. It was all my fault.” Cringing, he
felt the pain of his defeat like a knife. All of the arguments and
witnesses… he had messed up somewhere along the line, and ruined it all.
“Don’t blame yourself,” Shadow attempted to provide rest for his soul. “You
gave it your best shot, and did a great job. I mean, think about. You’re a
nineteen-year-old lawyer, against an experienced thirty-two year old lawyer.
Think of all of the good evidence you gave, of the good fight you put up. It
was a hard battle, and no one could have one. You were the best choice for
the job.”
“Well…” Dan’s tone was uncertain, though he was very grateful to Shadow,
and pleased, that she was comforting him. “Thanks a lot.”
“You’re wel…” Shadow began, but was cut off by Ginger’s sharp voice.
“I can’t believe you!” the girl was obviously angry.
“What? All I was saying was…” came Mike’s frustrated reply.
“Why don’t you be a little more sensitive?”
“Why don’t you lighten up?” Mike yelled even louder.
A door slammed, and the two in the kitchen both heard the sound of
footsteps pounding into the kitchen as Mike entered, his face red in
exasperation.
“What was that all about?” Dan’s eyes were wide with wonder.
Mike shrugged, popping open a can of Coke. “Just Ginger over-exaggerating
again.”
“She really needs to lighten up,” Felicity half-mumbled as she walked by,
reading a newspaper.
“That’s what I said, and she slammed the door in my face! I was just trying
to make her feel a little better…” Mike took a swig of Cola eagerly, feeling
the refreshing twinge it sent through his body.
Shadow sighed. “Mike, you might want to leave her alone…”
“Don’t think I won’t,” Mike snorted angrily. Not only was he mad at Ginger
for pushing him away like that, he was mad at himself for letting his anger
show. “You know I hate getting angry, but she… oh.”
“So… where’s Trae?” Shadow winced at her pathetic attempt to change the
subject.
“Upstairs, sleeping in her room,” he didn’t seem to notice the change. “Or
at least, she WAS.”
Felicity’s voice cut into the tension. “Hey, anyone wanna watch a movie?”
“What one?” Mike walked toward the entryway.
“Um…” there was a pause. “Apollo Thirteen.”
“Sure,” he walked out as Trae appeared.
“What’s happening?” she rubbed her eyes.
“Just a little disagreement,” Dan knew that what he had said was grossly
under-stated, but didn’t really care. He, like Shadow, wanted to keep the
place peaceful as long as possible.
“Hey, Trae, want to watch a movie?” Felicity walked in as the first sounds
of the video floated in through the house.
“Sure,” the girl turned and walked toward the room sleepily, in a manner
that revealed that she didn’t care about anything at the moment.
Grabbing a handful of ice cubes and dumping them into a glass of water,
Felicity turned towards Shadow and Dan. “What’s up?” the question was
casual, typical of her.
The two smirked at her attitude, and Shadow just shrugged. “Not much.”
“I hope those two’ll start getting along a little better,” Felicity
referred too Ginger and Mike. “If things keep happening like they’ve been,
we’ll be here for awhile.”
“I’m sure they’ll get over it,” Dan waved as she walked out.
“Well,” Shadow began, but couldn’t think of an end to the sentence.
“It’s been a long day,” Dan sighed. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”
“All right,” Shadow watched him walk out, than sighed at the actions of the
inhabitants. With Mike and Ginger fighting, the tension only grew. She had
to get them to get over it, somehow…
With a start, she realized that her brain was beginning to tire. Picking up
her cup, she headed towards the living room, where the television was
blaring. Reclining on one of the couches, it wasn’t long before her eyelids
began to get heavy, and she felt herself drifting off…
