10.

"You're listening to the BBC Kanto Service News at 5. Coming up: the Holy Russian Empire and the Republic of China continue the Ulan Bator Talks, following emergency action by Mongolian diplomats; Ireland celebrates the 20th anniversary of the overthrow of self-styled 'Lord High Protector' Ian Paisley, with British and Australian veterans reuniting with the former resistance; a state of emergency is declared in Middle Shabele, Somalia, after a Category Two incursion by the Spirit World.

"First, domestic news: Gym Leader Koga has been transferred from Fuchsia to Dark City as part of the reconstruction work. Dark City had been devastated by conflict between two rival Gyms, both of which have been condemned by the Pokemon Inspection Agency and their leaders jailed. Koga has promised that his new Gym will bring in prosperity for the locals: 'it was Gym Leaders that did this, so a Gym Leader must be the one to make amends.' His sister Janine has replaced him at Fuschia.

"A record number of Pokemon tournaments have been set up for this year's Princess Day festivals…"

With Koffing and Arbok by her side (Ekans had evolved mid-battle), Jessie had obliterated all the competition and reached the final... and now an eleven-year-old redhead had pounded them. She only had three Pokemon, but there were two left and the Starmie – battered as it was – was clearly a match for Meowth.

Meowth knew it. That's why he was bravely running like hell from it.

"Oh come on Meowth! You can withstand a little Water Gun!"

"Nah! I'm a useless bum! Honest!"

Behind him, the pursuing Starmie peppered the ground with a continuing barrage.

Cornered by the stands, Meowth turned to use Fury Swipes... and was blasted unconscious.

"What now, Jess?" asked James. "All we've got left is..."

"The stomach that walks like a 'mon," said Jessie grimly, looking at the offending Pokeball. The Lickitung had come out of nowhere earlier in the day, devouring her Princess Day shopping. "Maybe it can eat the competition... LICKITUNG, GO!"

Released from containment, Lickitung surveyed the Starmie and... well, licked it. Instantly paralysed, it was no much for the pink juggernaut's Slam attack and fell into an instant KO.

"Salon Roquet's Jessie is back in the game!" bellowed the match announcer. "What can the Mighty Misty do to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?"

Apparently, it was to send a Psyduck out.

"Psyduck, Psyduck... The one that gets psychic powers with a headache, right?"

"And it tastes nice in black bean sauce."

"Duly noted. Okay, don't want to give it an opening... LICKITUNG! STOMACH WHALLOP!"

One well-placed Slam in the guts dropped Psyduck like a sack of potatoes. Showing no mercy, Jessie had it slammed again and again until it fell unconscious.

She'd wanted those princess dolls for years. The trio never got anything when they held back. She was never showing mercy to an opponent again.

"Whoa. Dat looks expensive." Meowth gave the doll set a thumbs-up. "Now how do we get 'em back home?"

"We'll find a way." She looked at them, a smile on her lips. "I never had these as a kid, nothing close to them. And now... Now we've driven Suzy out of business, we're successful in legitimate enterprise and have a place in Team Rocket, and I have these. We just keep going up."

"Yeah, erm, didn't we sing dis tune back before the St Anne?"

"We know better now: don't trust the boss, plan your own plan, hit really hard."

"You hit hard before," said James.

"Hit harder...er."

"Sold."

"Let's get back home. You just know some of the rookie agents have been watching the match, my ego could do with some pampering..."

Ohta House, Saffron City. The Joint Intelligence and Security Committee was back in session.

"I was wrong," said Lucy Fleetfoot, glaring at Lance as if to dare him to talk. "Over two months with those two and... well, I can't believe this, but they really are up to nothing. I've got all this evidence that shows hundreds of Rockets idolise them, would rise up if they did launch a coup – and they're doing nothing. I don't think they realise."

"SOL called this meeting just to tell us it was all a waste of time?"

"There's another way of looking at it. They could destabilise Team Rocket. We're not ready yet for a destabilisation. But if we were... well, why wait for one to happen naturally?"

There was silence.

Lord Imawano looked to each of the directors and agents, looking for signs of unwillingness and panic. There were none.

"I take it we all like the sound of that?" he asked.

There was murmured agreement.

"I'll report this to the Cabinet and see if we can get approval. This will be a multi-agency job, is everyone willing to-"

"To collapse Team Rocket?" Lord Jarvis grinned. "Sir, I'd work with the Holy Russian Empire for that. I'd work with Satan. I'd work with reality TV stars."

"Duly noted. I trust I don't need to remind everyone of the need for utmost security?"

Giovanni read the report again, his face unreadable but his hands gripping his seat like he wanted to throttle it.

Throttle someone, anyway.

"You are absolutely sure of this."

General Tyson nodded. "Domino is our best covert operative, sir. Everything she's leaked from SOL has been reliable. A JIS Committee was called today: she doesn't know what about, but we can probably guess..."

"Jessie, James and Meowth. They had been acting... rebellious lately. And their reputation in the ranks..." He drew his breath in sharply. "If the JIS is meeting now, the coup must be in the advanced stages. We eliminate them now. Fake a mission for them, get Butch and Cassidy on it with them and provide them with whatever back-up they require. We nip this in the bud now."