"You bunch, if you want to help the organization, work hard to become stronger yourselves! Instead of spending all that time figuring out how to steal my Pikachu, why not use your brains to actually help your organization?"
"Aren't you guys strong in research? Why do you always put your ideas on crooked paths? Can't you just walk a firm and honest path for once?"
Faced with Ash's loud reprimand, the confusion on the trio's faces vanished: "The brat's right, saving Team Rocket depends on us, not others!"
"Exactly, even if we really caught the brat's Pikachu, then what? Boss Giovanni hasn't appeared anymore; now, reviving Team Rocket relies solely on us! As core members of Team Rocket, how can we bow to other villainous organizations?"
"That's right, meow! As long as we can make Team Rocket strong again, Boss Giovanni will come back, meow!"
The trio began discussing ambitiously, planning grandly, while Ash nodded in satisfaction: "That's more like it... But you guys should still spend some time at Miss Jenny's place first. I'll hand you over after we disembark from the airship."
Suddenly, Ash's tone changed, going from encouraging Team Rocket to saying he'd deliver the trio to jail.
This left Team Rocket utterly confused—what's going on, brat, weren't you just encouraging us? Your change of heart is too quick!
"Encouraging you is one thing, but making mistakes means making mistakes. Since you did wrong, you must face the consequences. Moreover..." Ash squatted down, leaned closer to Team Rocket's trio, his expression unprecedentedly serious.
"I encourage you because I recognize your abilities, but I will never forgive your actions. If you ever try again, I won't hold back!"
Ash's voice grew colder—he hadn't forgotten the countless attempts on Pikachu by the other side. If he weren't so strong, Pikachu would have been taken long ago, and then what?
Now, it seems everything turned out well, but that's only because of his strength; Team Rocket gets beaten back every time by him.
Their mistakes and misdeeds cannot be undone; a good outcome doesn't mean forgiveness.
However, since they're 'old acquaintances,' Ash saw their confusion, that look of their 'home' being destroyed, and felt a sense of pity, hence choosing to offer comfort—nothing more.
Then Ash casually pulled out a rope from his backpack, and under Gardevoir's restraint, the two humans and one cat offered no resistance as they were tied up. With Gardevoir's superpowers, resistance was impossible.
Next, all they had to do was wait for the airship to normally head to Valencia Island in the Orange Archipelago, then find the local Miss Jenny, and hand them over to her.
As for why the airship's destination was Valencia Island, could Team Rocket's temporary base be there?
Of course not—even as foolish as the trio might be, they wouldn't sail the airship directly to their base. They planned to have it land at Valencia Island, then walk Pikachu to the base.
As for Ash and the others... naturally, they'd be left inside the airship, waiting for rescue. They wouldn't dare casually unlock Ash's shackles.
However, this was just an idealized fantasy. In reality, they were defeated by Ash long before the airship landed, and now were set to be handed over to Miss Jenny.
Without Giovanni's help now, if they went to jail, getting out wouldn't be easy. Unless Archer, the current acting leader of Team Rocket, gave them a hand, they'd have to rely on themselves to break free.
Judging by the trio's apparent offenses, they shouldn't remain imprisoned for long. Though their intentions were bad, ultimately, they failed to commit any evil deeds, which is crucial for determining charges.
Moreover, Giovanni previously pulled strings and paid money to erase their previous crimes, meaning this time they'd only face current charges with Miss Jenny.
At most, a month of detention would be a lot; it would be a moderate lesson for them.
Half an hour later, the airship landed. Ash and company escorted Team Rocket's trio out, drawing many curious gazes around the 'airport' since two humans and one Pokémon bound together hardly ever happened.
But quickly, people's focus shifted from Team Rocket's trio to Ash.
"Isn't that... this year's Quartz Conference Champion?"
"Really! It's Ash! I can't believe I'm seeing him in person!"
"Ash came to the Orange Archipelago for vacation too? This tourist spot's reputation really isn't undeserved!"
"I'm going to ask for an autograph!!"
"Wait for me, I want one too, and a photo!!"
"..."
Once Ash was recognized, the entire 'airport' went into an uproar. Seeing the crowd swarm, his dormant memories awakened—it was like this when he first became famous.
Only later did the fame gradually fade, and people started viewing him with normalcy; yet, winning the Quartz Conference put him back in the spotlight, turning him into a celebrity once more.
Now he has fanatic fans again!
"Gardevoir, teleport us to the police station!"
'Gardevoir~' Though still inside the Pokeball, Gardevoir could easily teleport them with her current power.
Almost instantly, Gardevoir used her superpower to locate the nearby police station, then teleported everyone there.
The rushing fans missed their chance, and many felt regret; had they known, they'd have snapped some photos first instead of rushing for autographs, which scared Ash away!
Who knows when they'll meet Ash again!
...
Meanwhile, at the police station entrance, Ash and friends appeared, startling Miss Jenny standing duty. Who wouldn't be alarmed by figures suddenly appearing before them?
As Miss Jenny calmed down, looking at the figures before her, Ash had already handed over the rope binding Team Rocket's trio to her: "Miss Jenny, these three are from Team Rocket. They attempted to steal my Pokémon and impersonated airship staff, using a private airship disguised as a public one... You can decide the charges; we're leaving now!"
After Ash finished speaking, the trio's figures vanished once more, leaving as unexpectedly as when they arrived.
Left 'in charge' of Team Rocket's trio, Miss Jenny was utterly bewildered—what in the world?!
What penalties Team Rocket's trio will face depends on Miss Jenny's judgment. Beyond attempting to take Pikachu, other charges should be easily investigated by Jenny, while Ash and company are already outside Dr. Nemu's research institute on Valencia Island.
The institute's appearance closely resembled Professor Oak's, and Ash stepped forward, knocking on the door, only to find it open. Inside were three kids, significantly younger than Ash, busily scurrying about.
"Um... hello, we're here to find Dr. Nemu. Is she at the institute?"
Ash's voice immediately turned the three girls' heads in his direction, and they spoke one after another: "Dr. Nemu, she's..."
"In the backyard by the bay..."
"Taking care of Pokémon."
"We'll take you there! *3"