Merlock and Vanitas and Their Goons Released/Dinner Disaster

*(Out in the desert that same night, Ruggedo, Bulba, Makuramon, Myotismon, Hunter J, Demidevimon, and Splatter Phoenix are getting water from a familiar well while the thieves are nearby resting up. And Bulba, thanks to his injuries he received earlier in the last chapter, is now an anthro male bull with the same body and main attire, with the main attire now cleaned, repaired, and fixed already, but now has red and yellow armored cyborg-like arm and hand-shaped gauntlets on his old healed burn scarred arms underneath his shirt, business suit, and lab coat's sleeves and old healed burn scarred hands, with his robot arms and hands also automatically turning into different types of firearm and/or bladed weapons in combat, his scratches on his right eye are all healed and old thanks to Splatter Phoenix's healing gel he secreted with and just wiped it off now while going up to the well, a red and yellow armored right side bull horn, replacing the original that broke off, and at the stem of it, a small red and yellow armored plate on the right side of the top of his head where his new horn is, that can automatically turn into a one-lensed scanner-like goggle and/or eye laser cannon that he can use over his scarred eye in spying and/or combat)*

Ruggedo: (Angrily) Oh, that lousy Ash and his sister and friends.

Myotismon: (Angrily) They made fools out of us.

Bulba: (Angrily while admiring his new look) The only good thing I *can* say about them is my new and improved appearance, which makes me awesome!

Makuramon: (Angrily) I agree, boys.

Splatter Phoenix: (Angrily) And Hunter J and I really need to get Meowzie and Stellaluna back into our clutches again!

Hunter J: (Angrily) Without them, the two of us cannot stay alive and beautiful forever!

Demidevimon: And we especially want to get back at those fools!

Ruggedo's group except Demidevimon: You said it!

*(The thieves nearby are scheming, unknown to Ruggedo's group)*

Thief 1: (Growling a bit) Those lousy leaders of ours!

Thief 3: Especially Dumbus Bulba getting himself that cool cyborganic from his stupid earlier injuries instead of any of us that got possibly hurt like that!

Thief 2: When we get our hands on them, we will make them wish they're never born!

Thief 3: And I want that cyborganic armor from Bulba!

Splatter Phoenix: Hey! Get over here and wash up!

Ruggedo: We don't need an ugly *and* smelly gang of thieves!

Bulba: Let alone dirty!

Demidevimon: Chop, chop!

Thief 1: (Smirking evilly at Ruggedo's group) "Chop, chop," eh? *(Taking his sword out)* It's time we vote for a new leader!

*(Ruggedo picked up a bucket of water and dumped it all over his head. He yelped as something hard hits him and fell to the ground. He, Bulba, Demidevimon, Makuramon, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix then spot the black lamp, the one that hit Ruggedo's head, on the ground that Ruggedo picked up)*

Ruggedo: What's this?

Splatter Phoenix: Looks like a magic lamp.

Bulba: Looks like its genie can grant us wishes.

Ruggedo, Myotismon, Hunter J, Demidevimon, Makuramon, and Splatter Phoenix: Probably.

*(Ruggedo begins to rub the lamp with his hand. Then he and Demidevimon yelped as the thieves came to him and his group with their swords)*

Splatter Phoenix: (Pulling her sword out) Turning against us, eh?

Makuramon: (Pulling his sword out) Desert mutiny?

Hunter J: (Pulling her sword out while Myotismon and Demidevimon prepared themselves in determination) We like to see you try!

Bulba: (Preparing his new cyborganic arms) Bring it on!

Thief 1: We are putting you out of your misery!

*(Before the first thief could strike the seven, however, red smoke came out of the black lamp and scared the thieves, making them drop their swords)*

Thief 3: Witchcraft!

*(Then some evil laughter came from the black lamp which scared Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon while Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix are the only ones unafraid, just surprised calmly. The laughter grew louder as two familiar figures appeared in the sky and a familiar dark anthro duck, a familiar Arabian anthro dog, and a familiar anthro tiger landed on the ground upon emerging from the black lamp. It is Merlock's group, consisting Merlock and Vanitas. And the dark anthro duck, Arabian anthro dog, and anthro tiger are none other than Negaduck, Dijon, and Shere Khan respectively)*

Vanitas: YES!!

Merlock: We are free!

Vanitas: Free to get revenge on the ones who dared imprisoned us!

Merlock: Exactly!

*(Negaduck, Dijon, and Shere Khan recovered and agreed)*

Dijon: Uh, way ahead of ya!

Negaduck: Let's get those fools!

Shere Khan: Come!

Dijon: Like they said!

*(The villains tried to fly away, carrying Negaduck, Shere Khan, and Dijon, but Merlock and Vanitas' big auras around their shackle-like wristbands restrained them. They stopped and, along with their henchmen, looks shocked)*

Vanitas: (Groans a bit) We should've remembered.

Merlock: It is the curse of the lamp. We got all the power of the universe at our command and we are now stuck by the three genie rules!

Vanitas: That also means we can't kill those boys.

Shere Khan: (While he, Dijon, and Negaduck were dropped off on the ground by Merlock's group) And even if we henchmen tried to do it for you, we would get caught easily.

*(The villains noticed Ruggedo's gang and smirked evilly as they see a shocked Ruggedo's gang and amazed Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix)*

Merlock: But I bet someone else can help us do so, guys.

*(The two flew down to Ruggedo's gang, nearly scaring Ruggedo, Demidevimon, Makuramon, and Ruggedo's thieves out of their wits, even making Ruggedo and Makuramon drop their swords. Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix, on the other hand, slowly realized who Merlock's group and their henchmen are)*

Myotismon and Hunter J: Wait a minute....

Splatter Phoenix: You guys....

Bulba: We knew you....

Merlock's group: We want you thieves to take us to Agrabah, NOW!!

*(Ruggedo, Demidevimon, Makuramon, and the thieves screamed as they began to stutter non-stop a bit. Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix, again on the other hand, realized who those genies and their henchman are)*

Splatter Phoenix: (To Ruggedo's gang) Quit being such scaredy-cats!

Hunter J: (Points at Merlock's group) This is actually Splatter Phoenix's husband....

Myotismon: (Agreeng) Mine and Hunter J's son....

Myotismon and Hunter J: And their group.

Bulba: (Agreeing) Old comrades.

Myotismon: (Looking at the terrified Demidevimon and Makuramon) Even you two idiots remember *and* know them as well.

*(Ruggedo, Demidevimon, Makuramon, and the thieves got confused that they stopped being scared while Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix deactivated his cyborganic arms' combat mode and put their swords away respectively)*

Ruggedo's gang: (Confused) What?

*(Merlock's group noticed Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix and they recognized each other with calm evil smirks)*

Vanitas: Ah, Mother, Father, Bulba, and Splatter Phoenix.

Negaduck: Good to see you again.

Merlock's group: I'll say.

Bulba: Indeed.

Hunter J: But uh, Vanitas, how did you become a genie along with Merlock suddenly?

Myotismon: What happened?

Splatter Phoenix: And where's the rest of the loser goons?

*(Merlock and Vanitas poofed into red smoke and changed back into their normal forms)*

Merlock: First off, who rubbed our lamp?

*(Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix pointed at Ruggedo)*

Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix: He did.

Ruggedo: Time out! *That*, Splatter Phoenix, is your husband, Myotismon and Hunter J's son, and their goons the whole time?

*(Even Demidevimon and Makuramon realized upon closer inspection)*

Makuramon: Wow, it *is* them!

Demidevimon: (Looking at Makuramon) They gave us both quite a scare.

Makuramon: (Nods in agreement) I'll say.

Thief 4: How could we not have known?

Negaduck: (Flatly) You are amazed, I'm sure.

Shere Khan: (Nonchalantly) Indeed.

Dijon: (Noticing Bulba's new appearance) And how did you g...?

Ruggedo: (Looking at the black lamp, cutting Dijon off) If that means I rubbed the lamp....

Dijon: (Realizing with Ruggedo, changing the subject in agreement) Then you hold the wishes!

Bulba: Thus, you're their master who gets the wishes alone.

Demidevimon: That is cool!

Dijon and Makuramon: Indeed!

Merlock: Three wishes to be our precise, as part of the job for us.

Vanitas: But before we do that, I wish for you thieves to take the lamp to Agrabah.

Splatter Phoenix: (Smirking evilly in agreement) So you would need me, Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and them.

Myotismon: (Smirking evilly in agreement) Very well.

Hunter J: (Smirking evilly in agreement) We will take you to Agrabah.

Bulba: (Smirking evilly in agreement) As you wish.

Ruggedo: But first.... I want my wishes.

*(Merlock's group and their henchmen got calmly surprised at first, and then Merlock and Vanitas angrily fired energy blasts at Ruggedo's gang, except the annoyed Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix, who screams a bit as he and his gang dodged them. A short pause, then, while Ruggedo's gang regathered and put away their dropped swords, Merlock's group, their henchmen, Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix smiled evilly)*

Vanitas: Very well, since that is the case, you will have your three wishes.

Dijon: Ruggy, you can wish for anything you want!

Merlock's group: Almost everything he wants.

Dijon and Ruggedo: Eh?

Shere Khan: Have you forgotten the three cardinal genie rules?

Splatter Phoenix: Me, Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and our two buffoons happen to have read about genie magic before.

Demidevimon: (Snobbily while crossing his wings) That's right.

Bulba: The three rules are; Never kill anyone, never force someone to fall in love with someone else, and never bring people back from the dead.

Makuramon: Those are definitely the three cardinal genie rules.

Ruggedo: (Determinedly) And I know just what I want! *(Pondering*) I want riches, treasures.... *(Perks up)* I know! I wish for the legendary treasure of Blackbeard!

Merlock and Vanitas: (Bowing) Your wish is our command.

*(They all poof away. Later, they appeared underwater in a sunken ship. Alarmed upon appearing with the villains, Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon swam around, but looked horrified as they see an octopus' three tentacles trying to grab them. They tried to swim away only to be grabbed)*

Vanitas: So, enjoying your wish?

*(Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon shook their heads in alarm)*

Merlock: Maybe you want us to grant your wish to return to the desert.

*(Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon nodded quickly)*

Merlock and Vanitas: Your wish is our command.

*(Merlock and Vanitas then poofed themselves, their henchmen, and Ruggedo's gang back to the desert, causing the octopus to vanish, freeing Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon from the three tentacles. Ruggedo's gang then spits out some water)*

Splatter Phoenix: (To Ruggedo) Note to yourself, be careful what you wish for.

Vanitas: She's right.

Merlock: You used up two wishes.

Vanitas: Take your time with the third.

Negaduck: And that is to set Merlock and Vanitas free from the lamp.

Shere Khan: (To Negaduck, in agreement) That's right.

Vanitas: (To Ruggedo's gang) Of course, if you help us with our plan of revenge, we will make sure you will be rewarded.

Ruggedo's gang: We are?

Thief 2: That's nice.

Merlock: (Darkly) We want you to help us get revenge on a boy by the name of.... Ash Ketchum. Along with his sister and friends.

Vanitas: (Darkly) The ones who put us in this position.

Ruggedo's group: (Surprised) Ash and his sister and friends?!

Ruggedo: (Angrily) You aren't the only ones who want revenge on those boys and girl *and* that boy who is that Ishida's brother!

Splatter Phoenix: Heck, they took away mine and Hunter J's fountains of youth, Stellaluna and Meowzie!

Bulba: (To Merlock's group, angrily) And made me into this half cyborg condition! *(To us, smugly)* Which I admit is the only good thing I can say like I said before.

*(Merlock's group, hearing the three say that, got interested in calm shock and surprise)*

Vanitas: I take it those two girls got away from you because of those boys, one of them one of the boys' brother, and girl?

Hunter J: (To Vanitas) Yep. *(To Merlock and Myotismon)* And you both actually placed me, Myotismon, Splatter Phoenix, and Demidevimon under a spell that if Stellaluna and Meowzie's pendants are destroyed, the four of us will die with the pendants.

Merlock and Myotismon: True.

Negaduck: And rest assured, it'll never happen.

Demidevimon: Yep.

Splatter Phoenix: Oh, not to worry, it won't. Hunter J, Myotismon, and I tricked them both into believing they'll lose their magic if they destroyed the pendants so they won't get rid of them and get away from us.

Merlock: But from what I just sensed with my new telepathy, the two figured out your lies.

*(Hearing him, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix glared bitterly)*

Myotismon: No wonder!

Splatter Phoenix: So *that's* why they ran away a week ago!

Hunter J: Because of the truth!

Bulba: And because of those boys, that brother of one of them, and that girl, they're out of our grasp!

*(Ruggedo took his sword out and swings it a few times)*

Ruggedo: And those brats also sure made fools out of us in front of our own men! We'd fight him to the bitter end! And my brilliant swordsmanship will never fail me!

*(Dijon, however, after Ruggedo swung his sword close to the former's waist which results in his pants coming down, revealing his underwear, much to the villains' annoyance)*

Bulba: (Flatly) Let me help you with that.

*(As Bulba helps Dijon get his pants back up, Merlock's group smiled sinisterly)*

Merlock: My group and I are glad you see things our way.

Vanitas: And once those wretched fools are gone, no one can stop us from dominating Agrabah first and then take over the world.

Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix: You said it.

*(Then they began to use their magic as a song began)*

Merlock: **I know that your powers of retention**

**Are as wet as a cobra's backside**

Vanitas: **But thick as you are....**

*(He noticed the second thief drowsily falling asleep when he slaps him awake, making him snap awake and salute)*

Vanitas: **Pay attention**

Merlock: **Our words are a matter of pride**

Negaduck: **It's clear from your vacant expressions**

Merlock: **The lights are not all on upstairs**

Shere Khan: **But we're talking sultans and successions**

*(Demidevimon, Makuramon, and the thieves snicker a bit at this, but Merlock's group, Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix glared at them, making them pipe down)*

Myotismon: **Even *you* can't be caught unawares**

*(On "Unawares," Myotismon shoves Demidevimon, Makuramon, and the thieves into some magic geysers Merlock conjured and then the geysers sent Demidevimon, Makuramon, and the thieves flying into the air and onto the ground)*

Merlock's group: **So prepare for a chance of a lifetime**

**Be prepared for sensational news**

**A shining new era**

**Is tiptoeing nearer**

Ruggedo: **And where do we feature?**

Splatter Phoenix: (Pinching his cheek) **Just listen to teachers**

Merlock's group, Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix: **We know it sounds sordid**

**But you'll be rewarded**

**When at last we are given our dues**

*(Then understanding, Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon joined in)*

Merlock and Ruggedo's groups: **And injustice deliciously squared**

**Be prepared**

*(Just before "Be prepared," Ruggedo kicks one thief down into a pile of fake snakes Vanitas conjured. After recovering, the thieves got interested and then confused)*

Thief 1: (Determinedly) Yeah! Be prepared!

Thief 2: (Determinedly) We'll be prepared!

Thief 3: (Confused) But for what?

Merlock: For the deaths of the meddlers.

Thief 3: (Dumbfounded) Why? Are they sick?

Vanitas: (Grabbing the third thief's shirt's neck rim) No, fool. We're gonna kill them.

Merlock: And then have Ruggedo wish me and Vanitas free.

*(Vanitas released the third thief)*

Ruggedo, Demidevimon, and Makuramon: Great idea!

Thief 4: Who needs sultans?

Thieves: No sultans, no sultans, na-na-na-na-na!

Merlock and Ruggedo's groups: IDIOTS!!

Splatter Phoenix: There *will* be sultans!

Thief 2: But you said....

Merlock and Ruggedo's groups: *We* will be sultans.

Merlock: Stick with us, and you'll never go broke again.

*(The thieves cheered a bit)*

Thieves: Long live the sultans!

*(They they marched around in respect)*

Thieves: **It's great that we'll soon be connected**

**With some sultans who'll be all-time adored**

Ruggedo: **Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected**

**To take certain duties on board**

Bulba, Myotismon, Hunter J, and Splatter Phoenix: **The future is littered with prizes**

Merlock: **And though we're the main addressees**

Vanitas: **The point that we must emphasize is**

*(They end the marching and shouts in the thieves' faces)*

Merlock and Ruggedo's groups: **YOU WON'T GET ANY GOLD WITHOUT US**

*(Then they did their grand finale to the song)*

Merlock's group and Ruggedo's gang: **So prepare for the *coup* of the century**

**Be prepared for the murkiest scam**

**(La, la, la)**

**Meticulous planning**

**(We'll have loot)**

**Tenacity spanning**

**(Lots of loot)**

**Decades of denial**

**(We repeat)**

**Is simply why we'll**

**(Endless treasures)**

**Be sultans undisputed**

**Respected, saluted**

**And seen for the wonder we are**

**Yes, our magic and ambitions are bared**

**Be prepared**

**Yes, our magic and ambitions are bared**

**Be prepared**

*(The villains laughed evilly a bit as the song ended and we fade to black. Back at the palace after we crossfade back to it, the heroes, except Pikachu, Eevee, Gabumon, Patamon, and the Fearsome Four, and even Volteer, Grace, and Haruhiko and Toshiko Takenouchi themselves watched at dinner as Crash, Sombra, and Gene perform their tricks)*

Gene: Watch carefully everyone!

Sombra: Crash, Gene, and I got this trick from many Japanese places!

Crash: And this is how they do it!

*(Picking up a carrot, Crash then chopped it into pieces with his knife along with Sombra and Gene)*

Crash's group: Hi-ya!

*(They do it over and over again, making everyone chuckle a bit. This continues until a slicing noise is heard. Crash had magically cut his hand off)*

Crash: (Sheepishly) Oops!

*(Crash's hand stood up all of the sudden and made a cane appeared in its fingers. It then proceeds in doing a jig for everyone, even amusing Volteer's group some more as they and everyone applauded a bit)*

Volteer: (Laughing a bit) As usual, Crash, this is the most amusing trick ever along with Sombra and Gene.

Tawna: Especially since they're magical.

Coco, Mohawk, and Sabrina: Yep!

Luz and Lisa: Good ol' Uncle Crash, Daddy, and Gene.

Aku-Aku: (Nods in agreement proudly) Very good.

Crash's group: Thanks. (Thank you.)

Crash: Allow me to pull myself together.

*(As Crash screws his hand back on, Volteer's group turned to Ash's group with smiles)*

Volteer: Now onto more personal matters. Ash's group, you have proven to be quite the fine people and bravest heroes in all my group's years as rulers of Agrabah.

Grace: We have never seen anyone with much good charisma as you before, the way you have skills that are helpful, even in dire situations.

Haruhiko: Which really impressed us.

Toshiko: Indeed.

Volteer's group: So, that's why we are going to make you boys, besides being the Merry Team, our trusted advisors.

Ash's group: (Surprised) What? Us?

Toshiko: That's correct!

Serena's group: Isn't it great?

*(Crash appears next to Ash's group excitedly)*

Crash: Wow! What a great moment!

*(Crash then transforms Ash's group's clothes into black tuxedos and gave them neat slick hair)*

Crash: Guys, allow me to give you this great honor!

*(Crash gives Ash's group some sort of golden awards before shaking their hands. Then he turns into a seller who is giving out many stuff to them)*

Crash: (Shouting) Ash's group supplies! Get your Ash's group supplies here!

*(As Ash's group watched on in calm surprise and everyone else chuckled a bit at this, Crash's group is now wearing royal attire and Crash is blowing on a horn)*

Crash's family: All hail Ash's group, the trusted advisors!

*(Crash transforms Ash's group, including his family and their group, back to normal as they go over to Volteer's group)*

Luz: So Volteer, guys?

Sabrina: What do your trusted advisors do for you?

Haruhiko: To put it simply, they will be our most trusted advisors, of course.

Toshiko: Wouldn't it be grand, boys?

Grace: To be working in the palace for us besides fighting evil and stopping crimes out in the world?

Ash's group: Well....

Tawna: Of course it's a good idea.

Sombra: Ash's group *is*, definitely, a better idea.

Gene: They are much better than those creeps, Merlock, Vanitas, and Negaduck!

*(Gene then changes his head into Merlock, Vanitas, and Negaduck on each respective name he says and makes mean faces)*

Grace: (Frowning nonchalantly) That is quite correct.

Crash: Not to mention their creepy, jerky henchmen, Dijon, Shere Khan, Fidget, and Team Rocket!

*(Ash's group's eyes secretly widened in shock as they hear Fidget and Team Rocket's names. Even Darkwing and Tai's groups, Crunch, Aku-Aku, Stellaluna, and Meowzie got secretly calmly concerned while Tai's group's Digimon partners gathered some food for Pikachu's group outside and then left)*

Crash: They are mean!

Ash's group who trust Meowth's group: (Nervously) Uh, Crash?

Crash: (Ignoring Ash's group who trust Meowth's group) They are very very bad!

*(Crash turns his head into Meowth's and got in Volteer's face)*

Crash: (Mockingly imitating Meowth) Poppy want fishes, poppy want fishes?

*(Crash then changes his head back to normal)*

Crash: You remember what happened, right?

Volteer: (Angrily) That is right! I can still taste the fish chunks he forced down my throat!

Grace: (Calming him down) Volteer, calm down!

*(Realizing his temper from Grace's line, especially when Haruhiko and Toshiko cleared their throats in agreement, Volteer calmed his anger down)*

Volteer: (Calming down) Sorry. *(Calmly happy again along with Crash and Gene)* But other than that, that's in the past.

*(Crash laughs a bit as he pulled Ash's group into a hug)*

Crash: Yep! That's my pals, Ash's group, who is not going to be seen with guys like them! Nope! No way!

Ash: (Chuckles sheepishly a bit along with his group who trust Meowth's group) Uh, yeah....

*(Back outside, Pikachu, Eevee, Gabumon, Patamon, and the Fearsome Four are still guarding the hidden cage, with Flip looking bored. Then the eight heard Meowth's group's voices from underneath)*

James: (Voice-over, whispering) Hey, Pikachu, guys, is it okay to come out yet?

Fidget: (Voice-over, whispering) Any sign of revealing us yet?

Bushroot: (Whispering) Afraid not.

Pikachu: (Whispering, shaking his head no with Eevee in agreement) Pika.

James: (Voice-over, whispering) Aw, nuts!

Fidget: (Voice-over, whispering) I hope Ash and the others have told the palace residents by now.

Meowth: (Voice-over, whispering) Why haven't they told them yet?

Jessie: (Voice-over, whispering) Probably because they need to make the time right.

Liquidator: (Whispering in agreement) Because 10 out of all 10 psychology experts say that those who want to reveal their secrets need to make the timing right.

Megavolt: (Whispering) But despite what you just said, Licky, this is taking forever.

Quackerjack: (Whispering) Have patience, Sparky.

Megavolt: (Almost loudly) DO...! *(Realizes, then changes to whispering)* Don't call me "Sparky!"

Gabumon: (Whispering) Well, I don't know if they did or not, but....

Meowth: (Voice-over, whispering) Are there any air vents in this chamber?

Jessie: (Voice-over, whispering) I feel like we're suffocating down here.

Patamon: (Whispering) There are.

*(Eevee quietly chirps a bit in agreement reassuringly. Meowth's group is then heard sighing in relief)*

Meowth's group: (Voice-over, whispering) Oh, good.

*(Then Agumon's group arrived with some food)*

Gomamon: (Whispering) Here's your dinner.

Agumon: (Whispering) As we promised.

Megavolt: (Whispering, while he and Pikachu's group accepted the food) Thanks.

*(Suddenly, Biyomon, Jiji, Pura, Polar, Baby T, Lillipup, and Scrooge's group, except Gene, approached Pikachu and Agumon's groups in confusion)*

Biyomon: Pikachu, who are you and the others talking to? And why did you and the Digimon, Agumon, bring their dinner out to them?

Jiji: When they *should* be inside with us, eating dinner?

Scrooge: What's up?

*(The Fearsome Four, Pikachu, Eevee, Gabumon, Patamon, and Agumon's group got nervous)*

Quackerjack: (To Biyomon and Jiji, nervously) Talking? Oh, just me and my buddies' imaginary friend here.

Jiji: (Confused) What imaginary friend?

Quackerjack: (To Biyomon and Scrooge's groups, casually) Oh, you know how some people can have imaginary friends. *(To Pikachu and Agumon's groups)* Right?

Bushroot: (Agreeing) Oh, yeah.

Megavolt: (To the air, agreeing) Say, isn't this a beautiful night, hoping to have dinner Agumon's group brought us?

*(Quackerjack gobbled his food down like a chipmunk while Megavolt eats his strawberry in one bite and gulp)*

Megavolt: Mmm...! So delicious!

Patamon: (Nervously agreeing) Yeah!

Pikachu: (Nervously happy in agreement) Pikachu!

*(Even Eevee chirps nervously a bit in agreement)*

Quackerjack: (Swallows his food, then casually) So, there's nothing wrong about that.

Biyomon: What's going on, guys?

Jiji: Are you hiding something from us?

Scrooge: Aye, tell us the truth.

*(The Fearsome Four hesitated. Then Biyomon and Jiji sighed while Pura, Polar, Baby T, and Lillipup got suspicious)*

Biyomon: Please, no more secrets.

Huey: You can tell us.

Webby: If you do, we won't tell anyone either.

Jiji: We mean it.

*(Shaking a bit with Pikachu, Eevee, Gabumon, and Agumon's group, the Fearsome Four and Patamon finally cracked)*

Megavolt: Okay, we're talking with some new friends!

Quackerjack, Bushroot, and Liquidator: We just met them today.

Patamon: They're in the cage below us.

Biyomon and Scrooge's groups: (While they, Pura, Polar, Baby T, and Lillipup got interested) Some new friends?

Gabumon: They're nice guys.

Pikachu: (Agreeing) Pika.

Biyomon: Well, can we see who they are?

Dewey: We like to meet them.

Jiji: Show us.

*(The Fearsome Four gulped, unsure what to say along with the others while Pura, Polar, Baby T, and Lillipup got eager. Then Scrooge went over to the button and, to Pikachu and Agumon's groups' concern, he pushed it. And then the cage rose up and, then to Pikachu and Agumon's groups relief, the cage is empty. Biyomon and Scrooge's groups got confused)*

Biyomon: (Confused) I thought you said your new friends are in there.

Jiji: (Confused) And if they *were* here, where are they?

Scrooge: (Realizes something, then teasingly) Were you lollygaggers just joking around? If so, dinnae worry.

Jiji: (Agreeing teasingly while winking) We can take a joke.

*(The Fearsome Four, Gabumon, and Agumon's group laughed nervously a bit while Pikachu, Eevee, and Patamon giggled nervously a bit)*

Megavolt: (Nervously) Yeah, we were!

Quackerjack: (Nervously agreeing) It was my idea!

Gabumon: We were actually just joking around!

*(Suddenly, a sneeze is heard. They turned and saw, to Biyomon and Scrooge's groups' horror and Pikachu and Agumon's groups' shock and concern, Meowth's group, out of the cage, for it turned out they secretly snuck out via a secret trapdoor behind the cage's underground location due to the cage bars being wide and having no vertical bars blocking the openings)*

Biyomon and Scrooge's groups: (Shocked with Pura, Polar, Baby T, and Lillipup) Fidget and Team Rocket?!

Meowth's group: (Nervously) Uh, hi there.

*(Then Biyomon and Scrooge's groups got angrily determined)*

Biyomon: (While Pura, Polar, Baby T, and Lillipup angrily growled a bit in determination) Wait until we get everyone after we chase you to them!

Scrooge: (Angrily in determination) Come here, you little troublemaking losers!

Jiji, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby: (Angrily) Get them!

*(They charged towards the palace, chasing a screaming Meowth's group, much to Pikachu and Agumon's groups' concern)*

Liquidator: Oh, boy!

Megavolt: Not good!

Pikachu: (Calling out to them) Pikachu!

*(Pikachu and Agumon's groups then hurried after them. Inside the palace, Meowth's group continued running as Biyomon and Scrooge's groups chased them)*

Meowth's group: HELP!!

*(Pikachu and Agumon's groups caught up to Biyomon and Scrooge's groups, but the two latter groups lunged forward and knocked Meowth's group into some nearby vases. By this time, they find themselves sliding on their bellies right into the dining room. Crash, Sombra, and Gene turned and teleported themselves and their families, except the sliding Scrooge's group, away just as Biyomon and Scrooge's groups crashed into the dining table, ruining dinner. Then as Crash, Sombra, Gene, and their families returned, everyone glared at Biyomon and Scrooge's groups, who got concerned upon recovering)*

Serena's group: (Scoldingly) Guys!

Kiki: (Scoldingly) What were you animals thinking, Jiji, running in here?!

Sora: (Scoldingly) You, especially Biyomon, know you aren't supposed to tear around the palace like that!

Serena: (Scoldingly) Especially encouraging Scrooge's group to join in!

*(Ash's group who trust Meowth's group saw Meowth's group hidden in the vases and Biyomon and Scrooge's groups were about speak)*

Scrooge's group: But it wasn't our fault!

Biyomon's group: You don't under...!

*(Pikachu and Agumon's groups came in, cutting them off)*

Pikachu and Agumon's groups except Pikachu and Eevee: Sora, guys!

Pikachu: (Concerned) Pikapi, pika!

Volteer: (Confused) Uh, Ash, what are Biyomon and Scrooge's groups trying to say?

Haruhiko: (Confused) What's going on?

*(The group who trust Meowth's group, now seeing the jig is up, let Ash try to explain)*

Launchpad: Ash, tell them.

Kaya: (Nods) You heard him.

Scrooge: (Dumbfounded) Tell us what?

Jiji: (Dumbfounded) What the heck is going on?

Ash: (After giving a nod to Launchpad and Kaya) Okay, listen. Biyomon and Scrooge's groups are telling us....

*(Meowth's group falls over, breaking free from their vases and to the residents', who didn't know Meowth's group's redemption, shock, they saw them finally)*

Ash's group who trust Meowth's group: (Sheepishly) Fidget and Team Rocket are here.

*(Then the palace residents who don't know, except a shocked Biyomon and Scrooge's groups, Grace, and Haruhiko, got angry)*

Palace residents who don't know: Fidget and Team Rocket?!

Volteer and Toshiko: Guards! Get them!

*(Don Karnage, Mad Dog, Dumptruck, Gibber, and their crew arrived, pulling their swords out. Meowth's group got scared and tried to reason with them)*

Meowth's group: Wait, you don't...!

Don Karnage: Save it for the dungeon!

*(Suddenly Darkwing's group jumps in and stops Don Karnage)*

Darkwing's group: Don't you dare!

*(Then Ash's group who trust Meowth's group came to Meowth's group's aid)*

Don Karnage: What be the meaning of this, my palace residents, guards, and street rat's group?!

Volteer's group: (Surprised) DW, guys?!

Scrooge: (Surprised) Even Tai's group?!

Ash: Listen to what we have to say, please!

Don Karnage: And why should we listen to your no-goody-two-shoed excuses?

Dumptruck: Actually, they might have a good reason to be here.

Kaya and Fearsome Four: (Gesturing haughtily) Thank you, Dumptruck!

Meowth's group: (Desperately nodding) Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Don Karnage: There's no need for time-wasting explanations until...!

*(Then, to his surprise, Volteer's group quieted him)*

Grace: Don Karnage, be quiet.

Haruhiko: Let them speak.

Grace: *Before* we jump to conclusions.

Volteer: (To Don Karnage) Our wives have a point. *(To Ash's group who trust Meowth's group)* Now, why are Fidget and Team Rocket here?

Toshiko: Tell us from beginning to end.

*(Later, all was explained and the palace residents, except a livid Serena, Sora, and Kiki and suspicious Don Karnage, Mad Dog, Dumptruck, Gibber, and their crew, understood. They were now told of Meowth's group's redemption)*

Volteer and Toshiko: So that explains it.

Grace and Haruhiko: And come to think of it....

*(They looked at Meowth)*

Grace: You actually hesitated on eating fishes my husband dished out at you, Meowth.

Meowth: (Nods) Yep. It's cooked fish I like to eat independently, not raw fish, especially not having them shoved down my throat.

Toshiko: (To Fidget) And you, Fidget, come to think of it, actually loved being fed strawberries.

Fidget: (Nods) Yep. Strawberries are, after all, my favorite fruit besides apples.

Dumptruck: And you were the only ones who looked reluctant to take over Agrabah with the fiends after you were told of your useless reward they pretended to promise you.

Don Karnage and Mad Dog: (While Gibber growled a bit in annoyance) Dumptruck!

Dumptruck: (To Don Karnage, Mad Dog, and Gibber, sheepishly) Sorry.

Meowzie: And like we just told you, they are homeless, abused, and treated like dirt by Merlock's group and their other henchmen.

Stellaluna: So come on. If you find it in your hearts, just give them another chance.

*(The palace residents, except Serena, Sora, and Kiki, now deciding to accept Meowth's group, contemplated and then gave in with smiles)*

Volteer's group: Ash, guys?

*(Ash's group listened)*

Volteer: Thank you for telling us.

Grace: For once, we're glad you brought five former enemies in.

Biyomon: Especially those that love to eat cooked fish instead of raw fish independently.

Biyomon and Scrooge's groups except Biyomon: And love strawberries.

*(Ash's group smiled, glad to hear that. Then Volteer's group noticed the mess from the dinner disaster and chuckled sheepishly a bit along with Biyomon and Scrooge's groups)*

Haruhiko: Our wives and us will have the servants clean up.

Toshiko: Yeah.

*(Don Karnage, Mad Dog, Gibber, and their crew scoffed while Dumptruck just happily waved goodbye to Meowth's group)*

Don Karnage: (To Meowth's group, under his breath) Riffraffs.

*(Then he, Mad Dog, Dumptruck, Gibber, and their crew, left. Ash's group, unaware of how angry Serena's group still is, sighed in relief)*

Matt: Man, I thought we were done for.

Joe: I'll say.

*(Noticing Serena's group's anger, everyone got concerned)*

Izzy: Is something the matter?

Tentomon: Why are you three so angry?

*(Ash's group noticed and got confused)*

Tombo: What's with...?

Serena's group: (Angrily) You were hiding Meowth's group all along, weren't you?!

*(The palace residents got shocked at Serena's group's snap and accusation)*

Ash's group: Serena, girls, please!

Ash: We wanted to tell you, but....

Kiki: We don't want to hear it!

Serena: We want to be alone for a while!

Sora and Kiki: Yeah!

*(Then Serena's group began to storm off. They looked back, looking sadly at their lovers)*

Sora: And we thought you changed.

Everyone: But...!

*(Unfortunately, Serena's group stormed out of the room. Ash's group sat back down sadly as everyone looked at them in concern)*

Ash: We are going to make some lousy "Trusted" advisors.

Tombo: Yeah,

Matt: Serena, Sora, and Kiki hate us now.

Volteer: Don't worry about Serena's group.

Grace: Volteer's group and I believe they don't hate you.

Mohawk: Yeah, they're only a little steamed!

*(Crash magically conjures a teapot. He then poured some tea into a cup he also conjured up)*

Crash: Just give those gals time to cool down, that's all.

Lisa: Want a cup of tea?

*(Ash's group stared at Lisa and frowns sadly)*

Lisa: (Concerned) Not helping, huh?

Tawna: Afraid not, dear.

*(Lisa tries to offer it to the others, but they politely refused it)*

Kaya: (In concern, noticing Ash's group still depressed) Ash, guys?

Gabumon: (In concern) You okay?

Ash: (Sighs) I don't get it.

Matt: Every time my brother, Kaya, our friends, and I try to do the right thing, it blows up in our faces.

Tombo: Never works out for us.

*(With a sigh, Ash's group then turned and left the room as well as everyone watched in concern)*

Biyomon and Scrooge's groups: We're really sorry, Pikachu, everyone.

Biyomon: It's our fault my partner, Serena, and Kiki are angry at Ash's group.

*(Pura, Baby T, Pura, and Lillipup gave a soft apologetic meow, whine, and bark in agreement)*

Webby: We didn't mean for it to happen.

Jiji: And I especially never seen Kiki *that* angry before like that.

Megavolt: Actually, you're not the only ones at fault.

*(Meowth's group looked concerned, but then to their amazement, nobody blamed them)*

Megavolt: It was partly the rest of us at fault even.

Meowth's group: It was?

*(The ones responsible for Serena's group getting angry at Ash's group nodded)*

Meowth: Hey, you guys shouldn't blame yourselves. My group and I should be the ones at fault.

Fidget: In other words, we should be the sorry ones.

*(Gene transforms into Jiminy Cricket)*

Gene: (Imitating Jiminy) Let's not blame ourselves. Just let your consciences be your guides.

Jessie: No, no. If the princesses don't want us here, we'll leave you.

James: If they insist.

*(Meowth's group tried to leave when suddenly Crash's group appeared in front of them with Crash as a Jack-in-the-Box. Meowth's group screams a bit in alarm as they fell to the ground)*

Meowth: (Alarmed in anger) Geez! Are you trying to give us heart attacks?!

*(Crash then transformed himself and Tawna into a doctor and nurse respectively and held up an X-Ray in front of Meowth's group's bodies. Sure enough, there's their hearts, and all of them in good shape even. Then Crash and Tawna changed back)*

Tawna: You really *have* good hearts.

Crash: Physically *and* psychologically.

Meowzie: And if you didn't, Ash, Kaya, and their friends, TK, Stellaluna, and I wouldn't have been rescued.

Stellaluna: No shame to have a heart.

Darkwing: They have a good point.

James: (Sighs) But we insist on leaving you.

Crash: But guys, look!

*(Crash points to a depressed Ash's group near the lake, sitting holding their legs, burying their own faces in their own knees)*

Coco: They may be so sad, but I think it would help if you do something nice for them.

Pikachu: (Nods in agreement) Pikachu.

James: But what can we do for them?

Jessie: I mean, it's nice *and* fun to help you before, but....

Volteer: Well, for starters, you can try to win our daughters/nieces over and bring them back together with Ash's group.

Grace: And we'll even help you, in return.

Meowth's group: You will?

*(The group nods)*

Mimi: Friends to the end.

Palmon: Like she said.

Crunch: And you can take that to the bank.

Morgana: Exactly.

*(Meowth's group, calmly moved by their offer to help them bring Ash and Serena's groups together again and win Serena's group over, thought it over and then nods)*

Jessie: It may be tricky, but let's do it.

Meowth: And besides, we can also do *(Winks)* tricky stuff.

*(The group smiled, and then they huddled, as if making a plan to help Ash and Serena's groups get back together and win Serena's group over)*

***Coming up: After using Meowth's group's reverse psychology plan to successfully bring Ash and Serena's groups together again, Serena, Sora, and Kiki are finally won over by Meowth's group and during their time getting to know each other, Fidget and Meowth hurt themselves by accident and accidentally make Megavolt and Quackerjack's locket picture and Mr. Banana Brain doll get ruined in the fountain and then Meowth's group comes clean on how they were forced to work for Merlock's group since their families' deaths years ago while Megavolt and Quackerjack come clean about their mothers' deaths in the past, and then after Serena's group, Stellaluna, and Meowzie comfort them, Stellaluna and Meowzie heal Fidget and Meowth again while Crash's group magically fix Megavolt's locket picture and Quackerjack's Mr. Banana Brain doll. Then after Fidget and Stellaluna and Meowth and Meowzie have their romantic quality time, Stellaluna and Meowzie are then captured by the villains and they force Meowth's group into a deal on helping them defeat the heroes by holding Stellaluna and Meowzie hostage.***