Over at Ash. Ultra Recon Squad Viridian City HQ. Monday evening.

The meeting of all Ultra Recon Squad's Earth division representatives was ongoing. After the initial pleasantries and exchanges, Ash had revealed all that he learned about how the Ultra Recon Squad was planning to invade Earth in the near future once the war was over.

There was an eerie sense of calm among everyone.

"Shall we have a vote to decide?" Ash asked, looking at the numerous delegates in front of him.

Everyone agreed to having a vote, to decide what would be the fate of the contract given to Earth.

The results were in, as every representative present in the conference voted.

129 in favor of NOT accepting the contract.

2 in favor of accepting the contract.

59 abstained/absent from voting.

"I guess that concludes everything." Ash said. "The time is 0600 hours in Japan, and the day is Friday. As the leader of the Ultra Recon Squad's Earth Division, I hereby announce that we're not going to be supporting the Auraini Authoritarian Party with the civil war on Auraini Prime." He added. "We'll be formally rejecting their offer later today."

The meeting then concluded, as all screens turned off.

...

Later that day, at a brief meeting with the Auranians, General Wang was told that his proposal was rejected, and that Earth was not getting involved in the fighting on Auraini Prime.

General Wang was clearly displeased, but quietly left with his delegation to pack their things, and prepare to leave the planet.

Ash and Phyco stood together in a cargo bay of sorts near the top of the HQ building, as they discussed how their plan had gone. There were multiple URS personnel present in the distance, packing crates and loading them on the spacecraft that General Wang used to get to Earth.

Suddenly, General Wang approached Ash and Phyco, along with some of his guards.

"Agent Phyco. Ash Ketchum." Wang said, as he stopped a few steps away. "I have some important notice for you." He added, turning to Phyco. "You must be receiving a message soon. Read it, and report back to base."

Phyco went serious, as he pressed a button on his helmet. His glasses showed a new message, which he began reading.

"I... I require some time." Phyco told Wang.

"Do what you must, but I need to remind you, that delaying the supreme leader can carry grave consequences." General Wang sternly stated.

"Wait, what was that again?" Ash asked, shocked as he looked at Wang and then at Phyco. "What message did you get?"

General Wang cleared his throat. "Mister Ashton Lawrence Ketchum. The Auraini Authoritarian Party has decided that any exchange of intelligence with Earth is to be ceased with immediate effect." He said. "All personnel and assets are to be returned back to Auraini Prime, including any technology built by any Auranian during their refuge on Earth." He added. "Everyone in the Ultra Recon Squad that is not of Earth origin is to return."

Ash squinted his eyes. "So these are your consequences for not playing ball?" He asked.

Wang chuckled a bit. "I am merely carrying out my orders." He replied. "I would advise that you comply with our demands quietly. We do not take kindly to those that do not honor their word."

Ash turned to Phyco. "So this is it?" He asked. "Just one letter, and you're being forced to leave?"

"I have no choice." Phyco replied. "Before I came to this planet, I had sworn to uphold the orders of the Party. The same goes for any Auranian that came to Earth with and after me."

"That's over half of the staff of the Ultra Recon Squad here." Ash said. "Are they all ordered to go back home?"

General Wang stepped ahead. "Yes. Everyone." He said. "Their transportation will be arriving soon. Goodbye, Mr. Ketchum." He added, before turning around and walking away.

Ash and Phyco were left standing in shock. Everyone in the Ultra Recon Squad of Auranian origin was given the same message, ordering them to pack their stuff and leave for home soon. Nobody protested, and quickly began doing as told.

A distant Door slid open, and Soliera came running towards Ash and Phyco.

"Father! Did you also get the orders?" Soliera asked, sweating and panting.

"Yes."

"What are we going to do?"

"Exactly what we're told."

Ash was visibly shocked, as he did a double-take. "You're seriously not gonna fight this?" He questioned.

"If we were to desert, our friends and relatives on Auraini Prime will be imprisoned." Phyco stated. "We cannot be selfish and endanger their lives for our own sake."

"What about Zossie?" Ash asked. "I mean, she was a kid when she came here. She'd be exempt from this, right?"

"No." Phyco replied. "As far as the Auraini Prime division of the Ultra Recon Squad is concerned, she's still an Agent on a mission sent to Earth."

"That's outrageous. It's unfair." Ash replied.

"It may be, but the rulers of Auraini Prime don't care."

Ash didn't say another word. He knew that him being angry over this situation wouldn't help. He bit his tongue, and decided to not hinder the Agents that were ordered to leave.

...

Later that night, over at Spark and Zossie. At a small obscure noodle shop in Viridian City.

Both Spark and Zossie entered the tiny shop that was just a long table at a side with a few chairs next to it. The chef was standing on the opposite side of the wooden table where the kitchen was. The vibe was traditional, and there were no other customers present.

"Hey, boss! Two bowls of the best udon you've got!" Spark exclaimed as soon as he entered, with Zossie right behind him.

"Comin' right up!" The chef replied, as he quickly got to work preparing the order.

Spark and Zossie walked ahead and got seated, as they patiently waited for their order. Spark was in a light and cheerful mood, whereas Zossie looked like she was faking a smile behind her sadness.

"Everything okay?" Spark questioned. "You've been awfully quiet today."

"Oh, don't worry about it!" Zossie spoke up. "I was just thinking about some stuff at work!"

"Hmm." Spark said, staring at Zossie. "Do I need to feel jealous again?"

Zossie raised an eyebrow.

"Just kidding!" Spark exclaimed. "I've learnt my lesson from last time."

The chef placed the bowls of Udon noodles in front of both Spark and Zossie, and offered some additional garnish and chopsticks.

The two thanked the Chef for the food as they took hold of the chopsticks and dug in. Spark loved the flavor, as he slurped up the noodles loudly, finishing them up fast and then just picking up the bowl and straight up drinking all of the remaining broth.

Zossie looked on with wide open eyes, as Spark finished off the bowl squeaky clean.

"Ah... that's some good stuff." Spark said, wiping his mouth clean. He turned to Zossie, who was barely halfway through her bowl. "Not a fan of Udon?"

"Uh.." Zossie nervously sweat-dropped. "I am, but not as quick as you are."

Spark chuckled cheerfully. "I used to have udon as a kid all the time." He said. "My master used to say that it's better since it's pretty light compared to other noodle varieties."

"Oh, I see." Zossie replied, before continuing to eat. "I wonder if it's easy to make."

"It's kinda like most things." Spark replied. "It's easy to learn, but hard to master." He added.

"Would be nice to try making it sometime."

...

Some moments later, the two left the noodle shop.

"So, what do you wanna do next?" Spark asked.

Zossie was checking her phone, and then looked at Spark. "I found a gaming arcade nearby. Wanna check it out?"

Spark's eyes opened wide, as sparkles formed around them. "No way! You're into gaming too?!" He said, shocked. "Since when?!"

"Uhh.. I.. I've been trying to get into it recently." Zossie replied, nervously tapping her fingers together. "I.. wanted to take an interest in your hobbies." She added, blushing a bit.

Spark blushed a bit too, but then his excitement took over him as he grabbed Zossie's hand, and pulled her along as they headed to the gaming arcade.

The arcade was packed with machines of various types. Both Spark and Zossie made their way through the arcade, and played fighting games like Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat, and racing games like Initial D Arcade Stage 0.

Much to Spark's surprise, Zossie beat him at almost everything. After some time playing around in the Arcade, the two left and went out for a little stroll at the outskirts of the city. They reached a hill, and looked over the tall skyscrapers of the city far away.

The darkness of night was being pierced by the full moon in the sky, as Spark and Zossie sat down, and drank a few cans of drinks.

"The moon sure is bright tonight." Zossie said. "It looks so bright, and has so many spots of detail on it." She added.

"Yep, those are craters." Spark replied. "Isn't the sun in the Auraini system very dim, and looks exactly like a full moon?"

"Yes. It does." Zossie replied. "But it's not as pretty as the Moon here. Our dim sun is just a plain white dot in the sky, without any features on it."

"Ah, I can see why it'd be dull." Spark said. "A plain white moon would look kinda boring too, without any of its detail."

"Mhm." Zossie replied, and took a sip from her can.

A few more moments passed, as the two kept moon-gazing.

"You know what the moon reminds me of?" Spark asked.

"What?"

"The story of Kaguya-hime. The tale of the Bamboo cutter." Spark said.

"I'm not familiar with this tale."

Spark proceeded and told Zossie about the tale. It was a tale with a bitter end, where the lovestruck emperor couldn't stop Kaguya-hime, a woman from the Moon, from being taken away by her people. She leaves an elixir of immortality to her lover, which he burns in the end as he does not want to live in a world without her.

Author's note: if you're not familiar with "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", you can find the narrative of the story on Wikipedia. It's a quick read.

Some moments later, Spark finished telling the tale to Zossie. She was moved after hearing about it.

"The emperor was stupid." Spark said. "He should've taken the elixir of immortality, and drunk it." He added.

"Wouldn't that mean he would then be in pain forever?" Zossie asked.

"Nah." Spark said. "Once he'd become immortal, he could just wait till science progressed enough that space exploration became a thing." He added. "Then, he could just hitch a ride on a rocket during the Apollo 11 mission and make it to the moon."

Zossie chuckled. "Wouldn't it be gravely dangerous to do that?"

"Yeah." Spark replied. "But the dude would be immortal. Space wouldn't do shit to him." He added. "Then he could just barge into the city of the Moon-people, and take Kaguya back with him."

"But the moon people in the tale are powerful, aren't they?" Zossie asked. "They won't just give her up easily."

"Yeah, but the dude they're fighting is immortal." Spark replied. "Plus, he'd have had enough time to train himself for the battle against the Moon people during all the endless years." He added. "He'd take down every last one of the moon people if he had to."

Zossie laughed. "You've really thought about this, haven't you?"

"I have." Spark replied. "Don't you start looking for plot holes in whatever story you hear?"

"It's just a story, Spark." Zossie said. "It's supposed to evoke emotion in you as you see your characters suffer and go through trials and hardship." She added. "Sometimes, plot holes and plot armor are needed to make things interesting."

"Can't argue with that." Spark said, before taking a deep sigh.

It was at this moment that both Spark and Zossie realized that their hands were touching the whole time. They looked away as they hid their blushing faces from each other.

After some time, Zossie told Spark that she wanted to go home.

...

Spark pulled over his car at the base of the building where Zossie lived. They both got out, as Spark sort-of walked her over to the building entrance.

"So... did you have fun?" Spark asked. "Sorry, we just did stuff that I liked."

"No worries, Spark. I had lots of fun." Zossie replied, forming a smile.

"R-Right... yeah... cool..." Spark said, nervously fiddling with his thumbs, unable to look Zossie in the eye. He was thinking about how he's supposed to kiss at this point, but was still building up the courage to do so.

Zossie scanned her access card, as the building's doors slid open. "Spark. Can you park your car? I want you to come to my room with me." She said, as she took a step forward inside. Her demeanor had gotten completely serious.

Spark instantly blushed, as he mustered up the courage to at least take a step forward. He did as Zossie said quietly, as the two soon entered the elevator taking them up, and then entered Zossie's little apartment.

Spark silently looked around the little apartment, as Zossie walked towards the bathroom door. She stopped and looked back at him. "Take a seat, Spark. Make yourself at home." She said. "I'll be with you in a minute."

Zossie entered her bathroom and locked the door behind her.

Spark gulped, looking around the room. He noticed some cardboard boxes folded in a corner, and guessed Zossie ordered some stuff recently. Some of her stuff was in boxes as well. In any case, he looked around for a couch to sit in, but noticed that there was none; It was disassembled and put in its Ikea box.

The only suitable place to sit was Zossie's bed in the corner of the room, next to the window. Spark sat on the bed, and impatiently waited. His heart was pounding on his chest, as his expectations rose. He didn't really think his night would go this way.

After a minute which felt like an hour, the bathroom door unlocked and swung open. Zossie didn't walk out yet.

"Uh... Spark?" Zossie said from inside. "Could you... close your eyes for a bit?"

Spark gulped, as he closed his eyes. "Ok... I've closed them."

"Promise not to peek." Zossie said. "Don't open them, until I say so. Otherwise I'll be super angry with you."

"I promise not to peek." Spark replied, keeping his eyes completely closed.

Spark heard footsteps around him. He heard a clicking sound - probably the light switch. The room was likely pitch black now. He continued hearing footsteps that got close to him.

A 'krrrr' sound came. Probably the window curtains next to the bed. Some moonlight was entering the room now.

Zossie promptly sat on the bed right next to Spark.

"Spark...?" Zossie said.

"Yes?" Spark replied. His eyes were still closed.

"Did you bring condoms today?" Zossie asked.

Spark's hands shivered a bit. "Umm ah... I mean, I didn't mean any disrespect! I didn't have any ulterior motive or anything-"

"Just answer the question, Spark." Zossie said, with a bit of seriousness in her voice this time.

Spark gulped. He could feel butterflies in his stomach. "Y..Yes." He hesitantly said, lowering his head as a cloud of shame appeared on his head.

Zossie giggled a bit. "That makes me happy." She said endearingly, as she got closer to Spark and touched his hand.

Spark's eyes were still closed.

Spark was frozen in his place, unable to move at all. He was getting more and more anxious at this point, not being able to see anything while having his "ulterior motive" exposed already.

"Tell me, Spark... do you love me?" Zossie asked, as she locked her hand with Spark's right hand.

A chill went up Spark's spine, with the new loaded question and interlocking fingers with Zossie.

A few seconds passed, as Spark remained frozen in place. Zossie's sigh got audible, as she leaned a bit away from Spark.

"I love you." Spark spoke up.

Zossie gasped, as Spark turned towards her and grabbed her by the shoulders. He pulled her close while leaning a bit, as the two touched lips.

After a few seconds, Spark let go, and leaned back a bit.

Both of them had blushing red cheeks, as they now awkwardly sat on the bed.

"Uh... can I open my eyes now?" Spark asked.

"Yes. You can open your eyes now." Zossie replied.

Spark opened his eyes, and saw Zossie sitting right next to him, completely naked. Her porcelain white skin contrasted against her deep amber eyes and braided hair flowing around her chest.

Zossie grabbed Spark by his jacket, and pulled him close as she leaned back and lay down on the bed. She gently unzipped the jacket, and took it off.

"I wanted to do this with someone I love... someone that loved me back..." Zossie said, as she continued undressing Spark. "To be able to share this with someone that loves me back... I feel so happy, my heart could burst..."

Moments passed by. The bed creaked as the two moved in unison.

Spark took deep breaths, as he sweated while on top of Zossie. Zossie looked at Spark, with a wide smile. "I love you." She said, as she locked her arms around his neck, and legs around his waist. She pulled him completely close, and kissed him with her eyes closed.

Zossie couldn't contain her smile, as the two separated lips. Spark pulled back a few inches, and looked into Zossie's amber orange eyes. She looked back into his blue eyes, that twinkled with the moonlight. She noticed the reflection of the moon in his eyes, as an instant jolt of her memory reminded her - she was due to leave earth, as ordered by the Ultra Recon Squad.

Tears formed, and began rolling down Zossie's face.

"Zossie?" Spark said, concerned. He quickly pulled out, and got up. "Are you hurt?"

Zossie tried to keep her emotions under control, but it was no longer feasible. She quickly let it all out, as she began crying without stopping.

Spark quickly got up and started consoling her, apologizing as well as he thought he'd hurt her.

After a few moments, Zossie finally managed to calm down and started talking. She told Spark that she had been ordered to head back to Auraini Prime. It was likely her last few hours on the planet, without any idea when she'd again be able to come back.

Some moments later, they both got dressed as Spark left. Zossie walked with him to his car.

The two were quiet as they continued walking. Halfway through, they held hands while continuing until they reached Spark's car.

"Any idea when you're leaving?" Spark asked.

"As soon as the transport ships from Auraini Prime arrive." Zossie replied. "The notice said it'll be here in a day or two. Almost a day has passed, so it could be here during the night."

Spark sighed. "I see." He said, lowering his head while thinking.

Zossie kissed and then hugged Spark warmly. "I don't know if I'll have a chance to say goodbye again, so... goodbye, Spark." She said as the two separated.

Spark got in his car. "Yeah... stay safe out there, Zossie." He said, closing the door. "I hope you're able to come back to Earth again."

They waved each other goodbye as Spark drove off into the night. Zossie just stood there calmly, looking at the car's tail lights getting smaller and smaller in the distance, until they were no longer visible.

...

Later that night, back at Ash's house.

Spark was in his room, lying on his bed while blankly staring at the ceiling fan. His arms behind his head, his mind in deep thought.

The lights were off, and the faint moonlight pierced the darkness through the window near Spark's bed.

After some moments of quiet thinking, Spark looked at the moon. His mind was instantly clear on what he was going to do.

The next day, at the breakfast table.

Ash and Serena were present, along with Spark.

"We need to do something about this." Spark told Ash. "You seriously can't just sit by and let that bastard Wang get his way!"

Ash sighed. "I know how you feel. Believe me. I've looked at all my options, Spark." He said defeatedly. "We can't just go to war against opponents we know so little about."

Spark stood up from his chair. "You can't be serious!" he exclaimed. "Are you really saying you'll just sit by and watch?!"

"I can't simply order an invasion of a planet when I don't even have a reliable way of getting there." Ash replied. "This is bigger than us."

Spark went silent for a moment. "I can't just let this happen." He said. "I'm gonna go after them, and destroy them!" He added, as he started walking towards the exit door.

"Calm down, son." Ash said, turning around and looking at Spark walk away. "What'll you do when you get attacked by technology you don't understand?" He asked. "Do you even have a plan?"

"Yeah. I got a plan." Spark replied. "Offense is the best defense. And I'm gonna tear down all of them." He said, before leaving.

Ash and Serena looked at each other.

"What do you think?" Ash asked Serena. "Am I being a pacifist here?"

"I don't know." Serena replied. "But I do think that Spark is in that stage of life where he's willing to make decisions for himself." She added. "It's our responsibility to help him."

Ash sighed. "He's gonna get himself killed going up against an army on an alien planet."

"No he won't." Serena said instantly.

"How come?"

"Because he's got the backing of Ash Ketchum."

Ash got up. "Alright alright, I understand." He said. "You're right. I'll do something."

Serena smiled. "That's my guy." She said, winking.

...

A few hours later, at the Ultra Recon Squad HQ, Viridian City.

Ash stood silently on a platform, overseeing a giant hall that had multiple spaceships parked in it. They were being loaded with cargo and personnel and being refueled for their journey back to Auraini Prime.

"Sir Ashton!" Zossie said, as she appeared from the side walking towards Ash. "I had to come see you one last time before leaving." She said. "I wanted to talk to you."

"I'm listening." Ash replied.

Zossie stood straight and saluted Ash. "I thank you for everything you've done for us." She said. "I can't ever repay you for the kindness you've shown me."

Ash smiled. "Think nothing of it." He said. "You can repay me by passing on the kindness to others around you in need of it."

Zossie nodded, smiling. Her eyes were teary.

"Are Phyco and Soliera boarded?" Ash asked.

"Yes." Zossie replied. "They have senior ranking back on Auraini Prime, so they were ordered inside early for a briefing." She added.

"I've said my goodbyes to them already." Ash said. "I hope you guys can bring about the change you're hoping for."

"I hope so too, Sir Ashton."

"Don't worry. This won't be the last time you see me." Ash said.

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

Zossie looked up at Ash with a bit of a puzzled notion. She didn't understand, but shrugged it off anyway as she stepped closer and hugged Ash briefly.

"Where did Spark go? He couldn't make it?" Zossie asked, looking around.

"I'm afraid so." Ash replied. "He left the house before me, so he might've gotten caught in traffic in a wrong turn."

Zossie sighed. "And he probably doesn't have the permission to run here since the last time he did, it caused hundreds of thousands in damages."

"Yep." Ash said. "I guess so."

A few moments later, The doors of the spacecraft were being closed. Everyone had boarded. Ash looked on from the distance, as Phyco, Soliera, and Zossie stood at the edge of the cargo bay, looking at Ash and waving him goodbye.

"Goodbye, Sir Ashton!" Zossie exclaimed while continuing to wave.

"It's never goodbye, Zossie!" Ash replied. "It's always 'See you again'!"

Zossie paused for a moment, and then nodded. "See you again, Sir Ashton!" She yelled, as the door closed, and created an airtight seal.

Whirring mechanical noises came from the spacecraft, as they slowly moved forwards. A large mechanical shutter opened, revealing the clear sky as the spacecraft left the HQ building, and began catching speed. Within a few moments, they'd gone far up in the sky, and then blasted away.

Ash sighed, as he just stood and watched the spacecraft disappear into the sky.

"See you again."

...

Meanwhile, inside the spacecraft.

Zossie walked behind Phyco and Soliera, with her hands thrown down and head low. They were walking through the cargo bay and headed straight to the passenger compartment.

A noise came from one of the metallic crates nearby.

"Huh?" Zossie said, as she stopped and looked at the source of the noise. Phyco and Soliera continued walking and entered the passenger compartment, leaving Zossie alone.

Suddenly, a crate fell and revealed Spark hiding behind it. Zossie and Spark locked eyes, and stood frozen solid.

The craft's PA turned on. "All passengers are advised to remain seated as we enter Ultra space."

A few seconds passed with Spark and Zossie just staring at each other's faces. Zossie was in complete disbelief, as she pinched herself.

"Uh... hi?" Spark said, sweat-dropping. "I... kinda hitched a ride."

...

*freeze frame*

====================================

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