An Unexpected Rescue That night, the air was thick with grief and exhaustion. Ash and Pikachu were exhausted from the heartbreaking funeral of Bonnie and May. Their tears had dried on their cheeks, but the sadness still hung heavy over them. It was a sight that even made Team Rocket's hearts melt a little. Jessie and James had been watching the funeral from a distance, and when they saw Ash's broken face, they made an unexpected decision. Instead of trying to catch Pikachu, they waited until everyone had left. Then they crept over to the crying duo. "Hey, kid," Jessie said, her voice surprisingly soft. "You look like you need a break from it all." Ash looked up, confused and exhausted. Before he could protest, James gently grabbed his arm. "We'll take you somewhere where you can rest. Just for a while." And then the unthinkable happened. Team Rocket, the archenemies, escorted Ash and Pikachu back to their secret base. It wasn't the glamorous cave they often dreamed of, but a messy, underground refuge filled with failed inventions and empty pizza boxes. They led Ash and Pikachu to a small but surprisingly cozy room. There was a simple bed, covered by a once-colorful, but now faded, duvet. "Here," James said softly, "is your new... er... room. Just for tonight." He helped Ash lie down while Jessie carefully lifted Pikachu up and placed him by Ash's side. Jessie folded the duvet around Ash, her movements unusually tender. "You've had a long day, kid. Get some sleep." She stroked his hair briefly, a gesture more motherly than the villainous facade she usually wore. James sat on the edge of the bed and nuzzled Pikachu gently behind the ear. The little Pokémon closed its eyes and sniffed at Ash, who was already beginning to fall asleep. "We... we have an alarm set," James said, sounding awkward. "So... uh... no one will disturb you." In the dim lighting of Team Rocket's base, surrounded by the sound of a leaking faucet and the distant hum of machinery, Ash and Pikachu slept without crying for the first time in a long time. They were in the enemy camp, but for one night, Team Rocket were their unexpected guardians, offering comfort and a safe place to rest, far from the burden of grief. Would you like me to generate more images or tell another story?