The Balloon drifted over the tops of the perilous mountains below. The three occupants in the basket shivered as the icy wind blew past them.
"So why do we have to do this again?" Jessie said as she snuggled deeper into her parka.
"Giovanni's orders. We have to check on Dr. F's progress," said James as he scanned the mountains with binoculars.
"Well why us? Why not Bob or Cassidy?" She muttered.
"'Cause we're the boss's favorite," Meowth said as he chuckled bitterly.
"Some boss he is. He didn't even tell us where to find him." Jessie muttered. Moments after she spoke, a flash of lightning lit up the sky, and rain began to pelt the balloon.
"To tell the truth, I'm a little worried about dis," said Meowth.
"Why? It's just a little rain," James said as he tried to bail water out of the basket.
"No. About Dr. F. Everyone back at headquarters says he's a total nutball."
"Define everyone," Jessie said. Meowth ignored her comment.
"For one thing, he lives out here. They say he got kicked out of Johto 'cause his experiments were….too gruesome. They found him digging in the graveyards at night."
"Giovanni said he came to work for us, saying he could revolutionize the world with his discoveries. So he was given funding for his work," continued James, "Giovanni hasn't heard from him since."
"So it's our job to make sure he's doing what he said he'd do?" Jessie said, "Which is what exactly?"
"From what Meowth said, I'm not too eager to find out." James said.
"You're gonna have to soon," Meowth said, "Look!" He pointed at a castle on the mountain side.
The three of them stood in front of the wrought iron gates, looking at the massive structure. It was constructed out of black stone, making it look like a shadow on the mountain side. It looked like something out of a storybook; the evil wizard's castle. At that moment, a bolt of Lightning hit one of the castle's many towers, striking the lighting rod. The trio gulped nervously.
"You go first," Meowth said as he nudged James forward. He reluctantly pushed open the front gate. It made a horrible, metallic screeching noise as it opened up. Team Rocket slowly walked down the path to the front door. Jessie swore she heard a wolf howl in the distance. She quickened her pace. They soon came to the door. It was huge, made of old oak boards and bands of iron. Two hideous door-knockers in the form of gargoyles glared down at them.
"Your turn." James muttered to Jessie. She glared at him as she grabbed one of the rusted rings. It hit the oaken door with a loud thud. Seconds later, a small hatch opened up toward the bottom of the door. A pair of huge, blood-shot, mismatched eyes glared out at them.
"Yes?" said a hoarse, throaty voice. The trio stared stupidly at the leering eyes.
"Uh….does Dr. F live here?" James asked meekly. The eyes continued to stare angrily at them.
"What's it to you?" was the reply. James pulled out a note card and began to read.
"We represent the organization know as Team Rocket, and-"
"Team Rocket?" muttered the voice, "Team Rocket…" The eyes suddenly lit up as though they were remembering something.
"You're Team Rocket?" the voice asked hopefully. The trio nodded slowly. The latch closed up, and several clicks could he heard behind the door. It swung open. Team Rocket's eyes widened at the sight. Before them stood a bizarre looking creature. It resembled some sort of large Pokemon, but unlike anyone they had ever seen before. It was hunched over, and its long arms nearly touched the ground. It was wearing a burlap cloak of some sort. It had a strange head, which seemed to be something between a wolf's and a lizard's. Most unusual about him were two tiny, useless bat wings that stuck out of his back. The creature grinned at them, exposing numerous jagged teeth that didn't quite fit in its mouth. Even though it was only half the height of a human, all three members of Team Rocket were intimidated by it.
"Come, follow me. I'm M'ling by the way," it said as it took a torch from the wall. They reluctantly followed the hobbling beast down the dark hallway. It was as cold in the castle as it was outside.
"We've been waiting for you all day. I've even prepared you dinner. You look like you live on twigs." James and Jessie ignored the creature's babble, instead focusing their attention to the artifacts that were placed around the castle. Shelves of books lined the walls, as did diagrams of various organisms. M'ling soon led them to a door. He opened it with surprising strength, revealing a dining room inside. A table was laid out with plates and silverware. At the head of it sat a tall, thin man. His salt-and-pepper hair stood out in every direction. He stared at the trio with icy blue eyes, smiling with pearly white teeth.
"Good evening," he said in a welcoming voice, "I've been expecting you. Come, sit down, you must be hungry after your journey." The trio sat down on the opposite side of the table.
"Hello sir," James said as he pulled out his note card, "We represent the organization known as Team-Rocket-"
"Formalities will not be necessary. I know why you're here. You wish to know if my experiments have been successful." He seemed to be examining the trio, taking particular interest in Jessie.
"Well are dey?" Meowth asked. Dr. F smiled.
"Yes. I will tell them to you over dinner. But first I want to know about you. What are your names?" They told him.
"Ah. So what is it that you usually do? I'm sure you aren't messengers."
"We actually catch Pokemon and give them to the boss." Meowth said.
"Is that all?"
"In a nutshell, yes."
"It must pay well. They can be very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing." The doctor's words made Jessie and James remember the countless beatings that they had endured at the claws of the more powerful Pokemon. It also reminded them that they didn't get paid very well. M'ling came in with a large tray of cooked beef. He set it down on the table.
"So uh, Doctor, what exactly have you been doing lately?" James asked as he shoveled food onto his plate.
"I'm glad you asked. You see, I have perfected several experiments over the years. Transplants for example."
"Transplants?" asked Jessie, "You mean like organ transplants?" Dr. F smiled.
"Yes. But I've done more than just organs. I've transplanted entire limbs on to totally different creatures."
"That sounds…interesting." Meowth said nervously.
"It's nothing compared to my other experiments. I have discovered that it is possible to make cells transparent. Hypothetically, I might have discovered the secret of invisibility."
"That's amazing," said Jessie, who was genuinely interested in the conversation.
"Yes. I have also been experimenting with an affliction that was found in my homeland that has plagued it for centuries."
"What plague? There wasn't any plague in Johto." said Meowth.
"Not in Johto. I'm actually from a place far from here. I only lived in Johto for a brief period of time. The disease I speak of is a monstrous virus, one that leaves the victim in a constant hunger for blood." The trio shifted uncomfortably in their chairs.
"While the virus is indeed a horrible thing, it has certain side effects that are desirable. For example, eternal life, regeneration, and controlled transformation."
"What kind of disease is this?" asked Jessie.
"It's called Vampirism. Where I come from, anyway." Team Rocket looked at him with large, fearful eyes.
"Well…I think I'm finished," James said.
"Me too," agreed Jessie.
"Indeed." said Meowth. The trio stood up from the table and walked quickly to the door.
"It is late. Perhaps we should turn in. M'ling has set up a bedroom for each of you. I will show you my work tomorrow."
"We'll go get our suitcases from the balloon," James said quickly as he and his companions edged closer to the door.
"Do not worry. M'ling has already brought them to your rooms."
Dr. F watched the rain from the window of his study. He grinned as lighting streaked from the sky. He had chosen a good location for storms. They were vital for his research. Lightning was the key to his experiments. He had tried more conventional forms of electricity, but only lightning seemed to work. Dr. F thought of the people who had come to his castle. They looked like healthy specimens. He would need to find out more about them if they were to be of any use to him. It wasn't that he had anything personal against them. He just needed more subjects. The Meowth, for example. It had been a while since he'd seen one of those. The man would suffice for another genetic experiment. But the woman…she was important. He had no doubt she would be the one to help him complete his greatest work of all. He felt sorry for all of them. They wouldn't understand the contributions they would make. Dr. F heard the door open. He turned around to see his assistant M'ling.
"Dr. Frankenstein…."