A Strange Request: Chapter 1
Misty sighed.
Taking a quick glance at her still silent telephone, she dropped her chin onto her hand. 'Great', she thought dejectedly, 'another Friday wasted'.
Ever since she had returned home to the Cerulean City Gym, Misty had been helping out with the finances by taking on jobs, and for the past few months, that job had been babysitting. It reminded her of little Togepi with whom she had parted all those years ago.
She was fairly successful at it, with the help of some advertising in the phone book and on fliers, and rather enjoyed the task. Friday's were usually her busiest day. Sometimes she had several appointments, mostly from young parents looking to get some alone time, but so far she hadn't had any calls whatsoever.
It was late in the afternoon, and most of her appointments would already have been set by now.
Being cooped up in her house without anyone but her ditzy sisters to talk to was making her a little stir-crazy. She had become so accustomed to being active and productive everyday.
She smiled a little, remembering the crazy things that used to happen during her travels with Ash and Brock.
"I wonder what happened to those days?" she asked out loud. 'Oh, yeah, that's it…' she thought, grimacing, 'Ash went and won in the Pokemon League, and finally had enough money to… to buy me a new bike…'
Misty allowed herself a sad chuckle at that. That pathetic excuse had really come back to bite her.
Hard.
Since they had gone their separate ways, Misty had had hardly any contact with the young Pokemon Master, aside from an occasional call updating her on his latest achievements.
Even then, it just wasn't… the same anymore.
It hadn't been for quite a while.
Especially since… since they weren't showing up anymore.
They hadn't been for a long time. It had been three whole years since she had even heard of them. Without the constant interruptions and frequent battles and strange mishaps, her life just wasn't as interesting.
Even as she thought about it, Misty was astonished to discover that… life was boring without Team Rocket.
Sure, she had always been the first to question their motives, and maybe she had been a little less than civil to them on occasion, but… she knew they weren't all bad.
On several occasions they had shown true character, and it was during those times that Misty tried to help them succeed. But now it seemed they had vanished off the face of the earth completely.
It was strange to realize that somehow over the years, Misty had come to consider them – however distantly – as friends.
After another hour of reading and waiting by the phone, Misty was about to give up when the phone started ringing.
"Finally!" she exclaimed, jumping off the couch and grabbing the receiver.
"Hello!" she chirped enthusiastically.
There was a moments pause, then a soft female voice spoke "…h- hello? Is, uh, Misty there?"
"This is she!"
"Oh… um, you're the one with the babysitting service, right?"
"Yes, would you like to schedule an appointment?"
There were a few garbled sounds on the other end, as if the caller was unsure of how to respond.
"Um, yeah… for tonight. Uh, around 6 o'clock."
"Sure thing! Just give me the address and I'll be over as soon as I can! Oh, and could I get your name please?"
The person on the other end seemed a little taken aback. After a few moments pause, the woman answered quietly, "Uh… Morgan. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan."
After jotting down the address and phone number of the home, Misty glanced at the clock, and noticed she had a half an hour to get there.
'Well, this certainly is last minute, but hey, at least I got a job!'
She hurried around the home she shared with her sisters, grabbing up books, toys, snacks, and other babysitting necessities, and headed out the door.
Strapping her bulging bag to her new bike, Misty couldn't help but take a moment to gaze at the shiny red contraption, her parting gift from a dear friend…. Shaking her head to clear the bittersweet memories, Misty jumped on her bike and sped off to her appointment.
As she neared her destination, Misty noticed she was still about five minutes early, so she slowed her pace and took an opportunity to examine the surrounding neighborhood.
It was quaint and cute, with little cookie-cutter houses complete with a yard and a fence and a Growlithe.
'Now all we need is the 1 and a half kids.' Misty thought dryly.
In an area nice as this, she was bound to get some stuck-up snobby brat who would only want to show off and would refuse to do anything improper: like play.
This should be fun.
Misty finally arrived at the address. The house before her was probably the prettiest one on the block. With its blue trim and white picket fence, it looked straight out of a Home&Gardens magazine.
'Well, maybe they're the nice kind of rich people and will double my pay…. most likely not.'
Unlatching the fence gate, Misty made her way down the cobblestone path and was just about to ring the doorbell on the side of the house, when all of a sudden the front door flew open and out ran a very horrified looking meowth.
Misty barely had time to register the fact that the cat was running on its hind legs when a purple-haired little girl came charging out after it, arms out-stretched.
"Wait Meowf! Come back! We habn't finished p'aying Pokamon twainews!" The little girl called in a high-pitched voice.
The Pokemon ignored her and ran until it reached the fence.
Seeing as it had no way out from there, the Meowth desperately started looking about for a means of escape, but it was no use.
The girl advanced on the poor pokemon, her purple pig-tails dancing merrily behind her as she closed in on the cat. It stared in terror at the little girl, who couldn't have been more than 3 years old, and promptly shielded its head with its paws; at which the girl pulled a mallet out of seemingly nowhere and bopped him on the head.
"MEOWCH!" The cat cried, and the little girl squealed in delight as she scooped up the meowth and gave it a tight squeeze.
"Der! Now I'be caught you!"
Misty looked on, her eye twitching as she watched the meowth struggle to free itself while the girl just held tighter.
"Heeey, get offa me kid! Youse's stranglin' me-owth!"
Misty gasped. The meowth just talked!
And with a start Misty realized: it wasn't just any Meowth, it was Team Rocket's Meowth!
Out of habit, Misty was about to shout out a warning to the little girl about the thieving Pokemon, but just as she was about to open her mouth, the cat chanced to look over the little girl's shoulder, noticing Misty for the first time since she had arrived.
"Daaaaaah! Twoipette!"
For a moment she was startled, but out of instinct went straight into attack mode.
"What are you doing here Meowth? Trying to trick that little girl into giving you her Pokemon?"
Meowth looked confused for a moment, then shot back "Foist of all, I should be askin' you da very same ting! I live here! And does 'dis goil really look old enough ta' have Pokemon?"
"Uh… he-heh… I guess not. Um, … I'm supposed to be babysitting… I got a call…" she said awkwardly, embarrassed at her outburst. Then a thought struck her.
"Wait… you live here? But… how? Hm… maybe I got the wrong house?"
Meowth gave her an odd look. "Who was it that called you, twoipette?"
Misty rifled a little at the nickname, but answered simply "I didn't get her first name. She just said 'Mr. and Mrs. Morgan' and gave me the address."
To her surprise, Meowth laughed out loud at this.
"Yeah, you're at 'da right house all right! Boy, does two must be pretty desperate ta' call you!"
Misty glared at the Pokemon.
"I'll have you know that I'm a very good babysitter Meowth!"
The cat held up his paws defensively.
"Oh I ain't questionin' you're abilities goily, ah'm just sayin'… well, you'll see. Why don't ya come on inside and I'll introduce ya? Heh-heh!"
Following Meowth through the front door, Misty took a long look at the inside of the house… and blanched.
It was a MESS!
Books and newspapers were scattered across the floor, dishes piled high on every available surface, and childrens toys littered the room.
'Well, the outside may look perfect' Misty thought in disgust, 'but the inside is a disaster!'
Meowth must have seen her horrified expression, because he let out a sheepish laugh, putting a paw behind his head.
"Sorry… we ain't really had a chance ta clean up yet!"
Feeling somewhat bad for embarrassing the pokemon, Misty forced on a smile and, changing the subject, asked, "So, Meowth… What kind of people live here anyway? I mean, where are this little girl's parents?"
"Oh, you'll meet 'em soon enough! And by 'da way, 'dis is Rose!" Meowth said, pointing to little Rose, who was hiding in the doorway, having followed Meowth and the stranger inside. Misty turned and knelt down to Rose's level, giving her a sweet smile which calmed the little girl down considerably.
"Hi there Rose, my name's Misty!"
Rose looked down shyly, and then smiled back. "Hi Missy!"
Misty smiled warmly. "You know, you have such a pretty name, Rose!"
The child brightened considerably at this.
"Tank you! My mommy and daddy named me Rose becuz dey bof' love roses! See?"
Rose pointed out the open door, and Misty could indeed see the dozens of rose bushes lining the house and walkway, each one sporting a different colored bulb.
Misty smiled at the proud look on the little girls face as she admired the elegant flowers, when a thought struck her, and she wondered why she hadn't thought about it earlier.
"Hey Meowth," she said cautiously, and the Pokemon turned to look at her inquisitively. "Whatever happened to the other two? Why aren't you with Team Rocket?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, it was evident she'd said something wrong.
Meowth hissed shrilly, lifting a paw to his mouth to shush her, his eyes wide.
Rose looked horrified and covered her face with her purple pigtails.
"Eee! Not Team Rocket! Don't mention them! They'we bad!"
With surprising speed she went over and scooped Meowth off the floor, squeezing the cat so hard he was gasping for breath.
"I won't let dem take you 'way! I won't!"
Her grip loosened as her eyes shut tight and large tears began to race down her cheeks.
The outburst had come on so suddenly that Misty had no time to react, but now she carefully crouched down again next to Rose and tried to place a hand on the little girls shoulder.
This turned out to be a bad move as Rose jumped roughly and fell to a heap on the floor, sobbing and rubbing her eyes as Meowth, now recovered from the chokehold, went over to her and wrapped his furry arms around her.
"Hey, it's okay little Rosie! Dey're not here! We're safe!" The cat turned from the still crying girl to Misty with an angry expression, saying in a low voice "Now look what ya done!"
Misty was flustered and exasperated, wanting to help but not knowing how.
What on Earth had Team Rocket done to her? They hadn't seemed that bad! She needed an explanation!
But before she could even open her mouth to ask for one, there was a thundering above her as someone pounded across an upstairs hall and down a staircase to her left.
Even as Misty and Meowth looked for the source of the sound, a figure shot across the room and gently picked the little girl up off the floor.
She struggled for a moment before noticing who was holding her, and then flung herself onto the person with a strangled cry of "Daddy!"
'So', thought Misty, 'this is her father!' He was tall and thin, looking to be in his late twenties, and dressed in a dark blue, pressed suit with a loose tie draped over his neck. His face was handsome, though etched with concern over the little crying girl, and his light blue hair hung around his face just above his shoulders.
It took a moment for Misty's brain to catch up with her eyes, but once they did she fell back in shock, recognizing Roses father to be none other than James of Team Rocket.
James cradled the little girl as her sobs subsided, and turned a harsh look at Meowth.
"Alright, what happened?" he said sternly, his posh voice sounding just as it had the last time Misty remembered hearing it; "Let slip 'those words" did you?"
Meowth glared up at the man.
"Oh it's always me-owth's fault idn it? Well for your infa'mation Jimmy-boy, it wadn't me dis time! It was HER!"
The cat Pokemon pointed and accusing paw at Misty, who was trying to casually back herself into a corner and away from all of them.
James looked at who the cat was pointing to and stood dumbstruck as recognition flitted across his eyes.
Still staring in horror at a very confused and emabarassed Misty, he turned his head slightly towards the stairs and called loudly "Uh, Dearest! The uh… Babysitter is here."
"WHAT!"
The harsh cry from upstairs was followed by a series of bangings and crashing as another pair of feet thundered down the stairs, all the while yelling
"WHY did no one TELL me! She's not even supposed to BE here yet!"
Hardly daring to believe her ears, Misty strained almost eagerly to see just who was coming down the stairs, even though she knew who it would be.
She wasn't at all prepared however for the sight that met her eyes, as a woman with big, curled red hair in a fussy pink gown barreled down the stairs and across the room to glare at everyone in turn.
"I TOLD you I would greet her MYSELF! ARGH!"
She turned away and huffed, her red curls bouncing.
"You weren't supposed to know…" she whispered angrily.
And Misty noticed something was off – there was no presumptuous attitude or Southern accent in that voice to match the curls and bows.
And with a sudden jolt her tension released and she laughed loudly, drawing the attention of the whole room back to her.
"Phew!" she laughed, catching her breath, "You really threw me! For a second there I was afraid you'd actually married Jessiebelle!"
The woman stared at Misty for a moment, before putting on an affronted look and turning slightly, her curls bouncing.
"Well naturally you would think that," she drawled, "as you should already be familiar with my exceptional skills at disguises!"
Meowth rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, and da fact dat youse two look exactly alike had notin' ta do widit."
She turned to glower at him, and suddenly the cat Pokemon was sent hurtling across the room to land in a ratty armchair.
"Shut up Cat!"
"Jessie, temper!" James admonished lightly, but the little girl in his arms was clapping and giggling happily, apparently amused at Meowth's acrobatic feats.
Jessie smiled softly, a look Misty couldn't recall ever seeing on her before, and reached out for the little girl, taking her in her arms and rocking her gently.
"Oh, Uncle Meowth is fine, huh Rosie?"
Rose giggled even more.
By this time Meowth had made his way back over and jumped up on Jessies shoulder, giving Rose an imploring look.
"Rosie, how could youse toin on me-owth like dat?"
He flopped dramatically onto Jessie's shoulder, rivers of fake tears running down his fur. "I taught I was ya favorite Pokemon in da woild!"
Rose's giggle stopped, and her face developed an adorable pout. Reaching over, she grabbed the cat and cuddled him close.
"Aw, I still wuv you Meowf! I'm sowwy!"
Meowth looked embarrassed as she placed a little kiss on his cheek, saying "Alright, alright! I forgive ya already! Enough wit da mushy stuff!"
Jessie, James and Rose all laughed happily at the cat, and Misty watched, wondering how these three could have possibly changed so much in just a few years.
'Then again,' she noted, watching the happy family, 'maybe they were always like this, on the inside….'
This was certainly shaping up to be one of her stranger appointments.
*Author's Note:
This is actually one of my older fanfics, but I often go back and fix old ones I've done, so although I wrote this years ago it's been getting constant updates.
Not sure when the next chapter will be out though. I have ideas, I just haven't gotten around to writing them yet.
If people like this however and respond positively, I may find the drive I need to get the rest of it out! So please, review or fave!
**And yes, this is sort of an alternate Pokemon universe where Team Rocket finally came to their senses and got hitched around the time Misty left; because frankly, that's when I stopped watching the show as a kid, and the seasons prior to that are the only ones I watch now. Sorry.