Note for FF.net readers: I am still revising this story and its following chapters (11 so far, 9 out of the "draft" stage), so don't be surprised if this one changes. These changes are typically to incorporate better style and tighten the story a bit.

-=-=-=-=-

The Alliance (Revised)
by TG

(Part One of Fate's Game)


"Friendship is a four-letter word where I come from."
"What, they don't have dictionaries there?"

-=-=-=-=-

The small man looked around. Seeing no-one that would notice his presence, he slowly crept to the end of the alleyway and peered around the corner.

Butch threw open the door in anger. As he walked out of the police station, he looked back at his team-mate, Cassidy.

Cassidy strode out in an equal huff, then abruptly stopped. She looked up and down the road in confusion. She then turned to Butch, "Why did they let us go?"

Butch shrugged in his typical "Damned if I know" way.

Cassidy looked back at the door, then started a brisk walk southward.

Butch caught up to her. "Where you going, back to Viridian City?"

"Where-ever, the further away from this hellhole, the better."

-=-=-=-=-

Two hours had passed since they had gotten to the docks. They had been extridited back to the Orange Islands for violation of their probation in Johto. That had been quite a long time ago. And now that they were free, they were trapped on one of the isolated islands. No-one was interested in the credit card Giovanni had given him for such occasions, seeing that it had expired months and months ago. Every boat that had free passenger space wanted a guarantee of money up front, not promises of later payment.

Butch growled and laid his head back against the wood of the dock master's office. "If that shrew hadn't taken my Pokémon, we'd be out of here."

Cassidy checked her watch. 14:30 hours. Sunset was just three hours away, and they had no money, and no Pokémon to get them any. "The only shrew is the one named Jessie."

Butch laughed a little.

Around the corner came a higher-pitched laugh, as if in echo. "A shame you don't have passage off this island. Two members of the great Team Rocket, trapped." A child-like man walked around the corner. He had a dark complexion, and a scratchy voice. His dark-brown hair was slicked back, and he wore a black-leather jacket and dark-blue dress pants.

Butch sneered at him. "Go play somewhere else, little man."

The stranger's eyes narrowed. "Then I guess you don't want my help getting off his rock.. boy." He began to walk away.

Cassidy hopped down from her barrel perch. "Wait, what can you do to get us out of here?"

The man reached into his jacket. "It just so happens that a little Spearow gave me these." He pulled out three tickets. "Top-of-the-line accommodations."

Butch rose and towered over the small man. "What say I just take those off your hands and toss you in the harbor?"

"Because then you wouldn't get your Pokémon back, or get off that ship in anything but a body bag," the man growled back.

Cassidy pushed Butch behind her. "What's in it for you? If you haven't noticed, we already have obligations."

"Well, I'm not exactly an independent player." The man pulled back part of his jacket to reveal a dark-blue "R" embroidered into his dark-red shirt.

-=-=-=-=-

Butch paced nervously back and forth. His black uniform had been exchanged for dark-blue shirt and pants. He continued to walk the length of the cabin until a torn-up yellow doll hit him. Butch smashed the plushie away with a growl.

Cassidy rolled over onto her side. Her attire was a dark-red blouse and skirt. "Will you chill out, you're acting like a caged animal."

Butch kicked the plushie across the room and into the main room. "We ARE caged animals." He walked into main room and picked up the little, yellow plushie. He slowly ripped it's head off and threw it into the fireplace, where it burned.

She rolled onto her back and sighed. "At least it's a nice cage, though the jailer's fashion sense is terrible. Speaking of which, did the little man say when he was going to pop up again?"

Butch flopped down onto the couch. "Sometime today..."

She sighed and slipped to the side of the bed. "I don't like this.."

The small man opened the door. He was carrying a black-leather briefcase. "I'm back."

"Finally.." Cassidy came out of the bedroom. "Are you going to tell us your name, or who you work for in Team Rocket?"

The man put the briefcase on the coffee table. "My name is Gasglow, and I technically work for myself."

Cassidy stopped herself, but Butch let go a belly laugh.

Cassidy flopped down on the couch. "Did anyone ever tell you it's Glasgow? You don't even sound Scottish..."

Gasglow nodded. "You and every other semi-intelligent English speaking creature I've met has made note of that." He popped open the brief case and removed two Pokéballs, before quickly closing it. "These are yours, I believe." He tossed them to the surprised Rockets.

Cassidy minimized hers. "If you don't work for Giovanni, then what part of Team Rocket are you from?"

Gasglow picked up the briefcase, ignoring the question. "I'll be back soon... just try not to get arrested. You're both being offered a golden opportunity. I suggest you grab the brass ring, while you still can." He walked back to the door and opened it.

Cassidy leaned back. "And if we don't?"

Gasglow stopped and looked back at Cassidy. "You'll be dead. Feel free to order plenty of room service. 'Night!" With that he exited, slamming the door.

Butch looked at the Pokéball. "Think he's telling the truth?"

Cassidy got up and walked to the bedroom. She spun around and grabbed the twin doors. "Yep. Damn shame, I was hoping for something less cliché. 'Night!" She slammed the doors, and a audible click was heard.

Butch tested the couch cushions. "She forgot to give me some covers.."

-=-=-=-=-

"Where did he go to?"

Cassidy slipped down her shades. "Why should I care?"

Butch looked around the deck of the ship. "No reason, I just don't like getting surprised. He's a regular little Dungeonmaster..."

Cassidy slipped her shades on and laid back. "Feel free to return to your stupid cartoons, you're blocking my sun."

Butch 'hrmph'd and walked away.

"The boy ain't right."

Cassidy got up and looked around, then realized the voice was coming from behind and above her. Standing on the sub-deck above her was Gasglow. He was dressed in white shorts and a yellow & blue Hawaiian shirt, which made him only stand out more. "How the hell do you do that?"

With more athletic prowess than someone of his small stature should possess, Gasglow leapt down to the deck next to Cassidy. "Appearances can be deceiving."

Cassidy sat back down in her chair. "So what's with the disappearing and reappearing act?"

"I can't afford to drop my guard. Besides, it keeps recruits on their toes." He sat down on the chair next to hers.

"So now we're recruits? What kind of recruits?"

Gasglow looked around, before putting his hand inside one of his pockets. A click could be heard and a whine sounded, but quickly disappeared. "Team Rocket isn't exactly one organization. The group you're part of, Team Red as I like to call them, is operated by Giovanni. There's a few other groups, most are independent of each other."

Cassidy nodded lazily. "And you're part of one of these independent groups?"

Gasglow looked around. "Not out here, somewhere less open." He grabbed Cassidy's arm, almost causing her to yelp from the strength of his grip. He pulled her to her feet. "Let's go back to your room, it's best your partner has a clue as to what he's getting into."

-=-=-=-=-

Butch leaned back on the couch. "About time we got some answers.."

"Like how we're both dead if we don't join, and dead if we do." Cassidy pushed Butch to the other end of the couch before continuing. "You realize Giovanni will have us both killed, right?"

Gasglow locked the door. "Not if he doesn't know you're no longer members of Team Red."

Butch yawned. "What about security? Team Rocket.. Red's security is filled with loyalty tests."

Gasglow turned back to the pair and stood in front of the small fireplace. The backlighting made him appear menacing. "We will take care of Red's psychic probes. Their remaining security is laughable compared to ours."

Cassidy seemed impressed. "So just what 'team' are we working for?"

"You'll be part of Team Blue. I'm your contact and direct supervisor. Anyone else should be considered an enemy if they try to debrief you."

"And why... exactly.. are you recruiting us?"

Gasglow picked up his briefcase and opened it facing him. "You'll be operating as our eyes and ears within several of Giovanni's pet projects. You'll also be involved in directing one of Red's elite teams in the right direction. You've probably met them." He pulled out three file folders and dropped them on the table.

Cassidy growled when she saw the names on the folders. "Directing them... I hope you mean to their deaths!"

Gasglow sighed. "Absolutely not. They're too important to our current plans."

Butch picked up one of the folders, James', and started studying it. "Whatever plans you've got, they'll screw them up."

Gasglow nodded. "Yes, I've heard this before. That's not important; what is important is you two doing your new jobs. It's vital that you don't get caught, or attempt to betray us. Otherwise your lives, and the lives of many other people, will be forfeit."

Cassidy sighed. "I already hate this. So where are we going for our 'training'?"

Gasglow looked down at his digital watch. "Viridian City."

-=-=-=-=-

"Jessie?"

Jessie looked up from examining her boots. "Hmm?"

"How long are we going to sit here?"

Jessie shrugged.

James, hearing no answer, sighed and leaned back against the tree. He thought about walking around to the other side of the tree and arguing, but that was quite pointless.

"Are you two gonna keep dis up all day?" Meowth sat in the tree, looking terminally bored.

James looked skyward at the talking feline. "Don't you dare get involved, Meowth!"

Jessie sighed and closed her eyes.

Meowth picked up two acorns, and grinned mischievously. "It's my job ta get involv'd.." He tossed either acorn down, both bounced off the heads of their targets.

James leapt up. "If I get my hands on you...!"

Jessie rose and started to walk away through the forest. Her head was lowered.

James and Meowth looked at Jessie walking away, then at each other. Both quickly caught up to the female Rocket, walking behind her.

James studied the back of her head, before Meowth kicked him in the shin and motioned towards her. "Um, Jessie... What's wrong?"

"Shut up and leave me alone." Her voice was dull and low.

Meowth grinned to himself. "Eh, I dink it's one of dose mont'ly dings..."

Jessie stopped, almost causing James and Meowth to slam into her. She spun around and decked Meowth into a tree. Even though she kept her face lowered, her eyes still showed. They were reddened and puffy. She quickly spun around and started a brisk walk.

Meowth slowly pulled himself from the tree, shaking off the blow.

James looked between Meowth and Jessie, already a dozen yards away. "What's going on!?"

Meowth shrugged to James. Both caught up with Jessie.

Jessie kept up her pace, refusing to look back. "Just leave me alone. We're not attached at the hip... or married.. or something."

James put his hand on Jessie's shoulder, to slow her down. Instead, she spun around and socked him square in the jaw. James fell backwards to the forest floor. Jessie let out a noise like a growled sob, and started to run.

Meowth walked over to James, who was still in shock. "You humans gotta weird way o' bein' sad."

James simply lay on the forest floor, staring up at the canopy of trees. The first thing that came to mind was that Jessie had a mean right hook. The second thing was shock.. Jessie had struck him in so many different ways, but this was different. He slowly lifted himself to his feet. "We've got to go after her."

"You sure dat's a smart ding ta do? She'll KO da both o' us." Meowth saw the look on James' face and sighed. "I guess dere's no smart ding when yer dealin' wit Jessie.." He quickly ran to keep up with James.

It took a few minutes to catch up with her. She was leaning against a large spruce, holding her hand. She had removed the glove, and a dark bruise was forming across her knuckles. When she saw James and Meowth, she made a threatening gesture with her unbruised hand. "I told you.."

A large bruise had formed where Jessie had struck James and Meowth. Both looked at each other, then at Jessie. "Get her!" James grabbed Jessie's left arm, while Meowth concentrated on holding onto Jessie's right wrist. The three struggled viciously, spaced with screams and threats of death and dismemberment. Eventually, the Rockets were huffing in exhaustion (except for Meowth, who was also dizzy from being repeatedly smashed against the tree).

Jessie slid down the tree trunk, expending in her struggles. Try as she might, she couldn't stop several tears from escaping. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

James sat back on his haunches. "Because we're a team."

Meowth folded his arms, attempting to retain his tough-guy persona. "An' we can' afford da time fer trainin' anyone else."

James thought about hitting Meowth, but that would just create a bigger mess. "Just what is going on, Jessie? You've been acting like this for the last three days, and you've finally lost it."

"You have no idea.. It wouldn't make any sense to you."

Meowth grinned. "I told ya it was dat mont'ly ding!"

James clamped his hand over Meowth's mouth, while the feline struggled. "Just tell me what is going on!"

"Fine! It's my mother's birthday! There, you know now! Happy!?" Jessie folded her arms and stared off, away from James & Meowth. She was clenching her jaw, trying very hard not to cry.

James sat back, letting go of Meowth, who sucked in a deep breath.

Meowth inched away from James before opening his mouth. "Why didn' ya say anyding b'fore?"

Jessie looked back at Meowth. "Because it wasn't very important; but this would be her 40th birthday." She swallowed hard and started to turn back to staring, but caught James' eyes. Those green eyes. She wasn't quite sure why, but staring into them was very relaxing.

James watched her. It was very odd, how she would stop and stare at him with those pretty blue eyes. Something inside of him told him to reach out, and he gently squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry.."

Meowth looked from her to him. "Uh, so wat's goin' on?"

James immediately pulled his hand back, and looked around. "Oh.. uh.."

Jessie looked away and arose. "We're going."

Meowth looked at James, then up at her. "Where?"

Jessie turned to the west. "Viridian City."

-=-=-=-=-

Ash sat bolt upright, shivering. "Aaahh, that's cold!"

Misty stood over him, and then recalled her Staryu. "Serves you right for sleeping in! You said we were on a tight schedule!"

Ash looked up. "Yeah, but-"

Misty pulled out the frying pan. "But nothing! I've cooked breakfast for three days in a row, and it was supposed to be your turn!"

Ash got up, then grinned and tried to look innocent. "I guess I forgot.." He found himself lying on the ground again after Misty used the frying pan on his head. "Now... I remember.."

Pikachu listened to a noise which sounded through the camp. Then it looked down and realized that was its stomach and blushed. "Pi-kaa.."

Misty folded her arms, then looked down at Pikachu and sighed. "I guess I'll cook breakfast again.. But only for you, Pikachu."

The electric rodent smiled. "Kaa."

Ash got back up. "Hey, what about me?"

Misty held up her head while she stoked the fire. "You can have whatever Pikachu doesn't eat."

Ash and Pikachu looked at each other.

When breakfast came, it was pancakes. Pikachu took Ash's fork and started to split the stack... two to one. Of course, both Ash and Pikachu were stuffed when they were done.

Misty looked at the two gluttons and sighed. "Men..." Then she looked around, "Hey Ash, did you see where Togepi went?"

Pikachu got up and looked around quickly, sweatdrops forming.

Ash looked around, "I don't know... Pika-"

"Priiii.." The little egg Pokémon hobbled out of a bush with a smile on its face.

Misty walked over and picked the small Pokémon up. "There you are.. We almost had to form a rescue party and go look for you.."

Pikachu fell flat on its back and waved a little white flag. It sighed in exasperation and relief. "Pika-pii.. Chuuu.."

Ash laughed. "It looks like Pikachu was happy we didn't. So you ready to hit the city again, Pikachu?"

Pikachu got up and nodded, smiling. "Pii.. Pika-chuu.."

Misty finished gathering her things. "Are you sure we have to go through that city? It gives me the creeps."

Ash nodded. "It's easier this way. I don't think Viridian City is that bad..."

-=-=-=-=-

Butch and Cassidy were sitting in an office. Both were in their black Team Rocket uniforms again. Behind a desk, sitting in a raised chair, was Gasglow, dressed in a dark-blue three-piece. He busily chatted with someone on the phone, while the two Rockets sat, nervously fidgeting.

Gasglow hung the phone up. "Damn. That was my look-outs. You two need to hurry in your training."

Cassidy stood up. "What training? You mean having our minds played with by psychics, and all those injections? Just what the hell is all this stuff for, anyhow?"

Gasglow opened a file folder. "The psychics helped reinforce your will against non-psychic suggestions or hypnotism. They also made sure you haven't been previously tampered with, you know... personality implants, the standard stuff. Some of their work will also keep you from spilling anything if drugs are used, you'll just babble incoherently. That took care of your non-psychic mental clearance. The first injection was a microchip. The second and third injections are an exotic material that builds up in your bloodstream. It'll make you resistant to psychic-type Pokémon and attacks. You've got one other injection of the stuff, before you're safe enough to let near a psychic. Then a final injection and the security clearance is finished."

Cassidy sat back down abruptly. What had she gotten herself into? Maybe death was more preferable.

Gasglow took a sip of Cherry Coke and then set the can down. "Not really, you're much better off with us."

Cassidy got up. "What the hell!? I thought..."

"The microchip contains a transceiver slash transponder." Gasglow pulled a small device from his ear. "This is where it gets transmitted." He slipped the device back in his ear.

Butch folded his arms and stared at Gasglow.

The small man shrugged. "Your thoughts aren't all transmitted. You'll get the hang of how to 'turn off' the transmitter and how to transmit to each other."

Cassidy looked back at Butch. "You mean.. he can read my thoughts!?"

Butch smiled, but quickly stopped when Cassidy looked like she was going to wipe it off.

"It isn't always turned on. Like I said, you two will get the hang of it. If we had time, you would be trained in how to do this. What's important is that you prepare yourselves for what is going to occur. You aren't going to like it, but you have to do it." Gasglow sighed and sat back in his chair. "Just how badly do you hate those three...?" He let the question hang in the air.

Cassidy stared at Gasglow. Slowly, she started to figure it out. "No... never in a million years!"

Butch looked between Cassidy and Gasglow, before it started to dawn on him too. "Great.. just great."

Cassidy slammed both her hands down on the desk, causing Gasglow's Cherry Coke to nearly commit suicide. "I am NOT going to become friends with that bitch! You'll just have to kill me!"

Gasglow clasped his hands together. "It can't be that terrible. We need you to do this. There's a lot more riding on this than you know."

Cassidy flopped into her chair and sighed. "I'm cursed. I just knew it... I'm always running into her, eventually this would happen. So where do we find them?"

Gasglow opened his desk drawer and withdrew a cardkey. "It just so happens they are coming here. This cardkey is to an apartment building on Westley Avenue..."

Cassidy jumped up and grabbed the cardkey, looking at it in amazement. "You... you mean Housing One?"

Butch looked at the cardkey in similar reverence. "I'll be damned, we're going to Hotél Rockét. About damn time too."

Gasglow looked between the two in confusion. "Yes, Jessie and James are staying there with another elite team. I've managed to get you transferred there. You'll be one of the few black-suited Rockets there, so I suggest you try to keep a low profile. I don't want Giovanni finding out."

-=-=-=-=-

End of "The Alliance"

Characters from Pokémon anime (C) 1996, 2001 Nintendo of America, Inc. & GameFreak, Ltd.