"And then, Pikachu starts to thundershock, and wham! she - huh?" Ash swivilled round to where the video phone was ringing.
"Are you expecting a call?"
"Nuh-huh. It's probably yours honey. You can finished your story later." Delia picked Pikachu up off her lap, and seated him back on the chair, befor waltzing out,
"Oh Mr Miiii-meeeee!"
Ash turned to recieve the call.
"Hello, Ash Ketchum speaking." The line crackled, and the static on the screen was so bad he couldn't see the caller.
"Who's..."
"No time. Ash, we need you at Viridian City, and fast. It's..." and the line died. Ash blinked at the screen. It made no sense. Viridian City? And he'd only just got home. Still, it couldn't hurt to check it out.
"Pikachu."
"Pikaa?"
"Yes, I'll be going."
"Chuu." Ash sighed, cradling his pokémon in his arms.
"I don't know. I just don't." Ash picked up his backpack and trailed downstairs.
"Mom?"
"Ash. Are you going?" Ash nodded.
"Oh, but hon, you only just got here." Ash nodded again, his eyes somewhat sadder,
"I know. But - it's urgent. I'm going to Viridian City."
"Alright hon," Delia said, and her eyes were sad too,
"I'll tell Misty. You go." Ash smiled, gave her a hug, and walked out the door. And how, he wondered, would I have reacted to this a year ago" More trusting, more eager. But still...
"Come on Pikachu."
Ash hopped on his bike and started pedalling.
Gary was waiting. At least, to Ash it looked like he was waiting. Ash scowled. This whole thing was probably some cruel prank the older boy was playing.
"Well, Ashy-boy. Leaving so soon?" Gary smirked, like he was expecting Ash. Still, Ash'd seen a flicker of surprise. But he doubted it.
"Yes, and it's none of your business."
"Your business is my business, Ketchum."
"Since when! Oh, maybe when we were little, but not now. Never now." Gary looked hurt, but Ash knew he was faking.
"Harsh. Why're you in such a titch?"
"I said, it's none of your business!" Gary raised his eyebrowes,
"Well, let me guess. Lost a battle? Had a fight with your girlfriend?"
"She is not my girlfriend," Ash said, trying not to yell.
"Guess not. She'd two-time too often."
That was it. He didn't have to stand for this.
"Gary..."
"Oh?" Ash slapped the boy, and hopped back on his bike. Pikachu cast a disdainful look at the shocked Gary as they rode off.
Viridian City. Ash got off his bike, walking it into the town. Normal. Ash didn't know what he'd expected, the town to be in rubble? And he didn't even know the problem. Silly, Ash.
"Pika."
"I know. What I don't know is - goddess, how'm I supposed to find out who rang. Bet it -was- Gary."
"Pi?" And with that, Ash leapt into an explaination of how Gary'd set this up. It was a Garyish thing to do.
"Yeah, I know I could've but..." Ash stopped.
"Piii." Oh shit Ash, he thought, you stupid, stupid idiot. His eyes darted round. Three Rockets, thugs. Dark haired, or light in one case. Their caps were pulled down so low you couldn't see their eyes. Ash didn't want to.
"Pikachu," he said, and Pikachu understood.
"Piii kaaaaaaaaa chu?" The light haired Rocket smirked, as the pokémon tried desperately to attack.
A switch flicked.
"Kaa!"
"Pikachu! What've you done to her?"
"Now now," the Rocket waggled his finder,
"That would be telling. But really, she did it to herself. No need to blame us." But Ash wasn't listening. He'd grabbed Pikachu, was craddling her in his arms, hushing and crooning at her. The blond Rocket sighed,
"Get him." And Ash found himself held on each side. He was jerked up, and dragged along, Pikachu fallen from his arms.
"Why isn't anyone helping?" he wondered dimly, no realising there were none around to help.
"Pikachu." Ash tried to turn around, but he was helf tight. Though he could still see, his Pikachu, in the Rocket's arms. Held almost gently. Almost.
"Stop wriggling, twerp. You're going to the boss, consious or no." With that threat, Ash hung his head. He couldn't do anything. Except continue walking.
Back in Pallet Town, Misty had just woken up, to a phone call from Cerulean City. It was from her sisters.
She'd dressed quickly, in clothes she was not used to, and was roughly pulling her hair into a tail.
A knock on the door.
Misty spun around.
"Misty, are you up?"
"Yeah." Delia walked in, and sat on the bed.
"Ash left a few hours ago."
"What? He left?" Delia nodded,
"He got a phone call from Viridian. He left immediately."
Misty swore, but Delia did not scorn her.
"What's wrong?" Delia asked. Misty shook her head.
"There, was," she choked, "an attack on Cerulean Gym. I have to go home."
Ash barely noticed where he was walking. He did, however, notice when he was led into Viridian Gym. He paused briefly as he recognised the place.
"Idiots." It was the blond's voice,
"I leave you, for ten minutes, and you don't think to blindfold him? You want the gym to lose its cover?"
"Oh. No." This obviously hadn't occured to the men holding Ash.
"But HQ's not here anymore." The blond looked furious, saying,
"No, but - oh goddess. Just blindfold him."
"Wha?" The thugs hesitated, but the blond yelled,
"Just do it!" and they hesitated no more.
"Home? What happened?" Misty blinked tears from her eyes,
"I'm not sure. I think - a lot of pokémon attacked all at once. Attacked the gym. And - if I can't go with Ash, well," Misty's lip quivered, "I'll go by myself."
Delia put a hand on Misty's lap.
"I understand. I'll let Ash know."
"Thanks, Mrs Ketchum." Delia didn't answer, but embraced the crying girl.
"It's okay. It'll all be okay."
Ash was no longer sure where he was. It was kind of hard to tell, when you were in the air, on the back of a pokémon. He was pretty sure they'd left Viridian City though. From the sound of things, he was on a pidgeot.
"You don't have to hold onto me so tight. It isn't like I'm going to run away," Ash muttered.
"You never know," came the quirk reply, and Ash slumped. He'd been blindfolded, his legs ached, he was on a pidgeot going god-knows-where with three Rockets, one of whom had Pikachu.
It was too much.
Ash started crying.
"Gary." Misty slowed her bike to a halt.
"Misty." He'd been crying, she realised with a jolt. Like me. But, Misty thought, Gary hardly has the excuse of home just being destroyed.
"If you're chasing after Ash," Gary said, "he passed here an hour ago."
"I'm not chasing Ash. I'm going home."
"Finally come to your senses, eh?" Gary laughed lightly. It wasn't happy laughter.
"I see you haven't read the paper this morning. Or you'd know Cerulean Gym was attacked." Misty had seen the paper when cycling past a dairy.
"I'm sorry," Gary said. Sorry? How could Gary be sorry?
"Don't mock me."
"I'm not. You'd better go. Cerulean won't wait forever." Misty paused, thoroughly confused.
And then she left.
"Get off."
"I can't see to get off!"
"Oh, poor baby. And the blindfold's wet through. Shall I take it off?" Ash frowned. He didn't like the sarcasm. Ash pulled himself to one side of the pidgeot, and jumped.
The ground was soft and grassy. When Ash stood up, he wiped his hands - the grass was dewy.
"Hey!" Ash exclaimed. A thin hand had clasped his, and was tugging him.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I to gentle?" The hand pulled, and Ash's legs slipped from under him. Ash braced himself for the impact.
"Now will you come? If you're lucky," the voice moved to his ear, "I'll let you see Pikachu."
"Where is she?"
"If you're lucky, I said. Right now, you aren't." Ash let the Rocket pull him to his feet, and followed without resistance.
"Where are we going?"
"Where do you think?"
"I don't know," Ash answered, honestly. The Rocket had Pikachu. What else did they want?
"So stupid," the Rocket said, sighing,
"Where do you think Team Rocket usually takes the people it kidnaps? Or, to whom?"
"I don't know! I thought you only kidnapped pokémon!"
"You think so much, and know so little. Tell me, have you noticed you have no pokémon?" Instinctively, Ash's free hand went to his belt.
His pokéballs were there.
"What're you playing at, Rocket?"
"MInd games. They're fun."
"Yeah, and you think stealing pokémon is fun."
"Stealing people is funner."
"Not for them."
Viridian City. Where Ash was called too. Stopped outside the pokémon center, Misty wondered why.
She took off her backpack, finding her bike chain and locking her bike to the stand. She still couldn't believe he'd bought her one.
"Hey, Nurse Joy."
"Why, hello - it's Misty, isn't it?" Misty nodded, her orange hair bobbing up and down.
"I remember the first time you were here," Nurse Joy said, her eyes twinkling,
"The center was destroyed. We rebuilt it though. So, what can I do for you?" Misty leant against the counter, preferring to ignore the comment about the destruction of the pokémon center.
"Did you hear what happened in Cerulean?" Nurse Joy's eyes widened,
"Oh - why of course. That's your gym." Misty nodded again,
"Yeah. So I have to get there quick. My bike won't do that. You loan out pidgeot to travellers, don't you?"
"Yes - but, thing is, we lent our last one to a man from Viridian Gym," Nurse Joy said. Noticing Misty's crestfallen look, she started,
"Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Seeing the circumstances - I could have my Kadabra teleport you there."
"Oh, could you? Please!" Misty almost through her arms around the nurse, but stopped herself. Nurse Joy had a rather bemused expression on her face, if a pink one.
"Of course. Just get your stuff, and I'll call him out."
"How much further fo I have to go?" Ash asked. He was tired - and he had a stitch. The Rocket chuckled,
"Oh, not much further - hello Jessie." Jessie? Was Jessie here? Ash wouldn't admit it, but he'd missed her. Despite her and James constantly trying to steal Pikachu, they'd been friends. And then they'd been taken off Pikachu's case, two years ago.
"Hello Simond," Jessie said, her voice cold. But then it changed, was almost wonderous,
"Twerp?" Ash nodded, suddnely angry at the blindfold.
"Hey Jessie. How've you been?" The blond Rocket - Simond? - dug his nails into Ash's palm. Ash ignored it.
"Oh, alright. Our reputations are back up. Stealing pokémon's easier without Pikachu around," Jessie said, sounding smug. She then started talking at Simond,
"I wouldn't have imagined you on a like this. Surely it's too important for a thug?" Simond bristled, nails digging in again. This time his anger wasn't directed at Ash.
"Shut up, bitch. I'm more important to Team Rocket then you've ever been, for all your white costume." Ash heard a whack that could only be one of Jessie's frying pans. He grinned to himself.
"You're a thug because the only thing you're good at is murder and violence. You never had the skill to kidnap pokémon," Jessie hissed, and Ash heard her footsteps as she walked off.
Misty sipped her teas. It was warm - comforting - for all she hated the taste. Her sisters knew that, she thought, peering over her cup at them. But they made her drink it anyway.
Daisy sat across from her, beautiful and adult in a way Misty felt she would never be. To Misty's left was Lily, eyes wet and stubborn, even as they accepted the situation. And last was Violet.
Except that couldn't be Violet. Violet was always so alive, so happy and eager. Now she sat quietly, with a dead look in her eyes.
Who did this? Misty thought angrily, as her eyes passed over each member of her family. Lily, Daisy and Violet.
No Mum. No Dad. Never them, not since the last time the gym had been attacked. Nine years ago.
Misty missed them. A sister could never replace a mother.
Never.
"Simond Rogers. Third level thug." Thind level? Ash wondered. But he'd been in charge of those other two. The must be lots of levels, Ash thought.
"Been promoted, huh?" well, is this the boy? Project 361?" Maybe not lots of levels. Maybe, higher number, higher rank.
"Yes, this is Ash Ketchum. When will the boss meet us?"
"Just the boy. You are to watch over him till the Boss's conference is over. Should be half an hour."
"I see."
"Also, he said to take off the boy's blindfold. He won't be escaping." Simond dug his nails into Ash's palm, and Ash was dragged to a seat.
"So..." said Misty,
"What exactly happened?" Her sisters - the three sensational sisters - exchanged glances.
"Late last night a charizard appeared over the gym. Beside it, a venusaur and a blastoise." The three evolutions of the basic pokémon. Formidible. Daisy continued,
"We woke up to a mass of leaves, sharp stinging leaves. They cut through the building. It - it started to collapse, and so we had to run out. Escape. But, but - and then..." Daisy drifted off. After several moments, it was obvious she wouldn't continue. So Lily did, her voice calm and clear,
"The charizard attacked. We could do nothing. By the time we -could- do anything, it was too late. Few of us, in the rush, had grabbed our pokéballs. The gym was completely destroyed."
Lily's face was pale as she spoke, offsetting the pink of her hair - usually so silky and clean, but today it was lank and greasy.
"When the fire had burnt out - and it did - the blastoise flooded it. The nearby buildings too."
Misty looked down to her feet. She'd wondered why it was so damp. And also, she'd wondered, what the gym would look like. After all these years, it was still her home. And now, it seemed, she didn't have one.
But to see the gym would to admit that this had all happened, and she didn't want to. She didn't want to believe this could happen again.
"Will you take me to see the gym?" she asked.
The door opened. Two women and a man walked out, their faces folorn and upset.
"How'd it go, Lottie?" The receptionist leant against the test, blue-green pigtails flopping foward. She look remarkably like an Officer Jenny. The woman she addressed frowned, and pushed back yellow hair.
"Not good," she said,
"Honestly Jen, I could be a level -6- if the boss wasn't set on me minding these two." Of the two Rockets behind her, one looked hurt, the other merely angry. They said nothing. The receptionist clucked sympathetically, before looking in Ash's direction.
"The boss'll see you now." Ash hesitated, reluctant to meet Team Rocket's leader. But Simond pulled him foward and to his feet, leading him through the door.
It was the same, looked the same as last time.
Except no bodies. No Mum or Dad lying there lifeless, still clutching each other.
Misty fell to her knees.
Again. Why had this happened again? Why in the first place? Why?
Misty buried her head in her hands, muttering her whys. Then, a hand on her shoulder.
"It isn't the same as last time." Misty looked up, to were Lily was standing.
"Last time we knew who'd done it." Misty jumped to her feet.
"You knew?" she yelled,
"You knew and you never told me? Who did it? Who! Are the in jail. The should be - no - not jail, they should be -dead-! I hope they are dead!" All this came out so quickly, and Misty immediately regretted it. Lily - she looked hurt. I hurt her, Misty thought. I didn't mean to, I never mean to. But I always do. I'm so brash, I don't think.
"Lily. I - I'm sorry." Lily shook her head.
"It's not your fault. We always meant - but..." Lily's eyes watered. Again. She slumped to the ground.
"Who wants to admit their father's a killer?" Misty's eyes widened.
"Dad? Dad - no Dad would never..."
"Not your Dad. Our Dad. Your Dad was our stepfather."
"Ah. Welcome, Ash Ketchum," Giovanni said, stressing Ash's last name. Ash blinked.
"Simond, you may go."
"Yes, Boss." Simond said, and disappeared out the door. Ash and Giovanni were alone.
"Wha'do you want with me?" Ash asked. Giovanni smiled.
"I'm trying to locate a certain - relative of mine," he answered. Ash was about to ask who, when Giovanni continued,
"Ash, what is your father's name?" Ash looked at Giovanni, confused.
"Derek Ketchum," he said. Giovanni sighed.
"Not entirely correct, but that's hardly your fault. After all, your father wouldn't want to divulge his rather questionable past, would he?"
"I - questionable past?" Giovanni flicked his fingers, ignoring the question.
"I am looking for a Gary Oak. I believe you are likely to know his loacation." So it was Gary's fault, Ash thought. But why -should- I tell the boss of Team Rocket where to find him? However reluctantly, Ash knew he didn't hate Gary that much. so Ash asked,
"Why?" Giovanni gave a small half smile.
"It is time my heir recieved his training."
Misty stared at the ground for a moment, before looking back at Lily.
"So - you're my half-sister," she said. Lily nodded, nervous.
"What," Misty ventured, her eyes not meeting her sister's,
"What happened between you're father and Mum?"
"They..." Lily's eyes squeezed tight, and she shook her head.
"You don't want to talk about," Misty said quietly. Lily smiled hopelessly.
"We - Mum and Da- your Dad didn't want you to know," she said finally, and stood up.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, and walked back towards the pokémon centre.
Misty stayed sitting, her eyes tightly closed, but damp.
And again she wondered why.
"Are you expecting a call?"
"Nuh-huh. It's probably yours honey. You can finished your story later." Delia picked Pikachu up off her lap, and seated him back on the chair, befor waltzing out,
"Oh Mr Miiii-meeeee!"
Ash turned to recieve the call.
"Hello, Ash Ketchum speaking." The line crackled, and the static on the screen was so bad he couldn't see the caller.
"Who's..."
"No time. Ash, we need you at Viridian City, and fast. It's..." and the line died. Ash blinked at the screen. It made no sense. Viridian City? And he'd only just got home. Still, it couldn't hurt to check it out.
"Pikachu."
"Pikaa?"
"Yes, I'll be going."
"Chuu." Ash sighed, cradling his pokémon in his arms.
"I don't know. I just don't." Ash picked up his backpack and trailed downstairs.
"Mom?"
"Ash. Are you going?" Ash nodded.
"Oh, but hon, you only just got here." Ash nodded again, his eyes somewhat sadder,
"I know. But - it's urgent. I'm going to Viridian City."
"Alright hon," Delia said, and her eyes were sad too,
"I'll tell Misty. You go." Ash smiled, gave her a hug, and walked out the door. And how, he wondered, would I have reacted to this a year ago" More trusting, more eager. But still...
"Come on Pikachu."
Ash hopped on his bike and started pedalling.
Gary was waiting. At least, to Ash it looked like he was waiting. Ash scowled. This whole thing was probably some cruel prank the older boy was playing.
"Well, Ashy-boy. Leaving so soon?" Gary smirked, like he was expecting Ash. Still, Ash'd seen a flicker of surprise. But he doubted it.
"Yes, and it's none of your business."
"Your business is my business, Ketchum."
"Since when! Oh, maybe when we were little, but not now. Never now." Gary looked hurt, but Ash knew he was faking.
"Harsh. Why're you in such a titch?"
"I said, it's none of your business!" Gary raised his eyebrowes,
"Well, let me guess. Lost a battle? Had a fight with your girlfriend?"
"She is not my girlfriend," Ash said, trying not to yell.
"Guess not. She'd two-time too often."
That was it. He didn't have to stand for this.
"Gary..."
"Oh?" Ash slapped the boy, and hopped back on his bike. Pikachu cast a disdainful look at the shocked Gary as they rode off.
Viridian City. Ash got off his bike, walking it into the town. Normal. Ash didn't know what he'd expected, the town to be in rubble? And he didn't even know the problem. Silly, Ash.
"Pika."
"I know. What I don't know is - goddess, how'm I supposed to find out who rang. Bet it -was- Gary."
"Pi?" And with that, Ash leapt into an explaination of how Gary'd set this up. It was a Garyish thing to do.
"Yeah, I know I could've but..." Ash stopped.
"Piii." Oh shit Ash, he thought, you stupid, stupid idiot. His eyes darted round. Three Rockets, thugs. Dark haired, or light in one case. Their caps were pulled down so low you couldn't see their eyes. Ash didn't want to.
"Pikachu," he said, and Pikachu understood.
"Piii kaaaaaaaaa chu?" The light haired Rocket smirked, as the pokémon tried desperately to attack.
A switch flicked.
"Kaa!"
"Pikachu! What've you done to her?"
"Now now," the Rocket waggled his finder,
"That would be telling. But really, she did it to herself. No need to blame us." But Ash wasn't listening. He'd grabbed Pikachu, was craddling her in his arms, hushing and crooning at her. The blond Rocket sighed,
"Get him." And Ash found himself held on each side. He was jerked up, and dragged along, Pikachu fallen from his arms.
"Why isn't anyone helping?" he wondered dimly, no realising there were none around to help.
"Pikachu." Ash tried to turn around, but he was helf tight. Though he could still see, his Pikachu, in the Rocket's arms. Held almost gently. Almost.
"Stop wriggling, twerp. You're going to the boss, consious or no." With that threat, Ash hung his head. He couldn't do anything. Except continue walking.
Back in Pallet Town, Misty had just woken up, to a phone call from Cerulean City. It was from her sisters.
She'd dressed quickly, in clothes she was not used to, and was roughly pulling her hair into a tail.
A knock on the door.
Misty spun around.
"Misty, are you up?"
"Yeah." Delia walked in, and sat on the bed.
"Ash left a few hours ago."
"What? He left?" Delia nodded,
"He got a phone call from Viridian. He left immediately."
Misty swore, but Delia did not scorn her.
"What's wrong?" Delia asked. Misty shook her head.
"There, was," she choked, "an attack on Cerulean Gym. I have to go home."
Ash barely noticed where he was walking. He did, however, notice when he was led into Viridian Gym. He paused briefly as he recognised the place.
"Idiots." It was the blond's voice,
"I leave you, for ten minutes, and you don't think to blindfold him? You want the gym to lose its cover?"
"Oh. No." This obviously hadn't occured to the men holding Ash.
"But HQ's not here anymore." The blond looked furious, saying,
"No, but - oh goddess. Just blindfold him."
"Wha?" The thugs hesitated, but the blond yelled,
"Just do it!" and they hesitated no more.
"Home? What happened?" Misty blinked tears from her eyes,
"I'm not sure. I think - a lot of pokémon attacked all at once. Attacked the gym. And - if I can't go with Ash, well," Misty's lip quivered, "I'll go by myself."
Delia put a hand on Misty's lap.
"I understand. I'll let Ash know."
"Thanks, Mrs Ketchum." Delia didn't answer, but embraced the crying girl.
"It's okay. It'll all be okay."
Ash was no longer sure where he was. It was kind of hard to tell, when you were in the air, on the back of a pokémon. He was pretty sure they'd left Viridian City though. From the sound of things, he was on a pidgeot.
"You don't have to hold onto me so tight. It isn't like I'm going to run away," Ash muttered.
"You never know," came the quirk reply, and Ash slumped. He'd been blindfolded, his legs ached, he was on a pidgeot going god-knows-where with three Rockets, one of whom had Pikachu.
It was too much.
Ash started crying.
"Gary." Misty slowed her bike to a halt.
"Misty." He'd been crying, she realised with a jolt. Like me. But, Misty thought, Gary hardly has the excuse of home just being destroyed.
"If you're chasing after Ash," Gary said, "he passed here an hour ago."
"I'm not chasing Ash. I'm going home."
"Finally come to your senses, eh?" Gary laughed lightly. It wasn't happy laughter.
"I see you haven't read the paper this morning. Or you'd know Cerulean Gym was attacked." Misty had seen the paper when cycling past a dairy.
"I'm sorry," Gary said. Sorry? How could Gary be sorry?
"Don't mock me."
"I'm not. You'd better go. Cerulean won't wait forever." Misty paused, thoroughly confused.
And then she left.
"Get off."
"I can't see to get off!"
"Oh, poor baby. And the blindfold's wet through. Shall I take it off?" Ash frowned. He didn't like the sarcasm. Ash pulled himself to one side of the pidgeot, and jumped.
The ground was soft and grassy. When Ash stood up, he wiped his hands - the grass was dewy.
"Hey!" Ash exclaimed. A thin hand had clasped his, and was tugging him.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I to gentle?" The hand pulled, and Ash's legs slipped from under him. Ash braced himself for the impact.
"Now will you come? If you're lucky," the voice moved to his ear, "I'll let you see Pikachu."
"Where is she?"
"If you're lucky, I said. Right now, you aren't." Ash let the Rocket pull him to his feet, and followed without resistance.
"Where are we going?"
"Where do you think?"
"I don't know," Ash answered, honestly. The Rocket had Pikachu. What else did they want?
"So stupid," the Rocket said, sighing,
"Where do you think Team Rocket usually takes the people it kidnaps? Or, to whom?"
"I don't know! I thought you only kidnapped pokémon!"
"You think so much, and know so little. Tell me, have you noticed you have no pokémon?" Instinctively, Ash's free hand went to his belt.
His pokéballs were there.
"What're you playing at, Rocket?"
"MInd games. They're fun."
"Yeah, and you think stealing pokémon is fun."
"Stealing people is funner."
"Not for them."
Viridian City. Where Ash was called too. Stopped outside the pokémon center, Misty wondered why.
She took off her backpack, finding her bike chain and locking her bike to the stand. She still couldn't believe he'd bought her one.
"Hey, Nurse Joy."
"Why, hello - it's Misty, isn't it?" Misty nodded, her orange hair bobbing up and down.
"I remember the first time you were here," Nurse Joy said, her eyes twinkling,
"The center was destroyed. We rebuilt it though. So, what can I do for you?" Misty leant against the counter, preferring to ignore the comment about the destruction of the pokémon center.
"Did you hear what happened in Cerulean?" Nurse Joy's eyes widened,
"Oh - why of course. That's your gym." Misty nodded again,
"Yeah. So I have to get there quick. My bike won't do that. You loan out pidgeot to travellers, don't you?"
"Yes - but, thing is, we lent our last one to a man from Viridian Gym," Nurse Joy said. Noticing Misty's crestfallen look, she started,
"Unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Seeing the circumstances - I could have my Kadabra teleport you there."
"Oh, could you? Please!" Misty almost through her arms around the nurse, but stopped herself. Nurse Joy had a rather bemused expression on her face, if a pink one.
"Of course. Just get your stuff, and I'll call him out."
"How much further fo I have to go?" Ash asked. He was tired - and he had a stitch. The Rocket chuckled,
"Oh, not much further - hello Jessie." Jessie? Was Jessie here? Ash wouldn't admit it, but he'd missed her. Despite her and James constantly trying to steal Pikachu, they'd been friends. And then they'd been taken off Pikachu's case, two years ago.
"Hello Simond," Jessie said, her voice cold. But then it changed, was almost wonderous,
"Twerp?" Ash nodded, suddnely angry at the blindfold.
"Hey Jessie. How've you been?" The blond Rocket - Simond? - dug his nails into Ash's palm. Ash ignored it.
"Oh, alright. Our reputations are back up. Stealing pokémon's easier without Pikachu around," Jessie said, sounding smug. She then started talking at Simond,
"I wouldn't have imagined you on a like this. Surely it's too important for a thug?" Simond bristled, nails digging in again. This time his anger wasn't directed at Ash.
"Shut up, bitch. I'm more important to Team Rocket then you've ever been, for all your white costume." Ash heard a whack that could only be one of Jessie's frying pans. He grinned to himself.
"You're a thug because the only thing you're good at is murder and violence. You never had the skill to kidnap pokémon," Jessie hissed, and Ash heard her footsteps as she walked off.
Misty sipped her teas. It was warm - comforting - for all she hated the taste. Her sisters knew that, she thought, peering over her cup at them. But they made her drink it anyway.
Daisy sat across from her, beautiful and adult in a way Misty felt she would never be. To Misty's left was Lily, eyes wet and stubborn, even as they accepted the situation. And last was Violet.
Except that couldn't be Violet. Violet was always so alive, so happy and eager. Now she sat quietly, with a dead look in her eyes.
Who did this? Misty thought angrily, as her eyes passed over each member of her family. Lily, Daisy and Violet.
No Mum. No Dad. Never them, not since the last time the gym had been attacked. Nine years ago.
Misty missed them. A sister could never replace a mother.
Never.
"Simond Rogers. Third level thug." Thind level? Ash wondered. But he'd been in charge of those other two. The must be lots of levels, Ash thought.
"Been promoted, huh?" well, is this the boy? Project 361?" Maybe not lots of levels. Maybe, higher number, higher rank.
"Yes, this is Ash Ketchum. When will the boss meet us?"
"Just the boy. You are to watch over him till the Boss's conference is over. Should be half an hour."
"I see."
"Also, he said to take off the boy's blindfold. He won't be escaping." Simond dug his nails into Ash's palm, and Ash was dragged to a seat.
"So..." said Misty,
"What exactly happened?" Her sisters - the three sensational sisters - exchanged glances.
"Late last night a charizard appeared over the gym. Beside it, a venusaur and a blastoise." The three evolutions of the basic pokémon. Formidible. Daisy continued,
"We woke up to a mass of leaves, sharp stinging leaves. They cut through the building. It - it started to collapse, and so we had to run out. Escape. But, but - and then..." Daisy drifted off. After several moments, it was obvious she wouldn't continue. So Lily did, her voice calm and clear,
"The charizard attacked. We could do nothing. By the time we -could- do anything, it was too late. Few of us, in the rush, had grabbed our pokéballs. The gym was completely destroyed."
Lily's face was pale as she spoke, offsetting the pink of her hair - usually so silky and clean, but today it was lank and greasy.
"When the fire had burnt out - and it did - the blastoise flooded it. The nearby buildings too."
Misty looked down to her feet. She'd wondered why it was so damp. And also, she'd wondered, what the gym would look like. After all these years, it was still her home. And now, it seemed, she didn't have one.
But to see the gym would to admit that this had all happened, and she didn't want to. She didn't want to believe this could happen again.
"Will you take me to see the gym?" she asked.
The door opened. Two women and a man walked out, their faces folorn and upset.
"How'd it go, Lottie?" The receptionist leant against the test, blue-green pigtails flopping foward. She look remarkably like an Officer Jenny. The woman she addressed frowned, and pushed back yellow hair.
"Not good," she said,
"Honestly Jen, I could be a level -6- if the boss wasn't set on me minding these two." Of the two Rockets behind her, one looked hurt, the other merely angry. They said nothing. The receptionist clucked sympathetically, before looking in Ash's direction.
"The boss'll see you now." Ash hesitated, reluctant to meet Team Rocket's leader. But Simond pulled him foward and to his feet, leading him through the door.
It was the same, looked the same as last time.
Except no bodies. No Mum or Dad lying there lifeless, still clutching each other.
Misty fell to her knees.
Again. Why had this happened again? Why in the first place? Why?
Misty buried her head in her hands, muttering her whys. Then, a hand on her shoulder.
"It isn't the same as last time." Misty looked up, to were Lily was standing.
"Last time we knew who'd done it." Misty jumped to her feet.
"You knew?" she yelled,
"You knew and you never told me? Who did it? Who! Are the in jail. The should be - no - not jail, they should be -dead-! I hope they are dead!" All this came out so quickly, and Misty immediately regretted it. Lily - she looked hurt. I hurt her, Misty thought. I didn't mean to, I never mean to. But I always do. I'm so brash, I don't think.
"Lily. I - I'm sorry." Lily shook her head.
"It's not your fault. We always meant - but..." Lily's eyes watered. Again. She slumped to the ground.
"Who wants to admit their father's a killer?" Misty's eyes widened.
"Dad? Dad - no Dad would never..."
"Not your Dad. Our Dad. Your Dad was our stepfather."
"Ah. Welcome, Ash Ketchum," Giovanni said, stressing Ash's last name. Ash blinked.
"Simond, you may go."
"Yes, Boss." Simond said, and disappeared out the door. Ash and Giovanni were alone.
"Wha'do you want with me?" Ash asked. Giovanni smiled.
"I'm trying to locate a certain - relative of mine," he answered. Ash was about to ask who, when Giovanni continued,
"Ash, what is your father's name?" Ash looked at Giovanni, confused.
"Derek Ketchum," he said. Giovanni sighed.
"Not entirely correct, but that's hardly your fault. After all, your father wouldn't want to divulge his rather questionable past, would he?"
"I - questionable past?" Giovanni flicked his fingers, ignoring the question.
"I am looking for a Gary Oak. I believe you are likely to know his loacation." So it was Gary's fault, Ash thought. But why -should- I tell the boss of Team Rocket where to find him? However reluctantly, Ash knew he didn't hate Gary that much. so Ash asked,
"Why?" Giovanni gave a small half smile.
"It is time my heir recieved his training."
Misty stared at the ground for a moment, before looking back at Lily.
"So - you're my half-sister," she said. Lily nodded, nervous.
"What," Misty ventured, her eyes not meeting her sister's,
"What happened between you're father and Mum?"
"They..." Lily's eyes squeezed tight, and she shook her head.
"You don't want to talk about," Misty said quietly. Lily smiled hopelessly.
"We - Mum and Da- your Dad didn't want you to know," she said finally, and stood up.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, and walked back towards the pokémon centre.
Misty stayed sitting, her eyes tightly closed, but damp.
And again she wondered why.