Evolution
By Jaxxon
Part Six - A Rocket Blast From The Past
It was just another peaceful day in the tiny town of Pallet. Unfortunately for the youth of this town, it was a day they had come to dread, the end of summer break. One in particular was not looking forward to this day.
~§~
"PIKACHU!" screamed the little mouse as he pumped enough electricity to power a city for a week into his trainer.
"Ash, honey," a cheerful voice called, "time to get up."
Ash grumbled something under his breath as he gave Pikachu a hot foot. Pikachu screamed as he danced around the room while holding his paw.
"And you'll get that very time you wake me up like that," Ash commented as he pulled out his uniform from the closet. He always hated the thing and wished the school would loosen up their dress code.
"I'll be so glad to get of this thing," he complained as he walked into the kitchen.
"Well, it's just two more years," his mother replied. "Then you can decide on which college you want to go to."
"You mean afford," Ash sighed.
"Let's not worry about that now," his mom replied as she placed a bowl of cereal in front of him. "You just need to get to school before you're late."
"Yes, Mom," Ash sighed.
~§~
"You know, Jess," James said as they watch Ash the school building, "we should probably just try to get the twerp when he goes to Prof. Oak."
"You're right, James," Jessie replied. "School always did give the creeps."
"Quit griping," Meowth shouted as he slashed the couple. "The boss wants dat Pikachu, and dat's what he going to get."
Jessie felt the burning skin on her face.
"How dare you damage my perfection!" she screamed.
"You better run," James warned the cat.
"Meowth, I think you're right," Meowth cried as he ran from the angry redhead.
"Don't think you're getting away that easy!" Jessie yelled as she grabbed Meowth by the back of his furry neck.
"Now, Jess," Meowth pleaded, "let's not doing anything you'll regret."
"Oh, don't worry," Jessie fumed, "I won't feel a thing."
"Dat's what I was afraid of," Meowth cried.
Jessie gave Meowth a punt that would make a goalie jealous.
"Meowth, why is it always me," Meowth sighed as he flew by a confused Spearow. "Look's like Meowth is blasting off again."
Meanwhile, James just watched as his partner came back, brushing off her hands.
"You know," James finally spoke as Jessie applied some makeup to the scratch marks, "you really need to control your temper."
Jessie snapped her compact shut. "My temper is my own business," she replied.
"What ever you say, Jess," James sighed.
'I wonder if I wasn't better off with Jessibelle,' he thought. 'At least she appreciated me.'
The image of him tied to chair while the Jessie look-alike spoon-fed him popped into his mind. He did the best he could not to shiver in fear.
"Are you coming or not?" Jessie demanded.
"Where are we going?" James asked absent-mindedly.
"Urg, to Prof. Oak's, nitwit!" she replied. "Why should we waste time hanging around here."
"Wasting time here, or wasting time there, it's not much of a deference," James replied. "Maybe we can get the twerp when he comes out for lunch."
"He won't have any of his pokémon in school!" Jessie shouted. "So waiting here would be a waste of time!"
"Right," James replied.
"Come on," Jessie sighed as she grabbed James's arm, dragging him behind her.
'If it wasn't for the rocks,' he sighed inwardly, 'this might actually be enjoyable.'
He sighed again when he looked up the avenging angel dragging him off into the woods.
~§~
"So, Ash, I heard you're in a wedding this summer," a girl said to him as he ate lunch.
"Yeah," he replied. "I was the best man."
"I better you were pretty handsome in that tux," the girl laughed.
Ash could not help but blush.
"You should wear one at the Halloween Dance," she continued. "Without that old hat, I doubt anybody would recognize you."
"I can't go, Erin," he replied.
"And why not?" she asked. "And don't tell it's because you can't dance. You ruined that excuse when we all saw that video of you and that girl from Cerulean."
When she said, that brought back a flood of memories. It was Masters Banquet after he beat Gary in the final round of the championships.
~§~
A thirteen-year-old boy in a rented tuxedo nervously walked up to a girl in a white dress.
"Hey, Misty," he called to her.
"Yeah, Ash," she smiled.
"I was wondering if you like to, ah," Ash hesitantly asked, "ah, to, ah…"
"What is it?" she demanded with a hint of anger in her voice.
"Dance," he quickly finished. "I was just wondering if you like to dance."
Misty's face began to brighten as she replied, "I'd love to."
Ash was again extremely nervous as they walked to the dance floor, but it began to lighten when he looked into her eyes.
'Forget about the title,' he thought as the music started. 'This is what I really wanted.'
~§~
Ash smiled as he recalled that night three years ago but sighed when he remembered that was in the past.
"I have other plans," he replied.
"Your lost," Erin smirked as she left him alone with his meal.
"Yeah," Ash sighed. "My lost."
~§~
"Gee, do you think we took a wrong turn somewhere?" James asked. "I thought we be near the old man's lab by now."
"Shut up, I'm trying to think," Jessie snapped back.
The two had been wondering the woods around Pallet looking for Prof. Oak's lab, but so far, all they were able to find where a hive of Beedrills, a very angry Spearow, and a Rattata with a very large appetite. They were both tired bruised, and Jessie was not happy. And when Jessie ain't happy, people disappear under unusual circumstances.
"This is all your fault!" Jessie yelled at James. "If it weren't for you and that stupid Meowth, we wouldn't be lost in these woods."
"I'm sorry," James replied, "but you didn't have to punt Meowth all the way to Saffron City. Especially since he had the map."
"When I get my hands on that furball," Jessie began but was cut off as a large net fell on them.
"Did you two set up any more traps?" Jessie fumed.
"We didn't have time," James replied.
"Then who?"
"Hand over your pokémon!" a voice shouted.
Jessie and James turned toward the voice and saw a bunch of men standing behind a woman in a black Team Rocket uniform. Her light green hair was cut just above her shoulders, and her pale blue eyes stared at James.
"Jimmy, is that you?" she asked.
James looked at her before remembering the face. "Sarah?" James replied.
"Who's that?" Jessie demanded.
"My old partner," he replied.
Sarah shouted at her men to get the net off Jessie and James.
"So, what are you doing here?" Sarah asked.
"The boss wanted us to get a Pikachu from a boy who lives here," James replied, "but what are you doing here? I last I heard, you went off to Mahogany Town in Johto."
"I got recalled," Sarah shrugged. "I was on my way back to HQ when I heard about a pokémon reserve around here. I figured I pick a few more pokémon for the boss."
"And those guys?" Jessie asked motioning over to the men. "I serious doubt they're on the team."
"They're on my team," Sarah replied. "And who are you?"
"This is Jessie," James answered while he watched the nerve on Jessie's forehead throb. "She's the one I got reassigned to."
Sarah glared at Jessie, who returned the stare. "I guess wanted you to make sure she didn't screw things up," Sarah commented.
"Me screw up!" Jessie shouted. "This idiot can ruin a plan faster than we can come up with one!"
"How dare you talk about Jimmy like that!" Sarah shouted back.
"Listen," Jessie shouted back, "I've known James since we were ten. I think I know more about him than you do."
Sarah glared at her while Jessie stared back. James and the other men slowly backed away from the potential powder keg.
"I may not have know Jimmy as long as you," Sarah retorted, "but at least I know who to treat him like a human being."
"Hey," Jessie defended, "I treat him like I treat all my friends."
"How many of those do you have?" Sarah smirked.
"Let's see," Jessie said as she began to think. "There's James, Meowth, Arbok, Lickitung…"
"Not your pokémon," Sarah shouted. "So, you only have Jimmy as your friend."
Jessie thought about that for a minute. "I guess you're right," she grumbled under her breath.
"Jimmy," Sarah called to young man who was trying to hide among her gang. "Is this loud mouth, rude girl your friend?"
James did not hesitate to answer this question. "Yes," he replied. "She's been my best friend since we were kicked of Pokémon Technical."
"You didn't have to phrase like that," Jessie grumbled. "So, you see? I am James's friend."
"Well, if Jimmy likes you," Sarah sighed, "I guess we should at least act civil."
Sarah offered her hand to Jessie. Jessie stared at for a moment, then grabbed it. At first both of them just roughly shook hands, but soon their grips tightened, and they were glaring at each other again.
"This is just one of those days," James sighed as the two continued their stare down.
~§~
"Five years ago," Mr. Fields told his half-asleep students, "a archeological site was established just a few miles from Pallet. Last year, the dig formally opened to the public. I have arrange for us to have a private tour with the first scientist to study the ruins next month."
Ash slouched deeper into his desk. The last time he was near Pokémopolis, he had to stop a giant Gengar and Alakazam tried to kill him. He also was not too frilled of meeting the city's guardian, though a Jigglypuff induced nap was always peaceful.
"Is this trip required?" he asked.
Mr. Fields glared at him. "I would think you of all people would like see a city dedicated to pokémon," he replied. "And, yes, this is required for you to pass this class."
Ash sighed. "Maybe Team Rocket will leave me alone this time," he murmured to himself as his history teacher went on about the development of the Johto league.
~§~
"So let me get this straight," Sarah said to James, "you two have been trying for the last six years to steal one Pikachu?"
"That's right," James sighed. "The twerp has also ruined other jobs we tried. We can't seem to escape from him."
"Why not just transfer?" she asked. "I heard they have a big job planned in Goldenrod."
"The boss wants us to keep on trying to get Pikachu," James replied. "Besides, Jessie and I have lost our edge."
"Your edge?"
"Before we meet him in Viridian," James answered, "we were the rising stars of the team. We only failed two missions out of a hundred, but after that twerp bet us after there, we've fallen into a slump."
"Are you sure it's not your partner?" Sarah asked.
"Never," James quickly denied. "Jessie is the best thing that has ever happened to me."
"Okay," Sarah replied, "you don't have to be so defensive."
"James," Jessie said as she join the two old friends, "the twerp will be getting out of school soon."
"Right," James nodded as he walked over to her. "Well, it's been nice seeing you again, Sarah."
"How about I lend you two a hand," Sarah suggested. "I really want to see this guy who the boss had taken personal interest in."
"Do whatever you want," Jessie replied. "Just don't get in the way."
~§~
"I sure hope Prof. Oak doesn't want me to do another set of tests," Ash told Pikachu. "I rather work on my training."
"Pi pikachu," Pikachu laughed.
"It's not that I like being a pokémon," Ash replied. "I just want to be the best at whatever I do."
Little did Ash know, but a strange shadow had been following him since he had left school and was quickly gaining on him.
As Ash was walking through the outer edge of the preserve, a large man stepped in front of him.
"I hope you know you're in a restricted area," Ash told him. "This all belongs to Prof. Oak."
"Oh, I'm doing more than trespassing," the man laughed as he held up some pokéballs. "The boss is really going to love these."
"Poacher," Ash hissed. "Release those pokémon at once."
"Or what?" the man laughed. "You'll seek your rat on me?"
"Pikachu, thundershock," Ash commanded.
Pikachu leaped in front of him but fell in a small pit.
"Pikachu!" Ash cried.
"Ha, we got you this time," a voice called from up in a tree.
Another man came from behind and grabbed Ash by the arms.
"Let me go," he demanded.
"To protect the world from devastation,"
"To unite all peoples within out nation,"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love,"
"To extend our reach to the stars above."
Jessie leaped out of the tree. "Jessie."
James stepped out from behind one with a red rose. "James."
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light," Jessie continued.
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight," James added.
In the bushes, Sarah sighed, "Jimmy always did have a flare for the dramatic."
"Let go of me," Ash struggled as they tied him to try.
"Ha, looks like we win this time, twerp," Jessie taunted as she held up Pikachu in a shockproof glass box. "I'm sure the boss is going to love him like his own."
"You'll never get away with this," Ash snapped back.
"Watch us," James replied as they walked away.
Sarah walked up to them and asked what they planned to do with Ash.
"We'll call the boss," Jessie replied. "He'll tell us how to handle him."
"Right," Sarah nodded as they left Ash with two guards.
After about ten minutes, the guards were getting bored. Ash figured now would be a best time as any to escape. Using ember, he burned way the ropes without alerting the guards. He slowly crept up on them and knocked them both out with poison needle.
"Now I better rescue Pikachu," he said as he ran in the direction Jessie and James went.
~§~
"You two actually did something right," the boss told them. "Bring the boy and the pikachu back to headquarters, and don't screw it up."
"Yes, sir," Jessie and James saluted as the screen went blank.
Jessie turned to James. "You go get the twerp."
"Okay," James smiled. He was dreaming of his promised promotion. He turned around and saw a figure running towards him. "Ah, Jess, I think he's on his way."
"What are you blabbering about?" Jessie demanded as she looked down the path. "It's the twerp. He got loose."
Sarah looked up from her map. "Persistent little thing," she commented.
"You don't know the half of it," Jessie sighed. "Arbok, bind attack!"
The snake pokémon appeared from its pokéball and slithered towards its target. Unfortunately for it, Ash had already released Charizard who grabbed and slung Arbok into the woods.
"Weezing, smokescreen!" James commanded as he tossed the pokéball. "Jessie, I think it's time we blast off again."
"I couldn't agree more," she replied as she grabbed Pikachu.
As they ran, Weezing's smokescreen was coming towards them.
"Keep it up, Charizard," Ash cheered as he ran after Team Rocket.
"I guess I should help out," Sarah sighed. "All right boys, get the brat."
No one replied.
"Guys?" she asked again. She noticed all her men were on the ground shivering. She knelt down and found a purple needle in one of their arms.
"A poison needle?" she commented. "The boy must have a poison type loose too."
She reached behind back were she kept her pokéballs when she felt a prick on her arm. She looked at it and saw a new purple needle.
"Great," she sighed as she collapsed on the ground.
~§~
"I think we lost him," James huffed.
A tree next to him erupted in flames.
"Guess again," Ash replied. "Charizard, fire spin!"
The flame soon formed a barrier around the rockets, hiding Ash and Charizard.
"Maybe why should just give Pikachu back," James suggested. "We can always try again."
"Never," Jessie countered. "Lickitung, go!"
But before she could release the pokémon, a scyther burst through the flames and swiped Pikachu out of her hands.
"Now, Charizard," Ash's voice cried.
Jessie and James saw the flames die down but not for long since the dragon tail whipped them into the air.
"We were so close this time," Jessie cried. "I could just picture that promotion."
"Yeah," James sighed. "We'll just get him next time."
"Look's like Team Rocket is blasting off again!"
~§~
"You're late," Prof. Oak commented as Ash shut the door.
"Ran into some traffic on the way here," he replied as he slipped on his lab jacket. "What are we're doing today?"
"Just a little training," he answered. "I still want you to learn some more fire attacks. Maybe we should use a technical machine."
"No!" Ash replied. "You know I hate using those. No pokémon should be forced into something like that."
"I was just a suggestion," Oak said as he made a quick scan of Ash. "I see you battled today."
"Like I said," Ash replied as he transformed into Ninetails, "I ran into a little traffic."
~§~
"Easy come, easy go," Sarah shrugged as she walked with Jessie and James. Most of her men still had headaches from being poisoned but nothing too serious. "I can see why that Ash has been giving you problem."
"You still heading back to HQ?" James asked.
"Yeah," she answered. She looked over at Jessie. "Ah, Jimmy, mind if Jessie and I talk alone for a few minutes?"
"Sure," James replied as he walked ahead a bit.
"Look, I know you two are friends," Sarah told Jessie as soon as James was at of hearing distance. "I just want you to take care of him."
"Why should I bother?" Jessie asked.
"Don't give that," Sarah sternly replied. "I've seen the way you've been looking at him. I think he feels the same way."
"Really?" Jessie said hopefully. "I never thought after all that I did…"
"Just take care of him," Sarah interrupted. "And if you hurt, I'll see you about it."
"All right," Jessie replied.
"Fine," Sarah said as she looked down at her map. "Take the left at the fork and you'll be back in Pallet."
"Thanks," Jessie replied. "I guess this is goodbye."
"Yeah," Sarah said as she folded up her map. "Take care, Jessie."
"You two, Sarah," Jessie replied as they parted paths.
After walking down the path, James shook his head trying to remember something.
"Hey, Jessie, I think we forgot something," he commented.
"You're right, James," Jessie agreed. "I just can't remember what. Mustn't have been very important.
~§~
"I get dem for this," Meowth growled as he climbed higher up the pole. Below him, the Growlithe K9 squad of Viridian growled at him.