A Jewel in Water

Part 10

Rudy approached the hall, where the rest of the party were currently residing, however from another room, he could hear the soft voices of two people talking. Being the nosy person he was he headed straight for it to see if there was any gossip he may be able to pick up. But to his delight, when he got there, he saw the king.

"Excellent." Smiled Rudy. Now there was a chance for him to show off his amazing-ness. But still, the makeup that was decorating his face went unnoticed by him, and maybe he should have pursued the mirror crisis before trying to make himself look better in front of people. But he knew that if he wanted the Kings attention, he would need to get rid of the company.

"So how are you finding your stay?" the King asked Ash.

"Very good, thank you! I cannot express my gratitude enough for letting you keep my Pokémon in the castle as well. I feel that I've spoilt them too much." Ash gushed.

"That's fine, my boy! If the Pokémon Master is having a break, then no doubt the Pokémon should as well!" Gah. It was Ash hogging the lime light was it? No way was Rudy going to let this one go. With two big strides, Rudy entered the room, and bellowed his arrival.

"Why hello there, your majesty!" he cried.

"So when do you think he'll wake up?" pestered Kenny.

"What are you talking about?" asked Paul who had finally finished his sandwich and was contemplating whether or not he should spill the beans on Ash and Elliots' secret meeting.

"I'm talking about the prank we played on Rudy!" said Kenny, completely forgetting in his excitement that he had not told Paul about what had just recently happened.

"Elliot just scribbled all over Rudy's face I think. Don't worry, now I know as much as you." Said Brock. "But Paul! It's been a long time! How have you been after Sinnoh?"

"Fine I guess. Finally beat Brandon after a couple of goes. How were you and Ash?" Paul asked, trying to mask his genuine interest.

"I did pretty well, improved my breeding skills, to say the least. About Ash I wouldn't know."

"Huh? What do you mean?" quizzed Paul.

"I mean that after that me, Dawn and Ash all went our separate ways. I haven't asked Ash anything about what happened after that, and he's not told me anything either. But I guess that we are both busy people now. Never have long enough to talk."

"What you talking about over here guys?" interrupted May. She was sick of watching Elliot near Misty and decided she would relocate herself.

"Nothing really." Dismissed Paul. He had never met this girl before, and he didn't particularly like her interrupting this conversation. To tell the truth, he was itching to have a battle with the Great Pokémon Master! This was the best chance for him to surpass his greatest rival.

"Oh…" May may have been bored, but she got the hint.

"I need to go somewhere. Be back later."

"Don't forget to come back Paul! You won't want to miss the show." Kenny shouted after him. But everyone seemed to want to follow him out of the room.

"On second thought, I need to leave too." Said May. "Need to sort out my room for a bit."

"Now that you mention it, I need to too." Agreed Brock. Much to Kenny's dismay everyone started to head back to their rooms, and he decided that he would do so too.

"Guys. At least promise that if he wakes up you won't say anything to him. Call us all together first." And with that, everyone was off.

Deep in the Diglet Cave, were Team Rocket.

"Hey you! How much longer do we have to go?" complained Jessie, as she trudged through the cave.

"I don't know but we better not be far away from the exit because this torch is going to go any second now!" cried James.

"Shut your pie hole you two! If we don't get out of her fast then we'll be mobbed by some other trainers! Yamask don't look up to fighting no more battles."

"….hey!...Hey! Is there anyone there? Do you want a Pokémon battle? Ha, as if you have a choice."

"You know." Muttered Jessie, "Can't we just blast out of here?"

"Wait, wait, wait!" cried James, the happiness was obvious in his voice. "There, look!" he pointed over at a hole with light pouring through it. "Guys, it's the exit! It's the door of hope!" he dragged the other two towards the door, and they emerged into the wide open air. "We're here! We're here!"

"Yes, thanks to my map reading skills. Admit it, you guys couldn't survive without me." Meowth gloated.

"Oh, you're right Meowth." Said James as he fell to Meowths' feet and sobbed exaggerated tears. But Jessie was less impressed, especially after seeing the City's welcome sign.

"Hey. Meowth. Where did the twerp say we had to go?" asked Jessie.

"Cerulean City of course."

"…..THEN WHY ARE WE IN VERMILLION CITY?"

The King and Ashe exchanged glances. But Ash quickly looked away to hide his face. The King sighed and looked towards Rudy. How was he going to handle this? He did not want to be the bearer of bad news for this guy, and pointing this out to him may humiliate him to the point of no return. Could he risk doing that to his daughters could be husband?

"Ah, Rudy! How are you?" he smiled. Ash couldn't take it anymore. He turned his head right around.

"I'm fine you're majesty, and yourself?" What was wrong with that fool Ash? Annoyed that I has stolen his thunder eh?

"Ah, I'm very well thank you! However, I must be off. I have a Royal meeting over in Pastoria City tomorrow morning, and I must set off now. If you'll excuse me, I'll be informing Misty of my departure" and with that, he swiftly left the scene. Ash turned back to look at Rudy, with the ridiculous marks all across his face. How had the King managed to do that? Keeping a straight face must have been tough. Ash tried his best not to burst out laughing.

"Get that ridiculous smirk off your face, Ketchum. You look like an utter idiot." Snarled Rudy as he strutted off. He might just go up with the King to meet Misty. He needed another chance to get into Misty's mind. Not that he needed one. Her hatred for him seemed to take up a good part of her mind.

After a while of sitting in her room, and sorting her things out, May decided that she would head downstairs to see if anyone was there. As she emerged from her room on the second floor, she could see Rudy marauding up the ground floor stairs. A smile came to her face and she ran to the next rooms.

"Hey! Guys! 'The Girl with the Willy Tatoo' is awake and on the prowl!"