Chapter 10:
James was sitting in a pitch-black room. There were no lamps, no windows, not even the smallest light source to brighten the oppressive darkness. It was freezing, there was a draught that sent chills down James' spine. He looked around, trying to recognise where he was, but all he could see was the frightening murk. Suddenly, he could hear lashes coming from the close proximity, they lurked beyond the range of his vision.
Snap, snap!
James knew what it meant. She was here, only footsteps away from him. She cracked her whip a second time.
Snap, snap!
The Team Rocket-member swallowed hard. Drops of sweat formed on his forehead, his pulse was racing. The paralyzing hurt spread through his body. He remembered the painful whippings, the scars, his whole body used to be covered with abrasions. James' legs twitched, he could no longer fight the impulse to whirl around and sprint down that unlit corridor. He could hear a shrill and high-pitched laughter. Another lash.
„James, darling, we will always be together," the dynamic clicking of High Heels made the pulse in his head start to beat. His heart was throbbing in fear. He ran, he ran as fast as his legs carrried him, the whippings constantly following him. He was hyperventilating, trying to avoid making a sound. Each second seemed to play on forever. He called for help, but there was far and wide not a single body. He thought he could hide within the darkness, remain invisible and flee from the soreness that expected him.
Then he spotted a slim figure at the end of the corridor. She was wearing a white skirt, her magenta hair worn loose. Although she stood with her back to him, he had little doubt that it was Jessie, his eternal partner. James laid a hand on her shoulder. She gave a little giggle and turned around. James squalled. He was staring into two fir green eyes.
„My little James, I fooled you," Jessiebelle clucked. James held his breath. His fiancée was dressed in the official Team Rocket-uniform, the red ‚R' showing off her shirt.
„Where's Jessie? What did you do to her?" he asked her furiously. Jessiebelle took a swing at him, the quirt by the short hairs. She menaced him, cracking the agonizing instrument of torture once more.
„It's time to teach you a lesson, my precious," she went for his throat.
„There is no Jessie, it was me, all the time," her face spoke volumes of plain folly.
„I tricked you, I tricked you, there's no way to escape," Jessiebelle began to strangle him,
he choked up for a second, cawing the name of the only person he ever trusted.
„Jessie!" he croaked with his last ounce of strength.
„Jessie!"
James woke up, drenched with sweat. He tried to suppress a piercing shriek, noticing that Jessie was lying in his arms, gently sleeping and quietly snoring. She was still wearing her long red dress. Her hair was tousled, but she seemed calm and serene. He began to realize that this had just been a terrible and forbidding nightmare, coupled with his worst fears and fantasies. James attempted to settle down, he took a quick glance at Jessie, smiled and kissed her forehead. Jessie winced as she felt his lips.
„Way too early, James," she mumbled half asleep. Jessie opened her eyes to slits. She yawned loudly and gazed deep into two trustworthy emeraldgreen eyes. She called last night's events to mind. They had been attacked by an Alakazam and were able to escape his destroying power in the nick of time. Back at the Diner, their emotions went crazy, she and James had made out and she was certain that it hadn't been just an insiginficant emotional release, but that a serious bonding was advancing. Jessie sat up and had a good stretch, her arms were straight overhead. She clasped her hands together and inhaled as she reached upward. She had to admit that her feelings for James had changed over the last couple of weeks. They weren't only amicable anymore, she had caught herself imagining a future with the lavender-haired man as a potential boyfriend, but her experiences in the past made her act cautiously. Jessie remembred a particular ex-boyfriend she had dated at the age of twenty. His name was Tobias, much older than Jessie, he had been a gruesome contemporary, insidious and unfaithful.
-Flashback-
Jessie wrapped her arms around Tobias' neck. Their lips locked and she had butterflies in her stomach. It was a wonderful feeling, he gave her the necessary concealment she needed. His hand reached for hers and they interlocked as they kissed tentatively. His kisses were full of passion. She enjoyed every bit of it, being convinced that she had finally met the right person. Their lips parted.
„Do you really need to go to work?" she asked him, blocking the bedroom door. He nodded and pushed her gently aside. „I need to take care of you, the rent is not going to pay itself and you don't want to lose this apartment, right?" he whispered, snatching his briefcase.
Tobias was a bank employee and a very diligent one too. He would never miss out on a deal with his customers, he was purposeful and in great demand. Men and women would conclude a contract, every coworker admired his persuasion.
Jessie stepped aside and let out a deep sigh. Tobias lifted her chin. „Only a few hours, Jessica," he caressed her cheek and left the apartment. He and Jessie had been living in this high-rise building for some weeks now. They had met at a Ramen-bar. Jessie was a temporary worker and she had spilled scaldingly hot soup over his lap. Tobias had taken it all with a great deal of humor, they both had laughed themselves to tears and the little incident was soon forgotten.
It was two o'clock in the afternoon when Jessie decided to pay Tobias a visit. She slipped into a short summer dress with pastel petals and set out to the international bank in the centre of the town. She knew that his office was on the third floor of the giant skyscraper that towered above the inconspicuous terrace houses. Jessie jumped into the elevator, pressed the button and was ready to surprise her partner. The alarm sounded from the tiny loudspeakers in the upper left corner of the lift. She stepped out and walked direction office. The roller shutters were closed, the door was locked.
‚He's probably having an important meeting,' Jessie thought, but that didn't prevent her from barging in. She pressed the handle and opened the door slightly. What she saw, took her breath away. There was Tobias, obviously enjoying his togetherness with an unknown blonde woman. The long-legged blonde ran her fingers through his hair, Tobias didn't even notice that someone was observing them. Jessie slammed the door behind her. She was boiling with rage, she gave went to her feelings, walked up to her partner and slapped him strenuously.
„You filthy bastard," Jessie yelled, taking a swing at Tobias. He reached for her hand, trying to fend the clout off. He smirked and nudged her. The blonde woman stepped aside, keeping a watch on this escalation.
„Why did you do this to me?" Jessie asked, clenching her teeth. She demanded an answer. Why had Tobias cheated on her? Her partner scowled, looking at her with a menacing expression.
„You're so naive, Jessica," he whispered. „Did you really think that I would bother about such a fledgling? I need a mature female, strong in spirit, not an inexperienced kid who's wet behind her ears," he said in a determined voice. Jessie managed it to break away from Tobias, turned around and left his office. She tried to repress her feelings, he wasn't worth the tears. He was only another man who had betrayed her, dropping her like a hot potato and not giving a toss about her and her suffering.
-Flashback ends-
Jessie shook her head, trying to cast off the memories. There was this scattered and instinctive anger which prevented her mind from getting clear thoughts. James noticed her discomfort and joined her. He put an arm around Jessie's shoulder. His best friend jerked as she felt a gentle squeeze.
„Is everything okay with you?" James wanted to know. Jessie was still lost in thoughts.
Would it work out with James? Could they share an intimate relationship without cheating on each other or would he betray her too? Was James this kind of person? Absolutely not! He was loyal and attentive. How often did he let Jessie go ahead, no matter if for food or comfort. She laid her head on his shoulder. It was time to do some straight talking.
„James," Jessie began. She wasn't sure if he could commit to a serious relationship.
„James," she gathered her courage, „can you...I mean, could you fall in love after all those painful and traumatic events in the past? I mean until now, you shivered at the thought of acting out your feelings, you rejected women who expressed interest in you like the Ghost of Maiden's Peak," she said.
„That was a Gastly, Jess, not a real person," James replied.
„Fair enough," Jessie added. „So, I'm going to repeat my question: Could you ever fall in love again?" she wondered.
James nodded. „Looking at you, I think I already have," he lifted her chin and placed a kiss on her cheek. Jessie blushed and reached for his hand. „Do you think we're ready for this?"
Her team-mate squeezed her hand. „It depends," James said.
„On what?" Jessie questioned.
„Will you ever be able to trust somebody again?" he wanted to know.
„I could try and trust you for a start," she smiled at James.
Quietly embracing her from behind, he made her lie down in the pillows, kissing her sternum and moving upwards to her neck. Jessie chuckled. „Stop it, James! That tickles," she fought against his cuddles and attempted to repel his targeted attacks that were obviously meant lovingly. James cupped her face, crushing his lips against hers. Jessie felt the urge to dig her nails into his back. They continued kissing until a bang on the door put them off their stride.
„Jessie! James! Meowth! I need to talk to you!"
„Meowth's not here," Jessie and James giggled as they had hit their fronts quite badly while making out. James pulled the blankets over their heads.
„It's urgent, I give you one more minute," Jessie's mother wouldn't stop hammering against the door. Jessie snarled. She stood up and slipped into her uniform, James followed suit. They left the bedroom and walked to the kitchen where Miyamoto was already expecting them.
„Why did it take you so long to get ready? We've got an emergency situation, the mayor is waiting for us," Miyamoto fetched her bag and the keys. „Let's go. We have no time to lose," she stood up. Jessie and James were both groping in the dark. Had this social plight something to do with Miyamoto's secret telephone conversation with their boss? Was there a storm brewing?
Meowth arrived just in time to accompany his team-mates and Miyamoto to the parish hall in the centre of the city. Jessie's mother showed the doorman her visitor badge and the written confirmation that she asked for an audience with the mayor. The doorman swept her purse, eventually permitting her and the trio to enter the building. The halls were marbled and dipped into a multiplicity of discreet vanilla colours. They walked upstairs to the fourth floor. The parish hall was full of security guards observing every step the Team Rocket-members made. They eyeballed Miyamoto as she tapped on the ebony door.
„Enter," a short buzzer sounded and the door flew open. A small man with hazel eyes and chestnut hair was sitting at his oversized desk. Miyamoto walked up to the mayor and bowed down in front of him.
„Please, " he begged her to sit down with a motion of his hand. Team Rocket took a seat opposite the rather short statured man. He folded his hands together and harrumphed.
„Tell me, what's the matter?" he asked Miyamoto.
„Sir, Emanuel, the leader of Team Crag, a notorius evil and criminal organisation declared war on Vermilion City. We need to inform the inhabitants and arrange for security measures," Jessie's mother stated. Jessie, James and Meowth exchanged anxious looks.
„One by one. Why exactly is Emanuel declaring war on my city?" the mayor desired a detailed explanation.
„I am a former member of the organisation that beat Team Crag during the First Pokémon War. After the ravage, I was assigned to trace evidence for the existence of Mew. I was able to record his cry and Emanuel is keen to steal my cassette in order to attract Mew, catch that legendary Pokémon and make use of him. He has devastating and fatal plans and we need to be very careful that the cry is not going to be abused, it would have disastrous consequences", Miyamoto explained.
„And why is he aiming for Vermilion City? Why did we get involved, for goodness sake?"
the mayor began to feel uneasy.
„This is all my fault, Sir. I decided upon a temporary submersion in Vermilion City, I wanted to keep that cassette safe and I thought that working undercover would simplify matters," a guilty conscience needed no accuser.
„You endangered not only me, but every single resident of my beloved city. How do you want to make up for this? Is there a possibility to prevent this war?" he asked her.
„No, it's too late, but my former boss assured me that he's going to send enough ground troops to defend your city. There will be four divisions marching in tonight, they're well-equipped with the newest weapons and means of defence, no need to worry," Miyamoto answered.
„No need to worry?! We're expecting a fight for life and death and you tell me not to worry?" the mayor jumped up, tearing his hair. He walked over to the window, looking down to the market place, full of people who had no idea abut the coming events.
„It's not her fault, Sir. Emanuel is the maniac behind this grotesque spectacle," Jessie tried to shelter her mother.
„We must alert everyone about the danger," Miyamoto claimed.
The mayor sighed deeply. „What do you want me to do?" he asked inquisitively.
„Do you have access to all radio and television stations as well as to loudspeakers in this city?" Miyamoto wanted to know. The mayor nodded.
„Of course, I do. I'm a good and dutiful mayor," he replied.
„And, in this case, a devious hacker too," Meowth whispered so that only James could hear it.
„Let's make an announcement, we need to warn your residents," Jessie's mother proposed. The mayor walked over to a locker and entered the PIN code. A device with countless buttons and levers appeared. He began to boot his computer, trying to gain access to the requested broadcasting centre of Vermilion City. He flipped the switch to turn on the microphone, handing it over to Miyamoto.
Jessie's mother took a deep breath before addressing herself to the unsuspecting people busy with their everyday affairs of life.
„Attention! Attention! This is an emergency message," Miyamoto's voice echoed through the crowded street. „Vermilion City is in highest danger, we're expecting a military attack by a criminal organisation called Team Crag. I ask you to keep calm," Jessie's mother observed the people on the market place slowly bur surely getting nervous.
„You don't need to worry, we're ready to defend this place by any means necessary.
We beg you to not leave your house as soon as the siren sounds. If you're en route, make sure to run for cover in shops, stores or cafés, don't walk outside, avoid outdoor activites and barricade doors and windows," Miyamoto switched the button to turn the microphone off.
James took a look outside, people were agitatedly talking to each other. Women took their children by the hand ran off the market place. The atmosphere was depressed and tense. The emergency message had caused quite a stir. The inhabitants raised their eyes to the parish hall, baffled and bewildered.
Miyamoto reached for the microphone a second time. „Please, there's no need to get panicky. We're going to protect this city by hook or by crook. We should not let ourselves be put off by a single lunatic. It is currently not yet assured that Team Crag is going to attack Vermilion City! This is just a precautionary measure, the chances are good that he's going to abstain from conducting a campaign," Miyamoto attemped to calm the churning people down, but she knew exactly that is was one big lie.
She turned around. „We need to attend to this matter as quickly as possible," Jessie, James and Meowth nodded approvingly.
„I need your help to defend this city against Emanuel. Do you think you can manage it?
You've got to be very careful and alert, we may not permit ourselves any error," Miyamoto made it plain. There was no room for negligence and gross fault. Team Rocket had to make an effort to protect not only the innocent residents, but also the valuable cassette hidden behind the heating of the Diner.
They bid farewell to the mayor and left the parish hall. Miyamoto didn't want Jessie and her friends to worry, so she decided to distract them with one of her dearest hobbies.
„Who's in for a karoke-night?" she smiled at them. James raised an eyebrow.
„Isn't this slightly inappropriate? Shouldn't we rather be geared up for final battle?"
he assumed. Miyamoto laid a hand on James' shoulder.
„Don't be uninhibited by Emanuel! What do you want us to do? Twiddle our thumbs and wait for this madman to attack us? You surely don't have to be afraid," Jessie's mother tried to encourage the lavender-haired man. James shrug his shoulders.
Jessie was keen on the idea of this welcome diversion and was eventually able to convince James to join her and Miyamoto.
„Fine," James said, „but I'm not going to sing!" he clarified. Jessie linked arms with him.
„Oh come'on, during our missions you always dance and sing with me at every opportunity and you're really good at it," she flattered him.
„Singing, dancing? Team Rocket has really gone to the dogs...," Miyamoto shook her head. „They demanded discipline, awareness and fighting spirit in my day, but it seems that much has changed over the course of time," she smiled despite herself, always trying to deemphasize the gravity of the situation.
It was late in the evening when Team Rocket entered a local pub in the centre of the city.
Despite the crisis, it was well attended. People occupied the round tables, ordered drinks and appetizers, laughed and attempted to dissemble the incertitude and fear. Jessie, James, Meowth and Miyamoto were brought to the counter of the bar.
„This is on me," Miyamoto said, „choose whatever you like." Jessie snatched the list of beverages and James looked over her shoulder to check the wide range of offers.
The waitress brought Meowth a bowl filled with milk and the cat-Pokémon began to sip the white liquid immediately. A young woman with dark green hair dared to go on stage and began to sing a lovely and well-known melody. It was „Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt. The singer was without any talent whatsoever, but the crowd cheered for her and applauded enthusiastically. Jessie gave James a slight nudge.
„Let's do this, James. Sing with me," she urged.
„No. Please, give me a break! I don't want to make a fool of myself," he clinged to his Long Island Ice Tea and tried to avoid eye contact with Jessie. Miyamoto put a hand on his thigh.
„Do her a favour, don't be so shy," she roused him. James grunted, stood up and walked with Jessie to the stage. The host presented them with two microphones and asked them to choose a fitting song. Jessie was busy figuring out where the headlamps would shed light on her most attractive side and James was simply hanging his head in displeasure, unmotivated and sluggish.
„How about ‚I want to know what love is'?" Jessie suggested, after browsing through the pages of the large folder. She knew the song and the lyrics were perfectly tuned to their lives. James rolled his eyes.
„For all I care," he murmured. The host nodded and introduced the song.
James stepped nervously from one foot to the next, he swallowed. Jessie shoved a microphone under his nose.
James:
I gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older
Jessie:
In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life
Jessie and James converged. She stretched out her hand and reached for her partner.
James grasped at her hand and pulled Jessie closer. He wasn't a gifted singer, nor did he like that strangers paid so much attention to him, but he was doing this for Jessie, because he knew that she enjoyed being in the spotlight.
Both:
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me
Suddenly, James was completely in his element. He went down on his knees, singing full of vim and vigor. The crowd rejoiced and clapped their hands. They cheered Team Rocket and shouted for joy. Some people stood up and moved dynamically to the music.
Everyone sang along as the song reached its climax, and then the alarm rang.
A dead silence fell across the pub. They could hear the howling sirenes. The audience became worried and whispered agitatedly. Everyone knew what this meant. Emanuel, the leader of Team Crag, was about to invade Vermilion City. This wasn't a test, this wasn't a joke. Jessie glanced over to her companion, forming the following words with her mouth: „It's time." James nodded and dropped the microphone. They walked over to Miyamoto who would assign them a job.
Jessie's mother asked the trio to go outside and gather at the public square. She would try to calm down the stirred up residents and follow later. Miyamoto squeezed Jessie's hand.
„Please, be careful! Emanuel is quite powerful, he will try to incapacitate you and our four divisions at all costs. Be prepared for anything! I don't know how well-equipped he is, I don't know what weapons or Pokémon he is going to use, but he sure has an ace up his sleeve. He doesn't sleep, he's attentive and harrowing. He will fight until his last breath, he won't give up, not until he's in possession of my recording," Miyamoto put a hand on Jessie's and James' shoulder.
„Make Team Rocket proud!"
The trio left the pub and stepped outside. The sky ominously darkened, draped in black clouds. The air grew heavy, and the humidity pressed down. A stillness fell over the deserted market place. Jessie, James and Meowth could hear a low crackle of thunder.
A streak of hot silver splitted the sky and the downpour began. James turned to his right and spotted a helicopter only a few meters above their heads. The leaves were whilred up by the wind. Two unknown shapes peered out of the tiny windows. Carla and Trevor felt somewhat queasy, but were game for anything. The agent clutched at a gun and shot with pinpoint precision at the trio's feet who were able to avoid this attack.
„How dare you!" Jessie clenched her fist.
„Surrender now! Hand over the cassette with Mew's cry and we're going to spare this city!" Carla shouted. Jessie escaped a high-pitched laughter.
„Forget it! Prepare for trouble," the magenta-haired woman was ready to recite their motto, but James restrained her.
„This is not the right time, Jess. We must make sure to join one of the four divisions and fight Team Crag's ground troops, let's go," he and Meowth took Jessie by the hand and ran away, paving a way through the panic-stricken huge crowd that was startled by the pistol shot. Among the citizens were also Ash, Misty and Brock. The young Pokémon-trainer stopped and tugged at Brock's sleeve.
„Hey! There's Team Rocket," Ash yelled, but he got lost in the shuffle.
The wind picked up, howling and warning. Another crack of lightning rent the air and within seconds the rolling boom of the thunder reverberated overhead. Three cannon shots were fired. The people cried for help, little children wept bitter tears, calling for their parents. The trio got not very far as they heared a deafening bang only a few inches away.
The mayor, observing this doomsday scenario, hid behind his desk, ducked his head and tried to shut the sounds from his ears. Miyamoto rushed into his office, soaking wet and armed with bow and arrow and a handgun.
„This is worse than I thought," she wheezed, gasping for breath.
„What do you want me to do?" he whimperd, his entire body trembled. Jessie's mother let out a yell.
„First of all: stop wailing like a little girl, you're the mayor of Vermilion City, for heaven's sake! Second: we need to evacuate the city right now! I didn't expect Emanuel to release bombs and roll out the heavy artillery, I underestimated him," Miyamoto felt guilty for jeopardizing the inhabitants of this tranquil place. She wiped the raindrops from her forehead, reached for the microphone and made another announcement.
Her voice echoed through the streets and shops. „Please, leave the city immediately! Drop everything! Vermilion isn't safe anymore," she had a hard time acknowledging that Emanuel's destructive fury was unstoppable.
Ash stayed put, Misty attempted to remove him from the market place, but he fought tooth and nail agianst her efforts. „Ash, haven't you listened to the announcement? We need to leave the city, come on!" she grabbed him by the arm, but Ash refused to make a run for it.
„Team Rocket went in that direction," he pointed at the port.
„We need to catch them up. I'm not leaving without Pikachu," Ash talked turkey. He wouldn't leave his partner behind, even though both were in great danger.
„Stop talking nonsense, we need to leave or we're definitely going to die in the hail of bombs!"
The ground beneath their feet quaked. Misty dove to the ground and covered her head, expecting the shock and blast of an explosion to hit them any moment. Her friend took the initiative and began to sprint, Brock and Misty were forced to follow him.
„Turn back, Ash, it's way too dangerous," Misty tried to put him off searching for Pikachu, but it was impossible to dissuade Ash from his wacky idea.
Eventually, they reached the port where Team Rocket was already expecting them.
Pikachu was standing next to Jessie, ready to follow her orders albeit reluctantly.
The rain poured down over the port with a roar, piercing their skins. Their footwear was quickly overwhelmed, water seeping through the stitching. They were all sodden and cold.
„Give him back, Jessie! He doesn't belong to you," Ash protected his face from the pungently raindrops. Jessie chuckled.
„This time, twerp, you don't have the slightest chance to defeat us," she snapped her fingers and an army of grunts dressed in black with the red ,R' on their upper arm reared up behind the trio.
„May I introduce you to the Raticate division?" Misty, Ash and Brock took a look at the countless soldiers, armed to the teeth and equipped with some of the strongest Pokémon, but this sight didn't prevent the young trainer to challenge Team Rocket to battle. Ash reached for his Pokéball and called Charmander. The fiery creature hatched out and emitted a flame burst.
„You asked for it!" The trio was about to get ready to fight when someone interrupted their intention.
„Stop it!" Miyamoto was standing between her daughter and the children. She was completely soaked, her critical look saying more than thousand words.
„This is not the right time to go at each other's throat!"
Ash was surprised to see the owner of „M. & D.'s Diner".
„Martha?"
Jessie's mother smirked. „Hmm, not quite, my little boy. My name is Miyamoto, I'm a former Team Rocket-member and this," she pointed at Jessie, „is my beloved daughter!"
The kid's jaws dropped. „So, you belong to the enemies too!" Ash huffed. He was willing to clapperclaw Miyamoto as well, but Jessie's mother was faster and held his arm with a firm grip. „If I were you, I would call it a day! If we want to survive this battle, it's urgent to eliminate inconsistencies and work together," Miyamoto proposed.
„Never! They stole my Pikachu," Ash yelled, boiling with rage. Jessie's mother matched her daughter glare for glare.
„You stole that reputable young man's Pikachu? Shame on you," Miyamoto gave Jessie a roasting.
„Mom! Not now," her daughter replied.
„You're right. The past is the past and we can't change it. Pikachu belongs to Team Rocket and you've got settle for it, boy," Miyamoto declared.
„Are you going to help us or will you just get in the way?" she wondered.
Ash considered his options. He could fight against Team Crag and wait for the suitable opportunity to destroy the golden Pokéball or he could just draw in his horns and leave the field of battle.
„Let's do this!" he turned his cap.
The helicopter, flown by Carla and Trevor had gained on the foot soldiers. The Team Crag-agent pulled the pin of a hand grenade and threw it direction Team Rocket who were able to evade the whammy once more.
„We need to immobilize the pilots and their flying objects. Emanuel places his bet on air raids. This is going to be a waltz. The Dragonite dvision will combat them in mid air. They won't have a chance to escape. On the other hand, it's our task to protect the recording," Miyamoto explained.
The crowd of grunts slowly parted as a tall man cleaved a way through his agents.
„I trained them to be intrepid and bold, ready to take risks at any time. We must face many obstacles, before we reach our goal," he said in a deep and determined voice. Miyamoto turned around. Giovanni was standing vis-à-vis her. Jessie, James and Meowth bowed down and didn't move.
Out on the rolling skyline, only a few miles away, a lancelike ray of blue-white light shot up into the gathering dusk. An instant later, there was a blinding flash and a huge ball of varicoloured fire belched upward. Everyone ducked their heads. James narrowed his eyes to a slit, trying to recognize blurred figures visible on the horizon.
„Sir, I don't like to interrupt you, but I think we have more problems than just the helicopters rushing over our heads and attempting to shell the city," the lavender-haired man pointed towards a whole horde of Gengars, Haunters and Gastlies lining up on the hill. Jessie joined James and they both stared disbelievingly at the ghost Pokémon.
Her heart throbbed in fear as she stood up against the wall of phantasmal creatures that began to hurry down the hill direction port. James took her hand and squeezed it, he could feel every beat of his own heart pounding as the Pokémon approached.