A/N: I really wanted a cookie when I wrote this.
Viridian Forest, June 7, 1874
Okay, Ash knew he was lost. He could have sworn that he passed that tree that looked like a rhyhorn three times and the bush that looks like a cyndaquil. What was he thinking going head first on a rescue mission without an inkling of a plan! He doesn't even have any Pokémon! He left Pikachu behind so he won't get hurt and Ash would've stood out with a Pokémon if he did bring him. He doesn't even carry Pikachu's Pokeball anymore because the little guy doesn't like it! Arceus, sometimes he is just so stupid! May more or less told him that but he rebutted by saying that he is just spontaneous. How's that spontaneity now?
Walking past the patch of grass that reminds him of an oddish, for what, the fifth time now? He finally hears voices. A single file of Rocket grunts walk past him chattering like pidgeys and spearows. He slips in at the end of the line and hopefully follows them to where they hid Misty.
Ash was consumed in his thoughts about Misty, Pokémon, and his sister that he barely registered the grunts' conversation. They were speaking about how rich and famous and how easy life was going to be once Team Rocket takes over the Indigo Plateau. Ash shakes his head at that. There are towns and cities and duchies that are loyal and follow the reasoning of the Indigo Plateau. The Indigo Plateau is made up of four trusted advisors to the head monarch, who is more of a symbolic figure now. The people aren't going to let Team Rocket just take over, too many people are used to the way the government works.
Of course in Unova they recently shifted over to a non-monocracy. Their monarch changed it so he will rule until someone beats him in a Pokémon battle. It's a fairly new thing, Pokémon are used in protection and labor. People battle but for training to become better protectors, it will never be for sport. If someone tries it won't catch on.
He almost ran into the person in front of him when they stopped abruptly. The man up front barked out orders and everyone dispersed. He didn't know whether to follow someone or continue on his own. Tentatively he edged forward to where it was lighter in the greenery.
The first thing he saw was people. A lot of people. More specifically, Rocket people. They were everywhere, a good twenty of them were in their man-made camp. If Misty were here how was he supposed to sneak her off with this amount of mareep mingling around probably watching her like a pidgeot? If she was here that is. On top of that if he does sneak her off, all of these people will be on their tail. The odds aren't good.
As casually as he could with his heart pounding in his chest he walked to the center of the clearing. There were some unfinished holes in the ground where tree stumps once stood and very few were left alone, being used as seats, or waiting to be dug up. Mats were set up where the least amount of tree trunks and rough ground were. It must've taken a long time for them to dig out this little hole in the forest, these trees are old and their roots must go on for miles. They must have done a lazy job and just cut through the roots instead of digging them out, which means in a few years the trees will start growing again.
He spun in a little circle, not sure what to do, when he spotted a familiar shock of orange hair on the other side of the clearing. He looked straight at her. Misty was tied to a tree, dirty and her clothes were ripped. Her hair was coming out and someone cut of a chunk. She was leaning back on the tree she was chained to, her eyes closed, sleeping.
He felt a surge of anger at the way she looked so tiny and fragile against the massive trunk she was held at; not the normal fireball that he grew used to in Lavender. He looked around at the people sitting and talking like nothing was wrong and it disgusted him. Do they know what they are even doing?!
He looked back and noticed a girl next to Misty at the next tree. She didn't look any better than Misty did. She had a few bruises—or dirt—on her face, matted and greasy hair, and tears in her skirt and blouse. Hey, isn't that May's skirt she bought in Goldenrod that one time? He shook his head, telling himself to forget about it. Unlike Misty her eyes were wide and opened, swirling hazel examining everything around them. He recognized that look. She was plotting.
Well whatever she's doing he suppose that he better help her escape too. He can't just leave someone behind.
His eyes dart back to Misty to see her vivid emerald orbs staring right at him. She didn't look away and kept up eye contact. Like she knew that it was him despite the disguise. Although the only thing that's really disguising him is the hat and the outfit, so it might not be such a great disguise after all to people that know him.
He looked back at her and smiled. Tipping his hat briefly he walked away to get the layout of the camp.
Viridian Forest, June 7, 1874
Misty was still staring at the spot where that boy was standing. She thought… No… maybe? It can't be though! He's at Lavender waiting for his sister! He can't be part of Team Rocket! Plus! Where's Pikachu? He doesn't go anywhere without him!
The doubts that were nagging at her about him came to surface. Pikachu could have been his Team Rocket partner. He could have been lying the whole time being clueless about Team Rocket. Damn. She liked him too.
But if he was part of Team Rocket what was with the smile and nod? Is he just mocking her or telling her that he'll make sure that she'll get out of this? Arceus! You know what? She is done with boys! Done! He can just go and do whatever with whatever little Team Rocket girl he wants.
"Misty? You're growling."
She didn't even realize she was. She cleared her throat and looked at Leaf. "So—ahem—what do we need to do?"
She looked at her with a little smirk. "It's going to have to be a little improvised but the main thing is that I have to get to my Pokémon with all these Team Rocket losers in the clearing."
Misty shakes her head. "That's some real plan you got there. It's risky and insane but if we get it to that point it should be easy."
"Yeah…" Leaf trailed off. "The trick is how are we going to get them all here and yet somehow get to my bag on the other side of the clearing with all of the mareep blocking the way."
"Well it could work if just most of them are here."
Leaf acknowledged the point with a nod/half-shrug. "True. And we still need to figure out how to get untied from the tree. If they're smart they probably won't let us go to the bathroom at the same time and it'll be really hard to cut the ropes considering our hands don't meet behind our backs."
"Thank you for all the positive optimism." Misty quipped.
Leaf stuck her tongue out at her. "Hey, I'm being realistic. As long as we acknowledge our shortcomings we can jump those hurdles and have a greater chance of succeeding."
Misty absently nodded as she scanned the surrounding area, brainstorming. Well if they got untied and caused a big enough commotion then all the idiots would come into the camp and she just needed to get Leaf to her Pokémon. Pokémon. Pokémon… OhmyMew! Duh! They're in the Viridian Forest! Pokémon must be around everywhere! They just haven't seen them!
"Leaf!" Misty whispered. "Leaf." Leaf turned her attention back to Misty. Before she could say anything Misty beat her to it. "The Pokémon! The wild Pokémon in Viridian Forest. We can ask if one of them could cut the ropes! That would solve that problem! If we can persuade them they can act as distractions!" Misty was grinning so wide her face felt like it was going to split.
"Great idea Misty! Now we just have to find a way to talk to them and get them to do it. It wouldn't be too hard. Team Rocket basically ruined a lot of homes here."
Misty readjusted herself, trying to get more comfortable on the forest floor. "How are we going to convince them to help us?"
Leaf turned to look out to the dense forest. "We just talk to them. I know they're listening." She said the last sentence a tad bit louder but not enough to alert the obtuse Team Rockets.
She's right. They must have been listening. This is their home and we are intruding, but it also means that they know what's going on. Pokémon are smart creatures, they'll help. Right?
Viridian City, June 7, 1874
Drew went straight to bed after searching with Gary and May for their friend Leaf in Viridian City for the rest of yesterday. He made May sleep in the Pokémon Center and would have made Gary too if he even showed up.
He stayed out searching and right now Drew feels a bit like a mother Blaziken worrying about his little torchics as bizarre as that sounds. Speaking of torchics he should check in with Nurse Joy about how Nat behaved when he was in Pallet. At least the little monster didn't burn down the center.
Emerging from his room he went to the counter to speak to Nurse Joy but somehow he ended up having a conversation with the chansey.
"No." He said with forced politeness. "I am wondering where Nurse Joy is so I can ask about Nat's behavior."
Chansey turned its oval shaped body away from him momentarily with a worried look. Looking at him again she falsely smiles and tries to offer some cookies. "Chansey. Chan. Chan. Chansey."
Drew puts pressure at his temple. "Again. I don't want cookies. Just where is Nurse Joy."
Chansey could feel beads of sweat trail down his back. "Chansey?" She pushes the plate of chocolate chip cookies more aggressively at him.
Drew sighed. "Forget it. Can you just give me his room key that I left with you?"
Chansey pushed the cookies forcefully at him. "Chansey!" He takes a step back from the pink Pokémon. "Chan~sey!" She stuffs a cookie in his mouth and, leaving him holding the plate of cookies, waddles off.
Drew tries to swallow and coughs up crumbs. Feeling the baked sugar slide down his throat someone comes up next to him. He hopped away, thinking it was the chansey again, but it was only May.
Fresh-faced and eyes bright, with only faint under-eye circles, she looked refreshed after a night sleeping on a real bed instead of a small cot like in her home.
"Good morning, Drew." She stops to grab a cookie from him and stuffed it in her mouth. "Mmmm… anyway, wot are you fooing." She said with her mouth full.
"The crazy chansey wouldn't give me Nat's room key I left with them and shoved cookies in my face."
"Well…" she started, grabbing another cookie. "I could help you there." She swallowed. "We were bored and Leaf taught me and Dawn how to pick a lock."
He deadpanned. "Why does that not surprise me."
He lead her to the door, May munching on cookies as they went, and he stepped out of the way for her to do her magic. Taking a straight pin with a curved edge and a flat edge that fits into the straight part of the keyhole, she raked the top of the tumbler with the curved part of the pin while turning the stick clockwise. After a few minutes she unlocked the door. With a flourish she said, "You're welcome." Her hand out like she was presenting him with it.
He opened the door steeling himself for whatever that was going to present itself to him. A sleeping adolescent, a furious teenager, or even a body that died of boredom. What he didn't expect was nothing.
Opening it wider he stepped into the room. Not even Ralts was sleeping on the bed. "Where the heck is he?" His voice was deceptively calm. He ran a hand through his bangs. "That must be why the stupid chansey was acting so strange. They lost a fifteen year old."
May gulped down the last cookie. "Well now we have to search for Leaf and Nat. Don't worry, Drew, I'm sure he'll show up. He probably didn't leave town."
"What makes you so certain of that?" He turned around so he was facing her.
In honest sincerity May stated, "You brought him with you when you didn't need to. He probably feels grateful and he owes you. Besides he would be bored for not doing anything for three days."
He followed May out, hands in his pockets. She left the empty plate on the counter of the Pokémon Center. "Let's go to my caravan. I want to try something."
Viridian City, June 7, 1874, Pokémon Center
Paul first saw Gary nursing a cup of coffee in the Pokémon Center's cafeteria. The guy is missing for, what, three days? And he just shows up out of the blue? Arceus, sometimes Paul felt like his mother. Or idiot-keeper.
Paul walked over and sat down in front of the bastard. He didn't look up and he didn't look good. He had dark circles under his eyes and a haggard appearance. Even his normally spiky hair was drooping.
He didn't know what to say to his AWOL friend. Does he act like a semi-mildly-caring friend who is wondering about his wellbeing? Or does he chew him out for leaving for no damn good reason?
"Where. The fuck. Did you go."
He finally looked up. Pitch black looking into obsidian. Gary half-grins. "I knew you were going to be mad." His joke fell short.
"Where. The fuck. Did you go."
He held up his hands in a surrendering gesture. "Now, hear me out here." Paul arched a brow. Gary took that as an agreement. "First off, I seen Leaf—you said you'd hear me out." He hurried to add when Paul glared. "Yes, it was stupid to leave, but I also found some interesting things that I think link to Team Rocket."
He explained what he saw in the warehouse and all the diagrams and, what he suspected, blueprints for a prototype for the 'Ultimate Pokémon.' That was before he left for Pallet with Leaf. Because he was on a roll he explained why he was gone due to Leaf's loss and her disappearance.
Paul listened to his friend quietly with a few nods and grunts to show he was listening. "So you lost her. Again." He continued before Gary could interrupt. "Remember in Saffron? How those orphans would join Team Rocket?"
Gary glared daggers, seeing where he was going with this, wanting him to shut up. "No way. Not Leaf."
Paul looked steadily at him. "Leaf is an orphan now, it'll be harder considering she's older and, from what you say, stubborn. But if Team Rocket got to her first, which from the looks of things they did, she might join. Team Rocket is a family to a lot of kids who follow blindly."
"Yes, but like you said she's stubborn and she's older. She probably told them to go to hell and got herself in trouble like always." He pointed out. "And besides, why Leaf? Why target her?"
Paul shrugged. "Why any of them?"
Viridian City, June 7, 1874, Pokémon Center Room
Dawn pounded on the door of her room. Somehow, someway Paul really did lock her in her room. She has no idea since her door locks from the inside—She gasped. Did he switch her locks in the middle of the night?
Pokémon Centers do have locks that lock from the outside, usually when a drunkard or someone comes in and they lock him in with a nurse or a chansey so no curious child accidentally comes in and get hurt. They also have locks on the supply closets for, again, children's safety.
She shakes her head. It's too illogical for him to do that in the night and she would have heard him. She thought back to a prank that Kenny played on Leona back in Sinnoh.
She grasped the doorknob and twisted it. Then she shook it. And she just went crazy trying to open the dang door. "Hello? Can someone get me out!" She pounded harder. "Someone get me out of here!"
She sighed and rested her head against the door. Stupid Paul. Stupid, stupid, stupid boy. Ever since she gave him the ransom notes and looked them over he's determined to find the person who wrote them and the duchess. Did he think that he would get to marry her or something? No. That doesn't sound like Paul at all, plus that's just for princesses right? She was going to come too (come on it's another adventure) and then he just had to penny her in.
"Miss? Are you alright?" A voice sounded.
Dawn whipped her head up and plastered herself to the door. "Yes! I mean no! I'm locked in the room! There should be pennies in between the door and the frame! Can you please get me out?"
She heard shuffling and the tinkling of coins. She turned the knob and it opened! Rushing out she thanked Nurse Joy for getting her out, and ran down the hallway with her bag slapping her back.
Ha! Paul tried to leave her behind but fate wouldn't let him! She's like spinach that's stuck in your teeth. You try to get it out but it won't go away. Okay, ew, maybe not a piece of spinach, that's too disgusting. She sprinted down the hall and out the door. She stopped, wondering if he stopped somewhere or if he went straight to the forest. She headed toward the forest when a voice behind her stopped her short.
"You got out." His voice held a tinge of shock and maybe even he was a tiny bit impressed?
She swirled on her heel and saw that Gary was back. He was standing next to Paul with too much amusement on his face for one person. Maybe he siphoned it from Paul.
"You penny'd me in." She deadpanned.
He started walking away from her and toward the forest, Gary followed. "I regret nothing."
Her lip curled into a snarl. Picking up her pace she caught up with them. "Well, I'm going with you. And you can't lock me in a room anymore."
Gary stifled a snicker. She glared at the boy. "So what did you do since you disappeared?" She didn't expect him to sober but he did. His smile faded and his eyes grew worried.
"Nothing important. I'm here now. To help search."
She narrowed her eyes and bit her lip but decided not to push it. "So where are we going next?"
"I'm going to Cerulean." Paul emphasized. "That's where the meeting point of Team Rocket and the sisters are. Gary is going to look through the forest to see if they have a base there. You are staying here."
She crossed her arms. "And who's to stop me from coming?" She swiftly stepped in their path. "You can't keep me here. I want to help. It would be easier on all of us if you just gave in now and just let me come."
They evaluated her and she waited for their verdict. She spoke the truth; even if they decide to leave her behind she's not going to stay there. At least if they let her come they'll know she's with them and generally safe.
Gary turned to Paul and clapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck, man. You're going to need it." He sprinted down the road before Paul could protest. He turned around and yelled while running backward, "You didn't expect her to go with me did you?" Then he sprinted away.
Dawn turned to look at him with big blue eyes. He glared at those eyes. "Troublesome."
She just grinned.
Viridian City, June 7, 1874
"What are you going to try to do?" Drew asked as he followed this guide across the lush grass.
"I'm going to try to play my fortune. See what the spirits have to say." She could practically feel him roll his eyes as skeptical as ever. "What? Got a better idea, grasshead?"
"No, no. I'm sure reading a bunch of cards will help solve all our problems." he retorted.
"They're not supposed to solve our problems dummy. They're supposed to guide us." She shot right back.
Drew shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well what good are magical powers if you can't have them do stuff for you." he muttered. Silently he followed her until they reached the caravan. May sighed as she climbed in.
"Home sweet… home?" She halted in the doorway with Drew directly behind her, one foot on the wooden floor and the other pushing from the ground. "What's the hold up, May?"
"Uh, a boy is sleeping in my house." It was almost a question. Gently, Drew nudged her away so he could get in. Clambering up he saw his charge sleeping in May's cot on the ground.
At least they only have to search for one missing person now. He leaned down and shook Nat. When that didn't work he took out his water flask and dumped water onto his face. Nat sat up sputtering and spitting.
"Hey! You two are going to clean that up!" A protest sounded from behind. He waved her away concerned on how and why his responsibility is in his other responsibility's home.
"What are you doing here Nat." He demanded.
Nat wiped his face with his hands. "Waiting for my sister."
Drew's gaze sharpened. "You didn't tell me you had a sister."
"Yeah, well neither did I. Apparently I'm part of the long, lost variety." He swiped his dark blue hair off of his forehead, slicking it back.
"Well who is she?"
Nat looked at him like that was the stupidest thing he has ever said to him. "Noooo, I'm just waiting in this random caravan because I like giving you heart attacks." He gestured to May who was doing a poor job of not trying to look like she was eavesdropping. "She's my sister."
"I am?"
"She is?"
"She is." Nat made no room for argument. Drew looked behind him to see if May knew what the boy was talking about. The best he could say is that she looked stupefied. There was a deep V between her eyebrows, one eye screwed up as if listing all of her relatives in her head, and her mouth was slightly agape. Finally she shrugged helplessly.
Nat swung his legs from the cot and snatched something from the bed. Looking up at her, he was shorter than her despite puberty's best efforts, he handed the rectangular frame over.
They watched her in silence to see some sort of reaction. She examined the picture frame, her cerulean eyes scanning quickly over the photo. "Okay, I'll bite. Who is this?"
Nat gaped at her. "You don't know who this is?"
She shook her head apologetically and handed the photo back. "No. Sorry."
He didn't take the offered item. "But I thought he was your father. Our father. I found him in this caravan."
"My father died when I was little. I wouldn't recognize him if I tried. We don't have pictures or memorabilia of the dead. It's not the Romani way."
Then Nat started getting angry. "Then why the hell is he in here anyway! He looks exactly like me!"
May took a step back, hands twisting behind her. "I—I don't know. My mother wasn't exactly a traditional gypsy and she might've kept that picture of her old family. You do look like him but I can't remember you if I knew you. I'm sorry…"
Nat's shoulders slumped. Turning away he said, "Forget it then."
May looked at Drew, clueless on what to do now. He looked to Nat who seemed to not have cared in the least but he did. He knew he did. The problem was that he didn't know what to do either. He turned back to her and shrugged.
Her eyes darted between Drew and Nat worriedly before she dug around for her cards. Shuffling them a few times and as she murmured her question. She closed her eyes and flipped the top card over. The Queen of Diamonds.
"So? What does it mean?"
"I'm not sure. Diamonds are Earth, the queen is a gossip or fair-haired. Red means good. I have no idea."
"So a blonde, well meaning gossip who loves the Earth is going to help us find your friend?"
"Shut up Drew. It doesn't have to mean all of that. The suit is Earth. It could mean that the person is grounded and levelheaded. She doesn't have to be a gossip that's just one option or she's just light. Generally the color red is a positive thing for the situation. It doesn't have to be a person anyway. It could represent the answer in a way we can't see right now."
"Or maybe you shouldn't take advice from playing cards."
"Well maybe the woman that's supposed to help is buried?" Nat interjected. "Can't get Earthier than that."
May snapped her fingers. "That's it!"
"What's it?" Drew asked, more than a little wary.
"What if that's the answer? Earth?" She gave a little hop.
Drew deadpanned. "Well at least we know she's on Earth."
"No! Where is the place around here you feel most connected with nature? And who's the most connected with that place?" She raised her eyebrows urging him to know.
Slowly comprehension dawned on him and she nodded eagerly.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-A-U-T-H-O-R-S-N-O-T-E-_-_-_-_ -_-_-_-_-_-_-
A/N: I have been absent from FF for a while (like a week) BUT! I am sorta done with my homework, I am getting over a cold, and I'm getting more time to write as all of this hoopla is over. I planned to have Hexting done by Halloween but it didn't happen ❨¬_¬❩ so I guess that means it'll just have to go past Halloween. :3
I'll have a link on my prof on how to lock someone in their room with pennies x3
To lock-pick take a bobby pin and a something like a metal nail file (has to be metal). Nail file goes in the straight part and the bobby pin goes above that in the 'circle' bumpy side up. Turn nail file clockwise while 'raking' the bobby pin to get the tumblers on top of the lock, might take some tries and practice...don't ask how I know this.
Ahem. I do not condone or encourage breaking in random people's houses or locking people in places...