The Walk Home

About 11 pm

Goh waved as he left the Cerise family house, Pikachu claiming his shoulder and Cinderace carrying Sobble next to him. It wasn't late, but the early spring sun had already disappeared from the sky so Goh walked in the glow of the streetlights. It was starting to warm up during the day, but the nights still had that brisk tough of winter to them. It was his favorite time of year, but with Ash still plaguing his thoughts he couldn't enjoy it. He kicked a stray pebble down the sidewalk, replaying Ash's departure from the stadium in his mind. It reminded him of a younger Ash, an Ash so disappointed by his losses that he second guessed his battles. It was an Ash who looked at him so impressed and proud when Goh said he had learned everything he knew about battling from him. It wasn't the Ash from Kalos who abandoned Pikachu without a care or the Ash from Rose Tower who was willing to hurt Goh, maybe kill Goh of his nightmares were anything to go by.

Cinderace tapped him with her paw, pushing him to the side as a group passed him. He mumbled a sorry as he moved out of their way, the couple nodding thanks as their Pokémon trailed behind them. Goh whipped around to stare at their backs, the pink and blue hair pressing on a memory that he couldn't quite place. The Wobuffet in a tshirt and hat stopped but shrugged and followed its trainers. It had to be a coincidence. Goh hadn't seen them in years. Why did they come back now? Or was that even them?

Another tap on his shoulder from Cinderace took back his attention again. She gestured for them to keep walking, lifting a sleeping Sobble into his face. Pikachu yawned in his ear and he scratched his head, apologizing. The rest of the walk went quick, but Pikachu was snoring in his ear before they made it to the entrance.

Kicking off his shoes just inside the door, Goh carefully slid Pikachu off himself and padded with his socked feet through the kitchen and down the hall to the guest bedroom. He had converted it to a Pokémon bedroom, bean bags littered the floor and a hammock was strung up on the corner. Cinderace placed Sobble in his bed and tucked a small blanket around him before she collapsed onto her own piles of pillows and blankets, pulling one around herself. Goh tucked Pikachu into the hammock, tiptoeing around the pillows and toys as he exited.

Cinderace reached out a foot and lightly kicked his behind causing Goh to lean forward with a quiet curse. Cinderace chuckled, her blanket pulled up under her eyes to cover her grin. Goh turned and fought a grin as he play scolded her with a waggling finger.

Closing the door with a soft click Goh retreated to his own room, but booted up his computer instead of heading to bed. He opened his web browser and searched for Team Rocket in the news, scrolling through the articles. A few mentioned stronger or extra scary Pokémon that might have been like the experiment Pokémon from the files but it wasn't what Goh was looking for. Older articles mentioned an up tick of heists and older ones still mentioned random attacks on Pokémon centers where only one or two Pokémon were taken. Goh started searching by date. A year ago, eighteen months, two years, two and a half years. When was the last time Jessie and James were in the news? When was the last time he had even seen them? Goh groaned and leaned away from the monitor, closing his eyes as he let his head fall back. His shoulder had started to ache at some point during the match that evening but he didn't take his pain pills. He needed to soon or he wouldn't get to sleep.

Rolling out of his chair he trudged back to the kitchen to grab some water, palming the pill bottle as he walked passed the table in the hall. He turned the corner and froze. The front door was wide open. Two pair of hands grabbed him and shoved him out into the hall. Goh kicked out, trying to brace himself against the frame with his feet and shrieking until he was pinned against the chest of one of his attackers, an hand covering his mouth and a hand holding his bad shoulder in a bruising grip until the pain was too much. He slumped against the chest and let himself be pulled away. In the hall Wobuffet and Meowth were waiting.

"Don't forget to lock the door!" The cheery voice behind him sang as James shut the door and used Goh's keys. He twirled the ring on his finger as he followed Jessie leading Goh down the stairs and out of the building to a car that was idling by the entrance. Meowth sprang forward to open the door and Wobuffet saluted next to him.

"In you go!" Jessie pushed him into the back while James lifted his feet to dump him in.

Goh landed on his back with a yelp, his feet over his head as he struggled to right himself without doing more harm to his shoulder. Chairman Rose was sitting on the other seat, looking pleased as Goh struggled.

"I must say this is quiet the surprise meeting you here," Rose said with a delighted grin.

Goh groaned as he finally flipped himself over. "Really? You had Team Rocket kidnap me and it's a surprise for you?"

"Oh no," Rose tutted. "I meant that I wasn't expecting you to be so active. After your accident with our mutual friend."

"Accident," Goh growled. "I know it wasn't."

With a dismissive wave Rose continued. "Out of the hospital and already back at work. Such dedication. We could use someone like you at Macro Cosmos you know."

"I know you're working with Team Rocket. You literally had them kidnap me. Why would I work for you?"

Rose grinned and Goh felt a chill run down his spine. "I think you'll find I can be very persuasive."

Dread froze Goh's body. He watched the streetlights flash across him as the car drove passed, leaving the city behind. Chairman Rose tapped his long fingers against his knee and hummed a tune, glancing cheerily at Goh from time to time. Goh balled his hand into a fist and contemplated his chances if he were to jump from the car. His shoulder throbbed, reminding him of the pain meds he still hadn't taken and shifted his arm in the sling desperately trying to get some relief. Pressing his head against the cool window helped distract him. The rest of the ride was silent as the Viridian City gym came into view. Goh thought he was going to be sick.

"You know," Chairman Rose leaned across the bench seat to breathe in Goh ear, "I didn't appreciate that note you sent. Really distracted him from the match."

Goh's breath hitched. "You knew about that?"

Rose leaned back into his seat and opened the door as the car stopped. "Of course. I keep tabs on everyone I sponsor." Getting out he rounded the back of the car and opened Goh's side, gesturing him out.

Goh slid out and was suddenly aware of his bare feet as the rocks bit into his feet. The cold clung to his toes. Chairman Rose strolled to the door, opening it with a small smile, seemingly unbothered by Goh's discomfort. He rubbed his feet desperately on the mat to flick off the stray stones as he took in his surroundings. There was a small information desk to the left of the entrance and stairs on either side of the arena where the lights were still on and Goh could hear the faint noise of someone training. Rose lead Goh through the employee door behind the information desk and down the hall.

"I do hope you consider my proposal," Rose said. He stood in front of a door, pulling keys from his pocket.

Goh glanced at the leader office plaque on the door before he was hustled inside. A man was sitting on the edge of the desk flipping through some papers, a bright red R on his white coat. He looked at Goh over the rim of his glasses.

"Is this the one then?" He asked with a glance up and down Goh's form.

Rose nodded, a hand heavy on Goh's shoulder."It is." He maneuvered Goh to a chair and pushed down until he sat. "Get the equipment would you? Let's see if we can convince our friend to take on a part time job."

Goh felt a shiver go down his spine as he watched the unnamed man leave. Rose had moved closer to the door, away from Goh. He watched the hallway with a frown before he ducked out and slammed the door shut behind him. Goh moved to the door to listen.

"Ash!" He voice echoed through the door. "You're here awful late tonight."

Ash's voice too quiet to make out. Goh pressed his ear to the door and strained to listen.

"Well you finish up and head out. No reason to be up all night after all!" Rose laughed.

"Yeah you too," Ash replied. "Oh by the way I passed Arlo and he was having trouble finding something? I'm not really sure but I figured I'd let you know cause it seemed important."

Footsteps hurried away and a second pair walked up to the closed door before pulling up open. Goh jumped, pushing passed the body in a scramble to get out. His legs tangled with Ash's and the pair fell into a sprawl. Goh gripped his shoulder and hissed, landing hard on that side.

"What're you doing here?" Ash growled.

"You think I want to be here?" Goh hissed back with clenched teeth. "Locked in an office, bare feet, at god k owe what time at night?"

"The door wasn't locked," Ash blinked dumbly.

Goh huffed and heaved himself to his feet. Ash pulled him away from the front entrance and into the nearby locker rooms. Goh protested, but Ash overpowered his efforts to fight back.

"I need to talk to you. I thought you were dead and now you're here. Explain."

"You almost did kill me." Goh gestured to his sling. "And for some stupid files!"

"Stupid enough that you broke in to steal them?" Ash countered.

"I was looking for Nul!" Goh shouted. "You stole it and who knows what Macor Cosmos is doing to it."

"Why do you assume we're the bad guys?" Ash shouted back.

"Because you're working with Team Rocket!"

Ash shook his head, stepping away from Goh. They were almost touching noses. "Macro Cosmos is going to change the world. If you don't stand with us then you're against us."

Goh groaned. "Do you hear yourself? Team Rocket literally dragged me out of my apartment and brought me to Chairman Rose and you still think that he isn't the bad guy?"

Ash glared. "If He's a bad guy then maybe I am too."

"Yeah," Goh sighed. "I'm starting to see that."

Ash crossed his arms. "You need to leave."

"Oh believe me I'm trying." Goh spun on his heel and left the locker room before freezing. Rose was standing by the office door facing away from him. Arlo stepped away from the door and turned to say something to Rose and made eye contact with Goh over his shoulder. The resulting hey reverberated down the hall. A hand gripped his and tugged him away from the now running Chairman Rose. A fire exit at the end of the hall glowed like a beacon. Ash's body slammed into the release, setting off the fire alarm in the process.

He lead Goh around the side of the building and down the next street before they ducked between to buildings. Ash pinned Goh the the exposed brick.

"Don't ever come near me again," he said slowly. "And you can keep your stupid note."

He shoved Goh, hands lingering a moment on his chest before he left the alley and disappeared into the night. Goh checked his phone and winced at the time. 12:30am

He called Chloe to beg for a ride back. Everything hurt and he just wanted to sleep.

"Do you have any idea what time it if Goh?" The voice on the other end of the line murmured, half asleep.

"I do. Could you come pick me up? I'm in Viridian City."

"Why?"

Goh shifted his feet, rubbing them against his legs to flick off the pebbles and dirt. "Why am I here or why do I need the ride? Cause the second question is kinda answered by the first."

"Don't be a jackass. Why are you on Viridian City?"

Goh scratched his cheek. "I might have gotten kidnapped by Team Rocket and Chairman Rose?"

"You what?!"