Continued...
ÒAsh we canÕt. You canÕt. You have to go the a hospital.Ó Misty was trying her best to sound calm, she didnÕt want to scare Ash. She had to make him understand though that he couldnÕt go running around. That he was simply too badly injured to try to rescue anyone......even Pikachu.
Ash stared at Misty in complete disbelief. ÒMisty....you donÕt mean....Ó, heavy coughs interrupted ash. For a few moments he struggled helplessly to stop. To breath. God, he thought with a touch of panic, whats wrong with me? After a little while, he began to get control of himself. With a sick feeling, he lifted a shaky had to wipe the blood away from his mouth. Then he pushed his fear aside and met MistyÕs tear filled eyes again. ÒIÕm not........going to..........abandon.........Pikachu.Ó
Misty looked down at Ash and felt like crying. He was hurt so badly. He was so sick and weak. He couldnÕt talk without gasping for air....he couldnÕt even breath deeply without coughing up blood. Through all that he still wanted to go save his Pikachu. He is so stubborn! she thought angrily....but then she shook her head and the anger, driven more by fear than any real rage, dissipated. No....not stubborn....brave. HeÕs always been brave....he puts himself in danger for his pokemon all the time. Misty remembered the time Ash jumped in front of the VenusaurÕs vine whop attack to save Bulbasaur....she remembered the countless times he dove to catch his fallen pokemon in battle....sometimes getting hurt himself....the countless times he went up against Team Rocket for Pikachu... With tears escaping her eyes, she looked across to Tracy for help....she just didnÕt have the heart to tell Ash no again.
Tracy understood the appeal and tried to think of something to say that would convince Ash. ÒAsh....no one is saying you are going to abandon Pikachu. We want to get Pikachu back too. But you have to realize that you canÕt help it right now....as hurt as you are?Ó Tracy watched Ash while he spoke, looking for any sign his friend was going to listen to him. He sighed as he realized he should have known better.
ÒTracy...you said I wasnÕt that bad earlier. Maybe if I just take it easy?Ó Even as Ash asked the question, he knew the answer. Saying those two simple sentences left him feeling dizzy and had aggravated the pain in his chest. He clamped his jaws shut, refusing to cough. He squeezed his eyes shut and didnÕt notice the tears that slipped out. The pain was intense, and there was a bubbling, tickling feeling that demanded he cough to relieve it. However, he knew from experience that coughing wouldnÕt help and it would just make the pain worse.
Misty and Tracy watched Ash struggle. Both of the felt completely useless. Unable to help their friend in any way. Misty swallowed her tears and placed a cool cloth on AshÕs pale, sweaty forehead. She felt his flushed cheeks and felt despair creep up into her heart....Ash was hot. He was getting feverish again.
Tracy watched Misty pulling back strands of sweat soaked hair that had gotten stuck on AshÕs face. He felt horrible. Tracy hated to see Misty cry. She rarely did and it tore him up. Especially since there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. He couldnÕt make Ash well. He couldnÕt even get him to a hospital. All he could do was sit with here with her. It wasnÕt enough. It never would be. He knew, even if Ash and Misty both denied it, that they were meant for each other. He accepted it....but it didnÕt change the way he felt. Especially now, watching Misty cry.
Jessie stood with James and Meowth off to the side of the small clearing, completely forgotten by the injured boy and his friends. She looked at her partners and could see that theyÕd been moved by the scene. James looked like he was going to cry and even Meowth was looking a little teary eyed. She frowned in annoyance at them, completely ignoring the tight feeling in her own throat and the stinging in her own eyes. If this goes on, James will be blubbering soon, she thought. ÒWell for gods sake. Just sitting there sniveling isnÕt going to get that twerp to the hospital.....or get that rat back.Ó
Everyone turned and stared at her. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable, she snapped angrily, ÒWhat? IÕve already said that we arenÕt going to just leave an injured kid to die in the woods. I donÕt know how many different times I have to say that. Its getting really old. As for Pikachu.....well James, Meowth and I have put too much work into capturing it to allow anyone else....even the Boss....to steal it first.Ó Still feeling uncomfortable, she huffed angrily and stomped out of the clearing. She stopped next to a large tree and leaned against it. Stupid kids! she thought. It would serve them right if we DID just leave them here. Just let that brat die.
James approached Jessie cautiously. ÒJess?Ó She turned and looked at him. She was angry he could tell....but she was also worried. He knew what she was worried about. HeÕd seen the look in the BossÕs eyes when he warned them against failure this time. He wanted to tell her that it would be ok. That heÕd never let anything happen to her. He wanted to tell her how proud he was of her. How wonderful she was. How much he loved her. He couldnÕt think of how to say it though, and the moment passed.
Meowth walked up and looked at the two humans. ÒSo....whatÕre we gonna do?Ó
Jessie held James gaze for a moment. She saw his concern....his support....and....his pride. Without taking her eyes off him, she replied to the cat pokemon, ÒWeÕre gonna get that brat the the hospital and weÕre going to show the Boss that we arenÕt the losers he thinks we are.Ó She returned JamesÕs smile and headed back toward camp.
Meowth shrugged as he followed behind them. ÒWhy not....da Boss can only kill us once right?Ó
Jessie looked over he shoulder. ÒIÕll save the boss the trouble Meowth if you donÕt shut up.Ó
Meowth just grinned.
Misty watched as Team Rocket approached. She hoped they really were going to help...that they had a plan. Part of her reeled in shock at the thought that she was relying on Team Rocket for help. Even more so that she was relying on them to come up with a plan. She wasnÕt as surprised as she might once have been though. After all, Ash would probably already be dead if James hadnÕt helped Tracey to bring his fever down.
ÒOk. Lets get that twerp to the boat. We can take him to the hospital then...Ó Jessie began, but she was interrupted by Ash.
ÒNo,Ó he whispered, ÒPikachu.Ó
Jessie glared at him. ÒLook brat. You have absolutely no say in this. IÕm in charge here, and I say youÕre going to the hospital.Ó
Ash took a breath to argue and started coughing again. Misty jumped up and stomped over to Jessie in a fit of rage. ÒJust what do you think you are doing?Ó She yelled. ÒHe. Is. Hurt! He doesnÕt need you yelling at him and getting him upset!Ó She was jabbing Jessie in the shoulder forcing the older girl to back up a step, but every time she did, Misty moved forward one.
James was completely amazed. He knew the girl had a temper...but this was down right frightening. He leaned over toward Meowth and whispered ÒBoy....and I thought Jessie was bad...Ó
Jessie quickly got over her shock. She began to advance on Misty, her hands on her hips. ÒLook kid, we donÕt have time to sit and debate with him about whether heÕs going to the hospital.....hes hurt....weÕre not....Ó
ÒThats right! HeÕs hurt! How about showing a little CONSIDERATION!!Ó
ÒIÕll show you some consideration you little brat!Ó
Tracy, James and Meowth watched the two girls argue. Tracy was holding AshÕs hand while he fought to stop coughing. We donÕt have time for this, he thought angrily. He glanced at James who was just staring in amazement at the girls who by now where nearly to the point of coming to blows. Thats just enough! he thought. ÒHEY!Ó His shout was so loud, and so unexpected that both Jessie and Misty were shocked into silence. ÒI donÕt think that this is the time for that!Ó
Misty slumped slightly as she realized Tracy was right. She wasnÕt helping Ash by fighting with Jessie. She turned to the older girl and tried to read her expression. She couldnÕt. JessieÕs face was strangely emotionless and her eyes were shuttered. Misty wondered briefly why Jessie did that. ÒIÕm sorry Jessie.....IÕm......IÕm sorry.Ó she offered the older girl her hand. For a moment...Misty thought Jessie wouldnÕt shake hands. That she was going to be nasty about this. Misty felt her ire rising again. Just then, Jessie grasped her hand and shook it quickly.
ÒI..............donÕt care.......what........any.........of you say.........I.........am...........not.........leaving...........without..........Pikachu.Ó Ash said slowly. His voice hoarse and weak and even from across the clearing, Misty could hear his labored breathing. His eyes were determined though and Misty knew that heÕd fight them if they tried to make him go. Even if it killed him.
Before anyone could say anything, Meowth spoke up. ÒI got an idea.Ó He said quickly. ÒWhy donÕt two people take da kid to da hospital and the rest go after da Pikachu?Ó
James beamed at Meowth. ÒThats a great idea Meowth! Two people would be enough to run the Magikarp boat.Ó He paused a moment. ÒWhoÕll take the kid and whoÕll go after Pikachu?Ó
Meowth smiled. ÒYou and TracyÕll take da kid. Me, Jessie and da girlÕll go get Pikachu.Ó
James wasnÕt happy about this at all. If the Boss caught Jessie.....James couldnÕt even finish the thought. ÒIÕm not so sure....Ó
ÒDonÕt be an idiot James. Its the best plan weÕve got. You and that brat know more about how to keep the kid from dying on the way.Ó Jessie interrupted. She met James eyes and saw his fear. In a flash of insight, she realized that he was afraid for her. Jessie felt her eyes stinging again. Quickly, before she made a fool of herself she turned around and began gathering her belongings in preparation to leave. ÒWell....lets not all just stand around. Lets get going!Ó
Misty wasnÕt so sure she liked the idea....not because she was afraid of getting caught...but because sheÕd wanted to go with Ash. She thought about AshÕs fear and worry over Pikachu though and knew that it couldnÕt be helping him to be so worried. She knelt by Ash and placed a cool hand oh his hot forehead. ÒAsh...IÕll find Pikachu. I promise.Ó
ÒCome on! The BossÕs camp is a long way from here, weÕll have to hurry.Ó Jessie called over her shoulder as she marched off.
Misty got up and began to follow. ÒMisty.Ó Ash said softly. She stopped and looked back at Ash. He took a small breath and winced but he managed to say ÒBe careful huh?Ó
She smiled at him. ÒDonÕt worry Ash....Pikachu and IÕll be visiting you at the hospital before you know it.Ó Then she ran after Jessie and Meowth.
James and Tracy watched the girls and the cat pokemon as they disappeared into the woods. James wished Jessie would have at least said bye to him. With a sigh, he turned to Tracy. ÒOk....lets make a litter and head out.Ó Tracy nodded and the two of them got to work.
Ash lay there with his eyes shut giving in finally to his exhaustion. Misty will find Pikachu. Pikachu will be ok. Misty will bring Pikachu to me. TheyÕll both come visit me in the hospital. Ash tried not to imagine it ending any other way...but he was just too tired. Horrible thoughts kept sneaking into his mind. Misty getting caught....Pikachu being hurt.....Misty being hurt......No! Pikachu and Misty both will be ok. They had to. They just did.
To Be Continued...