Anyway...I don't own Pokemon..or the characters therein. They belong to some millionaire somewhere.
Continued...
Misty sighed, and shifted slightly. Her muscles felt cramped , but there was really nothing she could do about it now. There simply wasnÕt enough room to really move. And that was what was really wrong with her. She wanted to move. She wanted to be doing something...anything other than sitting in this tiny, cramped, coffin-like, smelly utility closet waiting. The worst part was what she was waiting for. That was what was driving her slowly but surely batty. The wait itself she could handle. Misty was a deceptively patient girl. But this? This was too much.
She, Meowth and Jessy had managed to sneak into the Team Rocket complex while most of the guards were occupied with James, Tracy and Ash. Once inside though, they knew that theyÕd better come up with a real plan quick or they wouldnÕt get down the hall, much less to their friends. They didnÕt even know where their friends were. Jessie had led them to this closet and the three of them had ducked into it. There hadnÕt been any great strategy in it...it was simply the closest hiding place Jessy could think of.
A quick look around their hide out had revealed a vet set low in the back wall, behind a set of shelves. After emptying the shelves and moving them, Jessy and Misty realized that it was too small for them to squeeze into, but it would fit Meowth perfectly. And so the plan was made. Jessy and Misty would wait in the closet while Meowth scouted out the situation using the ventilation shafts to move unseen through the complex.
And so Misty was waiting. Waiting for Meowth to return with news of where her friends were. And she hated it. Every fiber in her being screamed at her that it was taking too long. That something had gone wrong. Meowth had been caught. She had to get out of this claustrophobic little prison. She had to go find Ash. Pikachu. Tracy. She had too...
ÒJessy...Ó Misty whispered, meaning to tell the older girl that she wasnÕt just going to sit here and wait anymore. Once sheÕd started though, she trailed off uncertainly.
ÒWhat?Ó Jessy hissed back.
ÒNothingÓ Misty answered. There was no point in telling Jessy what sheÕd been thinking. It was ridiculous and would only get her a scornful look and snotty remark from the older girl. She was not in any mood to put up with that.
Jessy glared in annoyance at Misty, but swallowed back the cutting words that wanted to leap out of her mouth at the younger girl. She knew that it wasnÕt really Misty she was angry with...though she DID hate it when people started a sentence and then said ÔNothingÕ instead of finishing it. No, she wasnÕt mad at Misty. She was mad at the Boss. She was mad at Butch and Cassidy. Mostly though, it was herself she was really pissed at.
James was in trouble and she couldn't do anything. Nothing but sit in this closet and wait while Meowth put himself in jeopardy all alone to find him. Unlike Misty, Jessy wasnÕt any kind of patient and the waiting was getting to her even more than it was Misty. Her traitorous mind kept bringing up the worst possibilities. The most awful scenarios. Images played through her mid as she stared at the small black rectangle in the wall. Images of James being beaten. Of Meowth being captured. Of James being...killed. Her throat closed at the thought. At the very possibility, she lost the ability to breath correctly. What would she do if James died? How could she go on? James was her partner. Her best friend. Her...
ÒHey! Give Meowth a hand here will ya?Ó a voice hissed from inside the wall, startling both girls and making them jump. Meowth poked his head out of the open vent and held out his arms so they could help him out. Jessy helped Meowth out, silently thanking the cat pokemon for arriving just when her thoughts were getting out of control. Misty wasnÕt so silent.
ÒDid you find them?Ó she demanded urgently.
Meowth nodded. ÒYeah, I found em.Ó he replied, hesitating at the end in a way that frightened both girls.
ÒMeowth...what arenÕt you saying?Ó Jessie asked.
Meowth took a breath, trying to decide the best way to say what he had to. Finally, he just decided to say it. ÒI think weÕre gonna hafta leave someone behind.Ó He winced at the expressions on the girlsÕ faces. There was shock, grief and a lot of anger there. He didnÕt blame them. He understood perfectly in fact. He felt the same way at the thought of leaving someone behind. Because whoever it would be, they would certainly feel the wrath of the Boss. Unless, of course, they were all caught. Then the whole thing would be a moot point. But the only real way this rescue mission had any chance of success was if they didnÕt spread themselves to thinly. Now he just had to convince the girls of that.
ÒWhat do you mean Ôleave someone behindÕ?Ó Jessy demanded, rage flaring in her eyes like an almost visible flame. Misty just sat numbly. She felt like she almost knew what the pokemon was going to say before he said it.
ÒWell...ya see.... I followed da guys till dey got to da east wing. DatÕs where da to...where Ash is. Room 631.Ó Meowth shot Misty an apologetic look. She just nodded and motioned for him to continue. He did. ÒDa Boss was dere. Joyce too. Da boss told Joyce she was in charge of da kid. Den he sent Tracy and Jimmy to a cell. I waited ta see if one of em would mention where Pikachu was at. Dey didnÕt really, but da Boss said somethin bout Joyce needin ta hurry up and get da kid settled cause he wanted ta go see his Pikachu. IÕm guessin da Pikachu he was talkin bout is da same one weÕre afta. So its problÕly in JoyceÕs med-lab.Ó
ÒWhat about Tracy and James Meowth?Ó Misty prompted.
ÓOnce I knew where da Pikachu was, I caught up with Jimbo and Tracy. I know which cell deyÕre in.Ó
ÒI donÕt understand Meowth,Ó Jessy started haltingly, afraid of what the cat would say, Òif you know where everyone is...why will we have to leave anyone behind?Ó
Meowth opened his mouth to speak, but it was Misty who answered. ÒThere isnÕt enough time. Is there? To get everyone out. Tracy and James are hurt...youÕre only guessing about where Pikachu is...and Ash....getting Ash out....Ó the girl broke off, her voice quavering.
Meowth nodded sadly. He could tell too that the young red head knew that it would have to be one of her friends to be left behind...and really, the only choices available were Ash and Pikachu. They were the two it would be the most difficult to rescue and there simply wasnÕt time to get to them both. One of them would have to stay so everyone could escape.
ÒI have to choose.Ó she whispered miserably.
ÒMisty...Jessy said softly, trying to comfort the distraught girl. She didnÕt know how though. How did you comfort someone who had to make such a choice? Such a horrible choice. Jessy imagined what it would be like to have to choose between James and Meowth and the horror of it brought tears to her eyes.
ÒNo. TheyÕre my friends...I have to choose.Ó Misty insisted, misunderstanding JessyÕs intentions. She looked up, into the older girlÕs eyes. ÒHow can I do that? How? If we leave Ash here...your BossÕll kill him...if we leave Pikachu here...itÕll kill Ash when he finds out.Ó
Neither Meowth or Jessy knew what to say to her. They just offered what comfort they could. Misty was right, she would have to decide. This impossible choice was hers to make and they couldnÕt make it for her.
Misty sat for a few moments silently, tears leaking steadily from her eyes as she considered the options. Finally, she nodded slightly. SheÕd come to a decision. It was really the only one she could make. She only hoped that when this was all over....sheÕd be forgiven. That she would be able to forgive herself.
To Be Continued...