If anyone reading this has family/friends in NY or Washington DC, I hope all is well with you and yours.
Continued...
ÒI donÕt know where everyone is, but we sure are lucky.Ó Meowth said to Misty as they crept down the hall, completely unaware that nearly every member of Team Rocket not currently on assignment was sitting in the stadium seats of GiovanniÕs specially modified arena where they were watching their Boss battle his newly submissive Pikachu.
Misty didnÕt answer, she only nodded. She hadnÕt said much of anything since sheÕd made her decision about who to leave behind. Meowth was, quite frankly, worried about her. In the short time heÕd gotten to know her, along with the last three years that he, along with Jessy and James had been following the Twerps, heÕd never known Misty to be the silent type. And it wasnÕt just her silence that bothered the cat pokemon...it was the way she looked too. Like something inside her had broken...shriveled up...and died. No wonder, Meowth thought, just think what she had to do. Meowth wondered if he would have been able to do it. To choose which friend to leave behind. He didnÕt think so....just imagining the possibility made his fur crawl.
It didnÕt take very long to get to their destination. There hadnÕt been anyone to stop them or get in their way. Once they got to the door, Misty hesitated. Some childish voice in her head screamed at her that if she left now...if she didnÕt see Ash unconscious...with all those horrible tubes....she could believe that he was ok. As long as she didnÕt see it...Ash would be ok. God would have time to take it back. To realize how awfully unfair this whole situation was and because she hadnÕt actually gone in there and seen....He would take it back. Ash would be safely in a hospital eating ice cream and waiting on her to show up with Pikachu. Not here...in Team Rocket Headquarters...in a coma...
ÒWe goin in?Ó Meowth asked softly.
Misty took a breath and nodded. They went into the room and saw Ash. Really...Misty knew what to expect. SheÕd seen them wheeling Ash out of that van. And he couldnÕt be very well off if they were having to do that. But this? Misty trembled as she took in the various tubes and wires. As she got a close look at AshÕs pale, still form. Oh God, she thought, he looks dead. A small sound escaped her at that thought and she hurried over to the bedside and took AshÕs hand. To prove to herself that the respirator and heart monitor were right...that her friend was still alive.
Meowth watched Misty holding AshÕs hand, gently smoothing stray hairs out of the boyÕs face. He decided it might be a good idea to leave the two of them alone for a little while. Besides, he was worried about Jessy. HerÕs had certainly been the more dangerous of the two missions and he would have gone with her if he could have, but someone had to show Misty where to find AshÕs room.
ÒHey Misty, IÕm gonna go check up on Jessy Ôn James. Stay here till we get back. If someone comes to check up on da kid hide, ok?Ó He felt a little nervous about leaving Misty here, basically all alone, but Jessy might need his help getting James and Tracy free. ÒJust be real quiet ok?Ó he added nervously.
Misty only nodded. She was too wrapped up in Ash. She never even saw Meowth leave. She barely heard the click of the door as it closed. All she saw was the small, still form of the person she cared most about in the whole world. All she heard were the unnaturally regular breaths the machines were inducing. For several long moments, Misty just sat there, looking at Ash. But then softly, slowly...she began to speak.
ÒOh Ash...it isnÕt supposed to be this way. YouÕre supposed to grow up and become a Pokemon Master. Then, youÕre supposed to fall madly in love with me and ask me to marry you. WeÕre supposed to have a little white house....right on the beach Ash...and two kids. Twins. A girl named Briley and a boy named Brian. TheyÕre supposed to have your hair and my eyes and look like neither one of us, but people will always say they look like both of us.Ó Misty stopped then, to wipe at the stream of tears pouring down her face. ÒThatÕs how its supposed to be Ash. Not this. Not you in a coma...or...Not this! IÕve put a lot of time and energy into these plans Ash Ketchum! And youÕre ruining them! Now WAKE UP! Do you hear me!? WAKE UP NOW!Ó Misty yelled, completely forgetting MeowthÕs warning to be quiet. She waited a few moments to see if anything would happen. Nothing did. ÒOf course not.Ó Misty whispered. ÒWho ever heard of screaming at someone to get them out of a coma? IÕm so sorry Ash...IÕm always yelling at you. All this started because I yelled at you about the stupid firewood. IÕm sorry...about everything....Ó
Just then AshÕs heart monitor began going crazy. MistyÕs face when white and she whirled around to look at the monitor then turned back to Ash. ÒNo....NO! Ash donÕt die! Please...please donÕt die!Ó she cried. After the initial panic passed, Misty realized that Ash wasnÕt dying. His heartbeats were speeding up...and they were getting stronger too. Misty gasped as the realization hit. ÒAsh...you...youÕre waking up...Ó she whispered. ÒThatÕs it! Come on Ash...you can do it. Wake up Ash. Wake up. IÕm right here....IÕm not going anywhere so come on and open your eyes.Ó Misty encouraged.
She was so focused on getting Ash to open his eyes that when the hand settled on her shoulder she jumped and yelped in shock. Misty looked over her shoulder in a mild sort of annoyance, really expecting to see Meowth or maybe Jessy, James or Tracy, but it wasnÕt one of her friends who she saw.
ÒWhat are YOU doing here?Ó Butch demanded.
Misty tried to pull away, but the evil Rocket just tightened his grip. ÒLet go of me!Ó she insisted angrily.
ÒI donÕt think so.Ó Butch replied. ÒYouÕre coming with me. I think the Boss would like to know just what youÕre doing here.Ó Butch began pulling Misty toward the door.
ÒNo! Let me go! HeÕs waking up! I canÕt leave! Let me go!Ó Misty struggled desperately but Butch was just stronger. He grabbed her by the other arm and continued to pull her out of the room. ÒPlease! HeÕs waking up...I have to be here! PLEASE! No! Ash! ASH!Ó
To Be Continued...