Midnight! Pokéball Go! Chapter 13: The Morning After, a pokémon fanfic

Last time, Brock had his experience in the hotel, but not like Ash or Misty's. With the feeling of being the worthless "tag-along" of the group, Brock is caught in the conflict of whether or not he REALLY wanted the hotel.

Summary: The next morning, Brock is nowhere to be found. This makes Ash and Misty all the more worried. . .

Midnight! Pokéball Go!

by Spruceton Spook

Part 13:

The Morning After

A sharp glare of light hit Misty directly in the eye. Everything was silent except for the quiet tick-tock of the alarm clock beside the bed. Beside her slept Ash, with Pikachu bundled tightly in his arms. Misty looked out the window, seeing the bright sun shining between the branches of the trees. Suddenly she felt an emptiness behind her. Why wasn't she feeling the warmth from Brock's body that she had felt before falling asleep? She flipped over in a flash to reveal that Brock was not there. Instead were his pushed aside sheets and indented pillow.

"Brock?" she asked silently, hoping that he was in the next room. There was no answer. She pulled her feet out from underneath the blanket and sauntered into the living room. The room was empty and quiet. A chill ran down her back, and she immediately ran back to the bed.

She gave Ash a hearty shove. "Ash! Ash! Wake up, Ash!"

Ash groaned and turned over, his sleepy squinted eyes staring into her frightened face. "What's the matter, Misty?"

"Brock's gone!" Misty said in a panic, her voice shaking. "He's not here!"

Ash sat up and looked around the room. Pikachu was up as well. Rubbing his head, Ash got out of the bed and stretched.

"Ash! We have to find him!" Misty yelled.

"Calm down, Misty," Ash said. "He's okay. I'm sure he's just walking around the hotel somewhere."

"Yeah, but I'm afraid something's happened to him!" she replied, her voice beginning to break. Her eyes started to well up in tears. "I don't know WHAT'S happening anymore!"

Ash ran to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Calm down!" he repeated. "Let's go look for him. Come on, Pikachu."

"Pika!"

Misty grabbed Togepi and her bathrobe, and they exited the caretaker's quarters. The day was beautiful, but as they walked by the windows, Misty could tell that it was utterly cold out. She could just sense it. The hotel seemed much colder this morning than usual, also. Misty figured that it was her fear causing that, and quickly focused her attention on finding Brock.

"Brock!" Ash called out Brock's name as loudly as he could. He was still sleepy, but that was soon fading away. Misty joined in on calling for Brock, but they were unsuccessful.

Misty began to tremble.

"Are you cold?" Ash asked her, concerned.

"I'm scared, you imbecile!" she shouted. She controlled her anger immediately, and her voice dropped suddenly in a manner of worry. "I'm sorry. Where is he?"

Ash looked down. "I don't know."

Misty quickly turned to Ash, the fear nearly jumping out of her eyes. "Oh my God, what if he left? Or worse, what if he. . .if he. . ."

"No, that can't be possible," Ash interrupted. "Don't worry, we'll find him someplace."

"Oh, I hope we do," Misty replied.

"Togi," Togepi added sadly. Misty gently rubbed her face against Togepi. Togepi could feel Misty shaking, and it worried him greatly.

Ash and Misty walked from room to room in the hotel. They had not decided on any kind of search, but stuck to the first floor. The checked the kitchen first, hoping that maybe Brock would be in there making breakfast. But the kitchen was empty, and no food material had been taken out for the meal, and no dishes were in the sink or washing machine. Brock had not been there. They quickly made their way to the lobby, but Brock was not there, either. Nor was he in the lounge.

Ash was beginning to get incredibly nervous. He glanced over at Misty, and seeing the way she was, he decided not to show her his fear. It would have probably made her more terrified. Instead, he took a deep breath, and motioned Misty to follow her into the dining room. What they saw then shocked them.

All the tables, which had been neatly stacked in the corner the day before, were now all laid out in a circular manner around the room. Six chairs were placed around each of the tables, all pushed in. The layout of the tables left room in the center which Ash had assumed to be a dancing area. Misty gaped at the room, her eyes bugging out of her head. Turning to Ash, she saw that he was just as surprised as he was.

"What happened here?" she asked in a high pitch voice.

Ash shook his head in shock. "I have no idea."

Misty walked around the room slowly with Ash.

"You don't think. . ." Misty began, ". . .that Brock did this, do you?"

Ash looked up at her. "Why would he?"

Misty shrugged. "He must have, because I didn't and you. . .you didn't do it, did you?"

"No, I didn't."

"Well then. . ." Suddenly, Misty froze and shuddered as a chill ran up her spine. Ash noticed this and he lightly touched her arm. His eyes met hers, and he patiently awaited what Misty was about to say, though he didn't want to here it.

"No," Misty concluded, stopping herself before she tried to scare both Ash and herself. "Brock had to have done it. But why?"

"Misty," Ash said, looking sincerely into her face. "Don't deny it anymore."

Misty took a deep breath. She gripped Togepi tightly.

Ash continued, although more slowly. It was even difficult for him to talk about it. "What. . . what if Brock. . .didn't do it?"

Misty turned around swiftly and held one of her hands to her face. "No, oh please no, not again."

Ash grabbed hold of her arm. She turned to him, her face suddenly pale. "Don't worry. As soon as we find Brock, we're out of here."

Misty nodded, and all of a sudden a look of determination came to her face. "You're right. The quicker we find Brock, the quicker we can get out of this goddam place."

Ash's eyes rose. He couldn't believe how quickly Misty's temperament could be changed. The two kids took another frightened look around the room in disbelief.

"Pika pi! Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted suddenly. Ash and Misty's heads shot up instantaneously.

"Pikachu? Where are you?" Ash asked, starting to get jumpy. He and Misty walked in circles trying to locate Pikachu.

"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu shouted again.

Ash turned towards the bar. "In there!" he proclaimed, pointing in the direction of the bar.

He and Misty sprinted into the bar, and Ash spotted Pikachu sitting on the counter.

"Pika chu pi!" Pikachu yelled, pointing down behind the bar. Ash and Misty immediately ran over there, and gasped.

"Brock!" Ash hollered, bending down to him.

Brock was sprawled out on the floor behind the bar. His head rested in both his arms, and his legs were tangled around each other behind him. Misty bent down along with Ash, and two began to shove him.

"Brock, wake up!" Ash said again. He started to slap Brock's face gently.

"Brock!" Misty shouted. She reached out and started to nudge his body forcefully. "Come on, Brock!"

After shoving himself for a good minute, Ash and Misty's arms fell limp. Brock was still asleep, breathing heavily and rhthymically.

"Oh, no! He's out cold!" Misty said worriedly.

"Poor guy," said Ash, placing a hand on Brock's shoulder.

Misty nodded sadly. "He was probably up all night looking out for us. But why is he in here?"

Ash stood up. "Don't know. But we have to get Brock to the bedroom. We can't leave him here."

"Right," Misty agreed, still crouched on the floor. "But we can't carry him there. And we can't drag him either."

Ash smiled. "No problem!" He started out back to the room. "I'll be right back! Hold on."

Misty waited for Ash. She was close to tears as she looked down at Brock. She reached out and began to stroke his hair. He looked exhausted and pale, too. "He really cares about us," she thought happily.

Ash finally came back in. In his hand he held a Pokéball. "This ought to do it," she said proudly and determinedly. "Charizard! I choose you!"

Charizard appeared instantly, looking attentively at Ash. His huge tail swished around energetically, and hit a tower of glasses, sending them shattering to the ground.

"Charizard! Watch out!" Ash shouted.

Charizard growled softly and looked back at the mess. Ash shook his head. "Charizard, we need you to help us get Brock back to the room."

Charizard nodded, and picked Brock up in his strong arms. Ash and Misty walked slowly back to the room, with Charizard right behind. Every once in a while, Ash or Misty would glance back worriedly at their friend. Brock was still not stirring, and it didn't appear that he was going to soon.

"You don't think he's sick, do you?" Misty asked.

Ash shrugged. "I don't know. We'll find out when we get there."

They reached the room, and Charizard carefully placed Brock on the unmade bed. Ash thanked Charizard and recalled him back into the Pokéball. In the meantime, Misty had grabbed the big throw blanket and threw it over Brock, pulling it closely to his face. She felt his forehead, which was not hot.

"I don't think he's sick," she announced softly. "But he's conked out."

"Let's let him rest, then," replied Ash. "Come on, let's get something to eat."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Ash and Misty entered the kitchen, and telling Misty to sit down, Ash went to get some milk. He poured two heaping glasses of it, and handed one to Misty, who quaffed it down in nearly two gulps.

"Want some oatmeal?" Ash asked with a smile, hoping to bring one to Misty's face.

She did smile, and nodded.

Ash grabbed the oatmeal out of the cupboard and began to boil water. As he cooked it, Misty sat quietly feeding Togepi Pokémon food pieces one at a time. Togepi squealed happily, and Misty smiled weakly. All she could think about was Brock. The thought of the tables was on her mind, also. Maybe Brock had gotten bored while he was up, or something.

Ash finished pouring the oatmeal into the bowls and handed one to Misty. He sat down beside her at the counter. She began to eat very slowly, and Ash watched her as he ate. She looked pale and wan to him, and he found it disturbing.

"We made a mistake coming here," he said suddenly, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them. Misty looked up at him.

Ash continued slowly. "I. . .I should have thought about coming home sooner. . .you know, to beat this cold."

Misty smiled weakly. "Ash, don't blame yourself. It's not your fault. We all decided to stay here."

"Yeah, but I had to be the idiot and challenge that stupid gym-leader for a badge!" Ash shouted, his voice beginning to crack. "It is my fault!"

"Ash, stop it!" Misty replied angrily. "I'm not gonna let you blame yourself for all of this!"

Ash didn't say anything. He stared down at his oatmeal, picking it up and dumping it out with his spoon. Misty looked worriedly at him, hoping that she did not hurt his feelings in any way.

"Ash. . ." Misty began, ready to apologize for shouting.

"I want to go home!" Ash shouted all of a sudden, nearly knocking Misty out of her chair. He looked up at her and she noticed that his eyes were filling up with tears. "I want to go home, now! I don't ever want to see this place again! I hate it!"

Ash buried his hands in his face. Misty didn't hear him crying, but she assumed that he was. She quickly got out of her chair and put her arm around him. They sat quietly like that for about five minutes when suddenly Ash lifted his face out of his hands. Misty looked down at him. He had not been crying.

"This is stupid," Ash muttered. "We're wasting time."

"Right," Misty replied, gathering the dirty dishes. She clumsily dropped them in the sink and waved them away with her hand. "I'll start packing up our things."

She began to leave and Ash halted her. "Wait. Don't go alone. We shouldn't be apart in case something else decides to happen."

Misty nodded, and Ash joined her.

"Maybe Brock's getting up now," Misty said with a spark of hope in her voice.

"Let's hope," Ash agreed, shaking his head.

Little did they know, in one of the pantries lay Team Rocket. Asleep, that was, except for James. Ash and Misty's talking had awoken him, and he had lay silently listening. After hearing them leave, he budged just a little. He was lifting himself up on his elbows, and quickly scanned the area. Sure enough, Jessie and Meowth were both asleep next to him. They had settled for the night on large bags of flour that they had found in the pantry where they had ended up. The welcoming warmth of the hotel had made them incredibly tired yet comfortable, and now that their bellies were full, they had to concentrate on something much more important--getting Pikachu.

"Hey, wake up," he said gently, nudging his partners.

Jessie groaned and sat up, rubbing her eyes. Meowth just stretched out and settled back into his sleeping position, but with his eyes slightly open and alert.

"It's morning," Jessie said tiredly, running a hand through her hair.

"So, what's next?" Meowth asked.

"I just heard those kids talking now," James said, standing up and stretching.

"What were they talking about?" Jessie asked.

"They're leaving," James replied. "I think today."

"Leaving?" Jessie exclaimed. "But they can't! We haven't even executed our plan yet!"

Meowth got up now as well. "Well, we dilly-dallied enough! What were ya waiting for?"

Jessie growled. "Shut up! My body was too frozen to do a thing!" She turned back to James. "Is that all?"

"I don't know," James said, looking puzzled. "I don't think that big twerp was with them. And Ash seemed kind of upset. The girl, too."

Jessie sighed. "Well, maybe they can stick around long enough for us to attack. But we should do it soon."

James shrugged. "Well, why not now?"

Jessie smiled embarrassingly. "I have to go to the bathroom really bad!"

James and Meowth practically face-faulted, but agreed to get that out of the way first by all means.

"Soon, Pikachu. . .you'll be ours!" Meowth smirked mischievously.

TO BE CONTINUED. . .