Chapter 16
"Reunited"
"Pikachu…Come on out."
Pikachu came out of the Pokéball…It sure was weird…
"Pika…Pikachu?"
'What a relief…What's going on?'
"Pikachu! You're okay!"
Pikachu turned around. It's eyes light up when it saw me.
"Pikapi!!"
'Ash! You're back!'
It jumped into my arms and I squeezed it tight.
"I missed you so much…" I whispered.
I finally felt the tears escape from my eyes…It felt good…
"Pikachu…"
'I missed you too…'
"I was afraid…" I sniffed, "I was afraid I wouldn't see you again, Pikachu…"
"Piika…Pikachu."
'Me too…I was worried about you.'
I laughed softly, causing more tears to leak out.
"You were worried about me…? Pikachu…I was just fine……I was just worried…so much…I……"
"Pikachu…Pika…"
'Don't worry anymore…It's over…'
"…I hope you're right…"
Pikachu was becoming nothing but a watery yellow blur…
"…I'm so glad you're okay…"
"Pika…"
'Me too…'
Hugging Pikachu close to me, I stood up and tried to wipe away my tears.
"…What should we do now?" I asked softly.
"Pikachu!"
'We try to get the rest of us back!'
I smiled.
"Sounds like a plan to me…and I know we'll be able to pull it off…as long as we stick together."
"Pi ka!"
'Yeah!'
* * *
Now that I had Pikachu back, I finally felt whole again. Having Pikachu perched on my shoulder and clinging to my jacket felt like the best thing in the world. I couldn't care if the world came to an end, as long as Pikachu and I stayed together forever.
We went to our room. Billie was already in there. She jumped up when she saw us.
"Oh, wow! Ash! Is that your Pikachu?" she exclaimed.
"Uh-huh," I said.
"Pi ka chu!"
'Yep!'
"Ohh…It's so cute!…Can I pet it?"
"Well…Just be careful, okay?"
"Don't worry. I will."
"Pika!"
'Okay!'
Pikachu hopped down into my arms and Billie lightly rubbed it on the head.
"Piika…"
'Yeah, that's nice…'
"Heh…I think Pikachu likes you, Billie," I said, grinning.
"…You think so?"
"Uh-huh."
"Ohh…Aw…" She smiled. "That's really nice of it…"
"Pikachu!"
'Well, I'm nice!'
I laughed. That's when I noticed the time.
"Gee, we'd better get to sleep, huh, guys?" I said.
"Huh?" Billie asked, "…Oh…Yeah…Guess you're right…Well, see you tomorrow."
"Good night."
"Pikachu…"
'Good night…'
* * *
I slept very lightly. I had too many things running through my mind to really get a good night's rest. Pikachu and Billie, on the other hand, were sleeping very well.
Pikachu knows I want the rest of my Pokémon back…I know Pikachu wants them back too……but I can't break in again like I did before…It's too dangerous……
I sighed. Things weren't looking so good.
Maybe…I could try again…but this time I'll be more careful…I know that the Pokémon are going to come out and attack me…Maybe if I have my Pokémon ready to fight back…? Or what if I just grabbed them and ran out as fast as I could…? I wasted a lot of time last time…I won't do that again……
…Or…I could…just……wait until later……I can take them out whenever I want to……Maybe…if I left some with Misty and the others…then took out the rest……Then I'd have them all……but we're only allowed to carry six at a time…
…But Team Rocket doesn't play by the rules.
…But I don't want to be in Team Rocket…I just want out of this mess……
……Maybe there's another way …
* * *
"…Ash! Ash, wake up!"
"Pikapi!"
'Wake up, Ash!'
I blinked open my eyes.
"Huh?" I said sleepily.
"You were sleeping like a log," Billie huffed, "What time did you fall asleep?"
"Um…"
"Well, enough about that. We have work to do."
I sat up.
"What kind of work?" I asked.
"Oh, you know…The usual."
I shook my head. "No, I don't know. What is the usual?"
"Going around…finding trainers to steal from……The usual."
"Well, I don't wanna do that!"
"Well, you ain't got a choice! You're in Team Rocket; you do what Team Rocket does! It's plain and simple. Deal with it."
"Man, what side of the bed did you wake up on this morning?" I grumbled.
"What!?"
"Nothing…"
"…Get your uniform on…and your…disguise. And your name is Tom, okay?"
"Whatever."
"Don't 'whatever' me…Tom."
"…Pika?"
'…Huh?'
"…Don't worry about it, Pikachu."
"…Pika…"
'…Okay…'
* * *
"I hate this uniform," I said absently.
"Pikachu."
'Me too.'
"Don't know why I have to wear it. Billie can't make me do anything…'Rocket-y'…Right, Pikachu?"
"Pi ka!"
'Right!'
I grinned.
"See? I knew I was right."
"Pika, pikachu!"
'Of course!'
* * *
I hope Billie's in a better mood now…
"Uh…Hi, Billie!…How's it goin'?"
"Fine…why?"
"Oh…I dunno…Just wonderin', I guess."
She gave me a quizzical look.
"Okay then…Are we leaving or what?"
Or what.
"Sure. Let's go."
"Pika!"
'Yeah!'
We left the HQ. Pikachu was riding on my shoulder, like usual. That's when I realized something.
"Uh…Billie?"
"Yeah?"
"How many other trainers let their Pikachu ride on them?"
"Pika?"
'Why does it matter?'
"I dunno…" Billie said thoughtfully, "Not too many, I guess."
"Then isn't it kinda silly for me to wear this disguise if it's already pretty obvious who I am?"
"Well…It can't hurt…"
"Oh, come on, Billie! How stupid do you think these people are?"
"Well, if they're anything like you…"
"What!!?"
"I'm kidding. I'm just kidding, Ash. Don't take it so personally…"
"But you said-!"
"Ash. Chill."
I tried my best to 'chill'.
"…Fine then," she said, "If you want everyone to know that you're in Team Rocket, go ahead. Take off the wig. It won't bother me."
"Piika?"
'Ash, are you sure about this?'
"Yeah, I'm sure."
I tore it off gratefully and tossed it.
"Come on. Let's go to the Pokémon Center," I said.
"But that place is public!" Billie exclaimed.
"So? That's where Misty and Brock and Richie are. I want to at least say hi."
"But…"
"What? Are you afraid Nurse Joy is going to arrest you or something? Come on."
"Well…if we're going to go someplace public…then we might as well change, eh?"
I groaned. "Then what was the point of putting on our uniforms in the first place!?"
"I thought we were going to go and…Oh, nevermind. I guess I should have known better…"