Disconnected
Disclaimer: No oversized Polynesian-style Bamboo Horses were harmed during the production of this motion picture. However, many wicker lawn chairs gave their lives.
--Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts
*****
We reached Lavendar Town late the next afternoon. It was a small, quaint little town with small bustling shops and if one could ignore the tall tower over yonder, then one could have a great time shopping.
"Ugh, that's a scary sight," I said low, as I walked into the Pokémon Center.
"Hi," Nurse Joy greeted me, "How can I help you?"
"Yeah, I was hoping you could heal my Pokémon for me?"
She nodded and I handed over the lone Pokéball.
"This is is?" She looked at it questioningly. "You look old enough to have quite an arsenal of high level Pokémon and you hand me one?"
"I like to travel lightly." I blushed. "Can I use a phone?"
She nodded, pointing to her left and I smiled and walked off, my smile quickly disappearing. I hefted my pack as I walked to the phones, found an empty one near the joining walls and sat down, shrugging off my pack.
I took out my Pokédex and found Giovanni's number, punched it in, and hoped it would work.
Dialing...dialing.... ...... .......Number has been disconnected, try another number....
I gritted my teeth. "My, how convenient for you, Xanady."
I got up and with a quick check at the counter, I left the Center. It would be another half hour for Nurse Joy to get to Flare. She was backlogged and it was obviously a busy time, lots of new, young trainers had just left on their journeys.
She had given me directions to an eatery and I found it easily. After a five minute wait, I was led to a small table in the back and left with a menu.
I thought as I waited and thought some more as I ate my lunch. Something that looked like a hamburger and what were definately fries and a medium Persian! drink with it.
What was Xanady's plan. I don't think she thinks I'm a threat to her, but that Poliwhirl...Was it sent by her for me? Or was it all a coincidence? Whatever the case, I was done with lunch. After paying the bill, I left and found the PokéMart and bought some things for me and Flare and walked back to the Center. I would need a quick way to get back to Viridian.
I wondered how gullible Nurse Joy was...
*****
"You want to what?" Nurse Joy was wide eyed.
I guess she isn't all that gullible after all. I cleared my throat. "I'd like to borrow a fast, very fast Pokémon so I can get back to Viridian City. In the quickest manner possible."
"Quickest, huh?" She had a wicked glint to her eyes that made me nervous. "Sure, I've got just the Pokémon for you, Cirrus. Follow me."
I followed her to the back of the Pokémon Center and into a small field that was behind it. Nurse Joy tossed a Pokéball, "Go, Gia!"
With a flash of light, the Pokémon reformed and cried out, "Pidgeo..."
I gulped as I stared at the Pidgeot before me. It stood nearly five feet tall and stared at me with a stoney gaze.
"You sure it can fly me to Viridian City?"
"Sure I'm sure!" Nurse Joy shoved...led me to her Pidgeot. "Just sit here, between the front of the wings and hold on tight."
I did, feeling like I was sneaking in on a carnival pony ride. A very short pony, as my feet skimmed the ground.
Nurse Joy snickered a little and I simmered quietly as she spoke to Gia. I tightened the straps of my pack and prayed it wouldn't come undone in mid-flight.
"Now remember to hold tight with your legs and arms. If you should fall off, Gia will not let you fall to a messy death. Have a nice flight!" In a serious tone, "Gia! Fly to Viridian City fast and then return to me!"
"Gioo!" The bird cooed to her as it jumped into the air, unfurling its wings and snapping them down, hurling us into the air. In the blink of an eye, Nurse Joy and all of Lavendar Town became small dots that quickly became a blur.
I held my head against Gia's warm, feathery neck and held on for dear life, tears escaping my tightly shut eyes. I wasn't crying, crying, but this bird was just so fast! After a while, Gia trilled and I opened my eyes and saw that we were dropping steadily down towards a round building. The Viridian City Pokémon Center! I made it in one piece! I was so happy, I almost fell off.
Gia landed lightly in front of the Center and I got off. Almost as soon as I got both feet on the ground, the bird took off, its backlash almost knocking me off my feet. Gia quickly became a dot in the afternoon sky, then nothing at all. I shrugged, "Thanks Gia," and walked up the stairs and into the Center. Hopefully, I could get some answers.
*****
"So I can have a room for the night and you know of a good place for dinner?"
Nurse Joy looked at me strangely. "You have gotten wierd since you left here, you know that Cirrus?"
I blinked, "Uh, yeah. Things have changed in the past two and a half weeks or so. Just keepin' it wierd!"
"Oh-kay." She called out for Chansey, who appeared behind her. "Chansey, take Cirrus upstairs and show her a room."
"Chansey!"
Sure thing!
"Oh, and Chansey, show her the directory in the nightstand, okay?"
Chansey nodded and led me up a flight of stairs and down a hallway. The Center was a lot bigger than it looked on the outside. Chansey stopped at room 1125 and swiped a card-key through the doors lock. It beeped and the door swung open.
Chansey showed me the directory, gave me the card-key, and left, smiling and singing a song as it did. The door closed behind it and I looked around.
When you first came into the room, there was a full bathroom to your left and a small closet to your right. Directly against the left wall were two beds and a nightstand between them. Against the right wall was a dresser that took up half the wall and there was a television was next to the dresser. There was a large window with air conditioning controls beneath it, it had a great view of the back of the Center, looking off towards the heart of Viridian City.
I took a quick shower, got into some clean clothes, grabbed my Pokédex and Flares Pokéball and headed downstairs, the room card-key in my back pocket. It felt good to finally not have that pack on my back.
When I passed the front desk, Nurse Joy stopped me. "Curfew is at eleven for Trainers over the age of fifteen."
I smiled and thanked her and walked out into the late afternoon sun. By the time I found an eatery that didn't have a huge line, it was nearing seven, the sun setting and setting everything red and orange.
I squinted up at the sign above me: Diglett Diner, and walked in. It was a medium-sized joint, with tables and booths and reminded me of the Rocket Café. It had me thinking, then disregarding the thought. Nah, Team Rocket wouldn't....then I saw a young man walking out, wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. Though the shirt didn't have a bright red R emblazoned on it, it may as well have. It was the same guy I'd seen when Giovanni was walking me around the café.
Luckily, he hadn't seen me and a waitress led me to a small booth in the back of the room. I sat down and scanned the menu. Suddenly, Flares Pokéball jiggled at my waist and then opened. Even though Pokémon were allowed inside, I still glared at him.
"What is it?" I whispered from behind my menu.
Duh, I'm hungry?!
It was tense between us for some reason. I didn't know why, but dinner seemed to drag because of it. Twenty minutes later, we were out of there and I was more than ready for bed.
Though it was only around 8:30, there were a lot of people around, shopping, eating, doing the tourist thing.
There was a tug at my elbow and I looked down at Flare, not too far down, he was really getting taller.
"What?" I didn't stop walking and the darkness hid my features, revealed only by the street lights we passed under.
Is there anything wrong?
I was silently wondering the same thing, I was so tense. Only one person to blame. "Xanady."
Huh?
"I'm blaming Xanady. We're so close to her and her sucky scheme. I just wanna kick her ass into the stratosphere."
Wow, and here I thought you didn't have much of a backbone.
I didn't say anything back to that, though I knew he wanted me to. Instead I studied him. How could he be so calm? If it was me in his position, I'd be doing everything I could to be me again.
The Center loomed up beside us and I walked up the stairs.
Where are you going?
"Inside," I paused on the stairs, "You know, for sleep. What normal people do at night."
Uh, it's only quarter to nine. Most normal people don't go to bed until ten.
"Do you wanna spend all night with Nurse Joy?" I threatened him.
Not much of a threat, you know, especially if I were Brock. He glared up at me. Whatever your damage is, it isn't mine.
"It will be if you don't listen to me."
Luckily, there were no people passing by, though a couple was stolling down our way. A small drizzle started up suddenly.
"Ready to come in now?" The drizzle started to fall a bit harder and he stalked up the stairs and into the Center.
I stood there, the rain falling harder, my hair getting wet and stared at his retreating back.
What was wrong with me? I thought as I stepped into the Center after him. I'm never this edgy, not even during... My train of thought derailed as I bumped into someone. I apologized, looking up and straight into the violet eyes of the guy in the Rocket Café.
Aww, excretion. I was hastily thinking up of a lie, story, anything to get him to not recognize me.
Instead, he smiled, "Sorry, Miss, I wasn't watching where I was going!" He waved me as he walked out into the pouring rain. I stood there, watching after him as lightning lit up the sky. Then I turned and walked up after Flare and into my room.
*****
The next morning dawned bright and sunny, with no indication of last night's monster storm, save for some leaves plastered against the screen. I hadn't gotten much sleep, mostly from the raging storm and mostly from the storm raging within myself. I had no reason to blow up like that on him and he hadn't given me any chance to apologize. He recalled himself into the Pokéball and stayed there. When I tried to call him out, he refused, staying inside.
I shrugged, attatched the Pokéball to my belt and hefted on my pack again. With one last look at the room, I straightened the sheets and tidied up a bit, I closed the door and made my way downstairs.
Nurse Joy wasn't there and I left the card-key with Chansey. I stepped out of the Center and into the bright sunshine, taking a moment to pop on my shades.
Aah, relief. I thought as I walked down the stairs. Now for the unpleasant portion of my trip.
I walked out of Viridian and on the path towards Pewter City. I knew that the Headquarters were North of Viridian for about a half-hours walk and then it was somewhere North-West. I was nervous about what I was to do, but I was gonna do this to get an anti-dote for Gary, plus get back Prism and all ten Pokémon I sent to Xanady. Then there were the other kids she'd done this to. I had to find out who and get them anti-dotes. It was only fair.
*****
A half-hour later, I came upon a marker in the road. It wasn't something that the everyday Trainer would notice, but something about it caught my eye. It was a rock shaped faintly in the form of an Eevee laying down, it's nose was pointed to the left.
North-West.
I walked into the grass, towards the woods. Once I entered the woods, I saw a trail, barely discernable in the dimness of the full foilage of the trees. It was like a deer trail and I followed it for about fifteen minutes. What I saw next took my breath away.
A dirt road, wide enough for two Chevy Suburbans to travel on side-by-side, that led up to a white building.
Team Rocket Headquarters.
I hopped into a bush as a black S.U.V. thundered past me, not slowing for a moment. I sighed, watched it as it sped towards the building. I thought for a moment and changed into my uniform. I crammed my clothes into the bottom of the pack and stood up.
I left my pack in the shrubs at the base of a thick tree stump. I also left Flare, Pokéball and all, in the side pocket of the pack. I would have to do this without him.
I left my shades on and my hair in a loose braid as I walked up.
I crested the hill and saw two guards by a closed gate. I almost turned back, but I thought of Flare and tightened my resolve and walked up to them.
I didn't have to do much but smile and tell them my name.
"The Boss has been waiting for you." One said. "I wouldn't want to be you."
"I'm not worried," I was gonna say, but instead said nothing, just walked past them and into the thick of Headquarters.
Rockets of every color walked past me, some even in normal clothes, all had something to do. One walked past me with a Scyther by his side, the Scyther glared at me as they past and I wondered if it was a Scyther or a person.
I shook my head and walked into the building. Luckily, there was actually a main desk, secretary and all, the Team Rocket logo proudly displayed above her.
"Yes?" she said, a phone headset on her head. She looked around 30 with short brown hair and brown eyes.
"I'm looking for.." I almost said Giovanni, but said, "Professor Xanady's lab. I have a Pokémon for her."
"Xanady, huh?" She raised an eyebrow. "She took my best Pokémon last week and said she'd make it stronger. Tell her I want my Poopsie back."
"Okay," I said without laughing.
She handed me a swipecard and a paper to sign. "Take the last elevator down to level 3. When you get out, swipe this in the reader by the first door. That will take you to Xanady's main lab. When you're done, return the card to me." She looked at my signature on the paper. "Cirrus Blaine? The Boss was looking for you."
"I know, thank you. I'll talk to him after I'm done with Professor Xanady."
She smirked, "My you are a fiesty one. Not many people are this blasé when the Boss wants to speak with them."
I waved at her as I left, only a little worried.
Maybe this has something to do with a certain Mewtwo. I stepped into the elevator as told and followed the secretary's instructions when I stepped out.
I felt a bit apprehensive as I swiped the card through the reader and when the door breeped at me I felt it a bit more.
I pocketed the key, pushed the door open, stepped through and let it close behind me. What I saw was a wide lab room, two double rows of high lab tables in the center of the room and lining the walls were cages holding Pokémon. Cages upon cages of Pokémon. None of them made any sort of vocalization when I walked into the room.
I walked down the middle of the room, a closed door directly ahead of me. I stopped at the end of the table, the door not ten feet ahead of me, when I heard a sudden whimpering to my left.
"Euuii!!"
You promised me!!
I jerked to a stop, my stomach in my throat, a promise in my heart, my mind, my ears...
I promise to release you wherever you want when you're better, okay?
I looked to my left and what I saw had my heart breaking.
It was the Eevee, the first Pokémon I'd ever "captured", sitting in a cage. The closer I got, the worse she looked, her luxurious fur was matted and dull. Her eyes were big and haunted, the innocense lost. And she was thin, so thin under that coat.
"Ee..eevee?"
Why..why did you let her?
"No, Eevee...I didn't know that would happen." I stared at her, then around, looking for a way out for her. I saw a Pokéball on the table and grabbed it. "It's empty, I know the difference now."
I pointed the Pokéball at her, "Eevee, return!"
The light emitted but was deflected off the bars.
"Return, c'mon Eevee!"
Again, the safety was denied to Eevee.
"Return!"
Still nothing.
"Return...Eevee..." I sobbed out.
The beam was once more deflected.
Suddenly, Eevee yelped and darted to the back of her cage. I dropped the Pokéball, but it never hit the ground. I looked down and saw it held in mid-air by a blue glow.
I turned around and saw Xanady with a smaller Pokémon by her side. Both of their eyes were glowing blue.
A Kadabra.
"Welcome, Cirrus Blaine."
Aww, shhheeyit.
Uh-oh. Looks like Cirrus is toast fer shur. What's gonna happen to Eevee? Will Cirrus be lucky enough to get out of trouble this time? And just what is Gary doing? Stay tuned for the next exciting chapter!!