Yeah, you said that 2 hours ago. Kristi sighed as she looked over at Misty. You gonna be okay?
Yeah...I'll live... Misty said through clenched teeth.
Dexter noticed Misty's face has been like that for the last few hours. The pain was setting in now, and all she could feel was a dull, aching throbbing running up and down her left arm. It was now practically useless, and every time she tried to move it, a lightning bolt of pain ripped through her. Pikachu looked back to check on her every now and then, and it didn't like the look on her face.
Ash said as he saw the makings of a small city in the distance. See? I TOLD YOU!!!
Alright! FINE!!! CAN WE GET TO A FREAKIN HOSPITAL NOW?!?! Misty screamed. They all looked at her wide-eyed. Her shoulder was completely black and blue, and she was nearly shaking with pain.
Okay, okay!! Ash said as he cringed. About a half hour later, they arrived at the entrance to the city.
Kristi said to herself. Where the hell was it...
Misty rolled her eyes. Try following the blue signs with the big on them.
Oh yeah... Kristi said as said sign stared her right in the face. Misty felt like whacking her upside the head lightly, but resisted due to her current injury.
Hey...what's that up ahead? Dex pointed out as he looked in the distance. 5 police cars were skidded to a stop, and a crowd was formed around a small building....a Jewelry store to be exact.
Let's check it out.... Kristi said to herself, but Ash shot her a dirty look.
We have bigger problems right now!!! he said, pointing to Misty. Let's get that taken care of, first!!
Oh yeah...sorry...
The foursome reached the hospital, and after some ridiculous amount of Paperwork, Misty was taken to the emergency room and treated. While waiting, Kristi, Dexter, and Ash peeked up at the TV. The 5 o'clock news was showing, and it got their interest.
And in local news, Viridian City Jewelers was robbed today by four masked individuals. Packing guns and knives, they held up 5 citizens, the owner, and the two teenagers working that shift. There are two injuries, 1 is in serious condition with a stab wound, and the other is now in stable condition. There were no fatalities, thankfully. The culprits have been identified as members of Team Rocket, and were taken into custody by Viridian City Police Department. It seems that this notorious band of once-Pokemon thieves has sunk even lower, and has become an outlet for anything from drug trafficking to street crime, to even organized crime. Giovanni LoCascio, the head honcho of Team Rocket, disavows all knowledge of this at the present time, and has avoided all questioning.
Dex said as he nearly dropped his small bag of chips.
I don't believe it...how could they... Kristi said as she got a soda out of a vending machine. Ash stared at the floor, deep in thought.
This DEFINITELY isn't the same TR we remember....they used to just go for Pokemon...but this is absurd....no way could they sink THIS low....
Do you really think that TR was behind all that? Kristi asked as she leaned down at Ash, who looked up at her.
Anything is possible I guess... he said with a shrug. He was still in disbelief.
Yeah but....last time I remember, they were just a bunch of nobodies who tried to steal Pokemon... Kristi pointed out. not to mention they SUCKED at it...
Yeah...and now THIS... Dex said as he pointed to the screen.
This isn't good...guys, we gotta watch our backs out there...if THIS is what TR has sunk to, we better keep our guard up. Ash said. Looking down at Pikachu, who was sitting on the floor with a ketchup packet in its hands, he thought about all the times they attempted to steal it from him. I don't think it's Pokemon they're after.
well...let's just look out for each other then, it's the best way we can avoid them for now... Kristi said as she looked out the window.
Ash muttered as he looked to the waiting room door. Misty was there, with a blueish-colored sling around her injured arm.
I can't believe they had to snap it back out to set it... Misty groaned.
You okay, Misty? Dex asked.
Trust me...I've seen better days...
Well then...can we go now? Kristi asked as she chugged the contents of her drink and threw the can away. This place is making me claustrophobic.
Alright...Misty, you okay to go?
Yeah....I think so... Misty replied with a cringe. The pain was still setting in.
Alright then....let's get outta here...first off, we gotta find a place to rest up. I think we've ALL had a rough day. Ash said, feeling a bit of empathy towards his best friend.
Thanks Ash..... Misty said, a bit warmed by his caring, which was a bit unexpected. After a bit of wandering, they came upon a small inn and checked in. There were 2 beds, a TV, and a small window. Dropping their belongings on the floor, they made themselves rather comfortable.
Kristi said as she skipped happily(and rather immaturely) to the bed and lay down on it.
I call bed!! Dex said as he pounced on his girlfriend. The two engaged in a short wrestling match, while Misty lay back on the other one and stared up at the ceiling.
Yeah, Misty?
About that news report...something is bugging me...
What's that? Ash asked as Pikachu hopped to the windowsill and peered out the window with an approving
If the feds KNOW Giovanni is behind it all, why not just lock his ass up?! I just don't get it...
Kristi and Dex looked over for a second, and Kris shot Misty an odd look.
You didn't know?
Know what? Misty asked.
See...Team Rocket is just ONE of his little empires. He's also head of the LoCascio Financial and Credit Union, one of the biggest finance companies internationally. Not to mention various other corporations....car dealerships, quick oil change places, certain restaurants, and THEN...Team Rocket on the side....
So...they won't nail him...why? Misty shot back.
Because, with so much he works with, it can get hard to track him, he could just be saying that his people are going like...maverick or something and doing illegal things I guess... Kristi ended with a shrug. Ash continued to look out the window.
But still....it's like he just keeps covering his ass... he said with a thoughtful look to the landscape ahead. He keeps slipping out.
Let's just not worry about it... Misty said as she covered her eyes with her good arm. I'm tired...after a day like today, I say let's just get some rest....
Ash pulled a pillow from Misty's bed and set it up on the floor. Good call, Misty...
Dex and Kris cuddled up on their bed as Dex turned on the TV.
Might as well enjoy it while we have it... Dex said as Kristi lay her head against his chest and closed her eyes.
Screw the TV... she said with a yawn. I haven't slept in a bed in....days.
Ash grabbed a pillow and set it on the floor, along with a blanket.
sounds good to me... he yawned, and closed his eyes. Exhausted, the four teens decided to call it a day and get some much needed rest.
Meanwhile, three figures were seen on a street corner.
So they botched it up, eh? James said as he watched the Police STILL working at the robbery scene.
They would've got away if they weren't so stupid... Jessi quipped. It's their own fault.
Serves em right!! Meowth chimed in.
well...if they were US... Jessi started.
...they would've been caught sooner. Meowth finished her sentence, and was rewarded with a bonk to his cranium.
it whined, as Jessi shot it an evil stare.
Keep your big mouth shut!!! she demanded, as it cringed in pain.
Now..about the new and OBVIOUSLY improved Team Twerp... James brought up. ...it seems we might have to modify some tactics here....Jessi, we KNOW that Arbok's attack looked accidental. But...
Jessi asked.
I think we should up the stakes a bit...that way we'll have NO problems with them.
And HOW do we accomplish THAT? Meowth asked, STILL rubbing his aching head.
Simple...attack THEM directly...think about it... he said as he thought back to earlier that day.
********************
ARBOK, POISON STING ATTACK NOW!!! Jessi screamed as she pointed towards the other team. Arbok let loose a set of glowing stingers, some scattered so badly that most of them were aimed at the Pokemon, but a good amount were heading towards the other team...the TEENS THEMSELVES.
It would be so simple...if only we could take THEM out...and steal THEIR Pokemon...their Cash...their IDs...their Credits....
GET DOWN!!! Kristi screamed as she dropped onto her stomach and covered herself....
All we need to do is incapacitate them...
********************
it's child's play... James explained. Take them down, hope they stay down, steal their stuff, and head to the next group of suckers!!
It's so simple...it COULD WORK!!! Jessi cried excitedly.
It's worth a shot... Meowth sighed. The three of them headed in the opposite direction of the crime scene, on their way to hatch what they thought was the scheme of all schemes.
*******************
Unable to sleep, Kristi lay awake in the bed, her boyfriend already sound asleep. This whole day has kept her thinking...from when Misty got hurt, to the battle with Jessi and James.
I just don't get it.....
She remembered herself dropping to the ground instantly, covering herself...and then looked over at her backpack, laying on the floor next to the bed. A small, sharp stinger stuck out of it...something she didn't notice until now.
It can't be...they...they were going for US?
She let out a deep sigh, and Dex tightened his arms around her waist and murmured something about a cheeseburger. Still deep in thought, she wondered if Team Rocket was trying to change their pace.
If they're gonna be attacking us TRAINERS...this'll be war before you know it. People WILL get hurt...and they don't care....
Remembering all the times she's taught younger trainers to have a respect for Pokemon, and other Trainers...her next thought cancelled out her old teachings.
I sure hope it won't come down to it...but...if they reallly want to fight THAT badly...I won't be playing by the rules either....
With that final thought, she closed her eyes and nodded off to sleep.
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