Disclaimer: I do not own anything of "Pokemon," but I own Piouso and Joy's boyfriend/husband, and daughter.
Chapter 4
Rocketing Reunion
"She did what?!" Misty screamed, so loud that the fish in the aquarium swam far away from the glass she was near. Her sisters held up their hands in defense, their seashell-encrusted hairdos clattering as they moved.
"It's like not our fault you asked such a babe like a total idiot to this party. Daisy practically saved him from you cause you like forced the guy to come with you. He said like you threatened to break his arm if he didn't take you." Lilly chided, patting at her pushed up blue hair.
Violet nodded, her red hair swiveling about her slim shoulders as she did. "Like yeah, little sister. You may have the look now, but you don't have the like totally perfect manners we three sensational sisters have. You just didn't have what it took to ask out a hunk, let alone become a Pokemon Master like that babe Ash."
"Babe!? Ash? Are we talking about the same Ash Ketchum who trashed my bike and wrecked my car?! You have to be kidding! He's lucky we have so much insurance or I'd have really strangled him!" Misty hollered, slamming her fists against the glass.
"So what, he paid you back. You're the one who refuses to buy a new car, you big baby. He has a car too, why the heck did you lend him yours anyway?" Violet asked.
"Well duh, my brainless sisters, his was getting its brakes fixed and he needed to get something from Pewter City for his mother. Out of the goodness of my very large heart, I lend that moron my car so he could," Misty proclaimed, her long red hair standing on end," And then I get a call from his girlfriend that they got into an accident after going to a movie. That geek lied to me so he could go on a stupid date! He's still a brainless jerk, no matter how old he is! But that's not the subject. Daisy is! She stole my date, and she already had a date!"
"All's fair in love and war, and you did the love part wrong. Forcing a guy to go out with you is like way stupid. Why don't you learn from us and use a little charm? Hah, hah, as you if you had any men to use it on. It'll take you forever to find a single guy here." Lilly laughed, walking off with her head held high, wiggling her hips.
"Yeah little sister, we have like our own dates to attend to and you don't. Go solve your problems or just go home. You're like so cramping out style." Violet added, walking off with her sister.
"Ohh, you….old hags! I hope you get food poisoning!" she shouted after them, running after them briefly, then stopped and slumped down to the floor. She started crying because she knew her sisters, in their own way, were right. She shouldn't have forced that guy to be her date, it was destined for disaster. She didn't know him and he didn't know her, but she had been desperate for a date.
One wouldn't think that by looking at her. She wasn't the little runt girl Ash had met at the river fishing for Pokemon. That had been nearly 12 years ago, a lot had changed since then to them both. She was taller, her red hair long and shining, and slender, luscious figure. The only thing she lacked was her temper, the main reason she had such trouble finding a date.
'I can't help myself. I've been on dates, but usually the guys ask me, not the other way around. It's not fair. Just because I yell at Ash and rude people, everyone suddenly thinks I do it to everyone. I'm just showing my strong side, I'm not some wicked witch!' her mind screamed.
"More like the Poliwrath princess. The only girl without a date. I spent so much on this princess costume for that idiot date of mine….Ugh, I should have kept out the threats, but if he hadn't tried to run when I was nice….Ooo, I hate him! And my sisters, nothing's too good for them to ruin. Well, they're not going to ruin tonight for me, I'll find a date their way. I'll prove I have charm and poise and tons of romance in me."
Misty picked herself up quickly, wiping away the tears rapidly. "But first, I have to fix my make-up. I'm dressed to kill, but I don't want to scare them to death with a puffy, wet face." She added, running off down out of the aquarium halls.
~
"This is living. Maybe I should set up a gym once I've paid all my debts." James mused, eating a few shrimp from the small plate he held in his hand. He chuckled lightly to himself, rapping his free hand on his head. "Heh, I'm a good five years from finishing that, I might be too stressed to be a doctor and a gym leader at the same time."
He was still milling about the buffet tables, ignoring the other guests unless they started talking to him. The conversations were dry and boring, people bragging about their money or their Pokemon and costumes or how bored they were. He would simply say 'yes' or 'no' or the occasional 'really?' as if he was actually following any bit of what they were saying.
It didn't matter much regardless, he was just there to enjoy a party, free food, and dressing up. 'At least it's not a skirt. I'm never putting one of those on as long as I live. Jessie isn't around to make me do it again either, thank God.' He mused.
He kept eating from his well-filled plate generously, until a slim finger poked him in the back. James nearly screamed when he heard a woman's voice, a familiar one.
"Hey, sheik boy, need any additions to your harem?" It said. He wanted to groan, but instead he turned around to come face to face with Daisy, the eldest sensational sister, the very one he'd come to call the most annoying of the brainless trio.
"Uh, no, thank you. I'm fine right here, miss." He said tightly. She didn't leave, still smiling brightly at him, playing with his hat's cloth. "Oh come on. I don't bite, dream boat. My name's Daisy, the number one Cerulean City Gym's Sensational Sister. Aren't you like so impressed?" she cooed, trying to reach under his hat. He slapped her hand away, pulling himself back as well, slamming hard into the side of the table.
"Big whoop, Daisy. Go impress somebody who cares, like a tree. You look like the one with that weird hairdo." He snapped, scolding himself for losing his temper.
'Great, give her a reason to rip you apart. Just great.' He thought, painfully watching her face turn bright red, her eyes filling with fire.
"You're insulting me?! ME!?" she screamed.
"Yeah, he is, you old hag. And you say I have problems with men." Said another woman's voice.
James raised an eyebrow at it, looking around Daisy cautiously to see its owner.
"Oh dear….Misty….no, not her." he mumbled, frozen in place. He knew that face, that hair, it didn't matter how old she was, he knew her like the back of his hand. They had battled so much in the past, she was like old habit he thought he couldn't shake.
"So, my date wasn't enough. You have to go steal somebody else's date too, you tramp!? You're horrible!" Misty scolded, but Daisy just brushed her off.
"Please, Misty, I'm allowed to be with whoever I want. You're not my keeper. Besides, this jerk just insulted me. He isn't worth smudging my nails with his grimy hands. Let his girlfriend get all messed up." she sniffed.
"I don't have a date." James said suddenly, finally straightening up. Misty perked up as he said it, rushing over to him and grabbing him by the wrist. "You're single!? What a coincidence, so am I!" she beamed.
'Uh-oh, now I've done it. If she finds out who I am, she'll beat me to a pulp.' He thought, sweat forming on his forehead. His eyes were nervous, but he didn't run.
"R…really? That is a funny coincidence. Why would a pretty lady like you not have a date?" he said, then Misty got a strange look in her eyes and started to mentally silence himself.
"How sweet of you to say so. People never say that to me. You wanna dance, handsome?" she smiled, batting her tiny blue eyes.
"Ohhh, ok, sure. I can't resist being with a princess I guess….or those eyes." He said, hoping it wasn't too much of a buttering up.
"Thanks, cutie. See ya, sis." Misty chuckled, sticking her tongue out at Daisy.
"Why you little!" Daisy growled as her sister passed, trying to stand in front of them , but Misty had already pulled James along past her. His plate hand was in the air when she saw this, then within seconds she got a mouthful of food in her face.
"Sorry, but well, just sorry, eh, heh, heh. Whoah!" James uttered, tripping along as Misty pulled him onto the dance floor.
~
James danced with Misty, too afraid to say he had to leave or even try to escape. He knew it would arouse suspicions if he did, but if he didn't, he would risk being exposed. 'The thing is you didn't think, again. The second I hear about a party, I'm compelled to go. I never could resist free food or a good time. Some things never change.' He thought, trying not to hold Misty too close, but she was making it difficult.
She kept leaning her head against his chest, her slim arms wrapped around his waist, her little fingers pressing along his spine.
'It was easy to resist when she had no style….no looks. You're killing me, Misty.' He thought, shaking a bit as the band began to play a slow song, a woman in a purple kimono stepping up to the stage to sing.
It was a sweet melody and, much to James' distaste, romantic. "Um, Misty?"
She looked up at him, her lips nicking his chin briefly. He bit the side of his mouth to keep from gasping.
"Uh, I don't want to sound uh, rude or anything, but I don't know single thing about you. Normally….uh, I get to know who I'm dancing with, you know. Friendly like." He blubbered out, the warmth of her lipstick still stinging on his chin.
He rubbed at it, waiting for her to answer and trying desperately not to look nervous. "Oh, well, sorry, its just that I'm a little surprised someone came without a date. I had one, but well, you heard about what Daisy did," she said quietly, tilting her head to the side," But I'm avoiding the subject aren't I? Heh, sorry. Ask me anything you like. I don't care." She sighed after a moment, leaning her head back against his chest.
He spun their bodies about slowly at that, lowering his head a bit. "What do you do? Are you a Pokemon trainer or something?" he asked, trying to sound curious.
"I'm a trainer and a gym leader, well, the fourth sensational sister nobody wants to mention. My sparkling personality can be thanked for that. I'm still training, I managed to get five badges so far, but well, my mother asked me to come home and help with the household. My father died a few years ago in a car accident….and my sisters are too busy working to pay the bills, so I haven't had time to actually get the rest of them or have any fun." She told him, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'm sorry. It must have been hard on you. I trust your family is doing much better since you and your sisters are here. Am I right?" he asked. He felt her nod against him, saying," Yeah, the gym's being doing very well and we've finally got the house paid off. The bills aren't so bad without all our debts around anymore. I've started training my Pokemon again and Mom's even gone back to her sewing club. We're doing ok, this charity ball is going to be a big help too. All the donations go to the Pokecenter for better equipment and addition wings to be constructed, the museum's treat. The Cerulean City Museum has really gone all out to have this festival. It's been forever since this city has been able to celebrate anything. Don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know. I'm….kind'a new in town." He mumbled out. She looked up again, James' head snapping back in surprise as her bright expression met his eyes.
"You're new? No wonder you don't know anything. Is this your first time in this city?" She asked.
"No, I've been here before. I know my way around places you wouldn't believe. This city is also good place to find water Pokemon. I battled in your gym a while back." He said, smirking a little.
"Why didn't you battle me? I think I would have remembered your face….or at least your voice." She said quizzically.
"Ah, your sisters said you locked yourself in your room. Something about a mid-life crisis." He sighed, shrugging gently. "Oh that, heh, heh. Not one of my best days, my friend Ash wrecked my car after taking his date to the movies, telling me it was an errand for his mother. The creep put me in a really bad mood, so I stayed in my room until I could cool off. Ah well, but I'm still mad at him. Its just that I can't hole myself up forever," she chuckled," You get bored and hungry after a while."
James nodded, cracking a smile. "Yeah, you can only hide beauty for so long. Oop!"
'Stupid, shut your mouth already. Compliments are meaningless the second she finds out who you are.' He screamed silently,' Like repeating it is going to make you let her go. You're enchanted.'
"You're so sweet. You must be new." She said," So, I told you about me, how about you make it fair and tell me about yourself. A name perhaps to go with the face, hmmm?"
"Uh….call me….Jay," he said, forcing out a laugh," I….well, you promise you won't tell your sisters or friends this?"
"Why? Is it something illegal?" she asked, mock suspicion in her voice.
"Hey, just promise. And no, its nothing illegal. I'm no criminal." He said, a little too defensively.
"Ok, I swear I won't tell anyone. What do you do, Jay?" she asked.
"I'm a doctor, I've been reassigned to work at your Pokemon Center….just for a while, then off to the next city that needs me." He explained. James had wondered briefly if it was wise to tell her when he was working. He'd be wearing his doctor's uniform, cap and mouth guard, but he'd have to take it off eventually, then she'd see him without anything to protect his identity.
"A doctor, heh, I've always wanted to be a doctor….well, for humans, not that Pokemon are any less than us or anything." She said.
'Trying to impress me now? She doesn't need to," he thought, the music still filling the room,' God, does this song have an ending or what?!'
"That's nice. When you dream, you've got to dream big, but its up to you to make it come true. Took me a long time to accomplish my dreams, and I still haven't achieved them all. My career is a start, Pokemon training is probably yours." James said, staring at her warmly.
"Jay, you're pretty optimistic….but I think I've heard someone else say that." Misty said.
"R….really? Who?" he stuttered.
"My Dad, he was always positive about everything, even before he died. He always said I had to keep my chin up and make my dreams come true, no matter what happens. I really do miss him, Jay. Besides Mom, he was the only other person who believed in me. You've seen why my sisters aren't on my happy list already." Misty sighed, her eyes growing sad.
"Well….they weren't so tough when I battled them. Not very good losers either. But Misty, if it helps any, I think you'll go far. You're different from your sisters….in a good way. You'll be better than them because you're not as….Forgive me, I know you're sisters and all, but, you're not, to put it lightly, as rude or….conceited."
Misty smiled at him, the sadness melting away into thin air. 'Well, this is lot like digging a hole, the more taken out, the more of a grave you have. I've buried myself plenty deep, might as well be honest and let the dirt keep flying.' He mused, smiling back.
"You really think that? You're not just saying it to make me feel better?" she asked curiously.
"I think that….and you do too. They just make you think otherwise. I know what its like to have others think for me, bossing me around like I'm nothing. Doing it on my own….without all the annoyances, I proved everybody wrong. Hey, I won't lie to you, its not easy, but if it makes you happy, go for it." he said, a cry of relief echoing in his mind as the music ended, and upbeat tune taking its place.
She was still holding onto him, staring up at him with the most innocent smile on her face. James was ready step back until he found he was still holding her. "You're something else, Jay. Really something else." She beamed, lifting her face up to him quickly. James didn't register anything until he felt her lips close over his, warm and sweet in her kiss. 'Oh boy, she's not going to kill me. She'll shred me, dice, bash, mutilate, and crush me, then rip me apart and then she'll kill me!' his mind screamed, his eyes widening,' Oh, what the heck. Quit whining and enjoy your last night alive.'
James tightened his grip around her, kissing her back deeply, sweeping her up from the dance floor. "Mmmmm!" he heard her murmur in her throat. Their lips remained together for a few minutes, and then Misty began to stiffen.
"What's wrong? If its something I did, I'm sorry." He sputtered, her lipstick smeared on both of their mouths.
"No, its not you. That was great. Its just that its so quiet. The music's stopped." She uttered.
James looked off towards the stage, smiling as he saw the band was still there, but then it froze. The band members were slumped in their chairs, as if they were asleep. Then he saw that there were two people standing on the stage as well, holding guns directly at the crowd. One was wearing a Psyduck costume and the other was a chicken, a Raticate standing between them
"Ok you happy people, get you hands up or we'll make you very sorry." Said the Psyduck, his voice sounding a little froggy.
'It can't be….not in a million years.' James thought, beads of sweat forming on his face.
"That's right, don't mess with us….Ugh, to heck with these stupid costumes. No more fooling around." The chicken said, a woman definitely. Both of them grabbed at their costumes, tearing them off on one deft move.
"Prepare for trouble and make it double!" the two people shouted, James' heart sinking hard as he saw the black outfits, the red "R" on each of their chests.
"No….not here, not now…." James moaned, his eyes watering.
"To infect the world with devastation." Said the woman, her blonde hair sticking out on both sides of her head
"To blight all people in every nation!" the man added, his turquoise hair glistening in the light.
"To denounce the goodness of truth and love!"
"To extend our wrath to the stars above!"
"Cassidy!"
"Butch!"
"We're Team Rocket, circling Earth day and night!" Cassidy said proudly.
"Surrender to us now or you'll surely lose the fight!" .Butch finished
"Cate!!!!!" came from the Raticate.
"Now, all you beautiful dopes, hands up or else," Butch ordered, raising up a Pokeball with his other hand," Charizard, go!"
"Yeah, that goes double for me. Hypno, go!" Cassidy shouted, tossing another Pokeball into the crowd. The Charizard chased the people away from the pool with its flame-thrower attack, the Hypno putting others to sleep while the Raticate joined the Charizard in carting people away. Cassidy pulled out a remote, passing by James as if he were nothing, pressing the red button on top. It beeped for a moment, then was silenced.
James wasn't going to follow, the further away he was from Cassidy the better. "I think we'd better just do as they say, huh Misty? Misty?" he said, turning around slightly. Misty wasn't there anymore.
His head twirled about searching for her, but it was pointless to try. Her voice was beacon enough for anyone to locate her.
"What do you creeps think you're doing!? You have a lot of nerve coming here with that old hag!" Misty shouted.
James pushed his way through the crowd, forced to crawl on all fours as he got closer Misty's shouting. As he made it out of the sea of legs, he came out just beside the pool, and gasped when he saw Misty. She was squaring off with Butch and Charizard with her Starmie.
"You again, the little twerp that hangs out with Ash. Heh, you're quite a catch now, but don't think a pretty face is gonna stop me from messing it up!" Butch laughed," Charizard, turn them into barbecued leftovers. Waste 'em!"
James stared at them for a moment, stiff and sweating. "I hate my life." He muttered, watching the Charizard rear its head back, the flame on its tail growing dangerously high.
"Oh for the love of….argh!" he groaned, rushing forward towards Misty, ramming her and himself into the cold pool water as a funnel of flames rushed past their heels.
"What in the world!?" Butch exclaimed, staring at the rippling water.
Just as suddenly as it had happened, water gushed up in his and his Pokemon's faces, knocking them flat on their backs. James and Misty were floating on the surface, James treading water rapidly as Misty held onto him tightly.
"Jeez, who do you think you are, hero?! You're crazy." Butch swore," Cassidy, I need some help over here."
"I'm busy. I found the treasure chest, but the glass surrounding it is bulletproof and there's a lock on it. It'll take me time to pick the stupid thing. Why don't you solve your own problems so we can solve this one as soon as possible. Stop bothering me!" Cassidy shouted back, hidden by the crowds.
"Fine! I will!" Butch growled, getting back to his feet, his jaw dropping," You have got to be kidding me! Break it up already!"
Misty and her rescuer were kissing each other, both struggling to stay afloat, and neither of them seemed to notice Butch was even alive. "Ok, that's enough. No more Mr. Nice Guy!" Butch hissed out, cocking his gun. The man's eyes opened, aiming right at the barrel of the gun. As Butch squeezed the trigger, the pair had disappeared under the water again.
Butch stayed stock still, his gun aimed dead at the water. "You have to come up for air sometime! You can't escape Team Rocket!"
James could hear Butch loud and clear from under the water, bubbles escaping his and Misty's mouths as they looked up, her Starmie spinning around them protectively. James' pendant had popped out of his shirt, glistening in the water gently. He touched it a moment, looked at Starmie and pointed towards Misty then the other side of the pool. Starmie twirled again, then pushed into Misty's chest, moving her to where James had pointed. Misty was fighting it, reaching out towards James desperately, but to no avail. Starmie pushed with all its might to get her away.
'Show time, Lil' Jim.' He mused, pulling out a two Pokeballs from under his costume shirt.
~
Butch felt like pulling off another round when the pool's water began to bubble. "Come to papa." He chuckled, his finger ready to pull the trigger. For all his anticipation, he got a more powerful rush of water smack in the face, a low growling hovering over his head.
He got back up rubbing the water out of his eyes rapidly. When his vision cleared, he wished it hadn't. " A Gyarados! How?"
"Never mind that. You're ruining a charity ball, scum bag! Muk, go!" the sheik man shouted, tossing a Pokeball right at Butch from atop the Gyarados' head. The large, purple-slime Pokemon came out, growling its name. "Muk! Sludge attack!" the man shouted.
"MUK!" the slime pile grumbled, vomiting up and acidic mass of sludge, covering Butch's gun. Butch shrieked tossing the gun away. "Ack, Charizard, flame-thrower!"
"Cute, but not cute enough. Gyarados, Hydro Pump!" The creature obeyed its master, a surging rush of water shooting from its mouth smack into the Charizard's body, sending it flying across the room.
"Yeah! Eat it, turkey!" he screamed, waving his hands around wildly, grinning.
"Oh please, get a vocabulary, Ali Boob! Hypno, Confusion attack!" Cassidy rang out, bursting through the crowd with her Pokemon in the lead, the pendulum already swinging to its voice.
The waves smacked into Gyarados, the man's eyes suddenly stricken with panic as the water beast began thrashing about. The man held on, yanking his legs away from the creature's snap-crazy jaws, shouting for it to stop.
"Forget it, little man. My Hypno is at the peak of its power. You'll need potion to stop that kind of power and oh darn, there aren't any around. Deal with it!." Cassidy laughed, thrusting her gun back at the crowd.
The man held on a while longer, then his grip failed him, sending him flying into Butch. "Big talk from an old lady. Muk, get her gun! Acid armor against her!" the man shouted, laying a good hit into Butch's jaw.
Cassidy looked back to see the disgusting slime pile coming towards her, the floors burning under it as it gurgled out its name, Butch and the man beating the stuffing out of each other behind it.
"Oh gross, keep away you smelly slime-ball or I'll pump you full'a lead!" she warned, but the thing kept coming, its grimy hands reaching for her," I warned you."
Cassidy pulled the trigger, sending a seemingly endless stream of bullets crashing into the Muk's wet and viscous flesh, each one sizzling upon impact into nothing.
"MUK!" it wailed, lunging at her gun and devouring it within its body. Cassidy screamed, tossing the gun away into the pool with the Muk, looking back towards Butch for help. He and the man were rolling around on the puddle-drenched floor, still punching and kicking at each other.
"Ooooh! You're never around when I need you, Butch! Charizard! Raticate! Keep the crowd at bay! Hypno, you come with me. We need that code or no treasure." Cassidy ordered, shoving the golden Pokemon off into the crowd, the other two chasing the guests around.
"Find the Cerulean sisters, Hypno! They have to know the stupid code! Butch, finish that twerp off so we can get out of here." she screamed out, anger swelling over her face.
"Maybe if you'd help me out, Cassidy! Fists fights are not my specialty. Ow!" Butch hollered back, kicking his opponent in the stomach.
"It shows, Froggy! Get out of my face!" the man growled, his green eyes filled with hate. Butch frowned at the insult, the pair rolling over again leaving his opponent on his back. "Lights out, pretty boy." Butch sneered, grabbing him by the collar. "In your dreams, dirt bag!" the man countered, kicking Butch in his shins. Butch cried out, loosening his grip.
The man wasted no time in kicking out with both feet against Butch's chest, sending him flying into the crowd, and smiled as the guests began hitting him when he landed.
"One down, three more idiots to go. But first, Gyarados return! Can't have you hurting anyone or yourself in your state." The man announced, lifting his Pokeball up to the still thrashing Gyarados in the pool. It vanished into the ball, and he put it back on his belt, starting to turn.
Cassidy was rushing him now, and kicked him in the groin hard. "Oh….darn. Lady, you're really asking for it." he squeaked out, doubling over in pain.
"Hah, it doesn't matter if you beat Butch. You're still a man and you have your weaknesses. Now let's see what this rank turban is hiding, you green eyed geek!" she laughed, snatching off the cloth hat from his head. He reached up to stop her, forcing himself to stand up, ramming her in the stomach with his head, but he was too late. She'd already gotten the cloth off and as Charizard started protecting Butch from the guests. Butch finally looked up, his brown eyes going wide.
"That hair! With those eyes! It can't be you! You're dead. Aren't you?" Butch gasped. Cassidy got up, still holding the cloth tightly in her hands, her eyes bulging out of her head as she looked at the man standing before her.
"James! You're alive after all, for the past 10 years you've managed to elude us!? I can't believe that, I won't! You're too stupid to have survived." She choked out, James' face not looking very hopeful.
"James? Who's James? I don't know any James, you must be mistaken…eh, heh, heh, heh." He blubbered out, but he could see they weren't falling for it. The recognition was sinking in, their eyes growing angry.
"No one else has that hair color, we should know. We've been all over the world and never seen that shade and those eyes together. Ten years of hiding and you've finally been found. The boss is going to be annoyed when he finds out you've been alive all this time. A mistake we intend to correct, Jimmy. Older or not, you're still an idiotic screw-up." Butch growled, the Charizard coming up behind him.
"That's right. The boss will be pleased to know we stopped him, not that bimbo Jessie. Raticate, Hyper Fang! Destroy James!" Cassidy shouted, her Raticate shooting past her at James.
"Oh heck, so much for my wonderful life of freedom. Weezing, Go! Poison Gas attack!" James mumbled, tossing another Pokeball, Weezing flying out spewing a dark cloud of noxious gas.
Raticate choked as it breathed it in, keeling over and mumbling stupidly as it thrashed its tiny legs and arms around. "Raticate, you idiot! Hypno, get back here! Forget the sisters, get James!" she screamed, her fists clenched at her sides.
Butch stepped forward, a stern look on his face. "Charizard! Flame-Thrower, now!" The Charizard did so, but James ducked down, the funnel of fire whisking over the heads of the crowd.
"Muk! Weezing! Sludge attack!" James ordered, the Muk shooting out of the water, vomiting up another helping of dark, grimy ooze as did the Weezing, blinding the Charizard. The creature went into a horrible rage, its flame tail whacking into Butch's back, forcing him into Cassidy and onto the floor with the Raticate.
The Hypno finally broke throw the crowd, its pendulum swinging swiftly, but James' face remained calm. "Muk, sludge attack. Weezing, smoke screen!"
The Pokemon did as they were told, blinding the Hypno with greasy slime and lung wrenching smoke. "What is he doing? I can't see a thing!" Butch whined, trying to wave the smoke away, but to no avail.
"Oh my hair! I've got Muk goop in my hair! And the smoke, ugh, it's making my make-up melt! Come out and fight like a man, James! You little coward!" Cassidy growled, tears flowing down her angry face.
"Oh really? I'm not afraid, I just want you losers out of my life, for good! Weezing, Explosion! Send them packing!" James shouted, lifting his hand to the sky.
"Weeze….Weezing!" the Pokemon uttered, glowing a bright crystal blue, its features disappearing as the light poured out of it.
"Oh no!" Butch whimpered.
"He wouldn't." Cassidy said in a shushed voice.
"Rati…Cate….cate?" the Raticate said curiously.
Weezing exploded, shooting the humans and their Pokemon through the ceiling. "He would!!!!" Butch and Cassidy wailed as they went sailing off through the star filled sky," Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!"
"Cateeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Raticate screeched, all their voices echoing until they disappeared into the night sky.
"Jerks." James muttered.
"James?!" screamed a voice. James looked back, biting his lip as he groaned. "Oh no….Misty! I….I…." he stuttered, his heart thumping madly as he stared at her tear filled eyes, her lips quivering.
"James….is it really you? You're….alive." She said, her voice trembling. James was frozen for a moment, wanting to blurt out everything at once to her, to say he was sorry for lying, but his mind was a blank. All he could do was look at her.
"JAMES!"
James unfroze at the sound of a young man's voice, whipping back around to see the guy has familiar black hair and a Pokemon League hat, a Pikachu holding onto his head.
"Ash!?" James yelped, staggering backwards," Uh, Muk return. Weezing, get me out of here!"
Muk went back into its Pokeball while Weezing dipped under its master, letting him hop on its back, floating out the busted ceiling. "Later Ash, I don't have time for battles or explanations. I have to get out of here!" James shouted back, his Weezing taking him outside quickly.
~
Misty watched James go, then looked at Ash, whose face was growing red and his teeth were clenched tightly. He saw Misty as she was walking around to his side of the pool. She knew she looked a little flushed and wet, but she wasn't hurt, physically.
"What's going on Misty? I leave to go to the bathroom for five minutes and Team Rocket shows up to beat the stuffing out of each other and you just watch!" Ash scolded, taking off his hat a moment to scratch his head.
"Uh, you weren't here? What exactly did you see when you came back?" Misty asked, cautiously.
"I saw you and Starmie shooting out of the pool, then James and a Gyarados trashing Butch. What, did I miss something?" he asked, replacing his hat. Misty sighed in relief, Ash giving her a puzzled stare.
Misty sighed again, trying not to laugh at his lack of taste in costumes. He was wearing his a superhero costume with a white "SA" plastered on the font of the red costume with a long blue cape down his back. He'd bragged how it stood for "Super Ash," the Pokemon protector of Justice. She'd commented that it was more like "Super Airhead." That was the last time she'd talked to him during the party.
"Where's Vera?" she asked, trying to change the subject.
"My girlfriend? Oh, she kind'a got sick, I forgot she'd allergic to fish and gave her a crab puff. Her Mom came by and took her to the hospital, but told me to stay and have a good time for Vera's sake. So I did." Ash confessed, laughing nervously.
"You big dope, you could have killed her like that. Your problem is that you never think, you just do it. That's one of your many problems, other than having a huge ego." She growled.
"Hey, can I help it if I'm a babe magnet as well as the ultimate Pokemon master? You're just jealous cause I got all the badges and you didn't." Ash smiled, but Misty just grumbled at him.
"But aside from how incredibly wonderful I am, that was James who just floated off. We have to go after him and stop him from stealing the treasure….or whatever he's here for." Ash put in.
"Yeah, so how do you suggest we find him? He doesn't exactly look or act as dizzy as he used to. And he was beating Butch and Cassidy up, not helping them. I think something is really different about him." Misty scowled, shoving him out of the way.
"So what? He usually finds us….eh, so where would I go if I were James?" Ash wondered aloud, rubbing his chin, Pikachu shaking its head.
"Chu…." It squeaked out.
"Ugh, why don't we try the Pokemon Center for starters, Sherlock?" Misty groaned, reaching into her purse. "Huh? Why would he be there?" Ash asked.
Misty pulled out a small black wallet, opening it to reveal James' face on a license, smiling brightly. "James Hartman, Pokemon M.D.?! Its gotta be a fake? Doesn't it?" Ash mumbled, but Misty shook her head.
"When he saved me from Butch, he made my Starmie get me far away from him, but I grabbed at him. I ripped his pocket open and grabbed his wallet. I found out who he was when I looked at it, Butch and Cassidy just confirmed it. But, there is one small problem." Misty explained, stuffing the wallet back inside her purse.
"And that is?" Ash asked.
"We have to wait for the security system to get fixed and that'll take forever, knowing my sisters, it could be the rest of our lives." Misty sighed.
Ash just shrugged, snapping his fingers. "I wish I'd brought my other Pokemon with me. I could have caught James and we wouldn't have to worry about tracking him down. Man, your family is lame."
"What? Why are we all lame so suddenly?!" Misty screeched, punching Ash in the eye. He flinched a little, but was phased in the least bit. Misty didn't care if he was taller and had some muscle to him, he was still the same egotistical jerk he was when they journeyed together.
"Because, they didn't have enough security to protect the treasure chest or the guests." He said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"My three sisters are lame then, Mom and me didn't plan this party. Just shut up and be patient. He's not going to get far without his wallet." Misty declared, running off into the crowd.
"Come on dummy," she added," We have to find my sisters! They may be dumb, but they have the key to the security office. It's our only way out."
"Ack, fine. Dang, why'd I have to screw up with Vera? Now I have to be with the four bubble heads the rest of the night." Ash muttered, running after her.