Chapter 8 – Final Fight
"You wanna die, o'ah hand ovah da Pikachu?" hissed Meowth. He stood on the rail of the balloon's basket, his eyes darting back and forth between Stacey and Tracey. Jessie and James each had their Pokéballs out, ready for battle, if needed.
Again, Stacey was faced with a decision to make, only this time she was much wiser. She grinned wryly and replied calmly: "I'd die before deceiving Tracey again."
Tracey blushed and clung to Pikachu. He also smiled and laughed. "And I'd also rather die before deceiving any of my friends!" Pikachu squealed in agreement.
"Is dat so?" mocked Meowth. "Well, we'd be happy ta arrange dat fer ya! Right, guys?" He turned around, expecting to see Team Rocket in all their evilness.
Instead, what he saw was revolting – Jessie and James were on their knees, clinging to each other and crying streams of waterfall tears. "Oh, so beautiful!" James sobbed.
Jessie whimpered. "James, I never will deceive you!"
"Nor will I!"
All the fur on Meowth rose and twitched fiercely. "MORONS!" He scratched them with his Fury Swipes and gritted his teeth. "Ah'll show ya deceive…" He finally turned around to face the enemies, only to find them gone again. "DAMNIT! Into da woods!"
Tracey darted through the forest, Stacey right behind him. He felt like laughing at Team Rocket, but he knew this wasn't the time. Dawn was breaking and they could at least see in front of them. He carried Pikachu in his arms lovingly, knowing Ash would be very pleased to see the both of them again.
Soon, they came to the clearing. Tracey and Pikachu rejoiced when they saw Ash and Misty.
But.
There they were, all right, still trapped in the glue. However they were both fast asleep. Misty was leaning against Ash and his blue coat was wrapped around her. Tracey grinned and motioned for Stacey and Pikachu to be very quiet as he pulled out a sketchbook. He began to draw them. They were so cute!
Stacey shook her head in disbelief and watched him sketch. Tracey seemed so enthusiastic. She loved to watch him. Pikachu walked over to the sleeping Togepi in its full-egg form.
Tracey was about finished when he heard the sound of the air balloon rise above him. Ash and Misty also awoke.
"Tracey!" Ash laughed. "You're back!" Pikachu jumped into his arms. "And Pikachu!"
"Pikapi!" Pikachu chimed.
"Great to see you back, Trace." Misty smiled warmly at him, but was red for being caught with Ash. She then noticed Stacey. "Who's that?"
"No time!" Tracey gasped, pointing to the balloon. Misty also gasped and Ash clenched his fists.
"Pay-back time," he growled.
Team Rocket cackled evilly as the 'twerps' came into view. "Prepare for trouble!"
"And make it double!"
But they were cut short by a Thunderbolt Attack from the tiny electric mouse Pokémon.
Meowth shook off the attack and seemed to loom ominously overhead, for once look menacing and dark. "Da power belongs ta us!" he laughed. "Hand ovah Pikachu and Stacey, and no one gets hoit!"
"Never!" Ash and Tracey yelled in unison. Ash's eyes darted to Tracey. "Stacey?"
"That Team Rocket girl!" Jessie snapped, pointing sharply at Stacey. She is part of Team Rocket and BELONGS to Team Rocket."
"Just like we all do!" James agreed.
"Belong?" Stacey cried, her red eyes narrowing as she looked up at Jessie and James. "People shouldn't belong to other people. That's not right!"
"But bahy joinin' Team Rocket," Meowth began, his evilness still overflowing. "You give up your life to it!"
Ash shook his head. "Shut up! Leave us alone!"
Jessie yawned boredly. "Hah, clueless, as usual."
"Stacey belongs ta us," Meowth cut in again. "Ah'nd she's comin' with us. She ah'nd Pikachu!" He jumped from the balloon, pointy claws diving directly at Stacey. Stacey was too frightened to move, her legs unable to run. Tracey, however, was able to move like a flash. He dove and pushed her away, only to have several needle-like claws pelted into his back. He reeled in pain.
Filled with anger, Pikachu leapt at Meowth and knocked him off of Tracey's back. He then shocked the cat so ferociously, that the whole forest seemed to light up. After that, Tracey's Scyther emerged from its Pokéball, furious for his Master, and sent Meowth flying through the air. Meowth hit the balloon, claws still out, and it popped.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off agaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaain!" cried Team Rocket mournfully, and the balloon flew away, twinkling in the distance.
It had all happened so fast, quicker than a Psybeam Attack. Stacey bent over Tracey who lay on him stomach in pain. Red blood streamed through gaping holes on his shirt. His whole body was tense.
Ash stood above Tracey, eyes wobbling and heart beating fast. "Tracey," he whispered. Misty pulled out her Staryuu and took Ash's coat. She had Staryuu soak it in water and then lay it across Tracey's back. Stacey began pushing onto the wounds to cease the bleeding.
"Tracey," Stacey coughed, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't thank you enough for doing that."
Tracey opened his eyes and he visibly loosened. "Naw, I had to. I told you I wouldn't deceive you. That also means I wouldn't turn my back on you."
Stacey blushed and kept pushing. "Yeah? Well, if I had run, you wouldn't have had to do that."
"They'll heal," Tracey laughed lightly. "Besides, I liked being a hero for once." He looked over at Ash and winked. "It's fun, huh?"
Ash was about to speak when Misty interjected. "Ash? A hero? NO WAY! He's anything but!"
Tracey chuckled. "Right…I'm sure you think that." He then collapsed, exhausted from the whole night, and fell asleep with his head on Stacey's lap.
End of Chapter 8