DISCLAIMER: None of the authors of this story own or associate with the owners of Pokemon!
A/N: Another cliffhanger, huh? Got you all excited? Got me excited too when Graham told me, hahaha! So here I am writing chapter 14...phew, we're trucking through these, aren't we! Enjoy, and please review.
Four days later it dawned sunny and bright. Spring was one of Misty's favourite seasons, although she found little reason to enjoy it now. How could she, with all this going on in her life?
Flowers practically overcrowded the breathing space in her room, especially since news had leaked out that one of the former Sensational Sisters had taken a bad fall. Ash wouldn't dare talk about anything concerning the circumstances of how she had fallen, or the baby, considering the public didn't know about it.
Most of the tubes and needles that had invaded her creamy skin had been removed, and there was now just a lone IV machine that quietly beeped every second.
The door to her room creaked open, but Misty didn't bother looking at who it was. She just stared out the window blankly, thinking of the ratio Ash had given her the other day. 40:60 survival.
"Someone in here is being discharged today!" Misty looked up and saw Ash, trying to be cheerful, but the news had obviously been impending on his thoughts too.
"Hmm, who would that be...?" Misty said mockingly, and gave him a wary smile.
Ash sighed. "What are we gonna do, Mist?" he asked desperately as he sat down beside her. "I don't think I could go on without you."
"You have before" Misty pointed out. "We were seperated for five years and we both got through it." She tangled her fingers in his and looked him straight in his eyes. "Do you honestly think it would be fair to end this
child's life before it even began?"
"Don't put that on me Mist, you know I can't decide" Ash shook his head.
"Well, something is gonna have to be decided soon, before it's too late" Misty said sensibly.
"Isn't this affecting you at all?" Ash asked in amazement. He noticed the grip on his hand get tighter as he finished speaking.
"Of course it's affecting me, Ash. Whether we like it or not, one life may have to give here, and it might be mine." Misty smiled through the tears that were forming in her eyes and spoke quietly. "But I've done more then
what some people accomplish in an 80 year life span. I've been on a Pokemon journey, I've been married, I would have had a child, I've been a gym leader..." Her voice trailed off.
"I see" Ash nodded gravely.
"You know this means I wanna go through with it" Misty said seriously.
Ash nodded again. "I know."
"There is still that 60% Ash, we can't ignore that. That could be the whole difference between life and death" Misty said hopefully.
Ash hung his head and stared at the ground. He didn't want Misty to see the tears that were spilling over his cheeks while she was being so brave. But she picked it up too easily, she knew him too well, and she quietly
wiped away his tears.
"I'm sorry Misty, I just, I can't..."Ash whimpered. Misty knew what he meant and thought about how hard it was going to be for him if he lost her. He would be left with no family at all, and a child to bring up with no
mother.
"It's fate, Ash. This is the way it's meant to be, and the outcome will be the way it's meant to be too. Fate brought us together and it may very well tear us apart" Misty spoke softly. She kissed him tenderly, savouring the feel of his lips on hers, knowing that these kisses could soon be limited. They pulled apart and Misty looked at him in concern.
"I'm being discharged today? So, we can find my sisters?" she asked hopefully.
"We can start as soon as we get you officially discharged" Ash said in a monotone.
Misty sighed. "Are you going to be okay? You don't have to come, I can look for them myself."
"No" Ash immediately replied. "I left you alone once and look what happened. I'm not making that mistake again." He bit his lip and looked at her nervously. "Mist, can I ask you something?"
Misty smiled. "You can ask me anything, Ash."
Ash sighed. "Did you, um...when you fell out the window, why was it...uh, why was it open in the first place?" he asked, his voice slightly trembling.
Misty's eyes flew open and she realised what Ash was asking her. "You think I...I tried to jump?"
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you" Ash said honestly.
Misty hesitated. "I have never lied to you, Ash, and I'm not about to now. Yes, I opened that window, and yes, I almost jumped. It was just a moment of pain I couldn't go through..." She couldn't explain it, but Ash understood her.
"So why was Jessie there?" he asked.
Misty smiled. "She is literally a lifesaver. She pulled me back."
"Oh God, Mist...if you'd jumped voluntary I would've jumped after you" Ash confessed, playing with her hair. "But I completley understand. I will never bring you back here" he promised.
Misty smiled. "You don't have to do that, Ash. It's not like this place can be barred from my mind forever. My sisters live here and my mother is buried here, so I can't just turn away from it. We'll just...keep the visits short and sweet."
At this point the door opened again and a nurse walked through, holding a clipboard.
"Misty Ketchum, you are free to leave once you sign this form" she announced, handing over the clipboard to her. Misty gratefully took it from her hands.
"Thank God for that" she muttered. Hospitals were never a good place for her, they never brought her joy. This was the same hospital her mother had spent her last weeks in, but Misty tried not to dwell on that. It would
only send her through the roof again.
She signed on the dotted line and felt her head slightly spin as she stood up. Her IV was painfully removed from her hand and she put a hand to her head.
"Okay Misty, take it easy..." Ash warned. Her arm was in a cast, which would make it difficult for her to use a revolver. But all Ash wanted to do was take her out of Cerulean and let her rest a little longer.
"It's okay Ash, I'm not an invalid" Misty replied, a little irritated. She knew that everyone would treat her and Jessie like they were walking on broken glass for the next couple of weeks, and she really couldn't stand it. She appreciated her husband's concern though.
She walked out the door, slightly leaning on Ash's arm but determined to be as independent as she could. The first people she caught sight of were Brock and James, and she groggily accepted the hugs they bestowed on her.
"Are you sure you should be walking already?" James asked in amazement.
"I'm not sure she should be" Ash groaned.
"Yes, I'm sure" Misty nodded. "Where's Jessie?"
James and Brock laughed. "Re-applying her lipstick. Don't worry Mist, she's still the same old Jess you left behind" Brock reassured her.
Misty laughed too and saw Jessie emerge from the bathroom. She had been discharged the previous day, and her shoulder was still not in the best shape. She had been resting up too, but absolutly could not miss Misty, she had vowed.
Jessie gave a small squeal at the sight of Misty walking and embraced her without trying to hurt her anymore than she already was.
"Misty, you little daredevil, I told you a tandam bungee was a bad idea" she mockingly scolded. Misty laughed ever harder, hugging Jessie back.
As the two girls were locked in the embrace, Ash discreetly whispered something in Jessie's ear.
"Thankyou for pulling her back."
Jessie shot him a knowing glance and smiled. Misty had obviously just told him the whole, complete story. She didn't feel like much of a lifesaver, considering they had both fallen anyway, but accepted the status Ash had suddenly put her in.
The girls broke apart and they both felt a little light headed. Ash and James steadied the girls up as Brock laughed.
"I dunno about bungee jumping, but I think that morphine they put you two on had something to do with these little, ahem, side affects" he commented lightly.
"You watch your back, mister. I may have only one operable arm, but I'm still as tough as ever" Misty warned through her smile. She turned to Ash as they started walking out. "Are we leaving today?" she asked.
Ash nodded. He had no plans or sense of direction, but he knew he had to get her out of there. He was thinking somewhere along the lines of maybe Lavender Town. It was pretty, and peaceful, and Giovanni had been known to set up some pretty famous illegal activities around there for the past two years.
"Then I have to see someone before I leave" Misty announced.
"I don't think you should go visiting just yet" Ash said warily. If Misty was this determined she could over-exert herself and end up in a state worse then she was already in.
Misty shook her head. "No, I have to." Ash raised an eyebrow. Did she want to see someone about the whole baby business? Family friends, maybe? Did she want to say a probable goodbye to someone...maybe Mitch...
"Okay, well...where do they live?" Brock asked.
Misty inhaled deeply. "Cerulean Gym" she replied quietly.
"Mitch?" James asked what Ash had already assumed.
Misty shook her head again. "You'll see when we get there" she promised. They all curiously went in the direction of the gym that was no longer surrounded by police, but still had wooden barracks up to prevent the public from going in.
Ash opened the gates for her and guided her in, feeling her arm tense up as they walked through.
"This way" Misty directed, now leading the group with Ash's help. They all followed her until they reached a small cluster of flowers. Ash couldn't help noticing that Misty was slightly trembling and he suddenly realised where they were.
"Misty...are you sure about this?" James asked, reading the small plaque by the flowers.
"I am very sure" Misty said softly. She knelt down beside the plaque, letting go of Ash and leaving the others watching behind her, and gently placed a hand on its cool metal. "Hi Mom" she smiled, slightly rearranging the various bouquets.
"Maybe this isn't a good idea" Brock whispered to Ash. He nodded his agreement, but didn't dare voice it in front of Misty. Maybe she could get through it...
"Just wanted to check on you before we left. I'm fine, got some news...you're going to have a grandchild in about seven or eight months. And if it's a girl, well...Ash has promised me that we can call her Rose" Misty looked up at Ash during the last part and smiled. "He's so wonderful to me" she continued, turning back to the small grave. "He's still everything you said he was, and better. You were right, Mom, we were meant to be together." She sniffled and hesitated, pulling back a sob.
"I love you, Mom. I came back here and I couldn't cope with it, so now we're leaving. I'm just grateful you didn't have to get caught up in these stupid games Giovanni is playing with us. Promise me you're looking after Ash's parents, and Tracey. They were such good people who didn't deserve to die. Just like you." The sob escaped at the end of the sentance and Ash put an arm around her shoulders.
"Do you think we should head back?" he asked quietly. The scene was causing Jessie to shed a few tears as well, and James and Brock were obviously spellbound by the courage Misty had displayed by coming back here.
Misty nodded, letting a single tear roll down her cheek. She kissed her fingers and then placed them on the plaque. "Gotta go, Mom. We've gotta find Daisy, Violet and Lily. Look after yourself. Love you." She spoke in broken sentances and quietly stood back up. "Okay, let's go" she nodded.
The group agreed, and all silently hailed Misty for being so brave. They walked back to the Pokemon Center and packed their bags, their brief stop in Cerulean now almost over.
Ash packed Misty's things as she lay on the bed, gathering her thoughts and emotions. "Where are we going?" she asked, staring at the ceiling.
"I was thinking maybe Lavender Town. James told me that some Team Rocket activity still goes on there" Ash explained. Misty nodded and looked at him.
"I love you" she whispered. Ash smiled and sat down next to her.
"I love you more" he replied, gently kissing her. "You are the bravest girl I have ever met. I'm sure heaps would agree with me, since you're going through with this pregnancy..."
Misty smiled. "I'm getting maternal instincts. I'm starting to think I would do what any other mother would do, even though I've never been a mother, or close to it" she explained. "And any other mother would do this, Ash. I know they would. Your mother would and my mother would."
Ash nodded and put a hand to her cheek. Nothing was said, but something crossed between the two and they both understood it. He smiled and stood up, resuming their packing. It took him all of two minutes and he looked at her with a proud smile on his face.
"Today we find the Sensational Sisters. Alive" he hastily added. Misty gave him an uncertain look but stood up anyway with a determined look on her face.
"Whatever you say, leader" she replied. They walked out of the room and met up with the other three in the hallway, who were also carrying their bags.
"Where are we going, anyway?" Jessie asked in sudden interest.
"We are going to take a bus to Lavender Town" Ash announced simply. "Just until you and Misty get your strength up a bit."
"Aw c'mon Ash, I can walk" Jessie insisted.
Ash shook his head. "Nooo, I've seen you, you are getting on a bus."
James groaned. "A bus, stylie" he said sarcastically.
"You shut your mouth, rich boy. We have two girls here who have fallen four stories for something they shouldn't even be involved in" Brock said pointedly.
"Hey, don't look at me like that" Misty said to Brock. "A bus will be fine" she turned back to Ash.
"Good, because it's all we can afford" Ash said warily. They walked into the centre of town where the bus station was and shoved their bags onto the second bus to Lavender. They boarded and slumped into the reasonably comfortable seats.
"See, it ain't so bad Jimmy" Brock reassured him. James smiled warily and tried as best he could to get into a comfortable travelling position.
Jessie and Misty both zonked out as their heads touched the back of their seats and slept for the whole two hour trip. Ash kept his eyes on Misty the whole time, as if he were to turn away for a second and find her gone.
The bus pulled up into Lavender Central Bus Station and the five friends piled off, right into the middle of Lavender rush hour.
"Oh man, look at all the cars!" Brock groaned as they surveyed the street they had to cross to get to the Pokemon Center. It was situated next to a plush looking hotel that James wistfully sighed at.
"What I wouldn't give for a bit of room service" he whined.
"Yeah, sure thing Jimmy, would you like a bullet in your burger sir? Can't you just picture one of those henchmen bringing up some kind of arsenic-laced delight?" Ash rolled his eyes in sarcasm.
"Geez, sorry" James mumbled. They finally crossed the street after much deliberation and made it to the Pokemon Center which, to everyone's relief, was only one level high.
Misty immediatly made an announcement as they walked through the door. "Okay, bags down, let's get going" she said enthusiastically.
"What? No Mist, you gotta rest..." Ash said.
"No, I don't 'gotta rest' I gotta find my sisters" Misty snapped, her strength obviously returning.
Ash backed off. "Whatever you say, ma'am. But where do we begin to look?" he asked hopelessly.
James thought for a moment. "Well, you know that illegal activity I was telling you about? I'm thinking somewhere towards the lines of an old warehouse, if I remember correctly..."
"Hey yeah, they had a big assination bust there about a year ago" Jessie recalled.
"Well that's a good sign" Misty sighed.
"No no, I don't mean...what I was saying..." Jessie stammered.
Misty smiled. "I know what you meant and you've given us a start. So let's just get outta here and find them."
The gang walked out of the center and into the small but busy town of Lavender. James had carefully hidden his machine gun in his day bag, which, again, boosted his self-esteem, so he proudly lead the way, keeping at a pace that Misty and Jessie could stick to.
They arrived outside an old warehouse that was located about half a mile from where they had left. Misty looked up in horror at the shambles before her. It had probably once been painted red, there were too many cracks to tell. The brick chimney had totally fallen off, leaving a bare roof, and the door was practically swinging off its hinges, had it not been for a padlock.
"Oh God I hope they're in here" Misty whispered. She knew her sisters would've hated it, not for the risk of their lives but for their conditions.
"What about this door?" Jessie asked, examining the padlock.
James grinned. "Stand back Jess, watch the master at work." He dramatically pulled out his machine gun and fired a few shots at the lock. The girls screamed, especially Misty, who nearly went off her rocker at him.
"Watch that thing James! My sisters might have been standing right in front of that door!" she yelled.
"Why would they be standing in front of the door if they are kidnapped?" James asked.
Misty threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "I don't care, just let me in." She pushed past him and into the pitch black room. "Geez Jimmy, think you busted a light bulb too" she muttered as the others followed her in.
Brock had brought a torch with him that weakly lit the way. They discovered a staircase which they walked up, but no sisters.
"C'mon Daisy, Violet, Lily, one of you..." Misty mumbled, fear rising to her throat. They entered a room that was actually lit by a lightbulb and Misty felt something hit her body. It wasn't physical, it was emotional, but she knew her sisters were around here somewhere.
"We're close" she said in confidence. "We're close, I can tell."
"How can you tell?" Ash asked.
"I just can" Misty reassured him. Ash shrugged and continued to follow her. She lead them straight ahead, and gasped at what she saw. In a corner, tied up together, were her three sisters. The shocking thing was that she couldn't tell if they were alive or not.
"Ash...are they okay?" she asked worridly as she started to run up. But he held her back.
"I'll go. Someone could be there guarding" he said quietly.
"I don't care, dammit, those are my sisters!" Misty yelled and got free of Ash's grip. They all followed her as she shook them in a desperate attempt to make them come to.
"I'll untie them" Brock volunteered, Misty still shaking them with her one free arm.
"Come on guys, don't do this to me..." she pleaded. Then she noticed Daisy's head twitch and slowly her eyes opened.
"Misty...?" she asked weakly as the other two began to stir.
"Oh my God, you are alive!" Misty shrieked, hugging them all at the same time as they observed their surroundings.
"Wow, like, where am I?" Lily asked. Misty noticed that her pupils were dilated and so were the other two's.
"Ash, what's wrong with their eyes?" Misty asked in concern. He and Jessie checked carefully and Jessie scowled.
"Misty, they've been drugged with something...I can't tell what it is right now, but they've definatly been drugged" Jessie confirmed.
"Oh no" Misty sighed. The sisters were free but dazed and confused. It was at this point another door slammed and another henchman stood in front of them.
"Oh shit, not another one" James groaned. Then he grinned. He had brought his toy with him, and proudly got it out for all to see.
"James, put that thing down..." Misty warned. But James, at the prospect of using such an elaborate piece of artiliry again, fired random shots all over the small room, causing everyone to duck.
The smoke cleared and a groan was heard, but not from the henchman. He was nowhere to be seen, obviously he had escaped, but Misty's heart nearly stopped beating at the sight of her husband lying on the floor.
James dropped the gun in horror at what he had done as Misty charged up to him.
"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE?!?! I TOLD YOU TO UT THAT FREAKIN' THING DOWN!" she screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks. James stood there in stunned silence as Misty took a deep breath.
"I swear James, if you've killed Ash, I will never, ever forgive you" she said harshly. And with that she ran up to Ash, with Brock and Jessie already there, and James standing there in a dazed state.
A/N: I am talking to Graham as I type this and we are collaborating ideas for the rest of the story, so hold tight and keep the reviews coming!
A/N: Another cliffhanger, huh? Got you all excited? Got me excited too when Graham told me, hahaha! So here I am writing chapter 14...phew, we're trucking through these, aren't we! Enjoy, and please review.
Four days later it dawned sunny and bright. Spring was one of Misty's favourite seasons, although she found little reason to enjoy it now. How could she, with all this going on in her life?
Flowers practically overcrowded the breathing space in her room, especially since news had leaked out that one of the former Sensational Sisters had taken a bad fall. Ash wouldn't dare talk about anything concerning the circumstances of how she had fallen, or the baby, considering the public didn't know about it.
Most of the tubes and needles that had invaded her creamy skin had been removed, and there was now just a lone IV machine that quietly beeped every second.
The door to her room creaked open, but Misty didn't bother looking at who it was. She just stared out the window blankly, thinking of the ratio Ash had given her the other day. 40:60 survival.
"Someone in here is being discharged today!" Misty looked up and saw Ash, trying to be cheerful, but the news had obviously been impending on his thoughts too.
"Hmm, who would that be...?" Misty said mockingly, and gave him a wary smile.
Ash sighed. "What are we gonna do, Mist?" he asked desperately as he sat down beside her. "I don't think I could go on without you."
"You have before" Misty pointed out. "We were seperated for five years and we both got through it." She tangled her fingers in his and looked him straight in his eyes. "Do you honestly think it would be fair to end this
child's life before it even began?"
"Don't put that on me Mist, you know I can't decide" Ash shook his head.
"Well, something is gonna have to be decided soon, before it's too late" Misty said sensibly.
"Isn't this affecting you at all?" Ash asked in amazement. He noticed the grip on his hand get tighter as he finished speaking.
"Of course it's affecting me, Ash. Whether we like it or not, one life may have to give here, and it might be mine." Misty smiled through the tears that were forming in her eyes and spoke quietly. "But I've done more then
what some people accomplish in an 80 year life span. I've been on a Pokemon journey, I've been married, I would have had a child, I've been a gym leader..." Her voice trailed off.
"I see" Ash nodded gravely.
"You know this means I wanna go through with it" Misty said seriously.
Ash nodded again. "I know."
"There is still that 60% Ash, we can't ignore that. That could be the whole difference between life and death" Misty said hopefully.
Ash hung his head and stared at the ground. He didn't want Misty to see the tears that were spilling over his cheeks while she was being so brave. But she picked it up too easily, she knew him too well, and she quietly
wiped away his tears.
"I'm sorry Misty, I just, I can't..."Ash whimpered. Misty knew what he meant and thought about how hard it was going to be for him if he lost her. He would be left with no family at all, and a child to bring up with no
mother.
"It's fate, Ash. This is the way it's meant to be, and the outcome will be the way it's meant to be too. Fate brought us together and it may very well tear us apart" Misty spoke softly. She kissed him tenderly, savouring the feel of his lips on hers, knowing that these kisses could soon be limited. They pulled apart and Misty looked at him in concern.
"I'm being discharged today? So, we can find my sisters?" she asked hopefully.
"We can start as soon as we get you officially discharged" Ash said in a monotone.
Misty sighed. "Are you going to be okay? You don't have to come, I can look for them myself."
"No" Ash immediately replied. "I left you alone once and look what happened. I'm not making that mistake again." He bit his lip and looked at her nervously. "Mist, can I ask you something?"
Misty smiled. "You can ask me anything, Ash."
Ash sighed. "Did you, um...when you fell out the window, why was it...uh, why was it open in the first place?" he asked, his voice slightly trembling.
Misty's eyes flew open and she realised what Ash was asking her. "You think I...I tried to jump?"
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you" Ash said honestly.
Misty hesitated. "I have never lied to you, Ash, and I'm not about to now. Yes, I opened that window, and yes, I almost jumped. It was just a moment of pain I couldn't go through..." She couldn't explain it, but Ash understood her.
"So why was Jessie there?" he asked.
Misty smiled. "She is literally a lifesaver. She pulled me back."
"Oh God, Mist...if you'd jumped voluntary I would've jumped after you" Ash confessed, playing with her hair. "But I completley understand. I will never bring you back here" he promised.
Misty smiled. "You don't have to do that, Ash. It's not like this place can be barred from my mind forever. My sisters live here and my mother is buried here, so I can't just turn away from it. We'll just...keep the visits short and sweet."
At this point the door opened again and a nurse walked through, holding a clipboard.
"Misty Ketchum, you are free to leave once you sign this form" she announced, handing over the clipboard to her. Misty gratefully took it from her hands.
"Thank God for that" she muttered. Hospitals were never a good place for her, they never brought her joy. This was the same hospital her mother had spent her last weeks in, but Misty tried not to dwell on that. It would
only send her through the roof again.
She signed on the dotted line and felt her head slightly spin as she stood up. Her IV was painfully removed from her hand and she put a hand to her head.
"Okay Misty, take it easy..." Ash warned. Her arm was in a cast, which would make it difficult for her to use a revolver. But all Ash wanted to do was take her out of Cerulean and let her rest a little longer.
"It's okay Ash, I'm not an invalid" Misty replied, a little irritated. She knew that everyone would treat her and Jessie like they were walking on broken glass for the next couple of weeks, and she really couldn't stand it. She appreciated her husband's concern though.
She walked out the door, slightly leaning on Ash's arm but determined to be as independent as she could. The first people she caught sight of were Brock and James, and she groggily accepted the hugs they bestowed on her.
"Are you sure you should be walking already?" James asked in amazement.
"I'm not sure she should be" Ash groaned.
"Yes, I'm sure" Misty nodded. "Where's Jessie?"
James and Brock laughed. "Re-applying her lipstick. Don't worry Mist, she's still the same old Jess you left behind" Brock reassured her.
Misty laughed too and saw Jessie emerge from the bathroom. She had been discharged the previous day, and her shoulder was still not in the best shape. She had been resting up too, but absolutly could not miss Misty, she had vowed.
Jessie gave a small squeal at the sight of Misty walking and embraced her without trying to hurt her anymore than she already was.
"Misty, you little daredevil, I told you a tandam bungee was a bad idea" she mockingly scolded. Misty laughed ever harder, hugging Jessie back.
As the two girls were locked in the embrace, Ash discreetly whispered something in Jessie's ear.
"Thankyou for pulling her back."
Jessie shot him a knowing glance and smiled. Misty had obviously just told him the whole, complete story. She didn't feel like much of a lifesaver, considering they had both fallen anyway, but accepted the status Ash had suddenly put her in.
The girls broke apart and they both felt a little light headed. Ash and James steadied the girls up as Brock laughed.
"I dunno about bungee jumping, but I think that morphine they put you two on had something to do with these little, ahem, side affects" he commented lightly.
"You watch your back, mister. I may have only one operable arm, but I'm still as tough as ever" Misty warned through her smile. She turned to Ash as they started walking out. "Are we leaving today?" she asked.
Ash nodded. He had no plans or sense of direction, but he knew he had to get her out of there. He was thinking somewhere along the lines of maybe Lavender Town. It was pretty, and peaceful, and Giovanni had been known to set up some pretty famous illegal activities around there for the past two years.
"Then I have to see someone before I leave" Misty announced.
"I don't think you should go visiting just yet" Ash said warily. If Misty was this determined she could over-exert herself and end up in a state worse then she was already in.
Misty shook her head. "No, I have to." Ash raised an eyebrow. Did she want to see someone about the whole baby business? Family friends, maybe? Did she want to say a probable goodbye to someone...maybe Mitch...
"Okay, well...where do they live?" Brock asked.
Misty inhaled deeply. "Cerulean Gym" she replied quietly.
"Mitch?" James asked what Ash had already assumed.
Misty shook her head again. "You'll see when we get there" she promised. They all curiously went in the direction of the gym that was no longer surrounded by police, but still had wooden barracks up to prevent the public from going in.
Ash opened the gates for her and guided her in, feeling her arm tense up as they walked through.
"This way" Misty directed, now leading the group with Ash's help. They all followed her until they reached a small cluster of flowers. Ash couldn't help noticing that Misty was slightly trembling and he suddenly realised where they were.
"Misty...are you sure about this?" James asked, reading the small plaque by the flowers.
"I am very sure" Misty said softly. She knelt down beside the plaque, letting go of Ash and leaving the others watching behind her, and gently placed a hand on its cool metal. "Hi Mom" she smiled, slightly rearranging the various bouquets.
"Maybe this isn't a good idea" Brock whispered to Ash. He nodded his agreement, but didn't dare voice it in front of Misty. Maybe she could get through it...
"Just wanted to check on you before we left. I'm fine, got some news...you're going to have a grandchild in about seven or eight months. And if it's a girl, well...Ash has promised me that we can call her Rose" Misty looked up at Ash during the last part and smiled. "He's so wonderful to me" she continued, turning back to the small grave. "He's still everything you said he was, and better. You were right, Mom, we were meant to be together." She sniffled and hesitated, pulling back a sob.
"I love you, Mom. I came back here and I couldn't cope with it, so now we're leaving. I'm just grateful you didn't have to get caught up in these stupid games Giovanni is playing with us. Promise me you're looking after Ash's parents, and Tracey. They were such good people who didn't deserve to die. Just like you." The sob escaped at the end of the sentance and Ash put an arm around her shoulders.
"Do you think we should head back?" he asked quietly. The scene was causing Jessie to shed a few tears as well, and James and Brock were obviously spellbound by the courage Misty had displayed by coming back here.
Misty nodded, letting a single tear roll down her cheek. She kissed her fingers and then placed them on the plaque. "Gotta go, Mom. We've gotta find Daisy, Violet and Lily. Look after yourself. Love you." She spoke in broken sentances and quietly stood back up. "Okay, let's go" she nodded.
The group agreed, and all silently hailed Misty for being so brave. They walked back to the Pokemon Center and packed their bags, their brief stop in Cerulean now almost over.
Ash packed Misty's things as she lay on the bed, gathering her thoughts and emotions. "Where are we going?" she asked, staring at the ceiling.
"I was thinking maybe Lavender Town. James told me that some Team Rocket activity still goes on there" Ash explained. Misty nodded and looked at him.
"I love you" she whispered. Ash smiled and sat down next to her.
"I love you more" he replied, gently kissing her. "You are the bravest girl I have ever met. I'm sure heaps would agree with me, since you're going through with this pregnancy..."
Misty smiled. "I'm getting maternal instincts. I'm starting to think I would do what any other mother would do, even though I've never been a mother, or close to it" she explained. "And any other mother would do this, Ash. I know they would. Your mother would and my mother would."
Ash nodded and put a hand to her cheek. Nothing was said, but something crossed between the two and they both understood it. He smiled and stood up, resuming their packing. It took him all of two minutes and he looked at her with a proud smile on his face.
"Today we find the Sensational Sisters. Alive" he hastily added. Misty gave him an uncertain look but stood up anyway with a determined look on her face.
"Whatever you say, leader" she replied. They walked out of the room and met up with the other three in the hallway, who were also carrying their bags.
"Where are we going, anyway?" Jessie asked in sudden interest.
"We are going to take a bus to Lavender Town" Ash announced simply. "Just until you and Misty get your strength up a bit."
"Aw c'mon Ash, I can walk" Jessie insisted.
Ash shook his head. "Nooo, I've seen you, you are getting on a bus."
James groaned. "A bus, stylie" he said sarcastically.
"You shut your mouth, rich boy. We have two girls here who have fallen four stories for something they shouldn't even be involved in" Brock said pointedly.
"Hey, don't look at me like that" Misty said to Brock. "A bus will be fine" she turned back to Ash.
"Good, because it's all we can afford" Ash said warily. They walked into the centre of town where the bus station was and shoved their bags onto the second bus to Lavender. They boarded and slumped into the reasonably comfortable seats.
"See, it ain't so bad Jimmy" Brock reassured him. James smiled warily and tried as best he could to get into a comfortable travelling position.
Jessie and Misty both zonked out as their heads touched the back of their seats and slept for the whole two hour trip. Ash kept his eyes on Misty the whole time, as if he were to turn away for a second and find her gone.
The bus pulled up into Lavender Central Bus Station and the five friends piled off, right into the middle of Lavender rush hour.
"Oh man, look at all the cars!" Brock groaned as they surveyed the street they had to cross to get to the Pokemon Center. It was situated next to a plush looking hotel that James wistfully sighed at.
"What I wouldn't give for a bit of room service" he whined.
"Yeah, sure thing Jimmy, would you like a bullet in your burger sir? Can't you just picture one of those henchmen bringing up some kind of arsenic-laced delight?" Ash rolled his eyes in sarcasm.
"Geez, sorry" James mumbled. They finally crossed the street after much deliberation and made it to the Pokemon Center which, to everyone's relief, was only one level high.
Misty immediatly made an announcement as they walked through the door. "Okay, bags down, let's get going" she said enthusiastically.
"What? No Mist, you gotta rest..." Ash said.
"No, I don't 'gotta rest' I gotta find my sisters" Misty snapped, her strength obviously returning.
Ash backed off. "Whatever you say, ma'am. But where do we begin to look?" he asked hopelessly.
James thought for a moment. "Well, you know that illegal activity I was telling you about? I'm thinking somewhere towards the lines of an old warehouse, if I remember correctly..."
"Hey yeah, they had a big assination bust there about a year ago" Jessie recalled.
"Well that's a good sign" Misty sighed.
"No no, I don't mean...what I was saying..." Jessie stammered.
Misty smiled. "I know what you meant and you've given us a start. So let's just get outta here and find them."
The gang walked out of the center and into the small but busy town of Lavender. James had carefully hidden his machine gun in his day bag, which, again, boosted his self-esteem, so he proudly lead the way, keeping at a pace that Misty and Jessie could stick to.
They arrived outside an old warehouse that was located about half a mile from where they had left. Misty looked up in horror at the shambles before her. It had probably once been painted red, there were too many cracks to tell. The brick chimney had totally fallen off, leaving a bare roof, and the door was practically swinging off its hinges, had it not been for a padlock.
"Oh God I hope they're in here" Misty whispered. She knew her sisters would've hated it, not for the risk of their lives but for their conditions.
"What about this door?" Jessie asked, examining the padlock.
James grinned. "Stand back Jess, watch the master at work." He dramatically pulled out his machine gun and fired a few shots at the lock. The girls screamed, especially Misty, who nearly went off her rocker at him.
"Watch that thing James! My sisters might have been standing right in front of that door!" she yelled.
"Why would they be standing in front of the door if they are kidnapped?" James asked.
Misty threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "I don't care, just let me in." She pushed past him and into the pitch black room. "Geez Jimmy, think you busted a light bulb too" she muttered as the others followed her in.
Brock had brought a torch with him that weakly lit the way. They discovered a staircase which they walked up, but no sisters.
"C'mon Daisy, Violet, Lily, one of you..." Misty mumbled, fear rising to her throat. They entered a room that was actually lit by a lightbulb and Misty felt something hit her body. It wasn't physical, it was emotional, but she knew her sisters were around here somewhere.
"We're close" she said in confidence. "We're close, I can tell."
"How can you tell?" Ash asked.
"I just can" Misty reassured him. Ash shrugged and continued to follow her. She lead them straight ahead, and gasped at what she saw. In a corner, tied up together, were her three sisters. The shocking thing was that she couldn't tell if they were alive or not.
"Ash...are they okay?" she asked worridly as she started to run up. But he held her back.
"I'll go. Someone could be there guarding" he said quietly.
"I don't care, dammit, those are my sisters!" Misty yelled and got free of Ash's grip. They all followed her as she shook them in a desperate attempt to make them come to.
"I'll untie them" Brock volunteered, Misty still shaking them with her one free arm.
"Come on guys, don't do this to me..." she pleaded. Then she noticed Daisy's head twitch and slowly her eyes opened.
"Misty...?" she asked weakly as the other two began to stir.
"Oh my God, you are alive!" Misty shrieked, hugging them all at the same time as they observed their surroundings.
"Wow, like, where am I?" Lily asked. Misty noticed that her pupils were dilated and so were the other two's.
"Ash, what's wrong with their eyes?" Misty asked in concern. He and Jessie checked carefully and Jessie scowled.
"Misty, they've been drugged with something...I can't tell what it is right now, but they've definatly been drugged" Jessie confirmed.
"Oh no" Misty sighed. The sisters were free but dazed and confused. It was at this point another door slammed and another henchman stood in front of them.
"Oh shit, not another one" James groaned. Then he grinned. He had brought his toy with him, and proudly got it out for all to see.
"James, put that thing down..." Misty warned. But James, at the prospect of using such an elaborate piece of artiliry again, fired random shots all over the small room, causing everyone to duck.
The smoke cleared and a groan was heard, but not from the henchman. He was nowhere to be seen, obviously he had escaped, but Misty's heart nearly stopped beating at the sight of her husband lying on the floor.
James dropped the gun in horror at what he had done as Misty charged up to him.
"WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE?!?! I TOLD YOU TO UT THAT FREAKIN' THING DOWN!" she screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks. James stood there in stunned silence as Misty took a deep breath.
"I swear James, if you've killed Ash, I will never, ever forgive you" she said harshly. And with that she ran up to Ash, with Brock and Jessie already there, and James standing there in a dazed state.
A/N: I am talking to Graham as I type this and we are collaborating ideas for the rest of the story, so hold tight and keep the reviews coming!