Treachery
24 June 2001
It's good advice about being careful what you wish for. I had dearly wanted to see Sabrina again. When I did, we shared few words and I had the horror of watching her frail body abused by Mewtwo's power. I found myself holding her silken-haired head in my lap, stroking it gently, grieving and worrying about what seemed to be a psychically induced coma.
Jessie came over, "Um, Koga? Would it be all right if I had a look at Sabrina? I've had quite a bit of training as a nurse when I was a kid. Maybe I could figure out something."
I could hardly say no, there was genuine concern in Jessie's eyes. Jessie knelt down next to Sabrina and carefully checked her eyes, breathing, and pulse. "She seems normal enough, but her sleep reminds me of something."
"What's that?"
"She's just like someone who's been exposed to the Sing move, especially the therapeutic version used by Chanseys and Blisseys. All I can guess is that Mewtwo somehow used Sing, or something like it, after he delivered Sabrina to us after their battle."
It was a relief to hear this, "Thank you for setting my mind at ease. Then she will awake after a normal sleep cycle?"
"By all indications she should," the red headed thief smiled cryptically at me and returned to her friends.
I set about trying to make Sabrina as comfortable as possible, as I continued to ponder the problem of leaving Mewtwo's underground hideaway. Our temporary allies were remarkably quiet save for the ever-chatty Meowth. James and Jessie said little and they appeared to be avoiding direct eye contact. I decided there wasn't much point in staying awake with Sabrina apparently in a healing sleep and those three being so quiet. I crawled into my half-zipped sleeping bag and eventually drifted off to sleep. I should not have been so complacent, but I was tired and emotionally drained.
I was awakened by a rough nudge to my face. I started and blearily looked up into the face of Meowth. "Hey ninja! Rise n' shine! We're in charge here."
I was immediately awake to the shocking realization that our allies had turned on us. I looked for my pack and found that they had made off with my Pokémon and supplies. Sabrina's hip pack was in their possession as well. "You're quite mad you know," I said.
Jessie and James actually looked sheepish, but it was clear Meowth had managed to convince them of the feasibility, if not the wisdom, of his desperate plan. "Tanks fer gettin' us inta dis menagerie of rare and powerful Pokémon. Da Boss'll fergive us everything if we give 'im Mewtwo back," Meowth crowed.
"You haven't a chance! You saw how powerful Mewtwo is, and his Pokémon are certainly as strong as that Venusaur we met," I protested.
"Ha! Sabrina weakened Mewtwo for us, it'll be a piece a' cake!" insisted Meowth.
"I don't believe he's weakened at all. Sabrina simply defused his fury." I could not dampen the determined Pokémon's confidence and it was clear Jessie and James were steadfast in one thing, their indecisiveness in the face of their comrade's bravado.
"Meowth's right," James said trying to echo the cat's enthusiasm, "We can't ignore our duty to Team Rocket. We came here to help the Boss get Mewtwo back and we can't let him down."
I made a move to reach for a dagger hidden in my tunic, but the quick eye of the cat caught it, "Jimmie he's makin' his move!"
"Victreebell! Stun spore!" James responded, and I felt my limbs go numb, although my disciplined mind remained clear.
"Well, we'll be on our way," Jessie said not looking at all sure about this turn of events.
"You fools! You'll spoil everything! Betraying Mewtwo's trust will kill us all!" I gasped.
They turned away just as a calm feminine voice entered our minds, "You will assault Mewtwo over my dead body!"
Meowth turned around slowly, "Dat can be arranged."
Sabrina stood at the far corner of the cell, next to her crumpled sleeping bag looking very composed and in command, "So you think, but you are delusional. I know this because I've been there myself."
Meowth could not see his own partner's doubt as he cockily taunted the psychic, "Oh yeah, and yer the one who used 'love' ta defeat the great Mewtwo. Let's see ya use that against us sister!" he said his voice laced with cruel sarcasm.
"As you wish, so it shall be," Sabrina answered.
"Jessie, James, please look into each others eyes — Now," Sabrina commanded.
'Hey! Whatcha doin'?" Meowth suddenly sounded doubtful.
Jessie turned and looked wide-eyed at James who returned her gaze. "What do you see?" Sabrina's thoughts demanded.
"I see...James," Jessie replied softly.
"Um, Jessie," James observed.
"And what is this person to you?" Sabrina continued her interrogation.
James started with a halting stammer, "Er, uh, she, she's the only person in the world who understands me and lets my be me without judgement. I...I need her. I want her close to me...all the time. I wish she loved me as much as I love her...because I do."
Jessie's eyes grew wider and more woeful as this speech sunk in, "How could you...I'm nasty, I'm mean, I...I only care for myself. I hit you and disrespect you for Godssake! Nobody loves me...can they? I had no idea!" A flood of tears ran down her cheeks.
"I must repeat the question," Sabrina's gentle voice broke in, "What is James to you Jessie?"
"He's the best friend I ever had! For years that was enough, but I'm not blind or dumb, he's a beautiful sweet man, and he accepts and cares about me. How could I not love him? How come I didn't know he loved me back? I must be a horribly cold bitch!" By now her eyes were squeezed shut, hidden behind her tightly clenched fists.
"It suited you to believe yourself cold, strong and unaffected by love. What had it ever done for you but make your heart bleed? Before James, other men would not put up with your independence and spirit — he sees, he understands. Jessie needs her space and her autonomy. James grants her that and he gives her comfort when she is afraid, defeated, and feeling alone. I have been within the depths of your mind and I know your fears. Surrender to your heart's desire, Jessie. Thank you for keeping your promise to me," with this Sabrina closed her large, sympathetic eyes and bowed her head.
"Dis ain't fair! Hey guys!" Meowth shouted, but Jessie and James were in a tight embrace with their faces buried in each other's shoulders.
"Come now Meowth,'" Sabrina soothed, "Did you really believe you could take on Mewtwo, even with the help of those two?"
"Give it up Meowth," I rasped, "Your determination is admirable, but your cause is hopeless and unjust."
"I won't!" he screamed, "I can use yer Pokémon and da witch's. I'll win yet!"
'Meowth, Pokémon cannot command Pokémon. Without gym badges even your partners would have had great trouble commanding our Pokémon," Sabrina pointed out.
"I can't! I'll never get back in good wit da Boss. You guys've got each other. What has Meowth got! Nothin!" he complained, "I tell ya, it ain't fair!"
"I could use telekinesis on you little one, but riddle me this. What do you really owe this Giovanni who replaced and exiled you? Why not throw in your lot with your true friends and eventually learn your true purpose in life?"
"Yeah Meowth," Jessie offered, "Why not join us? Who'd keep us in line if you threw your life away now?"
Meowth looked dejected, but clamed down, "Aw, youse guys. Ya let me down."
"Not at all Meowth. We just saved your butt again," chuckled James.
"OK, OK," Meowth grumbled, "But what'll we do now?"
"I guess we've got to leave here with these two. Got any ideas guys?" Jessie said looking to Sabrina and I.
"Give me a paralysecureberry and I'll tell you what I've been thinking,' I said.
