The Evils of Truth and Love
A Pokemon Fan fiction by Barb the JavaMaster
Legal Disclaimer
Pokemon and its related characters are copyrighted to Nintendo, Game Freak, 4Kids Entertainment, etc. No profit is being made from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.
RatingThis fan fiction is rated PG-13 for language and violence.
Author's NotesThis is my third Pokemon fanfic and my first attempt at Rocketshipping. Constructive criticism is welcome; good reviews are adored.
Ghasping, the 3rd level evolution of Koffing, is © 2001 -- Ben Russell-Gough.
Part Two: LoveThe first thing Misty became aware of, as her eyes fluttered open was coldness. She was shivering. She slowly opened her eyes and nearly screamed; the cloth binding her mouth prevented her from making a single sound. A large purple Pokemon with three faces and tentacles was grinning evilly at her. She shut her eyes and shook her head from side to side and then opened her eyes again. The Pokemon had moved to its trainer but was still grinning at her. Misty instantly recognized her oldest nemeses: James and Jessie from Team Rocket. Misty swallowed. I've been kidnapped, she thought. She heard a muffled sound coming from nearby and turned her head.
"Chu…. Chu…. Chu." Ash's Pikachu was curled up inside a small metal cage a few feet away. Misty's mind flooded with emotions. They finally did it. They got Pikachu. But what am I doing here?
"Hello, princess." A nasal male voice spoke in Misty's left ear. She turned her head and faced Butch, who was tightening the straps binding her legs and arms. "Nice to have you here. Enjoy your stay at the TR hideout." Butch playfully tried to muss her hair, but Misty jerked her head to the right and glared at the Rocket. Butch blew her a kiss and grinned. Misty struggled for a few moments before succumbing to the realization that she wasn't getting out of here: not without help. Where are Ash and Brock? She thought miserably.
"So nice to see you again," a woman's voice intoned. A blond woman whom Misty recognized as Cassidy knelt beside her. Cassidy gently stroked Misty's hair as she spoke. Misty jerked her head again, but Cassidy caught her by the neck and held her. "Don't be so antisocial, Gym Leader." There was coldness in Cassidy's voice that cut through Misty. "You remind me of another redhead I used to be with." Cassidy smiled and placed a gentle kiss on Misty's forehead. Misty slouched and lowered her eyes. When she looked up again, the purple Pokemon was gone and Jessie and James were talking in one corner of the small cabin. Butch and Cassidy were nowhere to be seen.
***
"I don't like this, James," Jessie began. She shivered in the coolness of the cabin and hugged herself.
"What can we do, Jessie? It's Cassidy's mission." James said.
"Cassidy's mission in life is to cause others pain, James. As much as I hate the twerps, I don't like this. Pokemon poaching is one thing; kidnapping is another." Jessie turned to look at the girl, who was again attempting to free herself. Pikachu cooed softly to her, but after a few moments, she sunk backwards against the cabin wall and hung her head. Jessie sighed. She was partially happy that a mission had finally turned out successfully: no more threats from Giovanni. No more black marks against her TR record. No more failure. Mom, are you watching me? From wherever you are? I hope so. I did it.
"Jessie?" James asked.
"What?" Jessie momentarily lost in thought, returned to the present at hearing her partner's voice.
"You said that Cassidy's mission was to cause pain. What do you mean?"
"Just that she is a bitch, James. You know that as well as I do." Haughtiness born of pride crept into Jessie's voice. James folded his hands across his chest and cocked an eyebrow at his partner. Jessie was shooting looks everywhere in the room but at him. She seemed trapped, uncertain.
"Jessica?"
"Yes, James?" Her voice softened.
"What did Cassidy do to you?"
This was the question she did not want to answer, not ever. Jessie looked at the floor and gulped a couple of times before looking James directly in the eye. Honesty was not a trait favored by the Team Rocket organization, which they had taken an oath to serve. Lying had served her well, living in the streets of whichever city she found herself in, but now, looking at James, she saw only truth.
"She—we—I mean, we had a relationship."
"I know that, Jess. What I want to know is why she abuses you—and why you let her."
Jessie sighed. "Because she told me she loved me." James cocked an eyebrow at her questioningly. Jessie pushed past James and walked outside. Cassidy was out front, talking on a cell phone. Butch had apparently driven the Jeep somewhere, probably to hide it. Jessie walked around to the back of the cabin, feeling tears welling up in her eyes. She knelt on the grass and dirt and let the tears flow freely. Soon she heard the sound of a Pokeball and looked up, surprised to see an agitated Wobbuffett standing in front of her.
"Wobb-wobb-fett," [What is the matter, Trainer?] the blue Pokemon asked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Jessie said, wiping her eyes.
"Wobb-uf-fett!" [Something's wrong. You are crying.] The Pokemon answered.
Jessie released Arbok and her new Ariados from their respective Pokeballs, thinking maybe she should do some training while alone. Arbok battled Ariados well, but lost after Ariados used Scary Face to weaken Arbok's oncoming Bind attack, and then wrapped the large purple cobra with its String Shot. Arbok's pride was injured and Jessie casually stroked the cobra after the battle.
"Char-ar-bok," [Is something wrong?] the cobra asked its trainer. Jessie was still crying slightly; her makeup had all but disappeared.
"Do you love me?" Jessie asked of her Pokemon. They exchanged glances, wondering why their trainer had asked this particular question.
"Char-bok!" [Of course I do!] Arbok responded instantly. "Wobbuffett!" [Me too!] It replied, saluting its trainer. Ariados looked at the woman for a moment before replying, "Ari-ri-ad-a," [What is this love you talk about?]
"Love…is…. I don't know." Jessie sank to the ground again. Ariados moved closer to her and Jessie smiled at her newest Pokemon, gently stroking its head as she had done to Arbok. She noticed that Arbok's tail was now loosely wrapped around her in a gesture of protection. "Love an unselfish caring about the welfare of another person or Pokemon," Jessie finally explained.
"Wobb-wobb-ufett," [That is how you feel about James.] Jessie blushed at this. How could these creatures possibly know how she felt about anything? Jessie was startled when she saw Arbok nodding his head in agreement. "I suppose you are right," Jessie acknowledged. "But James does not love me in return." She sighed unhappily.
"Char-bok-a-char-bok,' [He treats you with respect. Is that love?] The cobra asked, its coils moving slightly to embrace Jessie. Jessie shook her head. "I don't think so. I don't know. I wish I did. I vowed to 'protect the evils of truth and love' and I don't even know what they are." Jessie had to smile at this.
"Wobb-uf-fett-wobb-a-fett?" [Is love itself an evil thing?] The blue Pokemon scratched his head. Jessie looked at Wobbuffett for a moment. Then she shook her head in a gesture of 'no', saying, "No. Love is good, not evil."
Realization struck Jessie so that she recalled Ariados and Wobbuffett, thanking them for talking to her. She hugged Arbok briefly, and then recalled him as well. She raced into the cabin where she saw James sleeping on the bottom bunk, and Butch eating at the table. Cassidy was working on her laptop, no doubt relating the events of last night to Giovanni. Or gloating to Domino and Mondo of their success.
"I love you," Jessie whispered into James' ear as she knelt next to him. James moved his head but did not wake. Jessie smiled and looked at Misty again. She was nearly asleep herself, but she had bruises and some bleeding from her forehead that stained her shirt and hair. Jessie stopped for a second before surreptitiously gathering the first aid kit from underneath the bunk bed and walking slowly to Misty.
Misty, seeing Jessie approach, reacted violently, kicking and writhing away. Jessie caught the girl's arm tightly and said, "Pipe down if you want me to help you." Stunned, Misty only nodded. Jessie removed the cloth binding her mouth. Misty rasped, "Why are you helping me?"
"I can't send you to the boss looking like this, can I?" Jessie replied. As Jessie began wiping the caked blood from Misty's forehead, Misty looked at Jessie's neck and noticed a small charm on a silver chain. She'd never noticed this before despite the numerous times she had run into Team Rocket. Then she thought of Nurse Joy…and a Blissey.
"What's that, Jessie?" Misty asked, nodding her head towards the necklace.
"Oh…it's nothing really." Jessie lied, placing the necklace inside her uniform. She also loosened Misty's bindings somewhat before leaving her side. Misty and Jessie regarded each other for a moment before Jessie winked at the girl. Misty nodded in assent.
***
Officer Jenny was taking statements from the two trainers while police crime scene investigators painstakingly noted any evidence of what had happened hours earlier. The younger trainer, Ash Ketchum, had finished crying but still looked utterly miserable. The older trainer, Brock Slate, wasn't much better. Both had been through a traumatic experience and Jenny wondered if they would need some type of therapy. The younger one, especially, seemed to have taken this hardest.
"Then—she was just gone. The cloud disappeared, and Misty was gone." Brock was saying. Usually he put his patented moves on Officer Jenny but seemed too distraught this time. Jenny continued writing in her notebook.
"And they had a Ghasping?" Jenny asked. Brock nodded. He turned to glance at Ash, who was watching the technicians comb the scene for evidence. One of them had picked up Togepi, which trilled softly before wailing in utter sadness. The technician seemed surprised at this behavior. Ash walked over and offered to hold Togepi and the technician gladly handed him the screaming baby Pokemon. Togepi looked at its 'daddy' and stopped crying momentarily.
"We'll find mommy, I promise." Ash said. Togepi shut its eyes and continued crying, more softly this time.
"Hey, Ash, we have to go." Brock jogged over to Ash.
"Go where?"
"To the police station. We have to make a formal complaint against Team Rocket."
"A lot of good that'll do us. That won't bring Misty back. Or Pikachu." Ash frowned.
"It's a start, Ash. Come on, we gotta go. Now." Brock tugged at Ash's sleeve, and he relented. Ash stared miserably at the wanted posters of the four Rocket members on the walls of the police station. They were almost smiling, which was unusual for mug shots. Ash felt like they were taunting him. Ash leaned back in his chair and glanced nonchalantly at a small office cubicle to his left. A woman with red hair was speaking to a police officer. Ash sat up straight, recognizing the woman's drawl almost immediately. He stood up and walked to the cubicle just as the officer left. Jessebelle O'Hara turned in her chair and faced Ash.
"Well, now, this is a pleasant surprise. How are you?" She said, drawing out each vowel sound.
"Not good. Neither are you, if you're in a police station, Jessebelle." Ash folded his hands across his chest defiantly.
Jessebelle laughed. "I guess not. Mah car was stolen the other day. Brand new, too. I cannot believe the uncivilized people who populate this world sometimes."
"What kind of car?" Ash queried.
"A brand-new Jeep." Jessebelle answered, her face registering surprise at Ash's reaction. Team Rocket had a Jeep.
"I think I know who stole your car." He finally said.
"Who?"
"Your ex-fiancé and his gang of thieves." Ash answered.
"James! Have you seen him lately? How is he?" Jessebelle smiled at her own memories of James, and the life they would have shared. "I miss him, believe it or not. Even though he ditched me for that wanton hussy he travels with." Jessebelle frowned. "But why would he steal mah car?"
"He—I mean they—used it to steal my Pikachu." Ash replied. "And they got away with something else—my friend Misty." This information shocked Jessebelle. She knew of Team Rocket—an organization of ill-mannered thieves, her father had explained to her. But kidnapping was not their forte.
"Is that why you're here?" Jessebelle asked.
"Yeah." Ash thought a moment before continuing. "Is that your laptop?" Ash gestured to the large black rectangular bag at Jessebelle's feet. She nodded. "May I borrow it?"
Jessebelle set up the computer on the officer's desk as Ash shut and locked the door. Within moments, Ash was moving quickly through menus and submenus until he found a map of the forest where they had been camping out. Ash typed in some commands and the map regenerated again and again, until a close-up view revealed a small structure near the clearing where Misty had been taken.
"What exactly are you doing?" Jessebelle asked curiously. Ash's fingers continued to fly.
"Some people call it hacking. I prefer to think of it as information gathering." Ash responded, making Jessebelle chuckle. Ash turned to face her. "Jessebelle, I believe Team Rocket kidnapped my friend. I need to find them. And I may need your help."
"Well, ah don't usually seek out Team Rocket, but ah was brought up properly. Stealing is wrong. " Jessebelle replied as the doorknob twisted. Ash stood up and unlocked the door, seeing Brock on the other side.
"What do you want me to do?" Jessebelle asked.
Brock looked puzzled. "What are you doing here?" he asked, pointing to Jessebelle.
"Long story, Brock." Ash waved him away. "I need to print this map section. Is that printer on?" Jessebelle nodded. Ash pressed a few more keys and the printer noisily began its task. "Thanks for your help. Brock and I are going to find Misty and Pikachu. If you want to come, come. I will personally hand James over to you!" Ash exclaimed.
Brock grabbed Ash by the shoulder and dragged him a foot or so away. "Are you crazy? You know what Jessebelle will do to James! He's not our concern, Ash!" Ash shrugged and looked away, biting his lip. Brock saw tears forming in Ash's eyes. "Ash?" he asked.
"I don't care…. I just want her back, Brock. I just want her back." Ash sighed, rubbing his eyes.
"Officer Jenny should handle this, Ash." Brock reminded him. But Ash was halfway out the door with the map in his hand. Jessebelle set about the task of dismantling her laptop.
"Jenny will take too long Brock. They're not far from here." Ash replied. Brock shrugged and was about to follow his friend when he turned to Jessebelle. "Are you coming with us?"
Jessebelle laughed. "Your friend is full of fire. No, I'm not coming. James is not my problem; he's Jessie's trouble now. Y'all make sure that friend of yours is okay." Brock nodded and followed Ash out of the building and down the trail, heading into the forest.
***
Cassidy, flush with success and thoughts of monetary rewards, had seduced Butch outside the cabin. She was pulling on her boots when she heard footsteps. "What's that?" She said, looking around, seeing nothing unusual.
"Nothing. Just some wild Pokemon." Butch responded, catching her by the hair and pulling her close, kissing her deeply. Cassidy responded by twisting and pulling Butch to the ground, rolling atop him. The footsteps returned. "Oh, hell, Butch, take a look, okay?" Cassidy pleaded.
Butch kissed her again and stood. "Okay. I'll walk the perimeter and come back. Will we be ready to leave then?" Cassidy nodded.
Cassidy walked back inside the cabin, smoothing her hair and preening slightly. She winked at Jessie, who ignored her. Then Cassidy noticed Misty. "Who cleaned up the runt?" Cassidy asked, noticing Misty's bandaged wounds.
"I did." Jessie replied.
Cassidy smirked. "Still disillusioned about your nursing career, Jess?"
"At least I had a career, Cass." Their voices became louder. "All you did was go down in a blaze of failure."
Cassidy's smirk turned to a scowl and she dismissed Jessie with a wave of her hand. She moved over to Misty and knelt beside her. Misty looked warily at the Rocket.
Cassidy smiled. "I was looking forward to the pleasure of your company. It's something I haven't enjoyed yet." Cassidy stroked Misty's chin gently.
Misty cringed, then glared at Cassidy. Looking the Rocket up and down, Misty replied, "Your dress is too short. It only extends to your neck!" Cassidy glared at Misty, who glanced at Jessie, who was grinning behind her hand.
The argument woke James, who sleepily sat up and looked at the three females in the cabin with him. But what was Cassidy doing with Misty, he wondered. His question was answered a few moments later when Cassidy asked Misty, "Do you know what it's called when Team Rocket is defeated, little girl?"
"It's become a habit for us," Misty replied, holding her head up.
"You're a habit I'd like to kick—with both feet." Cassidy dragged Misty to a standing position, and began removing her suspenders. Misty cowered slightly, saying, "No, don't," in a soft frightened voice. She looked at Jessie, who looked back at James. James pulled a Pokeball from his belt and in seconds Ghasping appeared.
"Bind that bitch, now," James ordered. Ghasping moved behind Cassidy and wrapped his tentacles around both her arms. Ghasping then dragged Cassidy backwards, making her stumble. She turned to James, a look of pure rage on her face. "What's this?" She cried.
"No, James." Jessie held both their attention for a moment. She walked over to James. "Leave Cassidy alone."
James looked questioningly at his partner. "What? Why?"
"She's mine." Jessie responded evenly.
At that moment, Butch walked in. Seeing the tense expression on Cassidy's face as she struggled to break free from Ghasping, Butch said, "What the hell is going on?"
A deep rumbling growl answered Butch, as Brock's Onix tore through part of the cabin's roof. The wood splintered and rained down on the four Rockets, Ghasping, and Misty. Pikachu's cage rattled and was thrown on its side, opening the latch. Pikachu escaped and faced his captors angrily. "Pika-chuuuu!" he said, letting off a Thundershock attack that sent Ghasping flying through the cabin's window. Cassidy fell to the ground, miniature arcs of electricity traveling around and through her body. James and Jessie huddled together for a moment before Jessie looked at her partner.
"It's the twerps!" James said.
"I know." Jessie replied, leaving James' side. He watched as Jessie untied Misty. Pikachu stared at Jessie like he'd never seen her before.
"What…Jessie?" Misty replied uncertainly. "What are you doing?"
"Get out of here. Now!" Jessie replied, pushing Misty out the door, Pikachu at her heels.
Cassidy struggled to stand, still reeling from the Thundershock attack. Butch was out cold on the floor, after James struck him with a piece of wood. "Where is the little brat?" Cassidy asked.
"Gone. She's gone." Jessie faced her former paramour.
"What? You stupid bitch!" Cassidy shrieked. She stepped towards Jessie menacingly. But Jessie held her ground and almost smiled at Cassidy. "Shall we dance?" Jessie asked, grabbing Cassidy's left arm and twisting it behind her. Cassidy grunted and Jessie shoved the woman down to the ground, planting her foot in the small of Cassidy's back. But Cassidy's right arm was free, and she grabbed Jessie's long red hair, yanking it hard. Jessie squealed and let go of Cassidy, backing up. Cassidy was now on all fours, glowering, as Jessie stepped forward and kicked Cassidy in the stomach. Cassidy rolled to the side, holding her stomach in pain. Jessie advanced on her. "I used to love you, you know," Jessie said. "You want to know why? I loved you because you gave me so much to hate."
Jessie stopped and stared up at the sky. The Onix was waiting, pausing for its next attack. Jessie heard cries of "Misty!" and "Pikachu!"
Then Ash ran inside the cabin. "Where is she?" he asked, in a tone of voice neither Jessie nor James had ever heard.
Jessie pointed to Cassidy, who was trying to get to her feet. "You freed Misty. At least that's what she said." Jessie nodded at Ash, who gave her a thumbs-up. Then he marched over to Cassidy, and drawing his fist back, punched Cassidy dead in the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. She didn't move after that.
"You two—" Ash began. Jessie and James looked at him. James recalled Ghasping before Brock's Onix could bind it. "Get out of here." James and Jessie nodded and raced out the door, hearing the sound of police sirens in the background. James sprinted ahead of Jessie and Meowth, who was panting in an effort to keep up. James pulled aside some branches and showed Meowth and Jessie the Jeep that Butch had hidden.
James jump-started the Jeep and they drove off.
"James?" Jessie said softly.
"What is it?"
"I don't want to go back—" she trailed off.
"Neither do I. We'll find the nearest town and ditch these uniforms."
"Meowth! Youse isn't talkin' about quittin', is youse?"
"Yes, Meowth, we are. We are officially quitting Team Rocket." James reached for Jessie's hand and squeezed it.
"What's youse's plan?" Meowth asked, curious as to this sudden change in his partners.
"Well—" Jessie began hesitantly. "We don't have a plan, Meowth." James nodded in amusement.
"Our plans always fail anyway, so we decided not to make one this time!" James said. Jessie laughed. "I love you Jessie. Wherever you want to go, I will follow you." James kissed Jessie's hand, making her blush.
"I love you too, James. I always have."
Jessie turned slightly and was surprised to see Meowth rubbing his eyes. "I just love happy endings!" The catlike Pokemon said sheepishly.
***
Ash and Brock waited for Officer Jenny to finish taking Misty's statement inside her hospital room before they could visit her. Pikachu was curled up on Ash's lap and Brock was grooming Vulpix. A nurse exited Misty's room and Ash called out, "Excuse me. How is Misty?"
"Well, she's got a concussion, and—" the nurse stopped, as Ash interrupted her. "What's a concussion?"
"A head injury. Minor. She should be all right, but the doctor wants her to stay her overnight for observation. And she has some bruises and lacerations. She should be all right by tomorrow." The nurse walked away, leaving Ash still feeling distraught.
Brock rubbed Ash's shoulder. "She said Misty would be all right, Ash."
Ash nodded. "That doesn't make me feel any better." Ash sighed and settled back into the uncomfortable plastic chair. Officer Jenny stepped out and went to see Ash and Brock.
"Your friend is feeling okay, so if you want to visit her, go ahead. But she said something that surprised me: she said Team Rocket actually helped her escape. Isn't that funny?" Jenny looked puzzled. Brock and Ash exchanged glances.
"Maybe they got tired of denouncing the evils of truth and love," Brock replied. "By the way, Jenny, may I say that you are looking lovely this evening—" As Jenny sweatdropped, Ash sat Pikachu on his shoulder and walked to Misty's room. Her appearance startled him: her forehead was bandaged, and she had a small tube in her wrist. An IV line, the nurse had called it. She looked very tired, but managed a smile when she saw Ash. "Hey," she said.
"Hey, Misty." Ash replied, leaning on the bed's guardrail. Misty was reclining in the bed, in a semi-upright position. "Pika-chu-pi~" The little yellow mouse jumped onto the bed and licked Misty's face. She smiled again. "Hey, Pikachu. Keeping Ash out of trouble?"
"Pika!" [Of course!] The little mouse responded, giving Misty a peace sign with his left paw. Ash and Misty laughed.
"Are you feeling okay?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. Just tired, Ash."
"Brock and I are staying at the Pokemon Center tonight. Then we'll come back here and get you tomorrow morning, and then we're heading to Olivine City." Ash said, excitement creeping into his voice.
"Ash, you don't have to come back for me," Misty said quietly. Ash stared at her. "I mean I'll only hold you back. This little fiasco with Team Rocket has already cost you two days' traveling time. I don't want to burden you." Misty sniffled.
"You aren't a burden Misty. You never have been." Ash said, extending his hand shyly and stroking her cheek.
Ash and Misty locked eyes before blushing and looking away. Pikachu looked back and forth at the two humans in confusion.
"Well—" Ash began, his voice tinged with humor, "we could finish that conversation we started back in the forest."
"We could." Misty smiled.
"So…we know what our respective crushes are like." Misty nodded. "But what I want to know is…what does your crush look like? You never told me."
Misty sighed. Then she smiled as a thought popped into her head. "Hand me my backpack, Ash, and I'll show you." Ash handed her the red backpack, and Misty rustled around for a few seconds before handing Ash a small yellow rectangular object. "Here's what he looks like."
Ash opened the yellow rectangle, expecting a photograph to smile at him, but instead found himself staring at his reflection in a mirror. Ahs looked at himself dumbly for a second before blushing and handing the mirror back to Misty. Ash looked directly at Misty, who caught his gaze. He leaned over the guardrail and kissed Misty very gently on the lips. Misty responded by placing her arms around his neck.
When they broke apart, they were blushing and smiling at each other. A knock on the door made them turn their heads, and they saw Brock, smiling at them both. Tonight was finally the night, Brock thought, seeing his closest human friends embracing. Ash and Misty let go of each other and welcomed Brock into the room.
The End
