Chapter 7: Meowth tells the truth
James wasn't surprised when he was taken back down to the prison after Giovanni had briefed him on the plan. Giovanni would keep him locked up and just use his gift for what he wanted just as James had feared. Talia looked up when he was thrown back in. James smiled at her but didn't say a word until the guards had gone. "So what did he want then?" she asked.
"He needs my help" James replied wondering how much he should tell the girl.
"He needs you're help?" Talia said doubtfully. "Giovanni doesn't need any ones help James"
James shrugged and sat down. He couldn't talk to Talia could he? She wouldn't understand. James wasn't even sure if he did. He wondered what Giovanni told Jesse and Meowth. Surely they would realise that some thing was wrong? James knew in his heart that it was no good waiting for Jesse to rescue him like she had done countless times before. He wasn't even sure that she would come even if she knew. Of course it must be the fear talking. Jesse always saved him. She would never abandon him would she? James shook his head to clear it of these bitter thoughts. Jesse was his best friend and would help him if she knew but James knew that he could only help himself now.
"James?" Talia spoke again "Are you ok?"
"I'll live" he replied.
"I knew they'd trick us," Misty yelled at Brock angrily. Team twerp had arrived back at the cabin an hour later to find Butch and Cassidy long gone. "This is terrible," Brock cried.
"It's not that bad," Ash said dumbly.
"Yes it is! I wasted all my money on booking that table for two tonight!" the gym leader yelled.
"Pika" the electric mouse shook its head at the male's stupidity.
"It's not fair" Ash whined. "I wanted to find out what Jesse and James were up to too"
"Now we can go and..." Misty trailed off when she realised that Ash was no longer standing in front of her. He had raced up to the wooden door and was banging on it loudly.
"What are you doing?" Misty shouted at him.
"I am going to ask them what is going on," Ash shouted in reply. He banged on the door for another few minutes but there was no answer. "I know you're in there!" Ash yelled. "Open up right now"
"Ash this is going too far" Brock started but then the door swung open. Ash wasn't prepared for it to do so and landed at Jesse's feet. She looked really tired and angry. But there was some thing else. Ash could have sworn that she had been crying. "What do you want?" Jesse demanded.
"I want to know how you beat us last month?" Ash said.
"Pikachu" Pikachu nodded agreeing with its trainer.
Jesse rolled her eyes and then shoved Ash backwards "Go away you little twerp. Me and James beat you so get over it"
"Come on Ash" Misty whispered blushing with embarrassment.
"No you are lying!" Ash shouted. "Where is James any way? I want to know what is going on!"
"James isn't here and Meowth is hurt. I have to look after him so get out of my face and go and bug some other trainer or some thing," Jesse shouted back.
Ash was stunned by her tone but quickly regained himself.
"Is Meowth alright?" Misty asked before Ash could humiliate them further.
"Its bad" Jesse said softly.
"What happened?" Brock asked.
"Wild Pokemon but..." Jesse sighed "I don't know. The attack looked deliberate"
Misty and Brock exchanged glances. Butch and Cassidy wouldn't have done any thing to Meowth would they? From what they knew of Team Rocket Jesse and James were the lowest squad. Butch and Cassidy were higher up. But that didn't mean any thing did it?
"Butch and Cassidy were here earlier," Brock said at last.
Jesse frowned "I thought those two were in jail"
"They were spying on you" Ash said.
Jesse seemed to be thinking what Misty and Brock were but Ash remained as clueless as ever.
"What?" he asked when he saw the looks on his companions faces.
"I have to go" Jesse said. "Meowth needs me"
"I hope he's ok" Misty said. She and Brock practically dragged Ash away.
"Wait you have to tell me how you did it!" he wailed.
"Oh Ash you're so dumb," Misty yelled.
Brock looked back at the cabin. There was some thing else going on there. And he had a feeling that whatever it was would effect all of them in some way.
Jesse checked in on Meowth again before going downstairs to get some dinner. The cat seemed to be in less pain now but Jesse still wanted to take him to a Pokemon centre to make sure. She was still feeling guilty about the things she had said about James. None of it was true. James was and always had been her best friend. What Jesse didn't understand was the worry she held for him. They had been apart a lot when they were younger. In Pokemon tech the girl's dorms were the other end of the school building from the boys dorms. Jesse often had different lessons from James and even in Team Rocket when they first joined they had been away from each other for most of the years training. In fact Jesse had only ever seen James when she and Cassidy used to sneak out at night to visit the males part of the training camp. Jesse and James had got along better with Butch and Cassidy back when they were 15. Sure they had fought a lot of the time but Jesse and Cassidy had known each other
since they were babies so that counted for some thing. Jesse was relieved that Butch and Cassidy were training the same time that they were. Some of the older trainees were thugs and Jesse was frightened that they would beat James up whenever they got the chance. Butch was more outgoing and most of the trainees were scared of him. That meant that they kept away from James and didn't give him grief when he was around Butch. Jesse already knew that she and James would be partners once they completed training. She had made a special request to Giovanni about that. Giovanni normally decided on the pairings but neither of them ever completed the course. No one knew this save for herself, James, Giovanni and the HQ doctor Lillian. It was two weeks before the end exam when her instructor told Jesse that James was sick. Apparently there was a flu bug going round the training camp. Jesse remembered thinking at the time that it was odd that no one else she knew had caught it. But she
wanted to see him. Surprisingly she was allowed to after James had been in the hospital for a week. Being the daughter of the most successful agent in Team Rocket history had its advantages after all. Lillian told Jesse she could only see James for a few minutes at a time because he could pass it on to her. Jesse was aware that they were both missing the exams but she didn't care. He didn't look ill, not really. He was just lying in one of the beds with his eyes closed. James just seemed a bit pale. He woke briefly every now and again and was rambling on about things that didn't make sense. Lillian assured Jesse that it was the flu talking. But there was one thing that stuck out in her mind. James had seemed frightened of staying there and begged Jesse to help him escape. Jesse had to remind herself that he was frightened because he was sick and just held him until sleep returned. But what if it had been some thing more? Jesse was sure she had the answer but she couldn't
quiet reach it. It was covered in a greyish fog and try as she might Jesse couldn't focus it in her mind. Suddenly Jesse didn't feel like eating any more. She went back upstairs and found Meowth still asleep. He was whimpering as he slept. Giovanni had said that he would send some one to look at Meowth but so far no one had been by since those stupid twerps. Jesse gently picked him up and grabbed her coat. She was going to take Meowth to a Pokemon centre whether he liked it or not. James would be back soon but right now she had to concentrate on taking care of Meowth.
"Rise and shine" James was woken the next day when one of the guards unlocked the cell door and shoved a tray across the floor. Then the door was slammed shut again.
James ignored the tray and stayed in his position on the floor attempting to keep warm. The cell was cold during the day and freezing at night. Talia was sitting in her usual spot at the back of the prison smoking a cigarette. After yesterday she had given up talking to him and spent the afternoon sleeping or smoking. Talia put the cigarette out and ventured over to the tray. "Usual delights" she muttered picking at the slices of bread distastefully. She took one slice and offered the other to James. He shook his head. "James look it isn't all bad" Talia said slightly annoyed now. "At least he doesn't want to kill you"
James shook his head. "What he wants to do to me is worse"
"You have to eat ya know" Talia snapped. "You can't lie there feeling sorry for yourself"
James knew she was right but he wasn't hungry. He just wanted this to end. "Come on" Talia said more gently this time. "I know you have stuff to deal with but Giovanni isn't going to care whether you eat or not. As long as he gets what he wants"
"I'm not hungry" James replied.
Talia took her share of the food and retreated to her corner of the cell. James guessed that he must have drifted back to sleep because when he next woke the guards had come for him again.
"The Boss wishes to speak with you" the first one said. James sighed and followed them from the cell. They led him back to the office he had been in the day before. James was ushered in and the door slammed behind him. "Slept well I hope" Giovanni enquired turning round to face James.
"Fine" James replied ignoring Giovanni's gesture for him to take a seat.
"I was informed that you didn't eat this morning. Can I get Dawn to fetch you any thing?"
"Look sir we both know why I'm here so I would rather we ceased with the pleasantries if it's all the same to you" James snapped.
"James I want us to work together" Giovanni said quietly "I only asked because I want to make sure that my agents are properly provided for. I know the food is not that great. But if would like me to I can arrange for you to be moved some where a little more hospitable"
"But I'm not an agent any more. I don't even wear the Team Rocket logo. I am a slave aren't I?"
"Yes you are" Giovanni hissed "But only because you choose to be. You could refuse me. I would kill you, Jesse and Meowth but you would never give them up would you?
James remained silent. Giovanni spoke the truth in some ways. He was a slave but only because he cared about Jesse and Meowth. James had seen what Butch and Cassidy had done to Meowth. That was bad enough but if they hurt Jesse too...
"We are going to start using you're little gift today" Giovanni said position a tape recorder on the desk as he did so. James let his gaze fall on it for a few seconds before turning back to Giovanni. Then another thought occurred to him. "Butch and Cassidy?" he started but Giovanni cut him off.
"Butch and Cassidy think what Meowth told them was a lie. This gift of yours is our little secret"
James nodded he couldn't believe Butch and Cassidy did that too Meowth. Sure they were no longer friends but surely the closeness that the 4 of them shared at one time was worth some thing? Evidently not to them. "What do you want me to do?" James asked
"I have here a list of all the gyms in the Kanto region and the gym leaders Pokemon teams. Next to them are the names of the teams I plan to send to defeat them and take over the gyms. Now this will take place in the next few days. I need you to view each battle for me and tell me what is happening. I will tape it all on this tape recorder"
James took the list from Giovanni and scanned through it quickly. The first gym on there was the one in Pewter City. When the twerp had been battling the gym leader there James and the rest of his team had spent the day buried in a hole that was meant to catch the brats! But later they learned that the big twerp was the gym leader. James didn't know who was running it now but he supposed the leader was some relation to the big twerp. The twerp's girlfriend had been another gym leader too. The next one on the list, the one in Cerulean City, was hers and her sisters.
"What will happen to the gym leaders?"
"It is none of you're concern" Giovanni snapped. "Now get on with it"
James hesitated. Could he do this? He had too, he couldn't sentence Jesse and Meowth to death just because of what it might do to the brats could he? Giovanni looked impatiently at James. The purple haired male nodded and closed his eyes...
Meowth could hear strange voices as he came too. He opened his eyes and felt little pain. In fact the pain had died right down. He could see Jesse talking to a young woman. Meowth rubbed his eyes with his paws and blinked rapidly. "Jesse, James?" he called out. This got the attention of them both.
"How are you feeling?" the woman with Jesse asked.
"Better where am I?"
"The Violet City Pokemon centre. You're trainer brought you in. She said a wild Pokemon attacked you."
"I don't want to be here" Meowth hissed at Nurse Joy "I want to go home"
The nurse smiled kindly at him "Meowth that was a nasty break. You're trainer was worried that she hadn't fixed it properly"
Meowth didn't reply. Jesse had promised him no Pokemon centres. "I think I need to talk to him for a few minutes" Jesse said softly. Nurse Joy nodded and made herself scarce.
"What is it Jess?" Meowth asked seeing the look on her face.
"I think there's some thing wrong"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Meowth I know you're hurt but I have to go to the HQ in Viridian City"
"Jimmy will be fine"
"Meowth what really happened to you?"
"I told yous. Wild Pokemon"
"Well I talked to Nurse Joy and she agrees with me. A human broke your leg. But Nurse Joy identified the bite marks as being from a rodent Pokemon such as a Raticate. I also spoke to the twerps. They said that Butch and Cassidy were there watching us"
Meowth looked away "Yeah dey were. Jess I didn't want to tell dem any ting but da pain. And den dey threatened to hurt yous. I'm sorry"
"James" Jesse whispered it was all making sense now. "Meowth what have you done?"
"I'm sorry Jess" he cried tears in his eyes. "Please"
"I have to go" Jesse snapped. "Nurse Joy will look after you"
"Jesse what can yous do?"
Jesse pretended not to hear him. Butch and Cassidy must have told Giovanni about the future sight and if Giovanni knew then he would use James just like he tried to use Mewtwo. Jesse didn't know exactly what she was going to do but she had to go to the Viridian HQ and get James out.
"Jesse wait!" Meowth shouted as she raced out of the centre. He had to go after her.
"What happens next?" Giovanni shouted at the male on the floor "Damn it James get up and tell me"
James shook his head shaking with exhaustion. Giovanni didn't understand. He couldn't do more than 5 viewings per day. He had managed to keep going until the 6^th Pokemon gym but now it was just getting impossible for him to focus. The picture in his mind was blurred and James felt sick. Giovanni grabbed hold of James and hauled him up. The lack of a decent place to sleep and food wasn't helping matters either. "James I need the answers today!" James took a deep breath and tried to focus on the scene. Two Rocket agents faced off against Sabrina. The gym leader was using a Mr Mime and the Rocket boy was using a Rhydon. The picture was fading rapidly and the room was spinning. "Sir I can't" he whimpered. "Please"
Giovanni sighed and let him fall to the floor. "I am not going to let you leave until you tell me James. So I suggest you get up and start giving me the answers!"
James didn't reply, he could no longer hear his boss speaking. With a cry he was still.
Talia looked up when the guards came back. They dropped James down at her feet "Call us when he wakes" the first one grunted.
Then they were gone. "James?" Talia shook him gently. What the hell had Giovanni done to him? He was too pale for Talia's liking and was shaking even whilst he was unconscious. James was also stone cold. Talia knew Giovanni was up to some thing and she planned to put a stop to it. She just had to work out what James' role in all of this was.
James wasn't surprised when he was taken back down to the prison after Giovanni had briefed him on the plan. Giovanni would keep him locked up and just use his gift for what he wanted just as James had feared. Talia looked up when he was thrown back in. James smiled at her but didn't say a word until the guards had gone. "So what did he want then?" she asked.
"He needs my help" James replied wondering how much he should tell the girl.
"He needs you're help?" Talia said doubtfully. "Giovanni doesn't need any ones help James"
James shrugged and sat down. He couldn't talk to Talia could he? She wouldn't understand. James wasn't even sure if he did. He wondered what Giovanni told Jesse and Meowth. Surely they would realise that some thing was wrong? James knew in his heart that it was no good waiting for Jesse to rescue him like she had done countless times before. He wasn't even sure that she would come even if she knew. Of course it must be the fear talking. Jesse always saved him. She would never abandon him would she? James shook his head to clear it of these bitter thoughts. Jesse was his best friend and would help him if she knew but James knew that he could only help himself now.
"James?" Talia spoke again "Are you ok?"
"I'll live" he replied.
"I knew they'd trick us," Misty yelled at Brock angrily. Team twerp had arrived back at the cabin an hour later to find Butch and Cassidy long gone. "This is terrible," Brock cried.
"It's not that bad," Ash said dumbly.
"Yes it is! I wasted all my money on booking that table for two tonight!" the gym leader yelled.
"Pika" the electric mouse shook its head at the male's stupidity.
"It's not fair" Ash whined. "I wanted to find out what Jesse and James were up to too"
"Now we can go and..." Misty trailed off when she realised that Ash was no longer standing in front of her. He had raced up to the wooden door and was banging on it loudly.
"What are you doing?" Misty shouted at him.
"I am going to ask them what is going on," Ash shouted in reply. He banged on the door for another few minutes but there was no answer. "I know you're in there!" Ash yelled. "Open up right now"
"Ash this is going too far" Brock started but then the door swung open. Ash wasn't prepared for it to do so and landed at Jesse's feet. She looked really tired and angry. But there was some thing else. Ash could have sworn that she had been crying. "What do you want?" Jesse demanded.
"I want to know how you beat us last month?" Ash said.
"Pikachu" Pikachu nodded agreeing with its trainer.
Jesse rolled her eyes and then shoved Ash backwards "Go away you little twerp. Me and James beat you so get over it"
"Come on Ash" Misty whispered blushing with embarrassment.
"No you are lying!" Ash shouted. "Where is James any way? I want to know what is going on!"
"James isn't here and Meowth is hurt. I have to look after him so get out of my face and go and bug some other trainer or some thing," Jesse shouted back.
Ash was stunned by her tone but quickly regained himself.
"Is Meowth alright?" Misty asked before Ash could humiliate them further.
"Its bad" Jesse said softly.
"What happened?" Brock asked.
"Wild Pokemon but..." Jesse sighed "I don't know. The attack looked deliberate"
Misty and Brock exchanged glances. Butch and Cassidy wouldn't have done any thing to Meowth would they? From what they knew of Team Rocket Jesse and James were the lowest squad. Butch and Cassidy were higher up. But that didn't mean any thing did it?
"Butch and Cassidy were here earlier," Brock said at last.
Jesse frowned "I thought those two were in jail"
"They were spying on you" Ash said.
Jesse seemed to be thinking what Misty and Brock were but Ash remained as clueless as ever.
"What?" he asked when he saw the looks on his companions faces.
"I have to go" Jesse said. "Meowth needs me"
"I hope he's ok" Misty said. She and Brock practically dragged Ash away.
"Wait you have to tell me how you did it!" he wailed.
"Oh Ash you're so dumb," Misty yelled.
Brock looked back at the cabin. There was some thing else going on there. And he had a feeling that whatever it was would effect all of them in some way.
Jesse checked in on Meowth again before going downstairs to get some dinner. The cat seemed to be in less pain now but Jesse still wanted to take him to a Pokemon centre to make sure. She was still feeling guilty about the things she had said about James. None of it was true. James was and always had been her best friend. What Jesse didn't understand was the worry she held for him. They had been apart a lot when they were younger. In Pokemon tech the girl's dorms were the other end of the school building from the boys dorms. Jesse often had different lessons from James and even in Team Rocket when they first joined they had been away from each other for most of the years training. In fact Jesse had only ever seen James when she and Cassidy used to sneak out at night to visit the males part of the training camp. Jesse and James had got along better with Butch and Cassidy back when they were 15. Sure they had fought a lot of the time but Jesse and Cassidy had known each other
since they were babies so that counted for some thing. Jesse was relieved that Butch and Cassidy were training the same time that they were. Some of the older trainees were thugs and Jesse was frightened that they would beat James up whenever they got the chance. Butch was more outgoing and most of the trainees were scared of him. That meant that they kept away from James and didn't give him grief when he was around Butch. Jesse already knew that she and James would be partners once they completed training. She had made a special request to Giovanni about that. Giovanni normally decided on the pairings but neither of them ever completed the course. No one knew this save for herself, James, Giovanni and the HQ doctor Lillian. It was two weeks before the end exam when her instructor told Jesse that James was sick. Apparently there was a flu bug going round the training camp. Jesse remembered thinking at the time that it was odd that no one else she knew had caught it. But she
wanted to see him. Surprisingly she was allowed to after James had been in the hospital for a week. Being the daughter of the most successful agent in Team Rocket history had its advantages after all. Lillian told Jesse she could only see James for a few minutes at a time because he could pass it on to her. Jesse was aware that they were both missing the exams but she didn't care. He didn't look ill, not really. He was just lying in one of the beds with his eyes closed. James just seemed a bit pale. He woke briefly every now and again and was rambling on about things that didn't make sense. Lillian assured Jesse that it was the flu talking. But there was one thing that stuck out in her mind. James had seemed frightened of staying there and begged Jesse to help him escape. Jesse had to remind herself that he was frightened because he was sick and just held him until sleep returned. But what if it had been some thing more? Jesse was sure she had the answer but she couldn't
quiet reach it. It was covered in a greyish fog and try as she might Jesse couldn't focus it in her mind. Suddenly Jesse didn't feel like eating any more. She went back upstairs and found Meowth still asleep. He was whimpering as he slept. Giovanni had said that he would send some one to look at Meowth but so far no one had been by since those stupid twerps. Jesse gently picked him up and grabbed her coat. She was going to take Meowth to a Pokemon centre whether he liked it or not. James would be back soon but right now she had to concentrate on taking care of Meowth.
"Rise and shine" James was woken the next day when one of the guards unlocked the cell door and shoved a tray across the floor. Then the door was slammed shut again.
James ignored the tray and stayed in his position on the floor attempting to keep warm. The cell was cold during the day and freezing at night. Talia was sitting in her usual spot at the back of the prison smoking a cigarette. After yesterday she had given up talking to him and spent the afternoon sleeping or smoking. Talia put the cigarette out and ventured over to the tray. "Usual delights" she muttered picking at the slices of bread distastefully. She took one slice and offered the other to James. He shook his head. "James look it isn't all bad" Talia said slightly annoyed now. "At least he doesn't want to kill you"
James shook his head. "What he wants to do to me is worse"
"You have to eat ya know" Talia snapped. "You can't lie there feeling sorry for yourself"
James knew she was right but he wasn't hungry. He just wanted this to end. "Come on" Talia said more gently this time. "I know you have stuff to deal with but Giovanni isn't going to care whether you eat or not. As long as he gets what he wants"
"I'm not hungry" James replied.
Talia took her share of the food and retreated to her corner of the cell. James guessed that he must have drifted back to sleep because when he next woke the guards had come for him again.
"The Boss wishes to speak with you" the first one said. James sighed and followed them from the cell. They led him back to the office he had been in the day before. James was ushered in and the door slammed behind him. "Slept well I hope" Giovanni enquired turning round to face James.
"Fine" James replied ignoring Giovanni's gesture for him to take a seat.
"I was informed that you didn't eat this morning. Can I get Dawn to fetch you any thing?"
"Look sir we both know why I'm here so I would rather we ceased with the pleasantries if it's all the same to you" James snapped.
"James I want us to work together" Giovanni said quietly "I only asked because I want to make sure that my agents are properly provided for. I know the food is not that great. But if would like me to I can arrange for you to be moved some where a little more hospitable"
"But I'm not an agent any more. I don't even wear the Team Rocket logo. I am a slave aren't I?"
"Yes you are" Giovanni hissed "But only because you choose to be. You could refuse me. I would kill you, Jesse and Meowth but you would never give them up would you?
James remained silent. Giovanni spoke the truth in some ways. He was a slave but only because he cared about Jesse and Meowth. James had seen what Butch and Cassidy had done to Meowth. That was bad enough but if they hurt Jesse too...
"We are going to start using you're little gift today" Giovanni said position a tape recorder on the desk as he did so. James let his gaze fall on it for a few seconds before turning back to Giovanni. Then another thought occurred to him. "Butch and Cassidy?" he started but Giovanni cut him off.
"Butch and Cassidy think what Meowth told them was a lie. This gift of yours is our little secret"
James nodded he couldn't believe Butch and Cassidy did that too Meowth. Sure they were no longer friends but surely the closeness that the 4 of them shared at one time was worth some thing? Evidently not to them. "What do you want me to do?" James asked
"I have here a list of all the gyms in the Kanto region and the gym leaders Pokemon teams. Next to them are the names of the teams I plan to send to defeat them and take over the gyms. Now this will take place in the next few days. I need you to view each battle for me and tell me what is happening. I will tape it all on this tape recorder"
James took the list from Giovanni and scanned through it quickly. The first gym on there was the one in Pewter City. When the twerp had been battling the gym leader there James and the rest of his team had spent the day buried in a hole that was meant to catch the brats! But later they learned that the big twerp was the gym leader. James didn't know who was running it now but he supposed the leader was some relation to the big twerp. The twerp's girlfriend had been another gym leader too. The next one on the list, the one in Cerulean City, was hers and her sisters.
"What will happen to the gym leaders?"
"It is none of you're concern" Giovanni snapped. "Now get on with it"
James hesitated. Could he do this? He had too, he couldn't sentence Jesse and Meowth to death just because of what it might do to the brats could he? Giovanni looked impatiently at James. The purple haired male nodded and closed his eyes...
Meowth could hear strange voices as he came too. He opened his eyes and felt little pain. In fact the pain had died right down. He could see Jesse talking to a young woman. Meowth rubbed his eyes with his paws and blinked rapidly. "Jesse, James?" he called out. This got the attention of them both.
"How are you feeling?" the woman with Jesse asked.
"Better where am I?"
"The Violet City Pokemon centre. You're trainer brought you in. She said a wild Pokemon attacked you."
"I don't want to be here" Meowth hissed at Nurse Joy "I want to go home"
The nurse smiled kindly at him "Meowth that was a nasty break. You're trainer was worried that she hadn't fixed it properly"
Meowth didn't reply. Jesse had promised him no Pokemon centres. "I think I need to talk to him for a few minutes" Jesse said softly. Nurse Joy nodded and made herself scarce.
"What is it Jess?" Meowth asked seeing the look on her face.
"I think there's some thing wrong"
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Meowth I know you're hurt but I have to go to the HQ in Viridian City"
"Jimmy will be fine"
"Meowth what really happened to you?"
"I told yous. Wild Pokemon"
"Well I talked to Nurse Joy and she agrees with me. A human broke your leg. But Nurse Joy identified the bite marks as being from a rodent Pokemon such as a Raticate. I also spoke to the twerps. They said that Butch and Cassidy were there watching us"
Meowth looked away "Yeah dey were. Jess I didn't want to tell dem any ting but da pain. And den dey threatened to hurt yous. I'm sorry"
"James" Jesse whispered it was all making sense now. "Meowth what have you done?"
"I'm sorry Jess" he cried tears in his eyes. "Please"
"I have to go" Jesse snapped. "Nurse Joy will look after you"
"Jesse what can yous do?"
Jesse pretended not to hear him. Butch and Cassidy must have told Giovanni about the future sight and if Giovanni knew then he would use James just like he tried to use Mewtwo. Jesse didn't know exactly what she was going to do but she had to go to the Viridian HQ and get James out.
"Jesse wait!" Meowth shouted as she raced out of the centre. He had to go after her.
"What happens next?" Giovanni shouted at the male on the floor "Damn it James get up and tell me"
James shook his head shaking with exhaustion. Giovanni didn't understand. He couldn't do more than 5 viewings per day. He had managed to keep going until the 6^th Pokemon gym but now it was just getting impossible for him to focus. The picture in his mind was blurred and James felt sick. Giovanni grabbed hold of James and hauled him up. The lack of a decent place to sleep and food wasn't helping matters either. "James I need the answers today!" James took a deep breath and tried to focus on the scene. Two Rocket agents faced off against Sabrina. The gym leader was using a Mr Mime and the Rocket boy was using a Rhydon. The picture was fading rapidly and the room was spinning. "Sir I can't" he whimpered. "Please"
Giovanni sighed and let him fall to the floor. "I am not going to let you leave until you tell me James. So I suggest you get up and start giving me the answers!"
James didn't reply, he could no longer hear his boss speaking. With a cry he was still.
Talia looked up when the guards came back. They dropped James down at her feet "Call us when he wakes" the first one grunted.
Then they were gone. "James?" Talia shook him gently. What the hell had Giovanni done to him? He was too pale for Talia's liking and was shaking even whilst he was unconscious. James was also stone cold. Talia knew Giovanni was up to some thing and she planned to put a stop to it. She just had to work out what James' role in all of this was.