Chapter 8:Disrupting the Disruption
The group slid down the wall as Rockets fired their rifles to drive Slowpokes into cages. At the bottom they hid behind a rock watching for someway to stop Team Rocket. "Time for payback," Brian hissed.
The guys ducked farther behind the rock as a truck rumbled past its cage full of Slowpoke. "What do they want with some Slowpoke? They aren't very good battlers," Misty wondered.
"They're better than what people give them credit for and their tails could make you a fortune," Brian whispered back still looking for something he could do.
Standing up Brock noticed a circle of Slowpoke surrounded by Rockets with Shellders jumping in anticipation. The slowpoke put their tails in the middle protected from the Shellder. A Shellder jumped for the middle but was knocked away by a Water Gun; another tried with the same results. Frustrated one of the Rockets picked up a Shellder and tossed it up in the air. "The slowpoke won't be able to get that one," Brock observed.
"Go Staryu," Misty said setting a Pokéball on the ground.
A light flashed and Staryu appeared, "Shot that Shellder away with a Water Gun," Misty commanded.
Staryu jumped on top of the rock and fired a stream of water at Shellder, knocking it away. "What the hell!" the Rocket screamed looking at Staryu, "where did this guy come from?"
"From me!" Misty yelled standing up.
"Get out of here little girl!" the Rocket yelled back grabbing one of his Pokéballs.
"Uh-oh," Ash chuckled.
"What?" Scott and Brian asked in unison.
"Watch," Ash answered pointing at Misty.
Misty made fists and her body shook in rage. "Little girl?" she growled, "You didn't just call me a little girl?"
"Haha this little thing thinks she can stop us," the Rocket laughed pointing at Misty.
"Hey!" one of the other Rockets yelled spotting Brian and Ash running along the wall. "Damn!" Brian hissed, "Go Scizor! Show these blundering idiots how to treat a lady!"
"Sciz," Scizor nodded. (Yeah")
"So you want to battle!" the Rocket yelled throwing all his Pokéballs forward.
"Would you care to join me Ash?" Brian asked.
"Yeah! Go Pikachu!" Ash yelled.
Pikachu jumped forward standing next to Scizor. "Ha! You two don't stand a chance," the Rocket laughed as his partners walked forward with Pokéballs in hand.
"Ash! I'm coming!" Brock yelled.
"No! Help Misty. You too Scott!" Ash yelled back.
"I don't need help Ash!" Misty screamed in a fit.
Shaking his head Ash stepped forward ready for the worst. "Go my Pokémon," the lead Rocket yelled. The Pokéballs split releasing their captives. Stepping back Scizor watched as a Nidoking, Rhydon, and Gengar appeared. "Lets take 'em!" Brian shouted.
Scizor ran forward increasing his speed as he want until he was a blur. "Pikachu Agility!" Ash ordered.
Pikachu started circling the three Pokémon, trying to confuse them. "Don't watch 'em just wait," the Rocket commanded feeling confident.
"Scizor jump off the ceiling and use Jackhammer!!" Brian yelled smirking.
A red blur bounced off the ceiling and landed on Nidoking's shoulders driving him to his knees. Scizor brought his claws back and sent punch after punch on Nidoking's head. Trying to fight back, Nidoking shook his head and tried to rip Scizor off his head. Scizor pulled his claw back and delivered a blow to the back of Nidoking's neck paralyzing it instantly. Rhydon charged at Scizor as he jumped off Nidoking. Pikachu chased after Gengar. "Pikachu Thunderbolt!"
Running up onto a rock Pikachu charged up with sparks cracking from his cheeks. Gengar took the time to charge up a Shadow Ball. "Ash you'll just make this place explode if you send that Thunderbolt straight at Gengar," Brian warned watching Scizor dodge Rhydon's charging fury.
"What should we do?" Ash asked looking worried.
"I got it go Scyther!" Brian planned, "Shot the Thunderbolt at Scyther!"
"Pikachu aim directly at Scyther!" Ash ordered a bit uncertain.
"Pika chu chu?" Pikachu asked ready to attack. (Are you sure?)
Ash nodded and Pikachu unleashed a thick yellow bolt of electric energy. "Scyther deflect it at Gengar!"
Scyther turned his blades sideways and braced. The electricity hit the blades and crackled as it tried to force its way through. Scyther turned towards Gengar as Gengar released his Shadow Ball at Pikachu. Scyther snapped his blades towards Gengar and the electricity leapt towards Gengar. Unaware of the attack Gengar was thrown against the ceiling. When it hit the floor electricity still popped from its body. Attention was now turned at Rhydon as Scizor tired. Down on one knee, Scizor took a Drill Horn on the side. Scizor flipped and rolled until he skidded to a stop against the rock that Misty, Brock, and Scott were behind watching the fierce battle. "We got more of that kid so you'd better leave while your Pokémon are still alive!" the Rocket jeered.
"Well, I hope you guys brought some knives cuz you'll be stuck here awhile," Brian responded tossing out another Pokéball.
Ariados jumped from the Pokéball and fired a String Shot at the ceiling. Swinging, Ariados landed on a high ledge overlooking the massive open area. Turning around he attached a String Shot to the ceiling above Rhydon and then to a rock sitting on the ledge. Climbing behind the rock he pushed it off the edge and watched as it swung at Rhydon picking up speed. "Shit," Brian cursed as he looked at Scott and Misty behind the rock, "Scott, Misty get out of there!"
Brian whipped out a Pokéball and recalled Scizor. Misty and Scott dashed towards the other end of the cave. Standing still, Ash watched as the rock smashed into Rhydon and carried him through the rock Misty had just been behind, "Are you trying to kill us!?" Ash yelled.
Frustrated the Rocket pulled out his pistol and aimed. A shot echo through the cave. The Rocket's eyes rolled back and he fell to the floor. "Freeze!!" a female voice yelled.
In answer the Rockets pulled out their guns and stared shooting at anyone not in Rocket uniform. "Ash!" Brian screamed dropping to the ground pulling Ash along, "Go find Brock I saw him head in the same direction that the truck went."
"Sure!" Ash responded twisting around and ran hunched over.
'Ash, Brock, Misty, and Scott are all safe so I can handle this one myself.' Brian thought.
The shooting continued as Brian looked for something he could do. His Scyther was pinned behind a stalagmite and his Ariados on the ledge. 'If I let out any of my Pokémon they'll only be shot this is over for me,' he thought shaking his head.
The ground shook as the floor collapsed around the Rockets as an Onix punching through the floor. "Hey Brian I heard you needed some help," Brock smiled waving at Brian.
"Thanks," Brian waved back.
The Rockets moaned as Officer Jenny and her fellow police officers loaded them into the back of a police van. "Thank you for stopping Team Rocket," Officer Jenny thanked stepping into the drivers seat and speeding off.
"Hehe," Brian laughed nervously scratching the back of his head as Misty gave him an angry stare.
"Next time, Brian …. Uh what's your last name again?" She asked looking puzzled.
"Gilhur," Brian responded a bit confused.
"Ok, Next time, Brian Gilhur, tell us what's going on instead of rushing off to get yourself killed," Misty said sternly.
"You're sounding like my mom," Ash interrupted making Misty turn red with anger.
"What are you saying about me Ash Ketchum!" Misty shouted.
"Pika pi!" Pikachu shouted waving his paws (Stop!)
"I'm all for allowing you to let your anger out but could we please do it at Brian's house I'm starving," Scott said holding his stomach.
"Fine," Misty huffed in agreement.
"Thanks Mrs. Gilhur, that was a wonderful meal," Misty praised.
"Yeah thanks," Ash added.
"Thank you and your welcome," Brian's mom smiled warmly picking up some of the dishes.
Brock leaned back in his chair and rested his hands behind his head, "Ah feels good not having to cook for once."
There was a knock at the door and Brian jumped up to get see who it was. He cracked the door open and then swung it wide open and stepped outside, "Not again," Misty groaned resting her chin in her hand.
"Hey guys look who it is," Brian said stepping back inside followed by a young female.
"Nurse Joy!" Brock shouted tipping back too far and landing on his back.
"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Gilhur," Nurse Joy spoke bowing her head.
"Hello there," Brian's mom said cheerfully as she embraced Nurse Joy, she let go when she heard Nurse Joy let out a shriek.
By now Brock had picked himself up, and was standing behind Nurse Joy, waiting for a break in the conversation. "Yes?" Nurse Joy asked looking at Brock.
Brock's knees went wobbly; he reached out and grabbed the doorframe to keep from falling over. "This way Christi," Brian said leading Nurse Joy into the living room keeping an eye on Brock.
Everyone had taken up a seat in the living room and were chatting away. When no one was looking Brock dashed into the room kneeling at Nurse Joy's feet. "Will you marry me?" he asked with a pleading voice.
Astonished, Nurse Joy looked at Brian and then Ash. "Ash please get the door," Brian said standing up and grabbing Brock's vest.
Ash snickered as he watched Brian drag Brock through the open door, put a collar around his neck, and tied him outside. Walking back in Ash gave Brian a high-five as they watched Brock plaster himself to the window to catch another glimpse of his love Nurse Joy. Everyone was rolling around laughing at the display that Brock unknowingly was putting on. "Get a camera!" Misty gasped holding her sides.
Brian kneeled but fell back over laughing. Finally getting a hold of himself, got to his feet ran into his room and grabbed a camera off his desk. Running back he stopped aimed and flashed a few pictures. "Perfect blackmail material," Misty said with an evil grin rubbing her hands together.
"I'll e-mail you copies of these when they're developed," Brian laughed waving the camera around.
"Ok Brian, they'll be a blast to share with my friends and family," Nurse Joy said wiping a tear from her eye.
Ash and Misty exchanged looks and broke out laughing again. Scott and Brian looked confused until Scott put two and two together, and they both laughed after Scott pointed to Brock and then Nurse Joy. "Let's get you out of her before something happens," Brian's dad suggested walking into the dining room.
"I'd better go home my mom and dad are worried," she agreed standing up.
She walked over to Brian and gave him a light kiss on the cheek and looked into his eyes with a deep longing for him to stay at home. Lowering her head she walked out of the house. Brian sighed and looked at his shoes and then glanced over at Brock. A smile came to his face when Brock laid down playing dead. "He just got his heart broke," Brian said shaking his head.
"May I take a shower, I want to clean off," Misty asked.
"Yeah sure," Brian said absentmindedly.
"Thanks," Misty chimed.
"I'm next," Ash said raising his hand.
"Then me!" Scott added.
"Is someone gonna go get Brock?" Ash asked looking at his exhausted friend.
"Sure," Brian said deep in other thoughts.
Outside Brian nudged Brock with his foot. Brock moaned as he lifted his head, "Is it over?"
"Yeah," Brian assured taking the collar off.
Brian led Brock back in and plopped down in a chair looking at the pond. "Next?" a call came from the bathroom.
Ash grabbed his bag and was off.
"Next?" Brock called.
Brian still sat looking at the pond. Misty looked at Brian with a confused look and walked up to the chair he occupied. "Hello?" she asked waving her hand in front of his face.
"Yeah I see you," Brian said coming out of his trance.
He picked himself up and walked into his room. Misty watched worried as Brian dragged himself to the bathroom. "Does it seem like Brian is thinking about something?" Misty asked.
"Obviously, but lets not bug him," Ash replied packing away his clothes.
Standing in the shower, Brian let the water run over his body. 'What can I do? I don't feel like I can leave home again. But if I stay here I miss the adventure. Nurse Joy wants me to stay and mom and dad want me here. What am I really gonna do?'
Resting his hand against the wall, the water ran through his hair and down his face. Shaking his head he grabbed his soap and washcloth, 'I can think about this in bed.'
"I'm ready to get to bed," Brock yawned stretching his arms.
"Yeah," Scott agreed rubbing his eyes.
"Who gets the bed," Ash asked thinking about Brian's bed.
"Oh! I do!" Misty jumped in.
"That settles it," Brock said rolling out his sleeping bag.
"Where's Pikachu?" Ash asked noticing his friend's absence.
"On the bed, asleep" Brian answered sliding into his sleeping bag.
"Is it ok if he sleeps in there with you Misty?" Ash asked.
"Yeah sure," she replied heading into the room and swinging the door closed.
"Night," "Cya tomorrow," "Yeah,"
The lights were flipped off and the room was silent.
'I still don't know! I'm never gonna make up my mind! God help me! If I leave I give up Christi, but staying here I give up adventure.' Brian climbed out of his sleeping bag and crept down the hall into his room. Swinging the door open he slipped in and walked to his desk. Sitting on one of the shelves was a photo album. He grabbed it, picked up the flashlight off the desk and sat down in the chair. He flipped the switch and laid the album in his lap. With the light in one hand he leafed through the pictures thinking about his future. On the bed Pikachu stirred and lifted his head. Spotting the light he noticed a boy in a chair and scampered over to check things out. "Hey Pikachu," Brian whispered reaching down and scratching Pikachu under the chin.
Pikachu purred with delight. Brian leaned back and continued leafing through the book. Feeling a tug at his pant leg he reached down and brought Pikachu up into his lap. "Pik pika pi chu chu?" Pikachu inquired looking at the album and up at Brian. (What are you doing?)
"Just reminiscing, seems weird for a 16 year old to do that doesn't it." Brian smiled.
Misty stirred in the bed, "We'd better not wake her up we don't want a grumpy Misty tomorrow," Brian chuckled but his smile turned to a frown and a tear run down his cheek and dropped on Pikachu's head.
"Pika pi?" Pikachu asked confused. (Is it raining?)
"Haha, no Pikachu," Brian assured.
Pikachu turned and looked at Brian's face. "Pikachu chu pi?" (What's wrong?)
"Nothing Pikachu," he answered wiping another tear from his eye, "I just want so much but I have to give up so much more either way."
Pikachu looked at him confused. Again Misty stirred and this time she opened her eyes, "Ash?" she asked weakly noticing the little mouse in his lap.
Pikachu turned and ran over to the bed and jumped up with Misty. She removed the covers and sat up. "Ash its 1 o' clock, your gonna be dead tired tomorrow," she warned getting up.
"Ash wont be tired," Brian responded sighing deeply.
Misty got a look at him in the light from the flashlight, "Brian I'm sorry I thought you were Ash with Pikachu on your lap,"
"It's ok," Brian said closing the album and starting to stand.
"What's that?" Misty asked pointing to the album.
"This? Nothing important," he lied setting it on the desk.
Misty snatched it off the desk and hauled Brian over to the bed. She grabbed the flashlight from Brian, "So it's a photo album," she smiled opening to the first page.
"Aww such a cute little boy," she cooed.
Brian covered his face and felt his hand warm from the embarrassment. Misty, Brian, and Pikachu sat looking through the album, till Togepi woke up and started it's usual fit. Misty jumped up, grabbed Togepi, and rocked it back to sleep. "Where were we?" she asked sitting back down cradling Togepi in her arms.
Flipping through Brian stopped at one picture of him three years ago. It was of him in a tux embracing Christi in her dress, "When was this?" Misty asked looking at Brian's eyes moisten.
"I was 13 and my closest cousin was getting married. He happened to be marrying a Joy. The wedding was beautiful and the reception after wards was great. Christi and I danced as friends but.." his voice trailed off.
Taking a deep breath and wiping tears away he started again, "we realized that we really weren't just friends anymore," silence, "don't get me wrong nothing bad went on but she broke my heart when she introduced me to her boyfriend. Ever since things have been rough between us but I think things have patched up."
"What are you really thinking about Brian?" Misty asked not sure of what Brian was getting at.
Looking up Brian turned towards Misty, "I don't know if I can leave again. I had the idea of adventure in my mind when I left but now I've seen it and to me I'd rather wait till the league championships and then come home. And I see how you guys are better off without my 'expertise of Johto',"
Silent, Misty stared at Togepi hoping for the right words but nothing came to mind. "Well, good night," Brian whispered leaning over and giving Misty a hug.
Misty watched Brian close the door as he left, "Pikachu, what are we gonna do about this?"
Pikachu shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. With a sigh Misty leaned against the wall and took a closer look at the picture that made Brian leave. She closed her eyes and turned the page not wanting to look at the picture that may pull a member out of their group. Setting the album down she started to pray, 'God I've never really done this before so help me out. Please don't let Brian go, he's a good kid and I think Ash could learn from him. So it's in your hands God. Amen'
Opening her eyes, she looked straight into Pikachu's concerned eyes, "We can only pray and hope."
Sliding under the covers sleep slowly came to Misty as she stared at the ceiling. Pikachu had already fallen asleep and was breathing softly next to her. Misty stroked Pikachu's back as her eyelids grew heavy, "Please make the right choice," she whispered falling into sleep.
To be continued…