XIII
Shortly after our meeting with the Mews, we emerged from Union Cave on the backs of our Pokemon. It was dark, and it took my eyes a while to adjust. Luckily, the Venonats on the side of the road flickered occasionally, providing some light.
"Boy, it feels so good to be out of that cave!" cried Gold.
"I hear that!" agreed Ash, smiling.
"So now that we're through the cave, how much farther to Azalea?" I asked.
"Not far." Said Ash. "We're almost there."
We continued on the dark path for about another ten minutes, and then we finally came to the junction gate leading into Azalea town. We dismounted our Pokemon, returned them to their Poke Balls, and walked through the gate into the city.
Despite the darkness, the town was well lit, and we could easily find our way around. The Slowpoke Well stood alone in the east part of the town, and the residential houses, Gym, and Pokemon Center were in the center. Just as it looked in the game.
"Boy, it's been so long since I've been here!" said Gold, "I've almost forgotten what it was like!"
"So are we going to go see Kurt, or what?" I asked.
"Don't you think we should go to the Pokemon Center first and revitalize our Pokemon?" said Ash with a glare.
"Oh…yes, yes, of course."
We entered the large Pokemon Center, with its picture windows and bright lighting. Nurse Joy kindly healed our Pokemon, commenting, "It looks like you three have been through a couple of tough scrapes!"
Gold laughed. "You're probably right."
Nurse Joy smiled and handed us our Poke Balls back. "We hope to see you again!"
"Dude," I whispered to Ash as we left, "You're not supposed to say that in a hospital!" Ash didn't say anything.
Finally, we walked to the west end of Azalea Town and knocked on the door of a small house.
"You may enter." Said a creaky voice from within. We pushed open the equally creaky door and looked around. The place was a mess! Books and papers lay strewn everywhere, and tools and assorted Ball making equipment was heaped on desks and in the corners.
"Yo, this place looks like my room!" I commented.
In the center of the room was a short man in a black robe, who turned upon hearing us enter.
"Ah, young Gold! Good to see you, boy! And you too, master Ash!" He then noticed me and rubbed his chin. "Got a new friend, do you?"
"Yeah," said Ash, "His name's Paul. He's tagging along with us."
"Ah, well, it's nice to meet you, too, Paul."
"Thank you, Kurt." I said, smiling.
"So," said Kurt, putting his hands together, "What be your business? Oh, I know… you want to pick up your Level Balls and Fast Balls! Here you go, son!" Kurt went to his desk and removed a box containing three red Poke Balls and four white ones.
"Thanks, Kurt." Said Gold, taking the box, "But we have something more pressing we came to talk to you about."
"Oh? Tell me, then."
"Well, have you ever heard of a Pokemon called Celebi?"
Kurt raised his eyebrows. "I have…" he said slowly, "He's the Ilex Forest guardian, no? But he's been dead well over 5,000 years."
"Well, he's back."
"What?" cried Kurt, looking up sharply.
"We found out that Celebi has returned and is planning to destroy the world with an army of Mewtwos."
"He's angry at humans for taking Pokemon for granted." I put in.
Kurt turned and stared out the window. "I was praying this day would never come." He said quietly. "In my studies, I read of a prophecy describing Celebi's return. I did not know it would be so soon…or so violent."
"Can you help us, Kurt?" asked Ash.
Kurt turned back to us. "I'm afraid I know very little. Are you planning to fight it?"
We looked at each other, and I finally said, "We're assuming it will eventually come to that."
"Well, boys, I suggest you start building an army, then. You three alone cannot stop Celebi, I think."
"Thank you," I said, "But we really need to know more."
Kurt thought for a moment. "Hmm…well, I do have a close friend on Cianwood Island who knows about all kinds of stuff like this. You do know the Pokemaniac, correct?"
We nodded.
"Splendid! Rest up tonight, and tomorrow, it's off to Cianwood with you!"
Before we could ask any more questions, Kurt hustled us upstairs and we soon fell fast asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The small motel was not the most comfortable place to sleep, but hey, it got the job done. Inside, Jessie was getting ready to go to sleep, well satisfied with the day's work. She had changed into her nightgown and was sitting by the mirror, combing her hair, which she had let back and was flowing down past her shoulders. Just then, the door to the room opened and James walked in.
"Jessie, have you…" he started to say, and then he froze. His feelings slammed back into him, and he could not help but stand there and stare at Jessie. "She's so beautiful!" he thought to himself. She noticed him staring and turned up her nose.
"What on earth are you staring at?"
"Nothing, nothing…" he said quickly, diverting his eyes.
"Make sure." She snapped, and then got up from the mirror and sat down on the bed. Suddenly, she was aware that he was sitting next to her. "James, what has gotten into you?" she demanded.
He couldn't hold it in anymore, and he began to blurt it all out. "Jessie, I have to tell you something…"
"Hmmph…what?"
"Jessie, I know you think of me as an idiot, but to me you're more than just a partner."
Jessie's stern expression seemed to soften a bit. "What?"
"As we worked together, I just started to get these…I don't know…feelings. Feelings that to me you were so beautiful, and fun to talk to, and smart…"
All sternness was gone now as she stared at him. "James…are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. I always wanted to tell you how I felt, but I always thought you'd laugh me off, that you were too proud to have feelings for someone like me. That's why it took me so long to tell you, Jessie."
She took his hand. "James," she said softly, "You didn't have to be afraid to tell me. I wouldn't have laughed at all."
There was a brief silence, then James said, "It's always so much fun being teamed up with you. We always have such a good time trying to get that kid's Pikachu, right?"
Jessie smiled. "Yeah."
"And you know what I like best of all about working with you?"
"Tell me." She said.
"When we do our motto. And how we make the smoke come up on either side of us, and then that big "R" comes out of the ground…"
Jessie laughed softly. "Yeah, that is a lot of fun."
"That's why I love being around you, Jessie. You always make fun stuff happen."
There was another brief silence, then Jessie took his hand again and said, "James, I… I know I don't always treat you with the highest respect, but…" she stared into his eyes. "I think you're really fun to hang around with, too."
James' eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. I mean, even though I'm usually the one to come up with the plans, you always add the wisecracks and humor, which always make it fun."
James chuckled to himself. "Yeah, I guess I can be quite the comedian…"
"Hey, let's not be getting too full of ourselves," Jessie said, elbowing him playfully.
After a pause, James said, "Remember our first battle against Ash? When we attacked the Viridian Pokemon Center?"
"Yup." Said Jessie, smiling as she remembered the moment.
"That kid didn't know what he was doing. We almost had him! And then…" James laughed quietly as he remembered the next part, "All those Pikachus zapped the crap out of us!"
Jessie laughed as well. "Yes, that got to be a habit, didn't it?" They found themselves staring into each other's eyes again.
"James," said Jessie, "I wish you had told me these feelings sooner, because…" she looked away, embarrassed.
"Jessie, please tell me."
"Well," she said, looking back at him, "It's just that… as you and I worked together, I…started to have feelings for you as well."
James' heart did a triple lutz. "You…you did? You really did?"
"Yes. At first, I was scared of the feelings, because I had never felt that way about anybody before. So I did my best to hide the feelings. That's why I used to treat you like garbage. But James," she stared deeper into his eyes, "I…I really do care for you."
James was silent for an instant, then he broke into a broad grin. "Jessie, do you know how happy you just made me?"
Jessie smiled sweetly. "And you don't think I'm just as happy as you are?"
But then James got serious again. "But Jessie, I don't just care for you. It's more than that. I…I…"
"Say it, James. You don't have to be afraid anymore." She said softly.
"Jessie…I love you."
"Oh, James…" she whispered, and she put his arm around him and they kissed for the first time. When they pulled back, James' eyes were wide.
"Jessie…wow…I…"
"Shhh." She said, smiling, and they kissed again.
At that moment, the door opened and Meowth strolled in, singing softly to himself. He stopped dead in his tracks, and rubbed his eyes, however, when he beheld the sight before him. There was Jessie and James, his two trainers, with their arms around each other, kissing. He groaned softly. "I never thought I'd see the day…"
Upon hearing his voice, Jessie and James quickly broke the kiss and stared at the cat. "What are YOU doing here?" growled Jessie.
"Umm…umm…"
Jessie picked up Meowth by his neck. "Listen, you," she snarled, "You saw nothing! Got it? Absolutely nothing! Because if you tell anybody, so help me God I will have Arbok eat you alive! Understand?"
"Yes, Jessie." Whimpered Meowth. "Please put me down now."
Jessie set him down and said, "Now get out of here!"
Meowth bolted through the door in a flash.
Jessie sat down next to James again. "Oh, that cat. Always trying to get in the way…" She turned back to James. "Now, where exactly did we leave off?"
James smiled. "I think somewhere around here." He said, moving to kiss her again. Before he could do so, however, a shrill beeping filled the room.
"Damn it, my Pokedex!" grumbled Jessie. "Hold on, I probably should get that."
Jessie popped open the device to see Maurice staring back at her.
"What is it, Maurice?"
"We still haven't found any trace of Celebi or his army," the man said in his rough voice. "We're thinking we should start searching Kanto as well."
"Don't bother," said Jessie. "We have all the information we need and we're heading back to HQ tomorrow. You should do the same."
"Ah, great." Said Maurice. "Okay, then, I'm out." And the screen went blank.
Jessie checked her watch, and said, "Oh my, it's after midnight. We really should be getting to sleep."
"Okay, then." Said James, and he started to get under the covers of his bed.
"Wait, though," said Jessie, "Listen…we can't let anyone know about this. Not yet, anyway. We have to keep it a secret for now, okay?"
"Okay, Jessie. No problem."
"All right then," she said, smiling. She gave him a quick kiss goodnight, then she got into her bed and clicked off the light.
"Good night, Jessie." Said James from the darkness.
"Good night, James. Sleep well."
Soon they were both fast asleep, their lives filled with new meaning.
Shortly after our meeting with the Mews, we emerged from Union Cave on the backs of our Pokemon. It was dark, and it took my eyes a while to adjust. Luckily, the Venonats on the side of the road flickered occasionally, providing some light.
"Boy, it feels so good to be out of that cave!" cried Gold.
"I hear that!" agreed Ash, smiling.
"So now that we're through the cave, how much farther to Azalea?" I asked.
"Not far." Said Ash. "We're almost there."
We continued on the dark path for about another ten minutes, and then we finally came to the junction gate leading into Azalea town. We dismounted our Pokemon, returned them to their Poke Balls, and walked through the gate into the city.
Despite the darkness, the town was well lit, and we could easily find our way around. The Slowpoke Well stood alone in the east part of the town, and the residential houses, Gym, and Pokemon Center were in the center. Just as it looked in the game.
"Boy, it's been so long since I've been here!" said Gold, "I've almost forgotten what it was like!"
"So are we going to go see Kurt, or what?" I asked.
"Don't you think we should go to the Pokemon Center first and revitalize our Pokemon?" said Ash with a glare.
"Oh…yes, yes, of course."
We entered the large Pokemon Center, with its picture windows and bright lighting. Nurse Joy kindly healed our Pokemon, commenting, "It looks like you three have been through a couple of tough scrapes!"
Gold laughed. "You're probably right."
Nurse Joy smiled and handed us our Poke Balls back. "We hope to see you again!"
"Dude," I whispered to Ash as we left, "You're not supposed to say that in a hospital!" Ash didn't say anything.
Finally, we walked to the west end of Azalea Town and knocked on the door of a small house.
"You may enter." Said a creaky voice from within. We pushed open the equally creaky door and looked around. The place was a mess! Books and papers lay strewn everywhere, and tools and assorted Ball making equipment was heaped on desks and in the corners.
"Yo, this place looks like my room!" I commented.
In the center of the room was a short man in a black robe, who turned upon hearing us enter.
"Ah, young Gold! Good to see you, boy! And you too, master Ash!" He then noticed me and rubbed his chin. "Got a new friend, do you?"
"Yeah," said Ash, "His name's Paul. He's tagging along with us."
"Ah, well, it's nice to meet you, too, Paul."
"Thank you, Kurt." I said, smiling.
"So," said Kurt, putting his hands together, "What be your business? Oh, I know… you want to pick up your Level Balls and Fast Balls! Here you go, son!" Kurt went to his desk and removed a box containing three red Poke Balls and four white ones.
"Thanks, Kurt." Said Gold, taking the box, "But we have something more pressing we came to talk to you about."
"Oh? Tell me, then."
"Well, have you ever heard of a Pokemon called Celebi?"
Kurt raised his eyebrows. "I have…" he said slowly, "He's the Ilex Forest guardian, no? But he's been dead well over 5,000 years."
"Well, he's back."
"What?" cried Kurt, looking up sharply.
"We found out that Celebi has returned and is planning to destroy the world with an army of Mewtwos."
"He's angry at humans for taking Pokemon for granted." I put in.
Kurt turned and stared out the window. "I was praying this day would never come." He said quietly. "In my studies, I read of a prophecy describing Celebi's return. I did not know it would be so soon…or so violent."
"Can you help us, Kurt?" asked Ash.
Kurt turned back to us. "I'm afraid I know very little. Are you planning to fight it?"
We looked at each other, and I finally said, "We're assuming it will eventually come to that."
"Well, boys, I suggest you start building an army, then. You three alone cannot stop Celebi, I think."
"Thank you," I said, "But we really need to know more."
Kurt thought for a moment. "Hmm…well, I do have a close friend on Cianwood Island who knows about all kinds of stuff like this. You do know the Pokemaniac, correct?"
We nodded.
"Splendid! Rest up tonight, and tomorrow, it's off to Cianwood with you!"
Before we could ask any more questions, Kurt hustled us upstairs and we soon fell fast asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The small motel was not the most comfortable place to sleep, but hey, it got the job done. Inside, Jessie was getting ready to go to sleep, well satisfied with the day's work. She had changed into her nightgown and was sitting by the mirror, combing her hair, which she had let back and was flowing down past her shoulders. Just then, the door to the room opened and James walked in.
"Jessie, have you…" he started to say, and then he froze. His feelings slammed back into him, and he could not help but stand there and stare at Jessie. "She's so beautiful!" he thought to himself. She noticed him staring and turned up her nose.
"What on earth are you staring at?"
"Nothing, nothing…" he said quickly, diverting his eyes.
"Make sure." She snapped, and then got up from the mirror and sat down on the bed. Suddenly, she was aware that he was sitting next to her. "James, what has gotten into you?" she demanded.
He couldn't hold it in anymore, and he began to blurt it all out. "Jessie, I have to tell you something…"
"Hmmph…what?"
"Jessie, I know you think of me as an idiot, but to me you're more than just a partner."
Jessie's stern expression seemed to soften a bit. "What?"
"As we worked together, I just started to get these…I don't know…feelings. Feelings that to me you were so beautiful, and fun to talk to, and smart…"
All sternness was gone now as she stared at him. "James…are you serious?"
"Yes, I am. I always wanted to tell you how I felt, but I always thought you'd laugh me off, that you were too proud to have feelings for someone like me. That's why it took me so long to tell you, Jessie."
She took his hand. "James," she said softly, "You didn't have to be afraid to tell me. I wouldn't have laughed at all."
There was a brief silence, then James said, "It's always so much fun being teamed up with you. We always have such a good time trying to get that kid's Pikachu, right?"
Jessie smiled. "Yeah."
"And you know what I like best of all about working with you?"
"Tell me." She said.
"When we do our motto. And how we make the smoke come up on either side of us, and then that big "R" comes out of the ground…"
Jessie laughed softly. "Yeah, that is a lot of fun."
"That's why I love being around you, Jessie. You always make fun stuff happen."
There was another brief silence, then Jessie took his hand again and said, "James, I… I know I don't always treat you with the highest respect, but…" she stared into his eyes. "I think you're really fun to hang around with, too."
James' eyes widened. "Really?"
"Yes. I mean, even though I'm usually the one to come up with the plans, you always add the wisecracks and humor, which always make it fun."
James chuckled to himself. "Yeah, I guess I can be quite the comedian…"
"Hey, let's not be getting too full of ourselves," Jessie said, elbowing him playfully.
After a pause, James said, "Remember our first battle against Ash? When we attacked the Viridian Pokemon Center?"
"Yup." Said Jessie, smiling as she remembered the moment.
"That kid didn't know what he was doing. We almost had him! And then…" James laughed quietly as he remembered the next part, "All those Pikachus zapped the crap out of us!"
Jessie laughed as well. "Yes, that got to be a habit, didn't it?" They found themselves staring into each other's eyes again.
"James," said Jessie, "I wish you had told me these feelings sooner, because…" she looked away, embarrassed.
"Jessie, please tell me."
"Well," she said, looking back at him, "It's just that… as you and I worked together, I…started to have feelings for you as well."
James' heart did a triple lutz. "You…you did? You really did?"
"Yes. At first, I was scared of the feelings, because I had never felt that way about anybody before. So I did my best to hide the feelings. That's why I used to treat you like garbage. But James," she stared deeper into his eyes, "I…I really do care for you."
James was silent for an instant, then he broke into a broad grin. "Jessie, do you know how happy you just made me?"
Jessie smiled sweetly. "And you don't think I'm just as happy as you are?"
But then James got serious again. "But Jessie, I don't just care for you. It's more than that. I…I…"
"Say it, James. You don't have to be afraid anymore." She said softly.
"Jessie…I love you."
"Oh, James…" she whispered, and she put his arm around him and they kissed for the first time. When they pulled back, James' eyes were wide.
"Jessie…wow…I…"
"Shhh." She said, smiling, and they kissed again.
At that moment, the door opened and Meowth strolled in, singing softly to himself. He stopped dead in his tracks, and rubbed his eyes, however, when he beheld the sight before him. There was Jessie and James, his two trainers, with their arms around each other, kissing. He groaned softly. "I never thought I'd see the day…"
Upon hearing his voice, Jessie and James quickly broke the kiss and stared at the cat. "What are YOU doing here?" growled Jessie.
"Umm…umm…"
Jessie picked up Meowth by his neck. "Listen, you," she snarled, "You saw nothing! Got it? Absolutely nothing! Because if you tell anybody, so help me God I will have Arbok eat you alive! Understand?"
"Yes, Jessie." Whimpered Meowth. "Please put me down now."
Jessie set him down and said, "Now get out of here!"
Meowth bolted through the door in a flash.
Jessie sat down next to James again. "Oh, that cat. Always trying to get in the way…" She turned back to James. "Now, where exactly did we leave off?"
James smiled. "I think somewhere around here." He said, moving to kiss her again. Before he could do so, however, a shrill beeping filled the room.
"Damn it, my Pokedex!" grumbled Jessie. "Hold on, I probably should get that."
Jessie popped open the device to see Maurice staring back at her.
"What is it, Maurice?"
"We still haven't found any trace of Celebi or his army," the man said in his rough voice. "We're thinking we should start searching Kanto as well."
"Don't bother," said Jessie. "We have all the information we need and we're heading back to HQ tomorrow. You should do the same."
"Ah, great." Said Maurice. "Okay, then, I'm out." And the screen went blank.
Jessie checked her watch, and said, "Oh my, it's after midnight. We really should be getting to sleep."
"Okay, then." Said James, and he started to get under the covers of his bed.
"Wait, though," said Jessie, "Listen…we can't let anyone know about this. Not yet, anyway. We have to keep it a secret for now, okay?"
"Okay, Jessie. No problem."
"All right then," she said, smiling. She gave him a quick kiss goodnight, then she got into her bed and clicked off the light.
"Good night, Jessie." Said James from the darkness.
"Good night, James. Sleep well."
Soon they were both fast asleep, their lives filled with new meaning.