Chapter 16-Reunited
"What the hell is going on?" Clive yelled angrily, glaring at the two cloaked figures in the doorway. "Who are you guys?"
"Prepare for trouble" the woman began.
"And make it double" the man continued.
"Jessie"
"Gary"
"You don't wanna get on the bad side of Team Rocket!" Ash yelled, appearing behind them with Brock. "So release our friends"
"No way" Clive started to say, but Misty saw her chance to take advantage of the shocked guards. Quickly she bit Jack's hand, and then hit him neatly in the groin. As he doubled over in pain, she ran over to Ash, who met her halfway and caught her in his arms.
"Oh Ash" she sobbed, hugging him tightly. "I was so scared. I thought you weren't going to come. He was going to kill us"
"It's okay" Ash whispered gently in her ear. "I'm just glad you're safe. I love you"
"I love you too"
"Don't give me that sentimental crap" Clive sneered. "We've still got one of them. Jack, pass him over"
"Sorry Clive" someone said behind him and Clive spun round. One of the guards had been knocked out, while the other one, who still held James, looked scared. Jack was on his knees, a knife pressed to his throat. Vincent, who was holding the knife, and Damon, stood there smirking at him. "Let James go" Vincent said slowly. "Or I'll kill him"
"You wouldn't kill your own brother" Clive shot back. "You don't have the killer instinct"
"Well now would be the perfect time to find out, wouldn't it?" Vincent replied quickly, pressing the knife deeper into Jack's neck. Jack held up his hand in surrender. "I give," he said quietly. "Sorry dad"
"Son, I understand" Clive glanced at the guard. "Let him go" he commanded. "Let the kid go"
"Jessie!" James yelled as the guard released him. "Meowth!"
"James!" Jessie and Meowth flung themselves on him and hugged him hard. "I was so afraid," Jessie told him. "I thought that we were going to lose you"
"No way" James kissed Jessie gently. "Team Rocket will be together forever"
"That's right" Meowth agreed. "Together forever"
"Ain't that just so sweet?" Clive said mockingly. "All that 'I love you' crap. Those kids don't even know what they're talking about"
"Let's just hope that none of them turn out to be like you" Damon muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Clive to hear. "Mum didn't leave you because you were such a great husband"
"You little…" Before Damon knew what was happening, Clive lashed out and caught him straight in the mouth, sending him to the floor. Then all hell broke loose. Vincent let go of Jack and went for Clive. Jack tried to hit Vincent and was neatly tripped up by Damon. The guard attempted to get involved, until Sol-leks head butted him in the stomach and Pikachu bit his leg. In the confusion, no one noticed Lucas appear until he spoke.
"Jack, Clive, what's going on?" he asked. "You don't mean to tell me that a bunch of kids have managed to get the upper hand here?"
"Of course not" Clive snapped, then hung his head and looked embarrassed. "Well…it was like this…they startled us, and our prisoners got away. But I won't fail my son. I still have a plan"
"Let's just hope it's a bit better than this one" Lucas said with a smirk. "We've got to do it soon, before the moon clouds over"
"I know what I'm doing" Clive snapped. "Do I look stupid?"
"Do you want me to answer that?"
As the two men argued, Damon and Vincent stepped back to join the others. "I think we've got problems," Vincent said slowly. "We can't take down three of them. Not Lucas anyway. He's far too strong, even for me"
"I was worried you'd say something like that," Gary muttered. "Shall we…?"
"Damon!" Before he could finish his sentence, Lana rushed into the gym, followed closely by Strawberry. "It's a trap!" she yelled. "It's a trap! Lucas is going to trick you!"
"Shut up bitch" Lucas spat, sending a weak psychic blast in her direction. Vincent easily deflected it and it hit the wall, just beside Lucas. Lucas glared at him. "So you think you're big?" he asked. "You think you can take me down?"
"Leave them Lucas" Clive said. "It's time. Dark Umbreon, pokemon of evil and power, I summon you!"
As everyone in the temple watched in horror, Clive took out his knife and stabbed himself hard in the chest. Gary gagged and almost threw up, Misty buried her head in Ash's shoulder, Jessie went pale and turned away.
"No!!!" Jack screamed as his father fell onto the alter, the blood already flowing heavily for the cut. As he knelt beside the dying man, there was the sound of something howling. As Clive weakened, the howling came nearer…
"Dad" Jack whispered. "You didn't have to…"
"Yes, yes I did" Clive gave a weak smile. "I'm sorry I wasn't a good father Jack. I love you"
"I love you dad," Jack said slowly. "Thank you. For everything"
As soon as Clive's heart stopped, Umbreon began to appear in front of Jack. Slowly their eyes met and Jack gave an evil smile. A poke ball appeared in his hand and Umbreon disappeared inside.
"I'm better than you now" he said, glancing at his two brothers. "One day we will battle and I will show you my true strength, but now I need to be alone. Come on Lucas"
"Wait a second" Lucas looked at him like he was mad. "You mean you're just going to let them all go?"
"Yeah, I have no use for them now" Jack said with a shrug. "Maybe one day we'll meet again, and then maybe it will be different. Who knows? But now I want to mourn my father. In peace"
"Fine" Lucas glared at his retreating back. "But hear this guys, Lucas isn't one to forget his enemies. I have a score to settle with Vincent, and one day I will. As for you Damon" he broke off and smiled evilly at Lana. "Let's see the power of poison shall we?"
Before Vincent or Damon could react in any way, Lucas threw one of his darts at Lana. It hit her directly in the throat and she promptly collapsed. As the group gathered around her, Lucas laughed and disappeared into the shadows.
"Lana" Damon took her in his arms and held her against him. "Don't…don't die on me"
"Damon" As she looked up at him, she gave a weak smile, a smile filled with love and affection. "I love you. I always did"
"I'm sorry Lana"
"No, I'm sorry. Damon, take Strawberry for me. Please look after her. And take my necklace…to remember me" she gave a cough, and blood flowed from her mouth. "Goodbye my love. Maybe one day we shall meet again…"
