Chapter 9

The Secret Weapon?



The door to the lab opened slowly to reveal a young man dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and another young man dressed all in black with a Pikachu perched on his black cape covered shoulder. The man in black's hood hung behind him as his young, handsome face was fully revealed.

As Ash and Tracey walked into the lab they immediately saw the oh-so- familiar group of Pokemon trainers staring back at them. Their eyes opened wide to match the wide-eyed stares of the trainers.

'Oh God no,' Ash thought as he stared in horror, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"This can't be good," Tracey stated nervously as a very angry Prof. Oak glared at him.

"The man in black?" Brock was in a state of confusion as he stared at the revealed man in black.

Gary was equally confused, but mostly because of the fact that the man in black now seemed so familiar.

Giselle gazed enticingly at the man in black's exposed face. "Well I didn't think it was possible for him to look any better but apparently I was wrong."

"This doesn't make sense." Duplica couldn't understand how the man in black and Ash could be the same person, especially after what Misty had told her earlier.

Prof. Oak seemed to be more in a rush than anything else as he looked desperately at Ash and the other trainers.

As for Ash, he was not really worried about the other people in the room as all his attention was focused on the weeping redhead in front of him. Ash watched as Misty shook her head in disbelief.

"Misty, please, you don't understand!" Ash pleaded with Misty who was approaching him slowly.

Misty reached Ash. As she stared into his pleading eyes, memories came back to her, memories of earlier that day when her own eyes had pleaded with Ash, pleaded to be forgiven for betraying him. Misty looked away and with one swift movement her hand met with Ash's cheek as a loud slapping sound echoed through the lab.

"You jerk! How could you?! Was this a game to you? Were you playing with me? Is that what it was?"

Ash rubbed his cheek that was throbbing in pain as he tried to plead his case to Misty.

"No Misty, it wasn't a game. I love you."

"You love me, really? Because earlier today you told me that you didn't love me. You accused me of cheating on you,.....WITH YOU!"

"I had to do it Misty, I had to protect you-"

"Ash, the only thing I need protection from is you! If you didn't want to be with me you should have had the guts to just say so instead of-of making me think that I –oooh! I can't believe I ever had feelings for such an insensitive, uncaring, bastard like you! And you know what?" Misty lifted her finger as she emphasized the words she spoke with a painful poke into his chest and a tone of hurt in her voice. "I ..don't...want...you!" Misty began to storm off, stopping suddenly for a moment to speak. "I want you to stay away from me from now on, you....and your alter ego." Misty then continued to run off out the door.

"How could you do that to her?....You've changed Ash," Duplica said in disgust as she ran after Misty.

"Ash? You were the man in black all along?" Brock questioned as he studied Ash.

"Okay, is anybody besides me completely lost here?" Gary wondered out loud.

Ash ignored both questions as he began to walk in the direction Misty and Duplica exited.

"Ash, you are staying here."

"No I am not! Prof. if I let her go I'm going to lose her."

"Ash, you have to let her go. For your benefit and hers, let her go. Besides we have more important matters to deal with right now. Gary, Brock, Giselle, please excuse us, I need to speak to Ash in private."

"But Gramps-"

"Now, Gary! Escort them out Tracey."

"Yes Prof."

Tracey held the door open as Giselle, Brock and a disgruntled Gary exited the room. Tracey then closed the door behind them to give Ash and Prof. Oak some privacy.

Ash was silent as he stared at the ground.

"Ash, I'm sorry about all this. I'm sure you must be going through a lot and I feel for you, I really do."

"But..."

"But, you are going to have to put your emotions aside for the time being until we deal with the matter at hand."

Ash rolled his eyes at the Prof.

"Ash."

"I know,...it's just so hard."

"Team Rocket are here."

"Team Rocket? That's what you wanted to tell me? I know that. I'm the one who asked them to come here."

"No. Not that Team Rocket, Butch and Cassidy, I saw them chatting with your "sources"."

"What?"

"I think they set you up Ash, and if that is the case then we are all in grave danger."

"They didn't set me up, you must be mistaken!"

"It's not a mistake Ash. I had let a Nidorina out of her Pokeball and somehow she got loose and ran out into the woods. I ran after her and while I was looking for her I stumble into a clearing where I saw Butch, Cassidy, Jessie, James, and Persian talking about you. I didn't really hear much because I was trying to keep from being seen but they were definitely discussing you."

"No! I wont believe it. They would never betray me. Not when there is so much at risk."

"Aaaaaaahhhh!"

"Let her go!"

Ash and the Prof. heard voices coming from outside. One voice sounded like Brock and the scream sounded like-

"MISTY!" Ash ran as fast as he could out of the lab followed closely by Prof. Oak.

As soon as Ash got outside he saw the most horrific thing he could have ever imagined.

There was Team Rocket, Jessie, James and Persian standing off to the side as Cassidy and Butch were standing in front of Giselle, Gary, Brock, and Duplica. And in Butch's grasp was Misty.

"Let her go!"

"Well well, if it isn't the gullible man in black. Not so tough now are you?"

Ash had a look of loathing in his eyes as he turned accusingly towards Jessie, James, and Persian.

The three former "sources" all simultaneously stared at the ground in guilt.

Ash looked away from them and took a step towards Butch and Misty.

"Uh, uh, uh, not another step or I'll break her neck," Butch said as he tightened his grip on her and moved his hand to her head.

"Ash." Misty looked at Ash in fright as Ash stood still.

"What do you want?" Ash said angrily

"Now your talking." Butch laughed at Ash's misfortune.

"What do you think we want? We want you. You give yourself up and we'll let your girlfriend, or should we say ex-girlfriend go free. Also, I must compliment you on your dumping skills, that strategy was pure evil, maybe there's hope for you yet."

Tears rolled down Misty's face, but Ash didn't know if it was because of the situation she was in now or because of what Cassidy just said. Either way it made Ash furious to see Misty like that.

"You'd have to be crazy to think I would actually just let you take me without a fight."

"If you don't you can kiss the redhead goodbye."

Ash stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the situation.

"What's your decision? Come on we don't have all day here."

Everyone stared at Ash waiting for him to make his move. Ash lifted his head up and began to speak in an unaffected tone.

"You'll give me your word that you'll let her go unharmed?"

"ASH NO!" Misty shouted in protest.

"Well I don't know what our word is worth, but yes we give you our word as Team Rocket Elite members, we'll let her go...unharmed."

"Ash, you can't believe them! They even said it themselves, there word isn't worth anything." Brock tried to reason with Ash.

"What else can I do Brock?!" Ash looked at Brock waiting for an answer, but when none came Ash began to walk forward, approaching Butch and Cassidy.

Pikachu could tell that Ash had some kind of plan in mind because Ash gave him the signal to stay still.

Unfortunately Cassidy also observed this signal.

"If you or your rat try anything funny you'll regret it," Cassidy said as Butch swiftly released Misty and through her to the side. Cassidy then quickly bonded Ash's hands together with some kind of electronic device.

"Please, you don't honestly think you can keep me trapped like this," Ash said confidently.

"Perhaps we can't, but if you do try to escape the people you care for will suffer for it. And remember, we know where you live," Cassidy said just as confidently as she turned to look in the direction of Ash's house.

"Mom!"

"That's right, and after we're done with her we'll just continue done the line until there's nobody left except you and your electric rat. But think on the bright side, at least you'll have your freedom even if you have nobody to share it with."

"If I take you out-"

"Everybody back at Team Rocket headquarters knows who you really are now, thanks to the loser threesome. If you manage to get rid of us there will always be somebody knew sent after you, your family, and friends."

Ash knew the truth in Cassidy's words. That's why Prof. Oak stressed the fact of keeping his identity secret. He knew this would happen if Ash was careless. But it was kind of ironic how it wasn't Ash's relationship with Misty but his relationship with Team Rocket that got him into this mess. Ash felt lost and helpless. He hadn't felt like this since he had left Misty behind all those years ago. He hated this feeling, he hated being.....alone.

Misty watched as Ash was bonded by the device. After Cassidy finished talking Misty finally realized the reason Ash wanted to break it off with her. 'He really was just trying to protect me. Oh God.......Ash.'

"I wont try to escape."

"That's a good boy. And remember the consequences if you do."

"Well we finally captured the thorn in Team Rocket's side. Wont the Boss be proud?"

"He sure will Butch. And what do you know, you losers were actually good for something after all." Cassidy turned towards Jessie, James and Persian who glared back at her.

"Well let's get going-"

"Wait!"

"What now?"

"Can I just say something to Misty, like a goodbye since I'm probably never going to see her again."

"You're definitely not going to see her again......Go ahead, but make it quick."

Ash walked up to a very confused and upset looking Misty.

"Ash?"

"Misty I do love you, you don't have to believe me and I don't blame you if you don't but I just wanted you to know that." Ash stared into Misty's eyes as he gave her the most heartfelt expression she has ever seen.

Misty threw her arms around the bonded Ash as she cried into his shoulder.

"I love you too Ash please don't let them do this, I do believe you, please. Don't leave me."

Ash began to whisper into Misty's ear so that nobody could see or hear him. "Misty now that they are taking me I can't escape but Pikachu, Pikachu has the secret weapon. Get it from him, it's up to you, you and Brock and-"

"Come on that's enough." Butch roughly pulled Ash away from Misty as a helicopter was heard in the distance.

'Secret weapon? What on earth is he talking about.'

The helicopter made a landing in the clearing as Butch pushed Ash ahead of him and Cassidy followed slowly behind, stopping for a second to gloat.

"Now that the man in black is gone you will all soon fall under the rule of Team Rocket. And the more you fight us the harder it will be for you in the end. No Pokemon can defeat our Super Pokemon."

"At least no Pokemon that youz have, Perr"

"Shut up you mangy cat!" Cassidy screeched at Persian. "Get in your balloon and let's head back to headquarters."

"Look Cass, I caught an Ash," Butch joked as he dragged Ash into the helicopter.

"Too bad he doesn't fit into a Pokeball, it would be a lot less crowded in here." Cassidy said as she tried to cram herself into the small helicopter built for two.

"Uh we could always take him back, there's plenty of room in our Persian balloon," James stated.

"Yeah like we'd trust a bunch of incompetent idiots with something so important, get in your balloon and shut up," Cassidy ordered.

Jessie growled in anger and was about to say something when James shook his head.

"Jess just let it go, we don't want to make things worse."

Jessie looked from James to Ash who was sitting very uncomfortably in the ready-to-take-off helicopter.

"Your right, but this is not over." The threesome then jumped into their balloon as the helicopter took off.

The group of Pokemon trainers, Pikachu and Prof. Oak watched as the helicopter disappeared into the distance with the Persian balloon following far behind.

"I can't believe this is happening." Misty said as she broke down crying once again.

"Prof. should I alert Ash's mom of the situation?" Tracey asked the Prof.

"No, I will tell her myself. I've known her and Ash a lot longer and I think she deserves to hear it from me," the Prof. said as he left the trainers behind and headed for the Ketchum residence.

"Now what are we going to do?" Brock asked no one specifically.

"What do you think we are going to do, we are going to save Ash."

"Misty, are you crazy?! How the hell could we pull that off? Team Rocket have way more Pokemon than we do all together, plus those grunts are all trained in martial arts," Duplica addressed her determined looking friend.

"Yeah before at least we had the man-uh I mean Ash on our side," Giselle stated.

"My Pokemon are really powerful and I'm a Pokemon Master so I don't see how grunts could defeat me. I'll wipe the floor clean with them, besides I know a few moves myself." Gary began to demonstrate his moves by flailing his legs about in uncoordinated motions.

"What is that?" Giselle questioned.

"It just looks like you have to go to the bathroom really badly." Duplica stated honestly as Gary's face turned a deep shade of red.

"Save your moves Gary, we don't need them, we have a secret weapon." Misty stated slyly as she looked at Pikachu.

Everyone turned their attention toward Pikachu.

"Pika?" Pikachu said looking confused.

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Inside the lab Prof. Oak, Delia Ketchum, Gary, Tracey, Giselle, Duplica, Brock, and Misty were all gathered around Pikachu.

"What did Ash say?" Delia asked Misty.

"He told me that Pikachu had some kind of secret weapon and that I should get it from him."

"Well Ash did say that if all else failed he had some kind of backup plan, maybe this is it," the Prof. concluded.

"Well, where is this secret weapon?" Gary said skeptically as he looked at Pikachu.

Misty crouched down to Pikachu's level.

"Pikachu, do you know what Ash was talking about?"

"Pika? Pikachu pika chu chu pi"

"He doesn't know?" Brock questioned.

"That's what it looks like. Come on Pikachu think, did Ash give you anything, something to take care of, something important."

Pikachu seemed to be deep in thought. After a few seconds he popped his head up in remembrance.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu pulled a tiny yellow backpack out of thin air and began to dump it's contents out onto the lab floor. A brush, a miniature lightning bolt sleeping bag, and dozens of ketchup packets were among the things that fell on the floor.

The group of humans sweatdropped at the contents of the backpack.

Misty looked through the Pikachu possessions.

"Did you find anything?" Duplica asked anxiously.

"Not-wait, what's this?" Misty held up a miniature Pokeball.

"Open it," the Prof. told Misty as she enlarged the Pokeball and called the Pokemon out.

"Pokeball go!"

A bright light flashed as the Pokeball opened and a large creature began to take shape in front of the group.

The humans all stared in amazement at the beautiful Pokemon they saw before them.



A/N: Well duh! Of course it's another cliffhanger, when isn't it a cliffhanger. But this one isn't really that big of a deal, sure Ash is now captured by Team Rocket, Misty and the gang might never see him again, and their only chance to save him and themselves is this Pokemon that hasn't been revealed yet. But really, is that so bad? Okay enough of me being sarcastic. I'm kinda in a bad mood because after the next chapter I don't have a clue what is going to happen. Remember my author's note at the beginning of this story? Well I'm going to start needing some suggestions soon so any ideas are welcome. Okay reviews are needed (however insane they may be Llyxius, I still enjoy them and appreciate them ^_~) so keep them coming because you guys are great and reading your reviews always make me feel better. Next chapter- Ash in the hands of Team Rocket, and I reveal the secret weapon Pokemon. Till then. ^_^