Chapter Fifteen: The Ultimate Assassin
Butch tossed and turned all night. How could he sleep with this over his head? The thought that the next time he accidentally used a TM alone was enough to bring tears to his eyes; and Butch never cried.
In the end he gave up sleeping and spent the night sitting up in bed alone with his thoughts. As the HQ was underground it was cold and Butch had to wrap the duvet around himself to keep warm.
The next morning Garret sent for Butch and he was taken down to the lab to begin to try and learn to control the TM's. An hour later and things weren't looking good. "Its no use" Butch snapped angrily at the scientist standing before him. "I can't do it" Garret sighed and pushed his glasses further up his nose. He had been working with Butch the whole morning but the male seemed to be unable to use any of the TM's and didn't appear to want to. "You're holding back," Garret said wearily.
"I am not," Butch snapped again. "Maybe you've got it all wrong" deep down he was still slightly convinced that Amber was lying about him.
"If you cannot accept what happened then how are you supposed to master the TM's?" Garret demanded. "The key to control is power Butch and if you cannot learn how to use the TM's then how are you ever going to have the power and control?"
"Well maybe I don't want them!" Butch yelled back. "Maybe I just want to be normal again? I didn't ask for you and your stupid gang to come and take me away from my life with Cassidy" Butch stopped suddenly after bring up his girlfriend. He didn't want to think about Cassidy; it was over anyway. She couldn't love him now, not like this, no one could.
Garret shook his head "So much anger and so badly directed. I only want to help and so does Amber."
"Help? You want me to kill for your gang. That is the only reason you are helping me"
"You are the perfect assassin," Garret pointed out. Butch turned from the scientist disgusted by him and the Darkness. He too was frustrated about not being able to use the TM's. James had managed to with ease and for Butch it was a struggle. Butch didn't care anymore.no this was not true. He did not want to die and that would be what would happen if he didn't learn to control these damn things. Butch started wondering about James again. Maybe James could show him how to do it? James must know since he managed it so well. "Lets try again" Garret spoke again. "Now the best technique as I said before is to sit still with your eyes closed and just think about teleporting to the other side of the lab"
"I've had enough for today," Butch said. "I just want to rest"
"Butch you have to try" Garret insisted. Butch scowled at him and wished he were outside the lab and away from this man. Butch hated this and it was the fear of what would happen if he did not learn to control the TM's that was feeding his fear. The only things that came out of fear were anger and hatred Butch had been told once. Still that did nothing to comfort him. He was scared of what would happen if he did learn to control the TM's too. Amber would try to use him and Butch did not want to be used as James had been. Then again James had more to loose than he did. Butch bit his lip at this thought. James had Jesse and Meowth but what did he have? Cassidy thought he was a freak. Maybe he should stay with the Darkness? Butch did miss being in a gang. He didn't know why through. "Butch?" Garret was calling to him again now. Butch shot the man an angry look. The next thing he knew he was back in his room.
"This again?" Butch shouted realising what had happened. "I hate this" A few minutes later Amber burst into the room. "There you are!" she cried breathing heavily. She had obviously been looking for him.
"I had enough" Butch said still a little angrily. "Why are you checking up on me? You did say I could go round the HQ?"
"I know but Garret said you were upset" was the reply. Butch knew she was lying to him. Amber was afraid that he would teleport out of the HQ and leave here and that in fact had crossed Butch's mind.
"I'm fine" Butch said evenly "Garret does not know what he's talking about"
Amber smiled and sat down on the bed. "I know how hard this is believe me Butch. If you just gave it time"
"Time? I'll die before I can master this. I need to talk to someone who's been there Amber."
"James? Butch you don't want to talk to him"
"You said I could do what I like"
"You will not speak to him," Amber shouted. "I forbid it"
"You can't tell me what to do" Butch snapped.
Amber then calmed down. Her face softened and she stood up "I'm sorry it's just that we have little time"
"What do you mean?" Butch asked a note of suspicion entering his voice.
"You see this?" Amber said holding up the syringe that Garret had given her earlier. Butch frowned and nodded.
"Garret has been looking into why you cannot control the TM's and we think it is to do with the amount in your blood rather than your current attitude problem"
"How would that affect the TM?" Butch asked, "It didn't before?"
"It's affecting your ability to control the TM's" Amber said. "All we have to do is give you one little injection we're set"
Butch's gaze shifting uneasily to the needle. There was something about Amber and he didn't like it at all. "Did Marcus tell you to use it?"
Amber smiled and came closer "Of course not. Marcus hates all this science. He lets me deal with that side of things."
"If it will help me then I guess we could give it a try" Butch said nervously. Amber smiled and told him to roll up the sleeve of his jacket as before. Like the other injection it didn't really hurt at all. After a few minutes through Butch started to feel very uneasy. He didn't know why but he felt restless. He got up from the bed and started pacing round the room hoping that this feeling would ease. It didn't and just became worse. All the while Amber sat watching him. "What was in that stuff?" he demanded as the room started to spin out of focus.
Amber shrugged "Nothing really"
"Tell me" Butch demanded and as he did so white flashed before his eyes. Before Butch knew what he was doing he had Amber pined up against the wall.
"Butch calm down" Amber twisted trying to get away but Butch's grip was firm. Butch knew what he was doing and commanded himself to release her but his body was not listening to him! Then his anger was gone and replaced by a roaring sound. Butch shook his head trying to clear it. The sound refused to go away and got louder until Butch couldn't take it anymore. He sank down on his knees shaking his head all the while sobbing in confusion and agony.
"It hurts doesn't it?" Amber said a little shaken despite herself. Butch looked up tearfully. "Don't worry I can help you with the pain" Amber continued.
"What have you done to me?" Butch demanded.
"That injection" Amber said, "I didn't lie. It is to help your performance where the TM's are concerned. But we both know what would happen once you learned them. You would refuse what I ask in return. This is the only way to control you. As I am sure Garret has said the key to control is power"
"You can't control me," Butch said but he was finding that even speaking was difficult.
Amber chuckled and shook her head "I already have control of you. You're in pain because of that little injection. My scientist made it for me. I could tell you the science behind it but that would serve no real purpose and would just waste my time and yours. To put it simply the drug reacts with the TM's and causes pain. The drug lasts a few days and by then I think we'll be finished for now"
"I won't do anything for you" Butch whimpered
Amber shook her head "Butch that kind of attitude is getting you no where. Now the pain will worsen in the next half an hour or so. I have some other things to take care of. When I come back I will bring with me some painkillers. If you are willing to talk then I will give you one.if you are lucky"
Butch turned away and Amber left him alone as the pain worsened.
It hadn't taken James long to work out what he must do but had taken him longer to work up the courage to do it. This couldn't go on anymore he realised. James knew he could either wait around like last time or give into Amber or he could try to stop her. He could just escape and James had thought about that prospect. That wouldn't change anything through. The Darkness would still be a threat and may come after him again and that would endanger Jesse and Meowth too. Tears welled up in James' eyes when he thought of Jesse. He loved her so much that it actually hurt! He had lost her he knew but he wanted to make things right again. If he didn't try then more people would die. Now as James sat on the floor of the room trying to concentrate doubts flooded into his mind again. In order to stop the Darkness he had to know what they were planning and do know this James would have to use future sight again. He didn't want to but he had no choice. James wondered how long it would be before Amber came back. He might not get another chance. James decided to try and focus on the next two days. This was going to be a long viewing and there were minimal risks involved. James wasn't sure if he could do it but he had to try.
When Jesse and Cassidy arrived in Azalea Town they went straight to the Pokemon centre. Meowth was there waiting for them as he had said, Victreebell's Pokeball in his paws. "I had some trouble getting Nurse Joy to give it too me" he said sadly. "I tink Victreebell thinks Jimmy abandoned it. It keeps asking where he is and telling me that he's left it like the others" James had found Victreebell a year or two ago when they were in the Safari Zone. Jesse shuddered remembering the crazy warden who came charging out of his house opening fire on them with a rifle. A trainer had just taken Victreebell (back then a Weepinbell) and dumped it out in the wilderness. James had rescued it and nursed it back to health. Victreebell had always been terrified that James would abandon it too and that was why it was so hostile towards him. It was scared to trust a human again after what happened before. "So did yous call da police?" Meowth asked as they stepped outside the centre. "And where's Cally?"
"Cally's gone" Jesse said not wanting to bring up the subject of the police officer.
"What about da police?" Meowth demanded.
"We're not calling them," Cassidy said. "We're going to rescue them ourselves"
"WHAT! DATS SUICIDE!" Meowth screeched.
"Keep your voice down" Jesse hissed.
"Well" Meowth said folding his paws across his chest. "I am not telling yous where da HQ is"
Jesse's eyes widened in anger "Why not?"
"Because yous mean more ta Meowth dan anything. I told yous I don't want ta loose yous and it is suicide. Jess please"
"Don't you care about James?" Jesse shouted tears stinging her eyes. She hadn't cried this much in a long time. She couldn't loose him now she just couldn't. "I care so much dat it's killing me inside!" Meowth yelled back. "But dis isn't right Jesse. If yous go in dare den dey'll just kill yous too!"
"So you think they'll kill him?" Jesse asked softly.
"We hafta get da police"
"Cally was the police" Cassidy said speaking for the first time. "She was lying to you for a year. The police failed to save my Butch from getting taken by these people. If we call them then they'll storm in there and believe me that gang might kill Butch and James out of fear of getting caught. I have seen it many times before in Team Rocket Meowth" Meowth couldn't believe they were going to be so stupid! They hadn't any weapons to protect themselves with! This was foolish behaviour. Since when had Jesse and Cassidy been friends anyway? Why was Cally no longer with them and what did Cassidy mean Cally was a police officer? "I won't tell yous" Meowth said tears soaking his fur now.
"Then we're no longer friends," Jesse said coldly. "You either help me or we will find this hideout alone."
"Jesse" Meowth pleaded.
"I mean it Meowth. Tell me or you can forget ever coming back home."
"Yous are just feeling guilty because dis is your fault!" Meowth yelled through his heart was breaking inside. He couldn't send Jesse to her death he just couldn't.
"MY FAULT!" Jesse cried angrily "This is not my fault"
"Yous ran out on Jimmy" Meowth shot back. "If yous had stayed in da house den dey would never have got hold of him. Yous are always putting yourself before everyone. Yous always complain dat no one thinks of yous but dat was da reason James was taken. He didn't run after yous because he wanted ta give yous space! He knew how you'd been treated in da past by men and was thinking of yous! So he stayed and dis happened. But I am not gonna let yous kill yourself. James would not have wanted dat! If dat means saying goodbye to our friendship den so be it" Cassidy was moved by the cat's want to protect Jesse as well but they had to find James and Butch themselves.
"Meowth please" she said. "I just want to find them. Can't you see what harm the police would do?" Meowth turned away and his heart broke when Jesse swore angrily and marched off the other direction.
"She'll calm down," Cassidy said comfortingly. Normally Meowth would have hissed when Cassidy petted him between the ears after speaking but now it just made him weep harder.
"I can't tell yous" Meowth sobbed "I love dem too much" Cassidy turned away and hurried after Jesse. Meowth looked round and saw in relief that they were heading away from the Ilex forest. He just hoped he had done the right thing.
Butch tossed and turned all night. How could he sleep with this over his head? The thought that the next time he accidentally used a TM alone was enough to bring tears to his eyes; and Butch never cried.
In the end he gave up sleeping and spent the night sitting up in bed alone with his thoughts. As the HQ was underground it was cold and Butch had to wrap the duvet around himself to keep warm.
The next morning Garret sent for Butch and he was taken down to the lab to begin to try and learn to control the TM's. An hour later and things weren't looking good. "Its no use" Butch snapped angrily at the scientist standing before him. "I can't do it" Garret sighed and pushed his glasses further up his nose. He had been working with Butch the whole morning but the male seemed to be unable to use any of the TM's and didn't appear to want to. "You're holding back," Garret said wearily.
"I am not," Butch snapped again. "Maybe you've got it all wrong" deep down he was still slightly convinced that Amber was lying about him.
"If you cannot accept what happened then how are you supposed to master the TM's?" Garret demanded. "The key to control is power Butch and if you cannot learn how to use the TM's then how are you ever going to have the power and control?"
"Well maybe I don't want them!" Butch yelled back. "Maybe I just want to be normal again? I didn't ask for you and your stupid gang to come and take me away from my life with Cassidy" Butch stopped suddenly after bring up his girlfriend. He didn't want to think about Cassidy; it was over anyway. She couldn't love him now, not like this, no one could.
Garret shook his head "So much anger and so badly directed. I only want to help and so does Amber."
"Help? You want me to kill for your gang. That is the only reason you are helping me"
"You are the perfect assassin," Garret pointed out. Butch turned from the scientist disgusted by him and the Darkness. He too was frustrated about not being able to use the TM's. James had managed to with ease and for Butch it was a struggle. Butch didn't care anymore.no this was not true. He did not want to die and that would be what would happen if he didn't learn to control these damn things. Butch started wondering about James again. Maybe James could show him how to do it? James must know since he managed it so well. "Lets try again" Garret spoke again. "Now the best technique as I said before is to sit still with your eyes closed and just think about teleporting to the other side of the lab"
"I've had enough for today," Butch said. "I just want to rest"
"Butch you have to try" Garret insisted. Butch scowled at him and wished he were outside the lab and away from this man. Butch hated this and it was the fear of what would happen if he did not learn to control the TM's that was feeding his fear. The only things that came out of fear were anger and hatred Butch had been told once. Still that did nothing to comfort him. He was scared of what would happen if he did learn to control the TM's too. Amber would try to use him and Butch did not want to be used as James had been. Then again James had more to loose than he did. Butch bit his lip at this thought. James had Jesse and Meowth but what did he have? Cassidy thought he was a freak. Maybe he should stay with the Darkness? Butch did miss being in a gang. He didn't know why through. "Butch?" Garret was calling to him again now. Butch shot the man an angry look. The next thing he knew he was back in his room.
"This again?" Butch shouted realising what had happened. "I hate this" A few minutes later Amber burst into the room. "There you are!" she cried breathing heavily. She had obviously been looking for him.
"I had enough" Butch said still a little angrily. "Why are you checking up on me? You did say I could go round the HQ?"
"I know but Garret said you were upset" was the reply. Butch knew she was lying to him. Amber was afraid that he would teleport out of the HQ and leave here and that in fact had crossed Butch's mind.
"I'm fine" Butch said evenly "Garret does not know what he's talking about"
Amber smiled and sat down on the bed. "I know how hard this is believe me Butch. If you just gave it time"
"Time? I'll die before I can master this. I need to talk to someone who's been there Amber."
"James? Butch you don't want to talk to him"
"You said I could do what I like"
"You will not speak to him," Amber shouted. "I forbid it"
"You can't tell me what to do" Butch snapped.
Amber then calmed down. Her face softened and she stood up "I'm sorry it's just that we have little time"
"What do you mean?" Butch asked a note of suspicion entering his voice.
"You see this?" Amber said holding up the syringe that Garret had given her earlier. Butch frowned and nodded.
"Garret has been looking into why you cannot control the TM's and we think it is to do with the amount in your blood rather than your current attitude problem"
"How would that affect the TM?" Butch asked, "It didn't before?"
"It's affecting your ability to control the TM's" Amber said. "All we have to do is give you one little injection we're set"
Butch's gaze shifting uneasily to the needle. There was something about Amber and he didn't like it at all. "Did Marcus tell you to use it?"
Amber smiled and came closer "Of course not. Marcus hates all this science. He lets me deal with that side of things."
"If it will help me then I guess we could give it a try" Butch said nervously. Amber smiled and told him to roll up the sleeve of his jacket as before. Like the other injection it didn't really hurt at all. After a few minutes through Butch started to feel very uneasy. He didn't know why but he felt restless. He got up from the bed and started pacing round the room hoping that this feeling would ease. It didn't and just became worse. All the while Amber sat watching him. "What was in that stuff?" he demanded as the room started to spin out of focus.
Amber shrugged "Nothing really"
"Tell me" Butch demanded and as he did so white flashed before his eyes. Before Butch knew what he was doing he had Amber pined up against the wall.
"Butch calm down" Amber twisted trying to get away but Butch's grip was firm. Butch knew what he was doing and commanded himself to release her but his body was not listening to him! Then his anger was gone and replaced by a roaring sound. Butch shook his head trying to clear it. The sound refused to go away and got louder until Butch couldn't take it anymore. He sank down on his knees shaking his head all the while sobbing in confusion and agony.
"It hurts doesn't it?" Amber said a little shaken despite herself. Butch looked up tearfully. "Don't worry I can help you with the pain" Amber continued.
"What have you done to me?" Butch demanded.
"That injection" Amber said, "I didn't lie. It is to help your performance where the TM's are concerned. But we both know what would happen once you learned them. You would refuse what I ask in return. This is the only way to control you. As I am sure Garret has said the key to control is power"
"You can't control me," Butch said but he was finding that even speaking was difficult.
Amber chuckled and shook her head "I already have control of you. You're in pain because of that little injection. My scientist made it for me. I could tell you the science behind it but that would serve no real purpose and would just waste my time and yours. To put it simply the drug reacts with the TM's and causes pain. The drug lasts a few days and by then I think we'll be finished for now"
"I won't do anything for you" Butch whimpered
Amber shook her head "Butch that kind of attitude is getting you no where. Now the pain will worsen in the next half an hour or so. I have some other things to take care of. When I come back I will bring with me some painkillers. If you are willing to talk then I will give you one.if you are lucky"
Butch turned away and Amber left him alone as the pain worsened.
It hadn't taken James long to work out what he must do but had taken him longer to work up the courage to do it. This couldn't go on anymore he realised. James knew he could either wait around like last time or give into Amber or he could try to stop her. He could just escape and James had thought about that prospect. That wouldn't change anything through. The Darkness would still be a threat and may come after him again and that would endanger Jesse and Meowth too. Tears welled up in James' eyes when he thought of Jesse. He loved her so much that it actually hurt! He had lost her he knew but he wanted to make things right again. If he didn't try then more people would die. Now as James sat on the floor of the room trying to concentrate doubts flooded into his mind again. In order to stop the Darkness he had to know what they were planning and do know this James would have to use future sight again. He didn't want to but he had no choice. James wondered how long it would be before Amber came back. He might not get another chance. James decided to try and focus on the next two days. This was going to be a long viewing and there were minimal risks involved. James wasn't sure if he could do it but he had to try.
When Jesse and Cassidy arrived in Azalea Town they went straight to the Pokemon centre. Meowth was there waiting for them as he had said, Victreebell's Pokeball in his paws. "I had some trouble getting Nurse Joy to give it too me" he said sadly. "I tink Victreebell thinks Jimmy abandoned it. It keeps asking where he is and telling me that he's left it like the others" James had found Victreebell a year or two ago when they were in the Safari Zone. Jesse shuddered remembering the crazy warden who came charging out of his house opening fire on them with a rifle. A trainer had just taken Victreebell (back then a Weepinbell) and dumped it out in the wilderness. James had rescued it and nursed it back to health. Victreebell had always been terrified that James would abandon it too and that was why it was so hostile towards him. It was scared to trust a human again after what happened before. "So did yous call da police?" Meowth asked as they stepped outside the centre. "And where's Cally?"
"Cally's gone" Jesse said not wanting to bring up the subject of the police officer.
"What about da police?" Meowth demanded.
"We're not calling them," Cassidy said. "We're going to rescue them ourselves"
"WHAT! DATS SUICIDE!" Meowth screeched.
"Keep your voice down" Jesse hissed.
"Well" Meowth said folding his paws across his chest. "I am not telling yous where da HQ is"
Jesse's eyes widened in anger "Why not?"
"Because yous mean more ta Meowth dan anything. I told yous I don't want ta loose yous and it is suicide. Jess please"
"Don't you care about James?" Jesse shouted tears stinging her eyes. She hadn't cried this much in a long time. She couldn't loose him now she just couldn't. "I care so much dat it's killing me inside!" Meowth yelled back. "But dis isn't right Jesse. If yous go in dare den dey'll just kill yous too!"
"So you think they'll kill him?" Jesse asked softly.
"We hafta get da police"
"Cally was the police" Cassidy said speaking for the first time. "She was lying to you for a year. The police failed to save my Butch from getting taken by these people. If we call them then they'll storm in there and believe me that gang might kill Butch and James out of fear of getting caught. I have seen it many times before in Team Rocket Meowth" Meowth couldn't believe they were going to be so stupid! They hadn't any weapons to protect themselves with! This was foolish behaviour. Since when had Jesse and Cassidy been friends anyway? Why was Cally no longer with them and what did Cassidy mean Cally was a police officer? "I won't tell yous" Meowth said tears soaking his fur now.
"Then we're no longer friends," Jesse said coldly. "You either help me or we will find this hideout alone."
"Jesse" Meowth pleaded.
"I mean it Meowth. Tell me or you can forget ever coming back home."
"Yous are just feeling guilty because dis is your fault!" Meowth yelled through his heart was breaking inside. He couldn't send Jesse to her death he just couldn't.
"MY FAULT!" Jesse cried angrily "This is not my fault"
"Yous ran out on Jimmy" Meowth shot back. "If yous had stayed in da house den dey would never have got hold of him. Yous are always putting yourself before everyone. Yous always complain dat no one thinks of yous but dat was da reason James was taken. He didn't run after yous because he wanted ta give yous space! He knew how you'd been treated in da past by men and was thinking of yous! So he stayed and dis happened. But I am not gonna let yous kill yourself. James would not have wanted dat! If dat means saying goodbye to our friendship den so be it" Cassidy was moved by the cat's want to protect Jesse as well but they had to find James and Butch themselves.
"Meowth please" she said. "I just want to find them. Can't you see what harm the police would do?" Meowth turned away and his heart broke when Jesse swore angrily and marched off the other direction.
"She'll calm down," Cassidy said comfortingly. Normally Meowth would have hissed when Cassidy petted him between the ears after speaking but now it just made him weep harder.
"I can't tell yous" Meowth sobbed "I love dem too much" Cassidy turned away and hurried after Jesse. Meowth looked round and saw in relief that they were heading away from the Ilex forest. He just hoped he had done the right thing.