Disclaimer: Pokemon does not belong to me.

Author's Note: This fic is way out of date. A year at least. Back at the beginning of Johto. I'm too lazy to change it. And if I did, it would never be finished. So just bear with me.

Chapter Seven

Misty glared at them, standing her ground, trying to ignore the churning in her stomach. Team Rocket was grinning from ear to ear (or in Meowth's case, whisker to whisker).

"Tick tock," Jesse said. Togepi squealed and wriggled in her arms.

"Pika--CHUU!" A jolt of electricity ran through Team Rocket. They screamed with pain. Togepi flew out of Jesse's arms and into Misty's. Ash and Brock ran over to her.

"Are you okay, Misty?" Ash asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, we're fine. Thanks." She smiled, making him blush.

"Aw, it was nothing," he replied, both embarrassed and pleased at her gratitude.

James' wish had come true, in a way. His hear nearly touched the ceiling still under the effects of Pikachu's thunderbolt attack. Jesse, whose hair stood completely on end, scowled at Ash.

"It figures you'd come and help your girlfriend. Give us Pikachu!"

"No way," Ash replied. "Pikachu, Thunder Shock!"

"Pika!" Another burst of energy was aimed at Team Rocket. In all the confusion, they'd forgotten the special anti-shock equipment they'd prepared a few days ago, which, coincidentally, doubled as rain gear. They ran out the door with the children following in hot pursuit. Team Rocket's balloon was right outside waiting for them. They hopped in and lifted off.

"You aren't getting away that easily," Ash shouted at them. "Heracross, I choose you!" He threw his Pokéball and Heracross flew towards Team Rocket. "Horn attack!"

Heracross charged at the balloon, but it had no effect.

Jesse and James laughed. "It'll take more than that to ground Team Rocket," said Meowth.

"Oh, yeah?" Misty shot back. She grabbed another Pokéball from her backpack, which she'd brought outside with her. "Staryu, go!"

This time, the right Pokemon did appear. "Hey, Ash," she said, "How about giving Staryu a boost?"

He nodded. "Heracross!" The Pokemon made an about face and scooped up Staryu off the ground.

"Staryu, double edge attack!" Staryu spun in the air and ripped a large whole in the balloon. It began to drop towards the ground.

Team Rocket screamed. "Ah, we're sinking, we're sinking, we're sinking!"

Ash grinned. "Not for long. Heracross, horn attack!" Heracross butted the basket and tossed it high in the air, sending Team Rocket flying.

"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they cried. A star twinkled in the distance.

Ash and Misty gave each other a high five. "We did it!"

"You guys make a pretty good team," Brock commented.

They looked at each other and grinned.

"Hey," Misty said, realizing something. "You didn't get annoyed when she called me your girlfriend."

Ash blushed. "Well, yeah…. We'd better get going," he said quickly.

"Wait a second!" Misty cried. She thrust Togepi into Brock's arms. "Be right back." She ran inside, pushing past the O'Hair triplets, who'd been watching from the window, looks of horror plastered on their faces.

"What's she up to?" Ash wondered. Brock shrugged.

Misty came out, dressed in her normal, everyday tank top and shorts, her hair sticking up in a ponytail on one side. Her backpack was on her back. "I'm coming with you."

"But you said…" Brock began.

She shook her head. "I changed my mind. I was stupid before. Give up Pokemon, I must've been nuts."

"You got that right," Ash blurted out.

"EXCUSE ME?" she thundered. Pikachu hid behind Ash's leg in fear.

Ash sweatdropped. "I, um, I meant…"

"Why, you…!" Misty chased him down the road. Brock and Pikachu followed, Brock still carrying Togepi.

Narrator: Well, everything's normal again. Misty's back on the road with the boys, Team Rocket "blasted off again" again, and everything is nice and peaceful for the time being.

"Come back here you little brat!"

Narrator: Well, then again, maybe not.

The End