Chapter 5

A/N:  So are you on the edge of your seat in anticipation for this next chapter?  Oh…o.o…you're not?  Well then…be that way…*sticks out tongue*…never liked you anyway…hmph.  ^_~…just joshin ya.  Well anyway more action…and maybe a little romance thrown in too…since that is the whole point of this idiot plot.  Let's see we'll also take time to visit with Jerex, that suave bastard…and also pop in on the rest of the gang who are relaxing on vacation…what a bunch of lazy bums eh?  Well that's about it I think…for now…*insert evil laughter*.  Ja ne.

Disclaimer:  Ya know what…nothing has changed.  I have yet to receive the papers that say that I own Pokemon and all things related.  Heheh…oh well it's bound to come one of these days.

Behind Closed Doors

"FALL YOU BASTARD!"

Ash barely jumped out of the way, while firing several rounds of his gun, of a particularly harsh blast of energy rolling and smashing against the far wall.  Groaning and holding his abdomen Ash coughed several times blood dripping out of his mouth.  Charizard was not in much better shape.  The atrium wasn't big enough for him to be airborn so he was stuck.  A much louder thud signaled that Charizard was down.  Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand Ash muttered under his breath.  This was just plain wrong…nothing could even begin to expound upon Ash's disgust.  For there standing in front of him was something that he never thought would ever come to existence.

So that's what they were hiding here.  No idiotic missiles or shit like that…this is even more serious than we thought.  How could they do something like this?  I mean…it's not even humane.

The creature that was handing Ash his ass on a silver platter wasn't overly large or anything of that sort.  He was maybe a couple of inches taller than Ash but much bulkier.  But the one problem with this…thing was, though it took a basic humanoid form, it was definitely not all human.  The eyes seemed to pull you in like an Arbok's hypnotic stare.  And it was faster than even a Scizor.

Well now we know where those samples of pokemon DNA went.  They are experimenting with humans and pokemon!  And those containers in that room…

Ash shuddered at the thought and struggled to get up.  Staggering onto his feet Ash gripped his right arm trying to come up with a plan that would at least allow him to escape with most of his body intact.  He had already recalled Charizard who was definitely in need of some medical attention so was now left with his blade and one more clip of bullets for his gun.  Cursing his bad luck Ash glared at the glowing figure in front of him.  The enemy didn't have any gender it seemed and was seemingly surrounded by an aura of blue flames.  The eyes glowed with an intense white light and it was just plain creepy.  Moving into a defensive stance Ash waited for the next attack.  Things didn't look good but there was not much that he could do in his current physical state.

~*~

"Bye boys…nice playing with you!"

Misty dashed away from the very gory scene that she had created.  Taking a bullet to her leg and shoulder was not bad considering what kinds of odds she had been up against.  Now she just had to make it to Ash and then get the hell out of there.  Running as best as she could with a busted leg, panic was just about ready to set in when she finally saw Ash up ahead of her.  He was having what seemed like a staring contest with that…well what it was.

"ASH!!"

Turning around in shock Ash's eyes brightened when he saw that Misty was okay…well as okay as she could be that is.  He took stock of her injuries and mentally frowned but it seemed like she had come out much better than he was.

"GET OUT OF HERE!!!  THIS GUY DOESN'T LIKE TO PLAY BY NORMAL RULES!"

Then turned back Ash had moved his head just to take the full force of creature's next attack.  Flying backwards he hit the ground in a crumpled heap.  Misty's scream tore through her throat and rebounded off the walls causing the enemy to pause in its attack.  Seizing the opportunity Misty called out Togetic.

"Togetic…teleport now!"

Misty glanced at her watch and saw that they had about thirty seconds before the place blew.  Gripping Ash's unconscious form to her chest Misty could feel the rumbling of the floor as it began to self destruct and the piercing glare of the monster before suddenly they blinked out.

~*~

"Ahh…this is the life eh?"

Brock was lying down on a towel soaking up rays and watching out of pretty girls.  Chris and Amy were down by the water letting their feet get wet.  Chris had a faraway look in her eyes as she thought about…well Ash.  He always seemed occupy her mind nowadays.

Why him?  Of all people…he's too…too…too damn perfect, that's what he is.

Sighing dejectedly Chris began to mutter to herself completing forgetting that Amy was right next to her.  Who, Amy that is, had a very perplexed expression on her face.  Cocking her head to one side she began to observe Chris' strange behavior.  This was something new to her.  Chris had always been very quiet…not one to talk or mutter rather, to herself.  Interested Amy tried to make out what she was saying but it was too soft and mumbled together.  Finally curiosity getting the best of her Amy cleared her throat and tried to get Chris' attention.

"Wha-what?"

"You were muttering to yourself that's what.  Something you need to share with the class Chris?"

Blushing a bright red at getting caught pondering about Ash Chris turned her head and did what she did best…deny."

"I have no idea what you are talking about Amy.  I'm just worried about my work that's all."

Amy just smiled at this comment.  It seemed like Chris was becoming more and more like Ash the longer they hung out together.  Smirking evilly Amy was suddenly stuck with some insight.  Turning her head so Chris wouldn't notice the younger girl decided to tease her friend a little more and see where she could get.  There had to be something deeper than she thought if Chris was blushing.  You didn't blush if you were thinking about your job…no matter how much you enjoyed it.

"Yeah…okay.  Man I wish Ash was here.  He would love the weather and scenery.  I miss the dolt and I know you do too Chris.  No matter what you say…you guys were getting close for the past couple of months weren't you?"

Emphasizing Ash's name Amy watched to see if she could a rise out of Chris and low and behold she did.  The light blush from before became definitely more profound.  Also Chris was starting to grasp at straws so to speak.

"I-I have no id-idea what you talking about.  Why would I miss that dork?  I mean he never notices me anyway."

Gasping in shock at what she had let slip Chris was about to bolt away when she felt a strong grip on her wrist.  Amy had grabber her arm as soon as the comment had slipped knowing what the girl would do.  Though younger Amy was strong and gripped Chris gently but firmly.

"I don't think so young lady.  You're not getting away that easily.  It is time for us to have a heart to heart my friend."

Hanging her head in defeat Chris looked at Amy with eyes brimming with unshed tears.  A weak smile graced her face as she nodded once and both girls walked off towards the small beach side restaurant.  Unbeknownst to them a pair of eyes had watched the entire scene with worry.  Luin lowered his magazine and frowned.  Something was up and he really wanted to know…because well anything that pertained to Chris Luin wanted to know.

Geez…she's so dense sometimes.  You would think she would have picked up on some of my hints.  I thought the girl was supposed to do the pining and the guy was supposed to be the dense idiot.

Sighing to himself Luin took off towards the ocean deciding to drown his sorrows on a wave or two.  Luin was a handsome fellow.  Standing around 6'3'' he could hold his own.  Definitely not big in frame Luin was very slender but toned.  Shaggy blue hair covered his head and fell messily in his eyes.  And the light grey of those orbs seemed to hold a slight sadness that only Luin himself could explain.  Life might not be going his way but you would never find him complaining.  No his nature wouldn't allow it.  But his problems with Chris had been increasingly aggravating to him.  Raking his hands through his hair Luin just decided to catch a nap while he was on the beach.

~*~

THUD!!

A small heap of human flesh fell to the ground several miles away from what seemed like a gigantic explosion of some sort.  Tangled limbs and failed attempts to untangle herself from her compatriot only succeeded in causing Misty to fall down several times before she was able to extract herself from the unconscious Ash.  Muttering to herself Misty lean against a large tree and placed Ash's batter head in her lap.  As she gazed at the young man's handsome face she couldn't help but blush.  He knew, and she knew…but both had yet to express their mutual attraction.  Because of the unforeseen separation they both were slightly awkward around each other.

Ash I am so glad that we were able to make it out of the hell half alive.  I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you just as I found you again.

Suddenly remembering Togetic who was still hovering in the air Misty shot her pokemon a small smile and whispered her thanks.  Then she pulled out her pokeball and called Togetic back.

"Thank you my long time friend."

Smiling to herself Misty gasped slightly when she heard Ash groaning and shift.  Gently caressing his cheek with the back of her fingers she winced involuntarily as she saw just how deep the gashes on his face were.  They both were in need of some serious medical help but it wasn't looking like they were going to get it any time soon.  Groaning some more Ash finally started to regain consciousness.  Touching the back of his head tenderly he grimaced and pulled his fingers back to see blood on the tips.  Looking up as his sight refocused Ash smiled at the blue-green eyes shining down at him.

"Hey Myst…are you okay?"

"I'm the one who should be asking that question no you…you dolt."

"Oh, sorry.  I'm doing okay…for fighting the freak of nature back there."

"It's okay Ash.  I'm just glad we made it out of there alive."

"Yeah…exactly how did we get out?  Everything seems hazy…."

"I got us out using Togetic.  You were out cold after that last attack by big, bad, and ugly."

"Well that's the second time you've save my ass.  I am indebt to you once more.  My hero."

Ash said the last part with a very high pitched voice but started coughing causing blood to start trickling out of his mouth.  Misty was overcome with a very powerful wave of sorrow as she saw her friend suffering.  Gently taking his head in both of her hands she leaned down and kissed him very lightly on the forehead.

"We are going to make it out of this alive Ash.  We are.  So don't you dare give out on me or I'll kill you my self."

Trying to chuckle at Misty's feeble attempt at lightening the mood Ash could only start coughing again.

"Don't worry bout me Myst.  I'll be fine.  Just…need…to……rest" said Ash quite hoarsely as he began to drift back to sleep his head on Misty's lap and a small but content smile on his face.