Shades Of Gray
By TeamRocket89
Chapter One: Rendezvous

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon and its characters. They are the property of Nintendo, Game Freak, and The Pokemon Company.

(A/N: This fanfic is set sometime after Ash comes back to Pallet from the Indigo League, before he leaves for the Orange Islands. Just so you know.)

Rendezvous

(SCENE: VIRIDIAN FOREST. DAWN.)

"BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP," the alarm clock cried about 5:15 A.M.

Pikachu, obviously not wanting to be awakened, shocks and destroys the alarm.

"Great. Now we owe Uncle Sam 10 bucks," Colin drowsily said. "Ah well. Had it not been there, we might have missed our chance."

Pikachu responded, "Pika-pi-chu-chu-pi? [What chance?]"

Colin said, "You know very well what chance. Time to move out." Colin called back Pikachu, and checked his PDA. He had a new email. "Greetings, Colonel. This is Cmdr. Jessie St. Clair of Team Rocket. Meet me at the Viridian Hotel in 1 Hour. Room 204. Don't be late." Colin turned off his PDA, stripped off his BDU (Battle Dress Uniform for you History-challenged people.) and changed into civilian clothes, (e.g. a polo shirt and khaki pants), and walked away.

(SCENE: ONE HOUR LATER, ABOUT 4 MILES AWAY.)
Ash, Misty, and Brock are sitting down to breakfast when Pikachu begins squeaking.

"What's up, Pikachu?" Ash asked.

Pikachu cried out, "Chu-pika-chu-pi-pi-pika! [Some stranger is coming this way!]"

Misty chimed in, "He looks lost. Let's help him."

Ash retorted, "Misty, it's not safe to approach strange people. You should know that."

"YOU'RE NOT MY FATHER ASH KETCHUM!" Misty runs off and talks to Colin: "Pardon me for asking, but you seem lost. Can I help you?"

Colin replied, "Actually, you can. I'm looking to get to Viridian City. Can you show me the way? "Sure. Let me take you to my camp, and we'll be on our way."

(SCENE: ROUTE TWO. ON THE WAY TO THE CITY.) The four of them (Ash, Misty, Brock, and Colin) are walking along Route Two. "I never did catch your name, Mister" Misty remarked.

"The name's Alec. Alec Bromley." Colin said.

Ash chimed in, "My name's Ash, from Pallet Town."

"And I'm Brock. What brings you to these parts?" He inquired.

Colin said, "I'm here on a business trip. My car got in a crash, and I had to walk."

"A crash? How terrible! Are you hurt?" Misty inquired.

"Not at all. I'm fine. So is Pikachu." Colin replied.

Ash said, "Alec, you've a Pikachu too? Want to battle?"

"I'd have to decline the offer, Ash. I'm not terribly fond of battling."

"A shame. Oh well." Soon, they arrived at the city gates. Ash requests permission to pass, and they get it, but, as has been the case, it's not that easy.

Officer Jenny interjected, "My apologies for breaking up your conversation, but I need to talk to you," she said, pointing at Colin.

Ash asked, "Do you know what this is about, Alec?"

"No. Go on, I'll be fine. By the way, thanks for showing me the way, Misty."

Ash, Misty, and Brock walked away as Colin went into the guard shack.

"I'm sorry about this, but we've reports of someone parachuting in near here, but even as crazy as it sounds, I've been asked for I.D. from all visitors. Could I see some?"

"Sure." Colin whipped out his Microsoft Corporation ID, and showed it to her.

"Alec Bromley, eh? Well, your ID checks out, you can pass."

As Colin grabs his bag and begins to walk out the door, Jenny stops him and asks,

"Could I check your bag? Just for security reasons." Colin, realizing he has his Model 92, C4 explosives, his PDA, and a MP5 submachine gun in there, says, "I'm sorry, but I've a really important meeting to get to, and I can't be held up."

"I'm sorry, did I say I could check your bag? I meant I WOULD check your bag." Colin sighs, and hands over the bag. After Jenny finishes rummaging through it,

"So you're the man who parachuted in, eh? I'll have to tell HQ about this. As she is about to radio HQ, the door bursts open.

"I wouldn't hit that button if I were you." That was the voice of Commander Jessie St. Clair, Colin's contact. She cocks her R99 revolver and points it squarely at Jenny's skull.

"Colonel, grab your gun." Colin holsters his Model 92, grabs his MP5 and points it at Jenny. "Now...we will leave, and you will report that nothing happened." Jessie instructed. "I think not. I'm not scared of Rocket scum like you." Jenny hits the alarm, and Jessie shoots her in the head. "Colonel, plant some C4. I'm radioing in our ride."

As Colin gets to work on planting the C4, he talks to Jessie.

"What happened to rendezvousing at the hotel?"

"That got screwed. Someone blew the whistle on us, and now the Army is storming the city looking for me and James." Jessie replied.

"James?"

"My partner. He'll be driving us out of here."

"C4 planted. Take cover!"

Colin and Jessie dive into a nearby ditch just in time as the Outpost explodes. Soon afterwards, a Cadillac Escalade pulls up, and James hops out.

"Captain James Paterson of Team Rocket. Welcome to Kanto, Colonel Graves." James said. "We've very little time. We need to run through the city to get to the base, so I'll need you and Jessie to fend off any attackers. You copy?"

"Yes. I've got my MP5. I'll be able to shoot off any soldiers. "

"That's good, and I've a CH-6 Missile Launcher for you, Jess. I'll need you to take out any choppers.", James instructed. "We'll be able to take care of it. Let's go." "Good. This one's bound to be chaos, so hang on!" James exclaimed. The three of them board the SUV and race away from the Outpost....and into the City.

Coming in Chapter II- The chase through Viridian. Colonel Graves meets with Giovanni. A betrayal is revealed...

Do read and review. Thanks.