Disclaimer: I don't own pokèmon!
A/N: I can't believe I forgot to thank everyone who reviewed before I left! Thanks Imp is Insane: Yeah, I didn't really like that perv following them either ^^' Thanks Iveechan, Kit Kat, Ash and Misty forever and everyone else! The reviews were GREAT! Thanks! Sorry Crystal Ketchum- but the whole point of the story is to switch the parts and that means Ash is going to act like Misty. Therefore, he can't be as cute as he is on the show ^^ Sorry! Please review!
~ Kasagi Onaso
~! Switched !~
* Kidnapped *
"That ruddy spore was supposed to keep her asleep another three hours," she heard a metallic voice whisper above her. There were rustles.
"It was too cheap," she heard a deep voice growl. "No wonder. We're never doing that again." Misty cracked her eyes opened and screamed as she saw herself dangling a few feet above the ground.
"You prat!" hissed the metallic voice. "You forgot the ruddy bandanna and that rot!" She was dropped on the ground and something horridly dirty and vile was stuffed roughly in her mouth.
"Let's see you try to scream through that," said a smug voice as the person tied her hands together. Misty opened her eyes wide and it took a second to realize what was going on. The Rockets from before were kidnapping her.
"We're getting you back from last time," said Sabrina flatly, her eyes flashing. "Now let's take her to the hideout until dawn."
"Stupid," said Surge, swinging her over his tall shoulder. "Why did you camp out all by yourself? You should have known we would want revenge since you foiled our plan." Misty tried to talk against the gag and kicked her unbound legs wildly. Her sneaker-clad feet bounced uselessly against Surge's steel chest and she gave up as her calves began to tire.
"Now we've got her and her pokèmon," mused Abra, waddling on the ground beside the two Rockets. "The boss should be rather pleased." She slumped, worn from her struggles, and watched the ground bounce closer than farther, closer than farther, closer than farther, until she wanted to throw up.
"I wonder if we'll get a promotion?" wondered Surge aloud. Sabrina shot him a look.
"Don't be too hopeful. You know how unlucky Rockets are."
"Aren't you the pessimist?" snorted Surge but was quiet again. Misty closed her eyes to try and settle her nauseated stomach but that didn't stop the jostling motion. Her stomach, ribs and abdomen were crushed against Surge's shoulder and his bone dug into her stomach every time she came crashing down from the little bounce as he took a step.
"Vee!"
"I knew it would wake up soon," said Abra, hissing. Misty clenched her eyes shut. The blood was rushing to her head, making everything blur and spin when she looked at the ground. She groaned against her gag.
"What's wrong with it?" asked Surge, stopping. Sabrina kept walking.
"Nothing. Come on. We're almost there." Vomit rose up in Misty's throat and she struggled to keep it down. It wouldn't have gotten far, anyway, with the gag shoved in her mouth. Fear and panic clenched her heart but she was too tired to move. She groaned again. She felt Surge drop her and she breathed frantically, relishing the emptiness pressing against her stomach. The blood rushed her head as Abra pushed her into sitting position.
"I think its sick," said Abra, peering at Misty. It removed her gag and she gulped in the air. Suddenly, her stomach clenched violently and she retched into the trench behind them.
"I think so too," said Surge, lip curling in disgust. "I think we'd better let it walk." Misty wanted to tell them she had a gender but her mouth felt funny and her stomach clenched again. She bit her lip and forced herself not to retch. The bitter taste of vomit and that gag hung in her mouth and she spat, trying to clean it.
"Let's go. Before her friends find us," said Sabrina, glaring emotionlessly. Misty was pulled harshly to her feet and pushed along the road.
"If you try and scream for help," said Abra, jostling the cage holding Eevee. "You're little friend here gets it." Misty nodded, thankful for the solid ground under her feet.
"I won't." Her voice cracked. How could she have let this happen? "Can you just let her go? Or let me put her in my pokèball?"
"And let her go get your friends? And have nothing to threaten you with?" countered Sabrina. "No way." Misty fell silent and brought herself to glance at Eevee. The poor pokèmon was huddled in the too-small cage, legs crouched stiffly underneath it in order to fit inside. Its ears were pinned on its head, which touched the ceiling.
"Here," said Surge, pointing to a tree. They approached a ladder. "Climb." Her hands were set free and for a moment, she almost ran. But then she remembered Eevee and obediently set her foot in the first rung.
"As long as we have this here pokèmon," said Abra with a chuckle. "She'll do anything we want her to." Misty winced as she reached the top. Abra appeared before her, cage in hands. "This way." Abra flashed purple. A rope floated around her wrists, glowing purple, and tied itself into a tight knot, holding her wrists behind her. She cried out as the harsh rope bit into her wrists.
"Tell us where your friends are," said Sabrina, taking Eevee's cage. "I want the pokèmon you took from us."
"I'm not telling," Misty managed to say, wincing up at Sabrina from where she sat on the ground. Her legs were under her and splayed to the sides in a very uncomfortable position.
"Abra," said Sabrina, glaring down at Misty.
"VEE!" cried Eevee, glowing purple.
"Stop it!" Misty cried, struggling to get up. Surge's hand was like lead on her shoulder, and pushed her back down.
"Then tell me."
"No!" Misty rolled to the side, out from under Surge's hand, struggled to her feet and rammed into Sabrina. The cage flew from Sabrina's hands and smashed into the ground. The lid popped open and Eevee stumbled out. "Go, Eevee!"
"Ee-VEE!" screamed Eevee and leapt off the edge of the tree hideout.
"Get it," said Sabrina flatly, pointing to the edge. Abra nodded and disappeared. "You'll pay for that." Surge shoved her to the ground. She cried out as the rough wood shot splinters into her arm. "You had better pray that that pokèmon doesn't bring help," continued Sabrina. "Or they'll have to bring your lifeless body back to your mom." Misty shuddered and scooted away, peddling the wood with her feet. Her back collided with Surge's shins and he kicked her forward.
"Don't worry Sabrina," he said, smiling. "We've got her other pokèmon." He opened his hands and five pokèballs glinted in the newly-rising sun. Sabrina smiled coldly and Misty's left leg fell asleep.
"Give them to me."
"No…" the cry rose and fell in Misty's mouth as she watched in horror as Sabrina toyed with the small pokèballs.
"Guess Team Rocket's not as stupid as you thought," sneered Sabrina, throwing one pokèball into the air after the other. Misty's eyes followed each pokèball as it rose and fell.
"Growlithe, ember!"
"Oddish, stun spore!" A blast of flames knocked the pokèballs from Sabrina's hand and the two Rockets stiffened as the stun spore settled. Misty felt tears swelling in her eyes as Ash and Erika rushed over to where she was sitting.
"Thank God," she gasped, tears running down her face.
"I knew we should've stayed with you," mumbled Ash in her ear as he wrapped her in a tight hug. She winced as he brushed her splinter-filled arm.
"Yowzers. That looks nasty," said Erika. "Don't worry. I'll get you to the Pokecenter and have you cleaned up in no time. Oddish, sleep powder."
"I don't…" Misty felt Ash pick her up and by no time, she was asleep.
* * * * *
When Misty woke up, the first thing she noticed was that her arm felt completely numb. She opened her eyes reluctantly and sat up quickly.
"Oh!" The world blurred and focused as her head throbbed.
"Lie back down," said Erika from the side of the bed. "I was about to put antiseptic and rubbing alcohol on your arm to try and numb it."
"It already is numb," mumbled Misty, but pressing her back to the bed. Ash pushed open the door to the room and pressed something into Erika's palm. "What're you going to do?" asked Misty, tensing.
"I'm going to pull those babies out," said Erika, flashing a pair of tweezers. "One by one." Memories of when she was little and playing on the ladder. One slip and you had a splinter. Her mom digging it out ruthlessly with a pair of tweezers…
Misty whimpered.
"Oh, don't worry," said Erika, squinting at her arm. "It'll be quick." Misty shut her eyes and breathed deeply. Suddenly, something slipped into her other hand. She opened her eyes and looked to her left. Ash smiled sheepishly, holding her hand from the chair he was sitting in. She smiled back and Eevee crawled on her stomach.
"You did it, Eevee," whispered Misty as Erika removed one large splinter, her hand coming down and snapping the tweezers in seconds. "You saved the day."
"Vee," purred Eevee. Misty stared up at the bleak white ceiling, Ash's hand warm in hers and Erika picking out her splinters at her side. So this is what it's like, thought Misty with a smile. This is what it's like to be on a pokèmon journey.
"Done!" announced Erika after about an hour, holding up a pair of only slighty-bloodied tweezers. "God I'm cross-eyed." Misty chuckled and sat up, reluctantly dropping Ash's hand.
"Thank you so much, Erika," she whispered.
"No problem," said Erika, winking.
"I don't know what happened…They must've gotten me when I was sleeping."
"What were they after?"
"Revenge," said Misty, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "They wanted Erika's pokèmon back." Ash frowned, leaning back in the chair and crossing his arms. "They dragged me all the way to their tree house."
"How'd they get you there?"
"They drugged me." Misty shuddered as Erika wrapped soft gauze around her raw and smarting arm. The little pocks in the cloth caught on some of the scabbing wounds and she hissed through her teeth.
"Oh, sorry," said Erika, putting the tape on at the top. "There. We'll change it regularly for three days, I should guess. Maybe I can whip up a potion to heal it more."
"What?"
"Usually I specialize in making perfumes," said Erika with a laugh. "But I've been taught how to make different potions to heal as well."
"Cool," said Misty, smiling. "I think we've done enough exploring of Vermilion. Do you think we could move on?"
"Definitely," said Ash with a smile. "Come on. Eevee looks ready." The fox pokèmon yipped happily and streaked towards the door. "Oh. Here's your pokèmon." Misty's fingers brushed Ash's as he handed her the recovered pokèmon. She blushed.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome." Misty nearly jumped out of her skin as thunder crept across the sky and lightning flashed in the window.
"Oh, shoot," groaned Erika. "Now we can't go anywhere."
"Says who?" snorted Misty. "We're tough. We can handle a little rain. We'll just use an umbrella or something."
"Oh, gee," said Ash, throwing an imaginary umbrella towards the ceiling, tip first. "I'll use an umbrella." His arm convulsed. "Pzzzt!" Erika laughed and Misty stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh, shut up. Come on. We won't get struck by lightning. The least we can do is get to Rock Tunnel before the afternoon."
"Aren't you tired?" asked Erika as they walked into the lobby. "I can't imagine you got much sleep last night." Misty shook her head and smiled.
"Oh. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't worry about me so much, Erika! I'm fine." Misty grinned up at the older girl. "Really. I swear." Erika held up her hands.
"I believe you. Honest."
"Sorry. It's just you've done so much already. And I'm fine." Misty pushed the doors open. The wind threw fresh-smelling rain in her face and she squinted through the drops. "If we start out now," said Misty. "We should make it to Rock Tunnel before the storm gets even worse."
"Is that even remotely possible?" Misty shrugged and half-smiled as they headed out into the storm.
It took a while before they reached the Tunnel, but before long they could see the looming shadow of the Rock Tunnel. The rain had thickened and lightning flashed in the sky.
"We should get to the Pokecenter!" yelled Erika, holding her forearm on her forehead so the arm of her kimono shielded her face. Misty nodded in agreement and they stumbled into the lighted Pokecenter.
"What a storm," mumbled Ash as Misty wrung her hat out.
"Yeah. We should wait until it breaks to go into Rock Tunnel."
"All right. Ash and I will go get the rooms, okay?"
"Sure."
"Vuplix, sit! No, sit!" Misty turned around, startled to hear another voice. A girl with large dark blue eyes and curly green hair down her hips sat on one of the plush pink couches. A small Vulpix stood at her feet. As she shook her head, scolding at the small pup in front of her, the light shone off her hair, exposing blue and red streaks.
"Excuse me," said Misty, approaching her. The girl looked up and flushed slightly. "May I ask what you're doing?"
"Sure," she said in a diminutive voice before offering a small smile. "I'm trying to teach my Vuplix to sit."
"Why?" The girl's blush deepened.
"I like to train pokèmon. I might want to be a Pokèmon Breeder when I grow up!" Pride and determination shone in the girl's face before she blushed again.
"Where'd you get the Vuplix? It's so small!" Misty giggled as the small pokèmon pawed her legs with fawn-brown paws.
"My father gave it to me. It's still a pup," said the girl, smiling. Then her cheeks turned pink and she stuck out her hand. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Alexis Davies."
So there's the first appearance of Alexis Davies, a character submitted earlier by a reviewer. Sorry I didn't add her before but this seemed like a good time! Not too sure if she'll be sticking with them (T_T ehh…that would kind of screw up the whole threesome thing they had going on in the original TV show) but whatever. Hope this isn't going TOO much like the TV show ^^' ALSO*!*!*!*!: E-mail me if you have some ideas as to where Jessie and James and everyone else should be! I like your input ^^ Thanks so much for reviewing! Thirty-seven? Thirty-eight? Somewhere around there, anyway! thanks!
~ Kasagi Onaso