That One Fateful Night

Tragedy

Misty awoke that morning, but instead of turning and seeing the form of the one she loved, she saw a note neatly folded on the pillow where Ash's head had rested the night before.

She opened it up, and read:

Dear Misty,

I am so very sorry I had to leave without being able to say goodbye. But a major crisis occurred at Indigo Plateau, and I was needed as soon as possible. It'll probably be on the news by the time you wake up. I get to be on TV! But it isn't for something good. It was so great being able to see again before having to get shipped off. I miss you so much. It's so lonely up in Indigo without you. I don't know how long I'll be gone, but remember, I'll be home soon.

Love always,

Ash

Immediately Misty became very worried.

"What is going to happen to you Ash? Please be safe….."

So she took Ash's advice and headed downstairs to flip on the TV, but Mrs. Ketchum had already turned the set on, and judging by the shattered plate at her feet, she was stunned.

"Mrs. Ketchum, are you ok?"

"I'm……fine dear."

"What's wrong?"

"Just take a look."

Misty turned and gasped as she saw and heard the headline story.

"In a major disaster at the Pokemon League on Indigo Plateau, two of the Elite Four were assassinated, along with the deaths of 300 people and over 1000 pokemon when numerous pokemon centers were set on fire, and many League buildings were assaulted by a group of pokemon trainers known as Team Rocket. They have since left the Plateau after the night's carnage, but not before firebombing all major installations. Since the siege another 100 people have been killed in subsisting fires. All Pokemon League officials have been summoned to solve this problem. We got a chance to speak with Pokemon Master Ash Ketchum about any initiatives the League will take.

"Well it's just chaos right now. With the death of Lance and Bruno, there is no Elite Four. What we're trying to figure out is how so many Team Rocket agents could sneak into the Plateau without any notice. But everyone can all be rest assured, that all of the League trainers, especially me will not rest until Team Rocket is brought to justice. And if anyone is able to bring in Giovanni, Leader of Team Rocket, dead or alive, you will be rewarded a sum of $10 million. Thank you."

And with that, Mrs. Ketchum turned off the TV.

But Misty was surprised mostly by the look in Ash's eyes. Such hate and malice. She had never seen his eyes so dark; he looked as if he wanted to kill Giovanni when he said his name. And it scared her. It scared her to see Ash so mad.

"Ash left a note. He said he didn't know when he'd be back."

"I got a note too. But if I know Ash, he WILL be back in time to see that baby of yours born. Because if he doesn't show, I'll disown him."

"I know he'll come Mrs. Ketchum."

"Yes I know that too dear. Now why don't we have some breakfast?"

"That'd be great."

Up in an office at Indigo Plateau, Ash was growing more frustrated as he kept digging through hundreds of files, looking for any leads on to how Giovanni planned all this, and where his hideout was.

"Dammit!!! How can his trail be this perfect?!?! There's absolutely zero leads. His record is spotless!!!" He grabbed a coffee mug of his desk, and hurled it at the door, right as a woman was entering. Luckily the shards didn't hit her.

"HOLY CRAP! Mr. Ketchum, please be more careful!"

"I'm sorry Anna. It's just this whole thing is having me really frustrated."

"Giovanni is a slippery person, he won't be easy to track down."

"I knew it would be hard, but this is almost impossible!"

"Well I just came in to drop off some information I found. It turns out that a MAJOR order of explosives was ordered from a company by a mysterious customer."

"Are you serious?!?! Anna this is a huge lead!!! Thank you!!!!" Ash wrapped her up in a bone-crunching hug, and then raced back to his computer to find out the exact location.

Anna softly closed the door, as she was smart enough to know not to disturb Ash when he was on the verge of a breakthrough. "Good luck Mr. Ketchum." she muttered under her breath.

Having finally located the dealer of the explosives, Ash grabbed his pokeballs and burst out of the office, and sped off in a random car he had keys to. (A Vanquish. Pokemon league is pretty nice. Damn that car is so sexy.)

Ash liked this whole idea of going to the dealer less and less as he approached the dismal and dimly lit area of the Indigo Plateau known only as Blight.

The streets were lined with garbage, and starving citizens huddled over steam grates for warmth.

Ash looked at the helpless people, wishing he could help them, but he knew that the longer he stayed in Blight, the less likely he'd come out alive.

Gunshots could be heard in a distance, and the screams of a young woman followed shortly thereafter.

Ash wanted to find out the problem, help the woman, but he knew he couldn't for his own sake. Blight was too dangerous a city, and if he got involved in any activities, he could wind up dead.

Ash picked up speed, wanting to leave this godforsaken hell hole as soon as possible. He plugged in the address on the GPS system, and within minutes, his car was parked in front of a huge industrial building.

He slowly got out of his car, and he was met at the entrance by a man in dark sunglasses and a jet black suit.

Just then Ash noticed the gate he came through was closing.

"We've been expecting you Ash. If you wish to get inside, then you'll have to get through me."

"You mean a pokemon battle?"

"Haha don't make me laugh. Why would I waste my time on something as stupid as that? The answer is no. I've heard that you're an ok fighter, so like I said earlier, you'll have to get through me."

"Well I guess now is a better time then any to put all those martial arts lessons to work." thought Ash

But before Ash could do anything, the man delivered a sharp kick into his ribs, knocking the wind right out of him.

"Dammit…."

Ash lunged at him, and swung, fist connecting with temple. This man obviously was not very quick or agile, as he fell down to the ground in a crumpled heap.

"Well that was pretty easy. But why would they have such a pathetic guard in charge of….."

The huge metal door to the factory slowly sprung to life and opened with a loud rusty creak.

Ash cautiously walked in, as yet another escape closed behind him.

The giant room was pitch black. Ash could barely make out the outlines of heavy machinery in various parts of the room.

Suddenly the lights turned on, and Ash was surrounded by Team Rocket members.

He heard a gunshot, and felt excruciating pain in his leg. The smell of hot lead and gunpowder filled his nostrils as he bent on the ground.

Darkness was creeping at the edge of his vision, and with a swift blow to the head, he was out.

"Welcome to your worst nightmare, Ash Ketchum."

A man stood above him, laughing.

Wasn't that…..nah I'm not done yet. Trying to make up for lost time. Been kind of busy lately. 3 BM (lol) Now let's continue.

As Ash awoke, as the sudden realization of his situation sank in.

He knew his legs were there, he just couldn't move them. His body lay on the cold stone floor, as an ever-growing pool of blood washed over him.

He was grabbed roughly by the collar and thrown onto a wooden chair. As he looked up, Ash stared into the face of his attacker. Those cold dark eyes, showing no emotion except hate and cruelty. Giovanni.

Giovanni gave Ash a cheerful grin.

"I've been expecting you, Ash Ketchum. I almost thought you wouldn't take Anna's bait."

"Anna's…..bait? She works for you?!" Drops of blood slowly fell of Ash's bruised face as he spoke.

"Yes, she's quite loyal actually. You see, I have men stationed at every governmental and league organization. I know more about the league then even you do, which is why it was so easy to lay siege to your pathetic headquarters."

"You….you took hundreds of innocent lives!!!! Why?!?"

"You're even dumber than you look. It was all just a matter of provoking you. You see, after that little incident with Mewtwo in Johto, Team Rocket has been completely useless!!! You single handedly destroyed my chances at taking over this pathetic planet!!!!!"

"You were going to treat him like a slave….I couldn't let you do that."

"Oh cut the crap. Pokemon are tools, not silly friends and playmates."

"….you killed all those people, to lure me here? So I guess your going to kill me now, huh?"

"No Ash. You don't deserve the right to die. I'm going to put you through the same pain you put me through. All those cold months, struggling to survive. My team turned on me. Luckily I found those still loyal and rebuilt Team Rocket."

"The league will stop you….just a matter of time. Besides, if you're not going to kill me, I'll still be alive to stop you."

"Oh you'll be alive alright, but you'll never wish to cross paths with me again." He looked to one of his lackeys. "Bring her in."

He went into a back room, and dragged behind him a person. She had light red hair and appeared to be pregnant…..

"MISTY!!!!!!" Ash yelled at the top of his voice.

Misty's arms and legs were bound, and she was gagged so she could not speak.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER YOU MONSTER?!?!?!!" Rage was building deep inside Ash. He wanted to kill Giovanni right then and there, but luckily, he was unable to move.

"Nothing….yet. So calm down."

Giovanni drew a knife from his jacket.

"Please…..take me, do whatever you want, just don't hurt her….please!!!!!!"

"Now where would the fun be in killing you?"

Tears began streaming from Ash's eyes. "Please!!!!! She's the world to me, please take me instead!!!!!"

"Begging already, how pathetic. Now Ash, let me introduce you to my world."

He grabbed Misty by her collar, and plunged the knife into her stomach…..right where the baby was…..

But he wasn't done. He pulled the knife out and struck her heart.

At that moment the world stopped for Ash, as HIS world was dying before his very eyes, and he could do nothing about it.

He dropped her to the floor, and backed away….as Ash, summoning inhuman strength, got up and ran to his love's side.

"MISTY!!!!" He took a hold of her hand, and gently caressed it. He removed the gag from her mouth.

"Ash…..I…I love……" And she gently closed her eyes, and her grip on Ash's hand slackened.

"No……no……MISTY!!!!!!" And from that moment to Ash, it didn't matter if Giovanni killed him, because Ash was already dead.

Ash passed out over Misty, for the stress overcame him, despite how strong willed he was.

"Dispose of the girl, my plan worked. Dump him off preferably near the Pokemon League HQ building."

"Yes sir."

The rocket agent picked up both unconscious bodies, and walked off.

Giovanni took a seat in front of many TV screens, as he slowly muttered under his breath, "This is just the beginning, Ash Ketchum."

Whew finally done. Very sorry about the long time to update, but high school hasn't been easy on me. Damn midterms. But anyways, just read and review, and trust me, you're gonna like how this story ends. Go on, review, its just that little button on the left.