CHAPTER 35 - Mass Confusion.

HILARY

"Have fun! Say hi to Bill for me!" Hilary hugs Serena, kissing her forehead.

"I will! Love you guys and see you soon!" She smiles, taking off on Belle, Bane following close behind.

Mizara gives her a weird look, but shakes her head, smiling again.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I am STARVING!" Ash moans, and we all laugh, heading to the local restaurant.

"After we are done eating, I was hoping to head over to Route 17 for some training, anyone in?" Hilary asks, and Gardenia raises her hand, as well as Ash.

"Perfect! Then thats the plan!" They all laugh as they enter the restaurant.

DAD

"Hey, Ace! How are you feeling today?" Gerald asks the large bird pokemon, and Ace chirps happily.

"You excited to get your cast off today?" Ace nods vigorously, bouncing from claw to claw, as they head out of the room.

"Make sure you dont strain yourself, buddy. The last thing you need is another cast." Gerald laughs as the scornful look Ace gives him.

They head into an examining room, where a doctor waits with the plaster saw.

"We ready to cut that thing off?" The doctor asks, laughing as Ace holds it up.

"Well then, lets get started!" He grabs the small cast-saw, and starts hacking away.

"Pidge!" Ace sighs happily, as they walk through the paths in the garden.

"It looks way better now, at least!" Gerald laughs, and Ace nods vigorously.

"Pi!" With a short battle cry, Ace slams his wing into a nearby tree, sending shivers up, and knocking a couple dozing pokemon out.

"Whoa! Watch that wing mister! Doesnt that hurt?" Ace shakes his head.

"Interesting..." Gerald strokes his chin, deep in thought.

Hello, Gerald. A soft voice drifts into his head, and he waves as Mizara approaches.

"Miz! How are you?" He asks, but the look on her face tells him they need privacy.

"Hey Ace, how about you head over for lunch? I'll meet you in the cafeteria?" Ace nods, sensing the urgency of Miz's demeanor, and waddles off as quickly as he can.

Mizara watches as he leaves.

Serena did well. You should be proud. Gerald nods.

"I am. She did amazing, raising them on her own. Now, whats the matter?" He asks, and she gestures for them to sit down.

I fear that Serena is... making bad choices. She says quietly, as if someone were trying to eavesdrop.

"Oh? How so?" He asks quietly, and she moves closer.

Well... before she left, she seemed... Determined. And we both know for a fact that cut on her throat is not from the shower. So, that being said, I have a theory. I need you to tell me if it sounds... unreal.

"Of course, Mizara. Please, tell me." He grabs her hands in his, wishing her on.

I believe... Giovanni came back, and threatened her with... something. I haven't figured out what yet. I sensed him across town, but I assumed he was in custody. But, Serena, as hard as she tried not to, accidentally revealed a few emotions to me as she left... and I... I Mizara stops, wiping a tear from her eye, and Gerald lightly squeezes her hands.

"Please, Miz, keep going." He begs.

I think... it has something to do with... with... Christina. It is my belief that they have her captured, and threatened Serena with her.

Geralds eyes go wide.

"Chris? What?" Mizara keeps going.

The last thing I felt from her was... was an overpowering want for Christina. I think... she is going to save her.

Gerald sits back, taking in what he just heard.

"Well... the last we heard she was heading for Bill's, we should head there. He might have an idea as to where Serena is." Mizara nods, standing up.

I will go to him, try to sort this out.

And with that, she disappears in an instant, Teleporting away.

"That girl..." Gerald shakes his head, heading to meet Ace.

ASH & MISTY

"How was your mom?" Misty asks, as she takes another forkful of noodles.

"Good! Sore, but Mimie is taking good care of her. She pretty much forced me to come back." He explains, shoving another bun into his already full mouth.

"Good to hear, we were all worried about her." Misty smiles at the good news.

"So, about Ser..." Ash starts, but Misty finishes his question.

"What was up with her today? She seemed... out of it."

"Right? She was so weird this morning!" Ash sighs, glad he wasn't the only one to see it.

"I hope shes okay... That cut on her neck has me a bit freaked." Misty rubs her arm anxiously, and Ash nods.

He goes to reply, but his face suddenly goes white, as he stares out the window.

"What is it? What..." Misty turns, and sees her.

A Team Rocket Grunt.

And she has friends, two guys in uniform as well.

There are three of them in total, and they are heading straight for the restaurant.

Misty pulls Ash quickly under the table as they enter.

"... so dumb. Kids, right?" One is finishing saying.

They only order coffee to go, then sit at the counter.

"Giovanni should of cut her up worse! She obviously didn't learn her lesson! Although, that cut will leave a nice scar on her pretty little neck!" The girl laughs, and the two guys laugh as well.

"It was smart of him, though, to let her live." One of the guys points out, and the other two nod.

Ash gives Misty a panicked look, but she clamps a hand over his mouth.

"Shh! They're talking about Serena!" He nods, and she removes her hand.

"And now, shes on her way to heroically save her mom!" One of the men says in a whiny voice, and they laugh.

"By the time she gets to Pewter, mommy dearest will already be dead!" They all laugh as a terrified looking old woman hands them their drinks.

"Thanks, grandma." One of the guys laughs, and they walk out, without paying.

Misty pulls a shaking Ash out from under the table.

"We have to tell Gerald and Hilary." Misty says, and Ash nods, still shaken to his core.

Misty drops a handful of bills on the counter.

"Please, keep the change." She smiles and the old woman nods, and they take off.

HILARY & GARDENIA

"I'm so sad Candy had to go back with Lorelei." Gardenia sighs, and Hilary nods.

"You and me both! It was so much fun having her around... But hey! At the rate we are going, we will be at the Elite 4 in no time!" She laughs as Jojo bounces gently off of the bed frame in their room, before twirling off again, singing softly.

"True! Serena is sure surprising me, here in Kanto!" Gardenia laughs, and Hilary nods.

"That she is. Have you seen some of those 'combo moves' shes been working on? They are amazing!" Gardenia nods, eyes alight in wonder.

"Actually, I wanted to ask her if I could maybe borrow the idea, with Roserade and Turtwig." She explains, and Hilary smiles.

"Are you kidding? She would get such a big head over it! 'Look at me, creating new things!'" They both laugh, and theres a hurried knock at the door.

"Come in!" Hilary calls, and Nurse Joy enters.

"Hey there ladies! I just have a letter here for Miss Hilary!" She hands it to Hilary, then bows quickly, leaving before they can thank her.

"I wonder who its from?" Gardenia asks, staring at the letter intensely.

"Hm..." Hilary opens it, reading it out loud for Gardenia.

Dear Hilary,

Team Rocket has your mom. Serena is on her way to save her, but I think she is going to end up getting herself... Please meet me here, at my house, so we can find her.

Please Hilary, be quick.

Godspeed.

~Bill

Hilary stares blankly at the letter.

"Hill's..." Gardenia starts, but Hilary is already gone, the letter floating harmlessly to the floor.

EVERYONE

"GERALD!" Misty shouts, as they enter the hospital room.

"Whoa, Misty! Whats up?" He sits up in his bed, where he was reading a novel.

"Team... Rocket... Serena's... Mom..." Misty pants, having to sit down.

"Whoa honey, calm down. Whats the matter?"

Misty has trouble breathing, so Ash continues.

"Team Rocket has your wife, and Serena is on her way to save her." He says simply, and Gerald sits up instantly.

"What? Where did you learn this?"

Ash explains the whole ordeal, quietly and quickly, as he is still quite shaken up.

"Mizara was right..." Gerald whispers to himself, when Hilary bursts in.

"DAD! Team Rocket has MOM!" He nods, holding the sobbing girl.

"Hey sweetheart... I know, I just found out..."

"So, now that we are all on the same page, whats the plan?" Gardenia asks, and Gerald sits up.

"We go to Bill's, obviously. Serena is smart, when she finds Christina, she will take her straight to Bill's, cause she knows that that is where we would look." Everyone nods.

"But... don't you have to get like... Discharged from here?" Ash points out, and Gerald sighs.

"Yes, but let me handle that. You guys go pack." They all nod again, taking off.

A doctor comes in soon after, checking all the machines.

"Hey doc, what are the chances of me getting out of here tonight?" Gerald asks, and the doctor shakes her head.

"Gerald, your condition has undoubtedly gotten better, but you are still not well enough to leave yet. A couple more days, at least, before we can discharge you." Gerald nods, and Ace lifts his head, staring at him intently.

"Thanks doc." She nods and smiles, before leaving again.

"Pi?" Ace asks, and Gerald shakes his head.

"I have to stay, but you can go. Your well enough to leave, Ace." Ace shakes his head, a lone tear in his eye.

"Ace, Serena needs you. I dont care what she told you, she NEEDS your help. That wing of yours is lethal, buddy, and I hope you can use it, because Serena will need it." Ace finally nods, sighing sadly.

"Now go, tell Mizara to tell Hilary." Ace nods again, and takes off.

"I hope they will be alright..." He shakes his head.

The gang leaves early the next morning, and makes it to Cerulean around lunch time. They waste no time getting to Bills house on the beach.

They are just crossing Nugget Bridge when they see two figures on the horizon, coming in fast.

"Is that..." Hilary squints, and exclaims.

"Bane and Belle!"

Belle whooshes past over head, Bane not to far behind them.

There is a small, dark figure on Belle's back, and two larger ones on Banes.

"BILL!" Serena screeches, voice hoarse, but she doesn't see them.

"SERENA!" Hilary shouts, but they are already out of earshot.

They sprint the rest of the way, and watch as Serena dismounts Bane, and crumples to the ground.

"SERENA!" Hilary screams, sliding beside her.

"Somebody go get a doctor!" Gardenia shouts, and Misty automatically jumps onto Banes back, and they take off for Cerulean.

Carefully, Gar and Hilary lift the unconscious Serena, and bring her into the house.

"... yes, ones been shot... Oh SHIT! Two have been shot!" Bill says into a phone, and Hilary realizes the blood blossoming across her shirt, stemming from Serena's arm.

"Wha... What?" She asks, and she sees the entry wound.

They place her on a nearby table that has been cleared, as the medics arrive.