Chapter 9: In The Company Of Others

Giovanni kicked back in his seat while keeping a watchful eye on his office doors. He was alone at the moment, but that was just about to change – his secretary alerted him to two groups heading towards his office. They'd be here any moment.

Looking at the papers on his desk, he knew what this visit was about. One group, two members of Cyrus's Team Galactic division in the Hoenn region, had apprehended a young boy outside of Rustboro City. They'd arrived in Vermillion this morning, and took a plane to Viridian.

The other group, a few of Maxie's elite Team Magma guard garrisoned in the Johto region, had nabbed a young man (roughly in his mid-twenties, as the report had said) at the gates of Goldenrod City. They had also just arrived in Kanto today, and also sought an audience with him.

Why was he having these prisoners come to him? Normally, he didn't bother with the denizens of any towns. However, anyone brave enough to travel usually kept a team of Pokémon on hand, and would most likely have the potential to be of benefit to him. Besides, it was what most of his Team Rocket grunts did.

Outside the office doors, he heard the guards checking in the newcomers. Since this would be just a moment longer, he thought back now to earlier this morning.

He'd been in his office when five of his employees came in to give their reports and receive their assignments. Two prided him, the other three were complete eyesores. Well, looks like Butch and Cassidy have done their job well. Good job on finding those three goons, you two.

Their visit was short, as he wanted it to be. He wanted Jessie, James, and Meowth to head back to the Sinnoh region to find any more travelers they encountered (which drew annoyed sighs from them – they'd only just been brought from Sinnoh!) and to bring them here if any were located (drawing still more sighs). To be sure they didn't fail, Butch and Cassidy were to escort them and give assistance as needed (this time, all five groaned). He knew the five weren't on the friendliest of terms, but they had a job to do now, and they were going to do it, like it or not! Giovanni chartered a plane for them this time – he didn't want to lose any more time than was necessary, and if he could cut down on everyone's travel times, he would.

Presently, two individuals dressed in glittery silver outfits carried a young boy into the office. Despite his now two-day old captivity, he was still resisting his captors, though he didn't show it now that he was here.

They were followed by a pair of Magma guards, wearing red cloaks. Their captive was a tall man, almost as tall as the guards standing on either side of him. His choice of green clothing was disgustingly flamboyant, and under his hat, long purple hair climbed down just past his shoulders.

As the captives took a seat in front of the desk, they exchanged glances at each other. Giovanni got the impression they knew each other, but decided not to pursue the matter. He had other things in mind for these two wanderers. Their hands were still bound, and the guards kept close eyes on them at all times, so that they wouldn't be tempted to make a run for it.

"I don't know who you are, but you've got some nerve catching me and bringing me here! I demand to know what you're doing right now!" the man scolded.

The boy said nothing, but nodded and frowned.

"Welcome to Viridian City. I am Giovanni. I have an offer I think you will find hard to refuse."

"I doubt it," the youth said under his breath. Giovanni brushed the comment off.

"If you will agree to act on my behalf and fulfill my humble requests, I will grant you any wish you want."

"Release me and then I'll consider your proposition!" Max said in a cold tone.

Giovanni faced the uncooperative child.

"Listen to me, son. I understand this all too much for your little mind to take in, but wait till I'm done talking, and then make your choice."

Harley looked interested, by contrast. "Go on. I'm listening."

Giovanni smiled. "Should you consent to serve me, you will be obligated to do as I say, no questions asked. When I set deadlines, I expect them to be met by the deadline and no later. Also, you cannot quit unless you are released either by myself or one of my associates. That's the drawback, kapieche? Now that you've been given the rundown, I'll ask again: will you join me and seek an ultimate reward?"

Harley smiled and nodded fervently. Max, however, was still not convinced.

"I respectfully wish to decline your offer," Max simply stated.

Giovanni took on a slight frown. "Very well. I see you need more time to think it over. Maybe the dungeons will change your mind. Take him away."

The prisoners stood up. Harley was freed from his bonds. Max was escorted out of the office and taken to the basement to be placed in a holding cell until he was summoned.

Presently, the Team Rocket boss faced Harley. "My good sir, I must congratulate you on your wise decision to assist me. It's a pity your colleague couldn't see things as clearly. Let us now discuss the nature of your first assignment."

Brock was a romantic, so there was a lot about love that he knew. That's how he knew something was different about his traveling companions. Ever since they'd taken their leave of Veilstone City, Brock noticed Ash and Dawn were spending more time together than usual. They'd walk side by side ahead of him.

Personally, Brock was happy to see them together. They were a nice couple. However, he paused every time he asked himself if they were truly made for each other. The occasional argument still got between them, though they were always prompt to make up afterwards. Love is a complicated thing, he sighed.

"Did you say something, Brock?" Ash asked. Brock was surprised that Ash heard his daydream.

"Oh, ah…I was just thinking there's a place up ahead that we could hunker down in for the night!" Brock quickly exclaimed. That was reasonable, as it was now late afternoon, and they'd have to end their trek for the day soon.

A mile and half down the road, the sun was setting as the trio sat their burden on the ground. The clearing Brock referenced was right beside the road, and the fact there was a fire pit there already gave indication this area had been used before. Oh, well. Not that that really mattered – it didn't. Surely, they weren't the only trainers/coordinators in Sinnoh to pass through this area.

After they got a fire started, Ash set up the sleeping bags, Dawn went to collect water, and Brock began cooking dinner. Tonight, they'd be eating burgers. Brock knew Ash and Dawn loved this sort of food. He fixed a few meatballs into three patties (plus a small fourth patty for Pikachu, on which he placed a cheddar cheese slice – mice love cheese, and Pikachu loved anything that was colored yellow).

Once the sleeping area was established, the water collected, and the food cooked, they all sat down to eat. Once again, Brock really outdid himself as his culinary mastery became evident.

"Hey Pikachu, how's your…er…burger?" Ash asked, looking at Pikachu.

"Pika pi, Pikachu!" the electric mouse smiled. What he held did not look to Ash to be a cheeseburger. Rather, it was two buns with a cheesy meat patty that was absolutely drenched in ketchup. No sooner did Pikachu finish the main course, then he proceeded to lick away at the top of the little ketchup bottle. Ash sweatdropped.

"At least you still haven't stopped licking every ketchup bottle you come across."

They all laughed. Dawn and Ash exchanged smiles. Deep down, Dawn knew humor was just one of Ash's inner qualities that she found appealing.

At the conclusion of dinner, Ash and Dawn washed the cooking utensils while Brock looked at the map to determine the best way to go tomorrow. Pastoria City was still a few days ahead of them, so he had to choose the route through the terrain so as not to get lost. Once that was done, he got into his sleeping bag and fell asleep. Dawn and Ash soon followed him to the land of dreams.

The morning was overcast and cool. They were too preoccupied with their thoughts to speak as they ate breakfast and packed up. Before leaving, though, Ash noticed they'd consumed all their water at dinner last night. He volunteered to get more.

Ash felt at peace by the nearby brook. And then, he heard the sounds of a scuffle back at camp. He quickly finished filling the canteens and raced back to camp. He saw no one there. It was just himself and Pikachu.

Before he could call out for Dawn and Brock, however, Ash saw a plane take off. It was close enough that he could see the little Team Aqua symbol on the side. Ash immediately knew who was responsible, but didn't know what they were up to. He'd find out soon enough, though.

"Staravia, c'mon out!" Ash shouted, opening one of his pokéballs.

"Staravia!"

"Quick, Staravia, we need to follow that plane!"

"Star! Staravia!"

Ash and Pikachu jumped onto the large bird's back. Staravia was barely able to accommodate his passengers, but was very strong, and soon took flight. He followed the plane as it soared through the air.

"Hold on, guys, I'm coming!" Ash said, meaning his imprisoned friends.

Drew and May awoke to find themselves in some sort of a barred-off area. A cage, more specifically. A very large cage, by the looks of it.

They didn't know how they got here. All they knew was what happened before that.

Once they'd gotten their feelings out into the open, they made for Ecruteak City, but couldn't get there before nightfall, so they found a clearing to rest in for the night. The last thing they remembered was a rustling in the bushes, and a heavy blow to each of their heads, effectively knocking them out cold. Now they awoke in some strange place.

May looked around. She hated it when this sort of thing happened. Beyond the bars of the cage, she could see a window, out of which clouds were clearly visible. She knew they were aboard an airplane, but who captured them, for what purpose, and where they were going were all unknown at this time. May supposed they weren't going to Ecruteak City, at least.

Drew rubbed the back of his head. "Aw, man…what happened?"

"Drew? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. You?"

"I've been worse. Oh, I absolutely hate this kind of thing! I don't like being caged up!"

Drew winced. The predicament at hand was bad enough, and that was without factoring May's complaints into the equation. May, I love you, babe, but let's get real. Your whining isn't going to help us much.

Suddenly, a door opened and a man came through. His dress immediately identified him as a Team Rocket grunt.

"I see you two are finally awake."

"Where are you taking us?" May scowled.

"To Viridian City. The boss is expecting you both tomorrow afternoon. Says he's got something for you."

"Oh yeah? What?" May demanded.

The Rocket merely chuckled. "You'll see. In due time. Meanwhile, I hope you'll sit back and enjoy the ride, missy." With that, he left them alone.

"Oh, that's the last time I let my guard down for any reason!" May whined.

Drew, who was silent during the exchange, looked at May like he'd seen a ghost. On the outside, she was rose petals. But inside, she was the stem, thorns included. May was nice when you got to know her, but she had a bit of an emotional problem. He didn't know how he could possibly cope with that.

"Oh, I don't suppose they even serve meals on this plane! Oh, woe is me!"

Drew just about snapped at this latest comment from May's mouth.

"Eh, guess we'd better get used to it, cause they don't seem like a nice bunch."

May looked cross. "Of course they aren't! They don't even give a care what happens to us now. What'll become of the world without its cheerful May?"

"I don't think anybody even knows we're missing. The last anybody knows, we fled from Goldenrod City in a haste."

"You don't have to word it like that. You should give us more credit for what we got done!"

"May, just calm down. I'm sure everything –"

"Everything won't be okay! We're stuck in some plane, held by some insensitive jerks, and Johto is behind us now!"

Drew sighed and sweatdropped. There was no point carrying on this conversation. May just couldn't calm down. Just like someone else he'd met about the same time he met May. For now, it was just sit back, ignore May's desperate whims and see what happens.

It was late at night when two planes arrived in Viridian City. The crew members of each plane took their semi-conscious captives to the looming skyscraper and, one by one, each captive was placed in a cell in the maze of holding cells in the basement.

An hour later, two more hostages were placed in the dungeons to "give company" to the cell's current resident. Guards were surprised to see a large bird carrying a person land on the runway. After recalling the bird to its ball, the guards wasted no time. They shot one tranquilizer dart at the person's thigh. Then they shot a second dart a considerably smaller figure. After a moment, the two went rigid. Then, to the holding cells. In all, there were seven captives held in six separate cells, none of which faced each other.