To My Reviewers:

AshK – My faithful reviewer! Thanks so much… Don't worry, Ash will find Pikachu sooner than you think!

Syaoran-San – Lol, I don't understand but if you're trying to convey that he has a legendary Pokemon then for now, yes. Not a good one but yes … The only thing is that it's not in a Pokeball lol… It roams around.

…/\/\...

Chapter 10 – Plan of Escape

Misty awoke with a horrible headache and she sat up slowly. She was having a horrible nightmare that she was painfully injected a needle with some greenish fluid that made her feel crazy. But that was just a dream; she was still in the hospital… right?

Misty became aware of her surroundings and noticed where she was now. It was a rather petite room. A glass window overviewed her bedroom and she saw doctors scurry by calmly. There was also a light brown chair with gothic designs on it and a mahogany desk with a glass of water. Her arm was connected to a beeping machine and she felt a rope tired around her upper, middle, and lower body. It was not tight enough to hurt her but tight enough to keep her held down. She looked back and forth rapidly. She squinted and saw the words "ER" inscribed over her bedroom door. Her heart began pounding and her body quaking. She felt like she couldn't control herself and before she knew it, a series of strong seizures enveloped her being. She screamed in a shrill voice that didn't sound like hers and people came in running.

"Miss Waterflower, miss Waterflower! Calm down," four nurses held her arms and legs down and a doctor injected her quickly, spewing transparent liquid into her wrist.

Misty felt the tantrums begin to cease and her body felt helpless. She could barely move; let alone stay awake.

She managed to utter, "Where am I?"

"Well," the rest left the room and a doctor sat in the chair next to her, "last night you were fine and at midnight you began having these seizures. It's very strange, actually. I can't believe it hasn't stopped. We've detected something in your blood that shouldn't be there… We had to secure you in this room to keep you and the other patients safe."

"Oh," Misty yawned and stretched slowly.

"One more thing miss Waterflower," the doctor stood, "have you had a recent shot since you came here? With a suspicious medicine?"

"Not that I know of," Misty closed her eyes and frowned.

"Make sure you keep yourself calm, any sort of excitement or fear can kick up these seizures," the doctor warned and left the room once more.

--------

"La!" A red and white creature shook Ash awake.

"No mom, five more minutes!" Ash cried, hugging the mattress.

Latias rolled her eyes and transformed into Bianca, tickling Ash awake.

"AHAHAHAHA! STOP!" Ash rolled over and stood up in between giggles.

Latias grabbed his arm and without warning, began running out of the alleyway.

"No Latias, my hat!" Ash tried to grab for it but hew was already out of sight.

A few minutes after he disappeared, two police officers turned that same corner.

"Why are we here again?" a very stressed out police-in-training student groaned.

"Because," Officer Jenny took out her gun, "there were suspicious sightings hear here and we're here to investigate."

They stepped over filthy boxes and wet newspapers, passing by a rotten smelling mattress.

"Someone slept here recently officer," the teen reached over and felt the mattress.

"Hmmm…" Officer Jenny peered over the edge and saw a glimpse of red.

She leaned over and took a satin hat in her hand. She inspected it and nodded.

"Back to the station, we have some people to find…" Officer Jenny and the teen went back on their motorcycles and disappeared into the distance.

-----

"Is Ho-oh already gone?" Ash asked puzzled.

Latias just nodded and continued running, pulling Ash along until they reached the once Pokemon Center. It was now rocks and rubble, a caution line around it and officers investigating the scene. Ash went forward and looked at the debris in awe.

"Hey Ash!" A girl appeared beside him and smiled brightly, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, just looking at what happened." Ash turned to her, "And trying to find my friends."

"Oh well, everyone knows what happened. There was an explosion last evening and a second explosion and they got a lot of people out just in time before it well." Lily gestured sadly toward the dirt, "All the survivors are in the hospital nearby."

"Oh," Ash looked at her hopefully, "can you take me there?"

"Sure, no problem, my sister is with some friends so I still have a little bit of time before I go board the ship—" Lily began.

"Wait—what ship?" Ash asked.

"Oh well, the ship to take us to Evergrande City," Lily explained obviously.

"Why? Aren't you going to compete in the Hoenn League?"

"Where have you been?" Lily laughed, "They cancelled it because of the explosions—it was too risky."

"Cancelled it?" Ash looked like he was about to cry.

"Well cancelled at Pacifidlog and rescheduled for two days at Evergrande City, the last ship sails in a few hours." Lily stated.

"Oh, I have to go!" Ash exclaimed, "Where can I buy tickets?"

"Don't worry, it's free; now…" Ash relaxed, "Why do you want to go to the hospital?"

"Oh, well, my friends and I were in the explosion," Ash responded.

"You were in the explosion?!" Lily exclaimed, "Then where were you all this time?"

"Long story," Ash cut it short, "anyway, let's hurry, they need to go too."

"Well, I don't know," Lily made an unsure face.

Suddenly, there was a clearing throat behind them and Latias tapped Ash on the shoulder.

Oh sorry," Ash laughed, "I forgot about La—Bianca, she came with me."

"Okay, let's all go," Lily smiled and led the way.

---

"Misty?" a brunette sat next to her bedside and touched her arm softly.

Misty's eyes shot open and looked around, "Oh, May, it's you."

"Yeah," May responded grimly, "I heard you were here because of convulsions or something."

"Yeah, I felt them," Misty smiled softly and noticed she was in the same environment as before, "Where is everyone else?"

"Oh well Max, Professor Oak, Tracey, Richie, Georgio, Brock and I are fine," May bit her lip, "and Ash is, well, missing."

"Missing?!?!" Misty's eyes widened in horror.

"Along with Latias," May could already feel the blood coming out of her hurt lip; she knew how much this hurt Misty.

That's what May thought, but she was wrong, very wrong. Misty's suddenly horror and fear for Ash kicked in the warned seizures. Her hands and feet began shaking and Misty felt like her eyes were about to bulge out of her head. Her body erupted in quakes and strange movements, alien to a human. Her chest jumped up and down and her heart was going as fast as it possibly could. Tears began coming but she wasn't crying. May stood and ran to a nurse in shock. The nurse grabbed the injection nearby and flung herself to Misty's side. She bid May to hold Misty's left hand still so she could inject the medicine. May did as she was told and before she knew it, Misty's body stopped shuddering in unfathomable convulsions and all that was left was the light shaking of her hands and feet.

Misty looked over at May, smiled softly and murmured, "Thanks."

May's lips shook and she burst out a sob, hugging Misty tightly. She didn't know how many times she apologized until Misty was forced the slap her across the face softly.

"May shut up, it's fine, I'm sorry I didn't explain to you that I can't get over-anxious, otherwise I get like this," Misty's eyes opened and closed as she breathed in and out slowly to regain her composure.

"Oh well, if that's the case, I'll just leave, I'll tell you about it later, you need your sleep," May made for the door but Misty's sharp 'stop', told her to stay put, "Misty no, you need to sleep and I'll tell you when your better, I'm sure Ash will be fine!"

Misty shook her head, staring out the window my by her bed sadly, "No, he won't."

May looked at the floor in resentment and they sat in silence for the next few minutes.

"Sooo…" May rubbed her foot against the tiled floor and looked up at Misty's gaunt face.

Misty refused to respond.

"Misty, I'm sorry." May touched Misty's hand lightly, "You just saw him yesterday afternoon and now he's gone… I wish there was something I could do."

"May," Misty sat up in concentration, "I have to find him."

"What? Misty, we have no idea where he or Latias are, for all we know they could be under that rubble still!" May exclaimed, "And you're not even well enough to go out."

"I don't care!" Misty sat up and moved to get out of the bed but found she was unable.

So she began taking out the needle attached to her.

"Misty stop!" May moved to her side quickly and held her back, "quit acting crazy…"

"May you don't understand, I made a pact one day with my friend Melody," Misty shook her head softly, recalling the incident, "I promised her I would take care of him; Ash is never alone because he's got… me."

May stood in awe at what Misty had uttered and as Misty took out the final attachment, a doctor saw them. He ran in with millions of nurses and pushed Misty lightly back on her back. And Misty didn't fight back. They re-injected the needles while Misty watched May intently who looked back at her. Misty nodded and May was pulled away, out of the room, and chucked into the lobby, where she continued standing in awe. Misty would do anything for Ash and she had all but seen him only one in these few days. May couldn't help but smile at how obvious it was that they were meant for each other. At the Mirage Kingdom, Ash was determined to save Misty and keep her safe. When they went back to Pallet Town Ash was determined to sit beside Misty and catch up before she was forced to leave. She even caught a glimpse of Ash's desire for Misty to be a part of the group again.

"Hey May!" Max shook his sister out of her reverie and pulled her toward the rest of the group.

Professor Oak had a sling around his arm because of his rough fall at his elderly age, Richie had fallen on top of Georgio and therefore was not hurt too badly; only a few band aids here and there. Georgio, on the other hand, had received medicine for the pain in his chest that he felt every so often and now wore a white band around his chest. Brock was overall alright, all he had needed was a day's rest from all that had happened. May and Max had been standing extremely close to Team Rocket already that the explosion caused them to both carry a headband wrapped around the left side of their head… Oh, where could Ash be?

"May, we have to leave." the Professor said quickly, "We have to be on the next ship to Evergrande City this afternoon!"

"What about Misty?" May looked worried, "And Ash? Latias?"

"They'll be alright," Richie smiled grimly, "and unless the doctors let Misty out in the next few hours—"

"—which is unlikely," Tracey added.

"—Then she'll have to stay here until she can leave, she'll just meet up with us later," Georgio nodded, "And, Ash, well, the police are looking everywhere for him."

A voice suddenly spoke behind him, "Hello everyone, I think I might have something you'd like to see."

Officer Jenny handed them a hat. May looked closer and noted, "Ash's hat!"

She grabbed it and surveyed it, "Where'd you find it?"

"In an alleyway," she answered, "So this is Ash Ketchum's hat?"

"Yes," everyone gave an affirmative nod.

"Well, he's either a victim; being held captive or he is a suspect of the bombing because his hat is the only lead I have," Officer Jenny shrugged.

"Team Rocket!" Max exclaimed, "It wasn't Ash, it was Team Rocket, they must have Ash and Pikachu!"

Professor Oak looked around in concentration, "I don't think its Team Rocket that has Ash…" but no one heard him.

"Really?" Jenny ignored the professor's soft comment and scratched her head, "Well if you saw them do it, then that's what I'll follow… but where could they be?"

"They're around," Brock nodded suspiciously, "They're always… around."

-----

"Yes, we've got Pikachu!" Team Rocket cheered, holding up the cage in praise, "Woohoo!"

They stopped and stared at each other.

"So… Now what?" Jessie looked around, "That stupid bird said he'd be here by now… we should have just made a run for it when we had the chance…"

"Uh... Jessie…?" James managed to squeak and pointed behind them with a shaking finger.

"Hold on James, ugh that stupid Pokemon; all he wants is twerp, twerp, twerp," Jessie mused, "What's so special about that twerp anyway?"

Something very special, a voice uttered angrily.

"Uh…oh," Meowth and Jessie turned to where James was pointing and faced the giant creature Jessie had just had the pleasure of mocking.

Now what were you saying about 'making a run for it'? Ho-oh's eyes glowed as he stepped forward.

"N-nothing, hehe, I meant… when can we make a run to get Ash for, er, you?" Jessie said in a high pitched voice.

Well I don't think you'll be needing Pikachu for now… Ho-oh's eyes glowed brighter and Pikachu in the cage flew out of Team Rocket's arms.

"No please!" They exclaimed, beginning to sob, "We've waited so long to have him in our grasp!"

Well I guess you'll have to keep waiting… at least until I can trust you once more… and Pikachu was gone.

"No…" James sobbed softly on Meowth and Jessie and they all fell on the ground in defeat.

Now fulfill a task for me you three, Ho-oh began walking back and forth in the forest where they stood, get on board of the next ship to Evergrande City and follow your "twerps".

Team Rocket regained their composure and nodded, walking out of the forest in silence.

---

Misty watched the doctors work on her for the next hour; the needles, the medicines, the anesthesias. She said nothing, just thought of Ash and Pikachu. Where were they? And Latias? She was here too? The one who had kissed Ash… Misty couldn't help but feel a surge of jealously toward her-and Melody… and every other girl who had tried to take Ash from her… Misty smiled to herself. Ash wasn't hers. But she wanted him to be…maybe…someday. But for now, she had to concentrate on how to get out of here with all these doctors and cameras.

Stupid hospital. Misty thought aggravated.

"Alright Misty, sleep for a while and you'll calm down, what were you thinking; getting out of bed?" The nurse spoke more to herself than to Misty who looked away, "Trying to escape? If you are, the eavesdrop in the restroom to the laundry room is a perfect getaway."

Misty knew she was just joking, but hey, it wasn't such a bad idea. Misty turned over on her bed and thought about her plan. In a few hours they would board the last ship set for Evergrande City; she had seen the news and knew Ash would want to be there…

Wherever he was.