Trigger warning: Some violence, and general disclaimer regarding brainwashing/gaslighting and manipulation
Chapter Nine
Hide and Seek
Jessie watched Ash and Pikachu from over her shoulder. She, James, and Meowth led the duo around HQ, still in search of Misty. James and Meowth were talking about something trivial, and she checked behind her to catch Ash speaking to Pikachu.
She didn't intend to keep watching them. It was a habit she developed from years of wrongdoing — checking over her shoulder. But seeing Ash speak to Pikachu with earnest hope and determination about Misty was both foreign and endearing.
"She's stronger than whatever mind-wipe they did to her." Ash was looking skywards.
Jessie turned more fully.
Ash went on, unaware. "I can already imagine her yelling at us for breaking into a top-secret hideout."
"Pika, pika," Pikachu supplied atop Ash's head.
Ash laughed. "Right, she'll yell at me, not you." Looking down, his eyes went unfocused. "We managed to find you, buddy. We'll be able to find Misty again. It's good to have you back — don't think I'd be able to face her again without you."
Jessie would have snorted. But instead her lips pursed. Turning away, she caught James watching her. Jessie jerked her head towards the boy.
They both turned as subtle as they could manage. Ash and Pikachu were still talking, clueless of their audience.
Jessie, James, and Meowth had all shared their thoughts on what they should do once the alarms at HQ went off — once Ash and Pikachu were caught.
"It's over," James had said.
"He failed," Meowth commented by rote.
Jessie had laughed without humor. "Stupid boy."
Once everything settled down, however, the three of them hardly said anything more. They were thinking.
Ash and his friends had been a thorn in their sides for too long, a pest that just wouldn't give up. Much like the three of them, they guessed. But they had shared experiences — shared adventures. Ash had proven his loyalty to his friends time and time again. He knew right from wrong, which was what often got him into trouble. He always had to meddle.
And yet they couldn't bear the thought of him losing a friend. In some sadistic, maniacal way, if they were not the ones giving him hell than no one else should.
But, they suspected for a while now, they were fond of him.
The door slammed and Reiko spun around.
Giovanni stomped over. "Well?"
Dr. Reiko sighed. "Her mind's been wiped."
"Everything?"
Reiko nodded, looking grim. "I've kept Hypno on hand just in case, but she's stable. She's ready for anything."
Giovanni continued to frown. "Where is she?"
Dr. Reiko led the way into the separate room in the infirmary.
Giovanni paused at the threshold. Misty sat on the cot, eyes blank but her brows were knitted together.
After the first round of hypnosis, Misty was taken back to the infirmary. Under his order, another round of hypnosis was done while Misty was under.
Dr. Reiko was there to monitor the brain activity. Giovanni told her to wipe Misty's mind entirely. As much as Reiko knew how risky that was, she complied anyway.
Crossing the room in quick strides, Giovanni sat in the seat across the bed.
Misty looked up as though her head weighed like iron. Meeting her eyes, Giovanni squinted, waiting for a sign.
However, Misty stayed quiet.
"Misty." Giovanni grinned when Misty didn't so much as tilt her head or nod. "Exactly what I asked for, doctor. Nicely done."
Dr. Reiko paled but nodded. "Misty, this is Giovanni. He facilitates orders here."
"Chances of another relapse?" Giovanni demanded, still assessing her.
"Slim at most, but she'll return here after every assignment."
Giovanni turned to Dr. Reiko. "Hypno will be in your hands then."
"Yes, sir. Right now it's resting. It nearly exhausted itself."
Giovanni ignored her, facing Misty again. "Misty?"
After a beat, Misty said, "Ready." Her body straightened, head leveling with Giovanni's.
The man leaned away a little, brows raised. He didn't say anything, just observed the way Misty sat rigid awaiting an order.
He regretted not having it done it this way before. Last time he spared her.
The first time she was hypnotized, she retained her humanity. While he got her to comply, she exhibited reluctance. She was confused and asked too many questions.
Giovanni admired Misty's blankness and silence. She was nothing but an asset, a puppet held together by shackles.
"There's a prisoner contained in the lower east wing, the basement. Get answers from him."
Giovanni got up and nodded at Dr. Reiko. He looked back down at Misty who watched him.
"Get as much information from him as possible. Permission to use any methods for his compliance, granted."
"Is there any way we can check on Brock?"
James cut a glance at Ash. "Not at this time, twerp."
"Yeah, okay..."
The cost of being more careful meant that Ash couldn't contact Brock. He hoped that he would remain safe and away from Team Rocket's clutches. And that he wouldn't call for help just yet. If that happened Misty would be implicated too.
"He's not as stupid as you are, is he?" Jessie smirked down at Ash.
He made no reply, ducking his head.
Jessie frowned, huffing. "One friend at a time, kid. You can't help everyone."
Ash winced at the reminder. It was too easy for him to get caught, though he—wouldn't admit it to it—was more rash than Brock. But after being swarmed by the Team Rocket operatives, Ash could no longer underestimate them. If Brock was spotted and thrown into internment, that would be Ash's fault.
They stuck to the lower wing, where it was mostly empty—biding time, even if it meant the whole night. There would be no more do-overs.
"Pika?" Pikachu's ears rose.
Meowth froze, eyes darting to the side. "Somebody's coming. Run!"
They all sprint down the hall.
Something yanked Ash back. He cried out as his shoulder seized and he's shoved against a wall.
"Ah!" Ash winced, but stopped struggling. "Misty?"
Her arms were like steel; keeping Ash in place like a Butterfree pinned to a wall.
Ash's eyes softened. "You found us, do you— ow, ah! Stop!"
Misty's fingers dug into Ash's shoulders. Ash hissed through clenched teeth, so tight that they could shatter.
"Pikachupi!"
Misty ignored Pikachu, removing a hand and grabbing a Pokéball from her pocket.
"What on earth?" Jessie said as she and James took a step forward. "What's the meaning of this?"
A Pokéball was leveled with Ash's nose. His eyes widened. "Misty, it's me!"
A blur of yellow appeared and Ash dropped to the floor. He grasped at his shoulder whirling his sights to Misty.
Her back hit the opposite wall, though the ball was still in her hand. Misty rushed over to Ash, arm raised.
Ash got a glimpse of Misty's eyes—green, like poison ivy—and blanched.
Scrambling away, he held out an arm. "No, no, no, Misty, please!"
"I'll take this!" Jessie pried the Pokéball from Misty's grip. The redhead spun around, eyes ablaze and for a second Jessie wasn't sure what to do.
Misty grabbed ahold of Jessie's arm with surprising strength, uninhibited.
The older woman tried to shake her off. "What the—let go, twerp!"
"Misty," Ash said, staggering to his feet.
Misty's head snapped back to him, abandoning the Pokéball and stormed off towards Ash. Too slow to step away, Misty slammed him to the wall.
Ash's skull smacked the tile. His vision swam before the renewed pain in his shoulder caught up with him.
"Why have you come here?" Her voice was low and blank. Seconds ticked by and she pressed an arm against Ash's throat, forcing a gasp out of him. "Why have you come here?"
"To—to—to help—you, errgh—save you!"
Misty narrowed her eyes. "You're lying. What do you want with Team Rocket?"
The pressure on his windpipe robbed him of the chance to speak. Pikachu cried out and from the corner of Ash's eye, Pikachu's cheeks were sparking.
Misty is unmoved by the warning and Pikachu was left with no choice, pulling just enough electricity to help Ash, only for the sparks to vanish.
"Pi—Pika—chu, don't. No— You'll…hurt her."
Pikachu bared its teeth, but did not move.
"Then we'll hurt her!" Meowth sunk his claws into Misty's leg.
Instantaneously, Misty let go of Ash, hunching. Ash took a sharp inhale, using the wall for support.
Pikachu was by his feet and they watched Misty lean down and grab Meowth by the scruff of his neck.
James caught Meowth in time, stumbling back. Misty turned a heel, her glare trained on Ash again.
Jessie ran forward and blocked Misty, backing into Ash like a shield. "Back off, Red."
Misty's arms were pulled back as she was about to lunge at Jessie. James tugged her away but struggled as she slipped past his hold.
"Meowth, grab her leg—"
"She's not stopping," Meowth grunted, holding onto Misty's leg not to subdue her but to keep from being flung off.
Ash peered past Jessie, the urge to help Misty threatening to cloud his logic. The pain in his shoulder and the fear of what Misty might do to him are overshadowed by the wellbeing of his friend.
There's a grunt and James has an arm wrapped around his stomach while the other struggled to pull Misty away.
Jessie grabbed a Pokéball from her own belt. "Pikachu, make sure he doesn't move." She raised her arm and—
Everything went dark. It only took a few seconds before the ceiling quaked with footsteps and the muffled voices are heard.
Ash looked up, trying to get a visual. "What's going on? Pikachu stay close to me."
Feet scuffed the floor and Ash is grabbed again, his heart leaping. "C'mon, Pikachu," he heard and he's dragged off, his feet trying to keep up.
Ash had no clue where they were headed. He managed to keep pace, almost stumbling a few times. They bound up a flight of stairs, pushing past a heavy door.
There were a few emergency lights, spinning orange in the corners of the hall, enough to guide them but still dark to not be seen easily.
"Wha—? Where are we going?" Ash said.
"We're getting out of here." James was holding onto his wrist.
Ash tried to yank his wrist back, but James's fingers tightened around him.
"What happened to Misty? She's still back there, we need to go back."
"Twerp, we're not going back to her," Jessie said, out of breath.
"She's the reason we're doing any of this, let me go, I'm going back!"
"We have to think of another plan—"
Ash jerked to a stop, freeing his wrist. "There's no time!"
Flashes of orange—and Jessie, James, Meowth, and Pikachu have all stopped running. Team Rocket all shared looks of confusion.
"Remember the conditions, kid," Meowth said. "We say go, you follow. We've saved your neck more times tonight than—"
"That could've been our chance to help her."
"Help her, she was ready to make you cry," Jessie said. "You failed to tell us she's turned into a nutcase."
Ash's mouth hung open, floundering. He looked down at Pikachu; his friend's ears drooped. "She…she's different than the first time."
Team Rocket say nothing, only watching and waiting.
Ash swallowed. "Something's changed. I don't know, but she's in worse trouble now." He turned away. "I'm going back."
"You really are stupid." Jessie threw her arms up.
"I appreciate your help—I do. I get it if you can't help me anymore. But she's in more danger than I am."
"You need to come with us." Jessie raised a hand to stop Ash from interrupting. "After that run-in, we know she'll find you. For now, you need to stay out of sight."
"You're already hurt, twerp," James said and nodded. "Yes, don't think we didn't notice your shoulder."
"She wasn't holding back there," Jessie went on. "Slamming you against a wall, squeezing your injury, aiming a Pokéball to your face, crushing your throat."
Ash gulped, fingers caressing his neck. "What if she hurts someone else though? I know she won't forgive herself when she remembers."
"If it's Team Rocket, I don't think she'll feel bad." James smirked; arm still wrapped around his stomach.
"We're not going to abandon you, twerp," Meowth said.
Ash's brows knitted together. It was all so messed up, as though the world was flipped; a world where Misty is out to get him and Team Rocket are his allies. He couldn't help but grasp for reality again, for his friend back, to remind her of who she was and breakthrough the brainwashing.
It was because of him, he was tagging alongside Team Rocket. If they hadn't helped him get in, then out of the cell, it'd be game over for him too.
Ash sighed, nodding.
"You're not going to like what I'm about to say," Jessie said in preamble. Everyone turned to her. "We're going to need to set a trap for her."
Pikachu watched Ash tentatively. The boy's fists clenched at his sides, his nails in his palms keeping him from arguing. "I'm listening."
"Get a source on that outage." Perry directed her Magneton.
The compound was in chaos again. Every agent present, even those that were asleep in the dorms are up, working to get the power back on—and to capture the culprit responsible.
"Has anyone checked the basement?" Knox shouted against the wave of agents.
"Leave that to us," Butch said and leaned towards Cassidy. "You don't think it was the brat?"
Cassidy pressed her lips together. "Can't be. It's from the outside. Probably a wild Pokémon."
"Let's check on him. In case."
"Where's Jessie, James, and Meowth been?"
Butch froze, facing Cassidy. "No idea, but now that you've mentioned it, what if they're up to something?"
"I'm wondering the same. There was someone else, last time we saw them." Butch raised a brow. "I swear I saw a stranger."
"The boy? But if it was, he may have been passing through, sneaking away before anyone saw him."
"Maybe, either way we need to watch out for those three. While in the basement, we'll force an answer of out of the brat."
"Right."
Butch and Cassidy swiped a pair of flashlights from the emergency kits that were brought out, pushing past the throngs of people.
Butch shined his light ahead meeting a pair of green eyes. He told Misty, "Grab a light and look for—"
She shoved between him and Cassidy, her shoulders bumping theirs with urgency. The duo spun, gaping after her.
"Hey!" Cassidy yelled.
Misty continued to stalk away, ramming into other agents along her path.
"What's she up to?" Butch said.
"Was it me or has something changed?"
They didn't linger to find out, instead dismissing the whole thing and heading towards the lower east wing.
Interim, Misty made a beeline for the labs. The doors were opened halfway, the outage preventing them from being shut. No one spared her a glance when Misty slipped through and there was no one inside to ask her what she was doing.
Misty stood, head darting around when the orange lights cast a glow on a lab table.
Trays of Pokéballs were aligned for grabs. She slipped out with two in her hand and conviction in her eyes as her mission had yet to be completed.
Ash was not a patient person by nature. It was a trait he had been working on for all his life. Whether it be Christmas or lunch, Ash's restless energy was constant.
When it came to saving a friend, his impatience was almost crippling. It was hard to determine if time was an ally, though Ash understood that waiting was essential for a trap.
What made matters worse was that he and Pikachu were behind bars, again. They returned to the basement.
This sort of backwards planning only tested Ash's patience, but was the best option if they wanted to go about it as quickly as possible. A game of Liepard and Patrat would take too long.
"Trust us, even if she scours the entire compound, she'll know to come back here if you're nowhere to be seen." Jessie crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
A shiver ran up Ash's spine. He removed the bag of ice from his shoulder, flexing his numb fingers.
"Pikapi?" Pikachu leant on Ash's side.
"I'm alright, Pikachu, my shoulder's getting better."
It was a lie. His shoulder flared with every delicate motion, and Ash was only able to move his arm from his elbow downwards. But denial was Ash's second language.
"Why haven't they recovered the power yet?" James said.
"The boss must be having a fit about now," Meowth supplied. "I kind of like the dark. Perfect time to take a catnap."
"Pikachu…" Pikachu narrowed its eyes at Meowth.
"What? We might be here 'till morning, no point saying awake the whole time."
"Easy for you to say," Ash said unable to stop himself.
"Down, boy," James said. "Meowth's right, we might be here awhile."
The door swung open and James craned his head around. Eye wide, he rushed up the steps to meet Butch and Cassidy at the door.
Jessie and Meowth followed.
"Not a word, kid and Pikachu hide in the shadows."
Butch and Cassidy are pushed back out and the door slammed behind Jessie, James, and Meowth.
"Where have you three been all night?" Cassidy waved her flashlight.
Jessie sneered. "Why so curious, Cassidy?"
"Because you've been MIA since the breach."
"Well, here we are now," James said. "Mind if I have your flashlight?"
Butch pulled his arm back, holding the flashlight to his chest. "Get your own."
"Rude, Bill. What're you twos doing down here anyways?" Meowth asked.
"The intruder from earlier is down here. We're checking in on him."
Jessie slid in front of Butch as his fingers ghosted the keypad. "No need, we beat you to it."
"Right…he's still locked up?" Cassidy cocked a brow.
"He's not responsible for the outage if that's what you dunces are thinking," Jessie barked a laugh. "Unless the main fuse is in his cell, he's just as powerless as this whole place."
Cassidy looked past them at the shut door, and then narrowed her eyes. "Pray tell, Jessie, what's the brat up to?"
Jessie shrugged. "Snoozing, not much to do down there."
Silence suffused like the darkness. Cassidy trained the flashlight at Jessie with narrowed eyes. The latter crossed her arms, while James rocked back on his heels, breaking the silence with low whistling, which everyone ignored.
Cassidy lowered the flashlight, turning to Butch for an instance and sidestepped.
"Cassidy?" Jessie said.
Cassidy clenched her teeth, facing Jessie again.
"We hear there's somebody new. Who is it?"
Butch's flashlight went to Jessie. "Team Rocket gets new recruits all the time, you're going to have be specific."
"Yeah, but this one's special, ain't she?" Meowth said, earning a glare from Butch.
"How do you even know what goes on around here?" Cassidy said. "You're too busy failing across regions to keep up with recruitment. Everything's kept airtight here."
"People talk. So who is she?"
Butch and Cassidy glowered and Jessie couldn't help the smirk on her face. Cassidy's upper lip twitched as though threatening to spill out a slew of expletives.
Instead she huffed, ushering Butch with the flashlight. "These three can remain on babysitting duty."
Jessie, James, and Meowth watched them disappear down the dark hall.
James punched the code of the door. "Jeez, how annoying."
"What's wrong?" Ash said when Team Rocket returned. "Who was there?"
"Butch and Cassidy," Meowth said.
"They were checking if I was still down here, huh?"
James waved a hand. "Never mind, we sent them off. They shouldn't come back."
Ash nodded. "Okay. I guess we just wait, again."
He and Pikachu stayed close, while the Team Rocket trio was on the other side.
It was quiet at first, awkward. A couple minutes past and James started to talk about trivial things such as the movies they'd missed out on during the missions across regions. Jessie and Meowth chiming in as though it was natural. Hardly any of the topics were about their jobs.
James was the main source of chatter, filling the dark basement with his thoughts, even when Jessie and Meowth had nothing to add.
Ash was unsure if he was included in the conversation, so he listened on, finding the distraction a little helpful.
By the third hour, James and Meowth had started playing with a deck of cards that James had on him.
Jessie was sat with her back against a wall. She squinted in Ash's direction, catching him clutching his stomach.
"Thought that was me I heard," she said.
Ash looked up, with a tight smile. "It's been a few hours. But—I'm fine."
Jessie got up, stepping towards a dark corner and pulled out a tote bag. Slipping her hand between the bars, Jessie offered a sandwich wrapped in foil.
Ash balked, but scooted closer taking it. "Thanks."
"It's at least a day old, but should be good enough to eat." She dug in the bag again, rolling a green apple towards Pikachu.
Meowth whipped his head around. "Hey, where'd you get that?"
"An hour ago, on my way back from the bathroom."
James abandoned the cards, hovering nearby. "What else is in there?"
They all ate, and their energies steadily improved. The migraine Ash was suffering from subsided by the time he was finished and he leaned back against a wall, sighing.
"What time is it?" Meowth said in between licking his fur.
"Good question. We've been down here forever, it might be morning by now," James said.
Jessie shrugged. "No clue, but you might not be far off, James."
"The power's not on, yet." Ash moved closer to the bars. "Unless they keep the basement dark all night."
James went back to his cards, shuffling them without purchase. Jessie was turned away, looking pensive.
Ash bit his lip. "Do you think something else happened?"
Jessie, James, and Meowth looked at him.
"To Misty, I mean. You don't think she's in any trouble or locked away like me?"
"I doubt she's hurt," came Jessie's response. "But we don't know what she's up to, if she was sidetracked with another mission."
Ash pursed his lips. "Should we check?"
James clicked his tongue, lowering the cards. "Kid—"
"Trust you, I know." Ash averted his eyes.
"Then what?" Jessie straightened. "What, twerp? Is it that hard for you to listen and be patient? Not everything works out the way you want it to." Her voice rose, bouncing off the walls.
"Why do you keep doubting us?" James said, with furrowed brows.
"I mean why should he?" Meowth said. "We've only tricked him hundreds of times, trying to get his Pikachu. And here he and Pikachu are locked behind bars." Jessie and James snapped their heads towards him and Meowth shrugged. "It's the truth."
"May we remind you, you asked for our help," Jessie said.
"I know." Ash's teeth were clenched. "And yeah I did need your help. But it's been real hard trusting you guys. I keep expecting you guys to hand me over."
Jessie huffed, taking a moment to answer. "We came back for you, didn't we?"
"Why did you?"
"We already explained ourselves. The plan failed too quickly. Not our style." James smirked.
"But why?" Ash urged. "There's got to be another reason."
James opened his mouth, but Jessie interrupted him.
"You know what? You shouldn't trust us. Never, ever. It's stupid of us to ask you and even stupider to expect you to. Let's be honest here, after all this is over, we're not going to be friends, let alone allies."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"Because—we just are, twerp." Jessie pinned her eyes on him. "That's all. We just are helping you. Why are you helping Misty? What if you never knew her but saw her once and felt like something was off? Would you help her then?"
Ash considered this. Misty was her friend, which made the answer obvious. And if she wasn't like Jessie suggested…he would help. It was who he was to help those he knew needed help. So maybe, Team Rocket could be capable of the same thing?
He flinched when the bars rattled and slid open.
"Pikachu…" Pikachu murmured.
"There," Jessie said. "You're free to leave this cell."
Pikachu turned to Ash, tilting its head. Ash watched Jessie, James, and Meowth as they stood away from the cell. Suffice to say he didn't think he'd ever truly trust Team Rocket, not after everything they've been through. Though they have saved his skin more times tonight than he'd ever expect from them. And they even had the sense to give him and Pikachu food.
"Close it," Ash said. Just as Jessie said, if they get out of this, they don't have to become friends, but Ash won't forget their generosity.
Seconds went by and no one moved. The bars slid shut again and Jessie was certain she saw him smirk in the darkness.
"Now we wait."
"Might not have to be for long," Meowth said, looking towards the steps.
The door opened a moment later and Team Rocket tucked themselves away in the shadows. Pikachu did the same in a darkened corner of the cell.
The steps echoed in tandem with Ash's thumping heart.
Misty stopped just before the bars and Ash's shoulder twitched. He tried to remain as innocent as possible.
"The others told me you were down here sleeping." Her voice was blank, belonging to a stranger. "But they never said how you got down here again."
Ash raised a hand, blocking the shine from Misty's flashlight.
"What do you want with Team Rocket?"
"Nothing," Ash whispered.
"You do. You wouldn't be so persistent to get captured twice in one night if you didn't. Are you planning on seizing the Pokémon, set them free?"
Ash blinked. He hadn't considered that idea, but the memory of Misty's Gyarados contained, pricked his brain. "Well…not exactly."
"Who else is with you?"
If it were possible for his heart to beat faster, it did. He resisted looking at Pikachu in the corner.
"It's just me."
"You're on your final strike," Misty said, pulling a Pokéball out of her pocket.
"Misty, I know you're in there. Listen to me, please. You've been brainwashed, your Gyarados is caged up, along with all the other Pokémon here. I'm here to help you!"
Nothing that Ash said made any difference. Misty threw the Pokéball inside the cell and Ash skittered away.
A Sandslash bared its claws motioning forward, cornering him.
"Shoot, she's sent something to attack him," James said in a hushed tone.
"Use crush claw—"
A glowing claw is brought down.
"Pika!"
A tear in Ash's slacks formed at the knee, the skin beneath it untouched.
Sandslash slides back from the impact of Pikachu's blow. The latter stands between it and Ash.
"How—?" Misty stared after Pikachu and made a decision, another Pokéball in her raised hand.
Meowth leapt, knocking the flashlight out of Misty's hand. Moving quickly, Meowth grabbed the flashlight and shut it off, submerging the basement into darkness.
Ash shot to his feet, grasping at the wall behind him. He heard Sandslash cry out. "Pikachu?"
There was a flash and for a moment, the room lit up as Sandslash absorbed the electric attack.
It got dark again and there was the sound of scratching until it disappeared.
"Pikapi?"
"I'm right here, buddy," Ash said, waving his hand before him.
The floor beneath him trembled and softened and Ash was pushed out of the way.
Pikachu sent another electric attack at Sandslash went it emerged from the hole where Ash was just seconds ago.
"There she is," Jessie pointed when there was a flash of light. "Sorry, Red, but this isn't personal, not really." She reached out but Misty slipped away. "Damn, James where'd she go?"
"Found it!" James said, holding the second Pokéball Misty had in her hand.
Meowth hopped off Ash's chest. "You okay, kid?"
Ash groaned, blinking away the darkness but to no avail. "Yeah, thanks for that."
Misty's hands grasped the bars for support and she squinted but could not see anything. She stepped away. "Sandslash, break these bars."
The bars clattered and Misty stepped into the cell, eyes searching for a visual.
"I can't see," Ash said.
Misty strained her ears, following Ash's voice.
Sandslah charged at Ash and Pikachu shocked it once more, though it was much weaker.
During the momentary flash, Misty found Ash taking slow steps behind Meowth. The light faded again but Misty's hand pulled Ash's. She yanked him, pinning him against the nearest wall again.
"Come with me," Ash breathed, ignoring the way Misty's hand bruised his. "I'll go with you." Misty's hands went to the collar of his shirt, pulling hard. "I'll—I'll tell you everything. I'll tell you where the other guy is. I'll tell you why I'm really here—" His useless babble was cut off when Misty shook him. "I—I promise!"
Misty was relentless, the collar tightened around his neck.
Pikachu let out a feeble electric attack and staring into Misty's cold eyes, Ash felt the hope in his chest stutter in limbo.
"Forgive me, Misty." His voice was strained. He reared his head back and slammed it forward, connecting their skulls.
Stars burst behind his eyes and he sucked in a deep breath when Misty let go.
"Chu!" The sparks flickered and hardly dimmed the room.
"Meowth, where are you?" James called out.
Ash was slammed against the wall again, his head spun.
"What's going on down there?"
New voices came from the door and beams of light waved around the basement.
Jessie, James, and Meowth hid away in the shadows once more.
"Use flash, Magneton."
The room was aglow with light, just enough to see the damage to the cell. More voices joined the others and the room filled with agents, Butch and Cassidy among them.
"What happened here?" Perry said, surveying the downed bars and the dup up holes in the cell floor.
A pair of agents ran for Pikachu who was distracted and weak. They clamped a collar and muzzle on it, hoisting him away.
"Pikachu!" Ash shouted and Misty's hold tightens.
"What the hell happened?" Butch walked over to Misty, noting the blooming bruise on her forehead.
Knox came rushing in. "The boss—what the?"
"What is it?" Cassidy demanded.
Knox shook his head. "The boss is calling for a mandatory meeting. It's urgent."
Everyone turned to Ash.
"Cuff him."
"You've been working my last nerve, boy, and we haven't even introduced ourselves."
Giovanni loomed over Ash, his breath harsh against his face. Ash leaned back, the most he could do since he was confined to a chair.
"And I have no time for formalities," Giovanni spat.
When the agents brought to Giovanni, a vein almost burst in his temple. He was not expecting to see the intruder in the flesh let alone dragged from the cell.
The lights were still out but the problem only worsened when his scanners warned him of police activity. The outage put their compound on the map and the police were coming.
Upon seeing Ash, Giovanni cut the meeting, ordering everyone to pack the Pokémon, equipment, everything of value so that no trace of Team Rocket was left behind. And there won't be, not after he decimates the compound to the dirt.
As everyone scrambled to fulfill his orders, Giovanni decided to spend some one-on-one time with Ash.
"The outage, how did you do it?"
Ash's breath was haggard, the circulation in his arms dying. Shaking his head, he said, "I didn't."
His face stung like pinpricks even long after Giovanni struck him. "Normally I'd do this for as long as I need to, but we're on a time crunch. Tell me! How did you cut the power?"
"What've you done to Pikachu?"
This time Ash's mouth filled with blood and his jaw hung loose. He heard a crack but nothing was broken. "Misty…what've you done to her?!"
Giovanni's brow twitched. He clenched his fist to keep from striking him again. Time was running out.
"You're impressive, if not insolent. Misty didn't learn the first time. I won't have anymore mistakes made."
"Let her go." Ash glared up at the man. "Keep me. Let her go, let Pikachu go, let the Pokémon go."
Giovanni huffed a laugh. "You're in no position to ask for that much."
"Then take me. Let her and Pikachu go."
Giovanni yanked Ash's hair, pulling him up. "Any Pokémon that Team Rocket comes across belongs to us. As for Misty, she still serves a purpose. But if she proves to be a failure, I'll dispose of her. For now, she's Team Rocket's latest weapon, or she will be."
"She doesn't deserve this. No one does."
"I don't care, boy." Giovanni grinned, letting go. "Has anyone ever taught your naïve mind that life isn't fair? You live among monsters. If you're not careful, they'll come for you. Though you came for us."
Ash seethed, lost for words. It was evident that he could not convince the man even with his own sacrifice to stay behind; Ash was running out of ideas.
"Your repertoire of Pokémon is impressive for a boy so young. Challenged every league, ranking high but never winning the title. It's a shame, you could have potential with us."
Ash swallowed. "You're going to brainwash me too? Is that your evil plan for anyone who rises up against you? It doesn't matter what you do, there'll always be a way to break free!"
"Misty hasn't." Giovanni feigned disappointment. "And I said you could have potential. This isn't an offer for recruitment. I'll hang onto your Pokémon, however, and you'll remain on Team Rocket's hit list until the day you die."
Giovanni stalked over to his desk. He shuffled the remaining papers and slipped them inside a manila envelope. He pulled his blazer, digging inside the inner pocket.
A shiny, pill shaped capsule, the size of a Pokéball is leveled with Giovanni's eyes. "You won't know what this is. No one would."
Ash's brows knitted together, scrutinizing the item. He was right, Ash had no clue what that could be.
"This small thing is the final step to bury Team Rocket's tracks. And possibly you."
Ash gaped at him.
"Tiny little button on the top and in about five minutes this compound will be rubble after I press it, of course."
Ash's feet kicked and he wriggled against the restraints.
"Team Rocket's technology is much more advanced than the mainstream public. We get private funding, though the donors don't know what the money's being used for. It's the nature of business. We do more than steal, you see." He taps the button and the capsule lights up.
Setting it down on the desk, Giovanni skirted past Ash, not bothering to look at him. "Farewell, Ash Ketchum."
The smoke should clear in a few hours. It'll draw attention and bring the police to the scene sooner. But everything's been taken care of. The choppers have taken flight; the vans have driven off—their tracks covered.
Jessie, James, and Meowth can't see anything past the smoke. The chopper they're on flies further away and with heavy hearts, they look away from the smoky ruins of the compound.
TO BE CONTINUED…
A/N: Hope you readers are doing well. Not sure if anyone is still out there, but here's the latest for Reset.