Chapter 17
*Team Rocket's Headquarters*
"Hmm, seems like he doesn't do anything with aura, which is good for us, of course." Giovanni said.
Team Rocket had made it back to Headquarters, and reported every single event involving Ash and his friends.
"We've gotten as close as we can, sir. We even managed to end up sitting beside them at one point." Jessie bragged
"What? Did they suspect anything?"
"Of course not, sir. You see, they've gotten so used to us since the past few years that we're pretty much less than a threat to them-"
"No sir! Of course we're still a threat to them," Meowth quickly cut off James, "Considering our persistent pursuit for the twerp's-I mean the boy's Pikachu. However they would never suspect anything other than just stealing Pikachu."
"Hmm… This Pikachu… Why have you three been so eager to go after it? I'm sure there are tons of other Pikachu or pokémon out there easier to capture."
"Well you see, sir. We've followed this Pikachu for long, and it's clear to us that it possesses strong power."
"And that is why despite our well-prepared plan and gadgets, we haven't been able to capture it."
"But sir, we can guarantee you that we will be able to get it one day-"
"Enough! You're getting off-track. What I want to know is the relationship between the boy and his Pikachu. Because it seems that this pokémon never goes back into its pokeball."
"Well, they are best friends, sir. The twerp- the boy never leaves Pikachu behind wherever he goes."
"Even when we were finally able to capture it, he would always come after us and foil our plans."
"That's great!"
"Huh? But sir, how is that great?"
"Listen, since you three have such great passion in capturing this Pikachu, I want you to do so this time. This shall be your mission, and you will be aided if you need."
"Yes sir!"
*Undella Town*
After a wonderful morning breakfast, the trio let out their pokémons to play by the beach just outside the pokémon center while they relaxed themselves. Everything was going as usual, except…
"Come on, Nurse Joy! If you're worried about the oily and full-of-fats food in restaurants then I can cook a delicious and healthy dinner just for you! All you have to do is agree to have dinner with me…"
"Max, shouldn't you be doing your job?" Ash asked
"Nahh, give me a break! Why must it always be me?"
"Well, I expected Croagunk to pop out and use poison jab…" Dawn said
"Yeah but Brock left it behind, and Sudowoodo as well. So guess this time no one's stopping Brock, unless…" May said, eyeing Max.
"Like I said, give me a break." Max declared, and proceeded to close his eyes for a nap.
"Hey, it's not about stopping Brock, but I think Nurse Joy's getting annoyed as well." Lyra pointed out, as the trio noticed Nurse Joy beginning to lose her usual smile, yet Brock wouldn't give up.
"Exactly. Ash, do something!" May said
"What? Why do you always call me when it comes to stuff like that?"
"Why not?"
"Whatever, I'm staying put…"
"Hey! You don't want Nurse Joy to kick us out, do you?"
"Okay, fine! Then why don't you go?"
"I'm a girl. I don't have to do things like this!"
"You and your 'girl logic'!"
"What was that supposed to mean?!"
"NOTHING!" Ash snapped back. The others watched as Ash stood up and went to Brock, pulled him by the arm and tossed him into the nearest wall. He then proceeded back to the room, leaving poor Brock wondering why he would suddenly receive such harsh treatment.
"… I think you made him really mad…" Max said
"I think so too…" May watched as Pikachu ran up the stairs to follow his best friend.
Lyra slightly nudged Dawn, signaling that it's her chance.
Dawn hesitated for a while, but stood up anyway, "I'll go talk to him."
Max stared at Lyra, but looked away as soon as she looked back. May didn't say a word, as she was still guilty about upsetting Ash.
'I should have known he was still troubled about his aura, jeez why must I go and do things like this? When yesterday I told him I'll stay by his side...'
Ash sat down on his bed, taking a deep breath. He felt extremely guilty for shouting at May like that, but he couldn't control himself. His mind was just so full of Hunter J. 'I can't keep going on like that. If she comes back, my friends will be in trouble as well…'
"Pikapi…"
"What am I supposed to do, Pikachu?" Ash asked, scratching Pikachu's head. The pokémon didn't even react. As much comfort as it's receiving from his trainer, he couldn't stop worrying for him.
"Ash?"
"Oh, hey Dawn."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah… I guess so."
Dawn sighed and sat beside him. "Come on, Ash. It's obvious that something's wrong. Why don't you talk to me?"
"I'll be fine, Dawn. Thanks but… I just need some time alone."
"…Okay, come on Pikachu." Dawn said, walking back to the door. Before opening it, she turned back around, "But when you're ready to talk, you can always look for me, okay?"
"Okay." Ash smiled, as Dawn left the room with Pikachu.
As soon as the door closed, Ash lied down on the bed. He shut his eyes and thought about what Professor Oak said. 'Don't worry, Ash. Let me take care of things. Right now just enjoy yourself with your friends, promise?'
'Don't worry? How am I supposed to do that? I'm sorry Professor Oak…I just can't keep that promise. Not until Hunter J quits trying to get me.'
"Ash?"
'Again? No wait… That voice… it's-'
Ash felt the mattress sank lower beside him. He kept his eyes closed, pretending to be asleep.
"Ash, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to spoil your mood even further. I should have known you were already upset about your aura."
The comfortable bed made Ash felt sleepy; but he kept awake, though his eyes stayed shut.
"You know, I actually wished that Hunter J would just vanish. If she's gone, we can really have fun again. You wouldn't have to worry."
'Exactly, I wished that she would just leave us alone.' Ash thought.
May turned her head to her side, just to find Ash seemly asleep. She decided to keep quiet, and silently thought to herself.
'And I wish that Dawn wasn't here too…Whoa, hold on, what am I thinking about? Dawn's my friend! I can't treat her like this just because we both like the same guy… Gosh, what do I do now?'