The Year of Rocket's Revenge
Session: January, Part 2 (01.02.06/07.19.07)
They're my best friends. Whenever the chips were down, I could rely on them to help me get through the tough times. But now, they've betrayed me. Betrayed me in a way I never thought possible.
Okay, maybe possible. But I never figured it would actually happen.
Ash Ketchum and Duplica Imite.
Once best friends...
Now...
It hurts to think about it. Maybe it's just a dream. Some stupid dream that I'll wake up from any minute now. I mean... I thought we were past that stage. That being in a serious relationship meant that the door was closed - and once two were inside, no one else could come in unless one of us left.
So why does it feel like I was kicked out, instead of him walking out on his own?
And as for her... I thought she respected my wishes. Sure, she still flirted with him for the first year or so afterwards, but I wasn't worried since he, in his own typical way, didn't recognize it as her flirting with him. But, just to be sure, I put a stop to it, and I thought she understood.
Maybe I was foolish to believe her word. Or that she'd be able to keep her urges in. I must be the stupidest, most trusting girl in the world.
It's just a dream... it's just a dream... it's just a dream...
And as for Erika... I knew what she was doing was dangerous, but never would I have imagined it ending like this for her. I mean... I just talked to her this morning to wish her a Happy New Year's.
Now she's gone.
And she didn't deserve to die.
Just like I didn't deserve to be treated like a placeholder by my two best friends.
If this isn't a dream...
I have to do something. But what?
Toge toge-priiiiiiii!
That's it! That's exactly what I'll do...
Tuesday, January 1st, Cerulean City Gym
Brock was already outside, sitting inside Daisy's convertible as he saw her exit from the gym and head in his direction. Well, as fast as she could given her tight-fitting dress and her high-heeled shoes.
"Daisy, come on!" Brock yelled. "I've gotta get to the airport!"
"Don't have a Miltank!" quipped Daisy. "I'm, like, hurrying as fast as I can here!"
Daisy finally reached her car and got in.
"Could you do me a favor and hand me my shades?" Daisy asked Brock as she fastened her seatbelt.
"Do... what now?"
Daisy pointed to the glove compartment, which Brock quickly opened. Upon doing so, a pair of sunglasses fell out and right into his hands. From which Daisy quickly grabbed it from and put them on.
"Yes... that's much better!" she smiled.
"Uh..." Brock sweatdropped. "It's the middle of the night... you need sunglasses WHY?"
Not hearing Brock's question, Daisy started up the convertible with a roar.
"Buckle your seatbelt, Brock, because you're driving with Miss Daisy!"
With the obligatory warning out of the way, albeit a bit speedily, Daisy stepped on the gas and raced the convertible out to the street, nearly sending Brock flying out of the car. As he hadn't reacted to Daisy's lone instruction fast enough.
Back inside the gym, Duplica was still sulking as clean up around her continued. Ditto and Mini-dit were sitting on each of her shoulders, patting her on the back and trying to cheer her up. But to no avail.
On the other side of the room, Ash was sitting down on the ground, with his legs crossed, his back against the wall, and his head lowered. Pikachu was trying to perk up his spirits as well, but he wasn't faring any better.
All of a sudden, Tracey wandered over and took a seat next to Ash.
"What do YOU want?"
"I'm here to give you some friendly advice!" Tracey smiled.
"About what?"
"Well... for one thing, I know what Misty's so angry about."
"What makes you... think that?" Ash asked, with hesitance.
"Because I had a talk with Duplica, and... she told me what you and her did."
"Did?"
Pikachu curiously looked up at Ash.
"Up on the roof, Ash! Don't try and deny it... she's already confessed to it!"
"You... you mean that kiss?"
"PIKA?"
"That's what Misty's angry about?"
"Why, of course! What did you think it was?"
"But that wasn't even a real kiss! Duplica was just teaching me how to impress Misty after all that time I've been away from her."
"Well, you REALLY left an impression on both her AND Duplica!" Tracey scoffed. "That's for sure."
Pikachu jumped up onto Ash's left shoulder and then bonked him on the head lightly with a closed fist.
"What was I supposed to do? I thought she was helping me! Quick, Tracey, since Brock's not here, you're the only one who can give me advice on women!"
"Well, I'm very flattered that you're asking for my help! And I'll give it to you!"
"Really?"
Tracey nodded. "It's pretty simple. First, go over to Duplica and make sure to tell her that what she did was wrong and that your kiss meant nothing! Then, you need to go and apologize to Misty and assure her that the whole incident was nothing."
"But... but..." Ash started to panic, "what if Duplica doesn't want to forget it? What if I can't forget it? And what if Misty doesn't forgive me for what I did? Who knows what she'll do to me?"
"Hey, hey! You asked for advice on what to do. I can't do what you actually have to do. It doesn't work that way."
"But..."
"Look," Tracey calmed him down, placing a hand on his shoulder, "just speak from the heart, Ash. Do that, and everything will work itself out."
"Speak... from the heart," Ash repeated, getting up from the ground. "Okay then... here goes nothing!"
Ash took a deep breath and then exhaled. He then walked over to where Duplica was sitting, with Pikachu hopping off his shoulder and walking alongside him. Once they were out of hearing range, a river of tears started to fall from Tracey's eyes.
"WAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! That was my best chance to score Misty and I blew it... all because I'm such a nice guy!"
Duplica, still out of it and unaware of what was about to transpire, was shocked out of her stupor when Mini-dit, perched on her right shoulder, jumped on top of her head. That allowed Ash to put his left hand there just as she turned to face him.
"Duplica... I think you and I need to talk."
Leaving their Pokémon inside, Ash and Duplica made their way outside, where they could be alone in private to discuss the matter at hand.
"Duplica, I..." Ash began.
"You must hate me for what I did..." murmured Duplica, cutting him off.
"Hate you? But..."
"I know you thought my intentions were noble! But, frankly, I deceived you. There's no other way to say it. I wasn't trying to help you. I was trying to help myself! To you!"
"Dupli..."
"Please, Ash, don't make this any harder than it already is! Don't you realize how much this is eating away at me? I shouldn't have put my selfish desires over the love you and Misty have for each other! That was wrong of me, and I feel I need to apologize."
"Well... I don't think you should have to apologize!"
"Wha?"
"It's as much fault mine as it is yours. I could've resisted, pulled away... but I didn't."
"But that's not right! I led you under false pretenses! You weren't in the right state of mind!"
"I told you, it's both our fault! Let's just learn to accept it, okay?"
Duplica gazed into Ash's defiant eyes and gave in to his suggestion.
"We're all in this together, huh?"
Ash nodded. "Forget this ever happened?"
"Agreed. That is, if Misty will..."
"Don't worry about Misty. I'll take care of it."
"You're a brave man, Ashy-boy! Hopefully, she and I will still be friends after this... even if not best friends."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Tracey appeared in the doorway with Pikachu, Ditto, and Mini-dit. The two Ditto slithered over to Duplica, who ran over and picked them up from the ground, bending over in front of Tracey in the process.
"Ditto!" the two squealed as she placed them back on her bare shoulders.
"I think it's for the best if I just disappear for a little while."
"Disappear?"
"Besides, I haven't been home in months! The place is probably due for a little sprucing up!"
Duplica then picked Ditto off her left shoulder and gave it a command.
"Ready to become a Ponyta? Ditto... Transform!"
"Ditto!" Ditto nodded, before following instructions and changing into a Ponyta.
Once the transformation was complete, Duplica hopped on.
"I guess you and Tracey will have to pass on my good-byes to everybody! I'll see y'all 'round!"
She said the last few words with her best Wild West accent, then rode off towards town and to the hotel she had been staying at the past few days. Ash, Pikachu, and Tracey were a bit stunned at Duplica's exit, as they watched her disappear over the horizon.
"I wonder if talking to Misty will be just as eventful."
A few minutes later, Ash had made his way upstairs to the closed door leading into Misty's room. He braced himself for the worst as he knocked on the door.
"Misty?" he said quietly, almost whispering. "Are you in there?"
Ash leaned against the door, listening to see if there was any movement inside. After a few seconds of silence, Ash sighed and began to walk away. But as he did, the door creaked open and...
"Ash..." she growled venomously, taking one step out of the room and stopping to stare at him.
"Misty... uh, well... there's something we really need to talk about..."
"Why don't you let your lips do the talking? Apparently, that seems to be the only way you can talk to Duplica."
"Mist, you don't understand! I did it for you!"
"Ha!" Misty scoffed. "You kissed Duplica for me? For ME? The last time I checked, Ash, the only girl you should be kissing on the lips is your girlfriend! And that's me!"
"But like I said, it was all for you!"
Misty shook her head. "You just don't get it. You've never gotten IT, Ash!"
"What's to get?" Ash asked, enraged and confused at the same time.
Misty threw her arms up in frustration. "You know, I've never been one to listen to my sisters when it comes to romance. They kept telling me... hey, even a runt like you can do better! I can't believe I'm saying this... but I agree with them one hundred percent!"
"But..."
"It's over between us, Ash! I hope you and Duplica have a great life together... and forget inviting me to the wedding!"
With that, Misty stomped back into her room and slammed the door shut behind her. Ash ran up to the door and started knocking on it repeatedly, trying to get her to open back up.
"C'mon, Misty, don't be like that! I swear, it was in our best interests..."
"GO AWAY!" Misty yelled.
With Misty unwilling to listen anymore, Ash lowered his head and sadly trotted back to the guest room.
A few hours later, Ash was lying awake on the top bunk of a bunk bed, with Pikachu sound asleep next to him. The bunk underneath his was empty, as Brock had to rush home to take care of matters at the Pewter Gym. As he lied there, he kept thinking about what he had done with Duplica... and if he could fix things with Misty.
"Man... why can't love be as simple as winning a Pokémon battle?" Ash asked himself out loud.
Ash sighed, then closed his eyes as he attempted to get some shut eye.
The next morning, Daisy was busy working in the sales office on some paperwork as a small TV in the corner of the room blared, turned on to the news of the day.
"Repeating our Top Story," stated the male news reporter, "three major Kanto cities had New Year's Eve parties crashed in the worst way possible last night. Law enforcement has not officially declared it, though many are already stating all three incidents are connected, all the dirty work of the notorious Team Rocket. It's the worst terrorist act on Japanese soil since World War II."
Daisy stopped what she was doing and kept both eyes focused on the TV.
"An earthquake at the Pewter City gym. A tsunami that flooded a good portion of the Cinnabar Island resort. And, worst of all, an explosion that rocked downtown Celadon City... for everyone across the region to see! These are not freak incidents thanks to Mother Nature... proof has surfaced that Team Rocket is responsible for all three incidents. Not only are there millions and millions of property damage, thousands of lives were taken."
Daisy gasped as a black and white photo of Erika appeared on the screen.
"One of the few confirmed deaths is Erika Byou, the 27-year old gym leader of Celadon City. She was believed to have been killed instantly by the blast, though this footage from last night seems to prove otherwise..."
"Oh my gosh!" one of DJ Mary's crew members yelled.
The camera turned to the left and saw, about fifty feet away, a blue-haired woman in a tattered kimono limping... limping... and then collapsing on the ground. DJ Mary appeared on camera once again, running towards the fallen woman. The cameraman tried to follow, but he was stopped by Officer Jenny.
"I said you need to clear the area! And where are those ambulances already? We've got a priority-one, stat!"
"This..." DJ Mary gasped as he knelt down next to the woman, "It's Erika!"
"I said this is a crime scene!" Jenny yelled, swatting the camera away from its holder, and going dead soon afterwards...
"Miss Erika passed away en route to Celadon Metropolitan Hospital. How she managed to survive as long as she did despite being so close to the exact center of the explosion is still unknown, but investigators will have plenty of time to solve that and many other mysteries in due time. For now, the long process of cleaning up the remnants of this portion of Celadon's Business District is only just beginning..."
Daisy suddenly heard a knocking at the open door into the office. She turned and saw Ash standing there, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. Daisy nodded for him to come in, then she turned her attention back to the TV. Ash took a seat on the opposite side of the sales desk and watched the news with Daisy and Pikachu.
At this point, the news station was showing images of the damage in Celadon, Pewter, and Cinnabar.
"Can you, like, believe it?" Daisy shook her head in disbelief. "That Team Rocket's really done it this time."
"Pika?"
"What? This is all Team Rocket's doing?"
"Like, I thought that's what I just said! But... yeah. Unbelievable, right?"
"But... why? Why would they do something like this?"
"It might be, like, weeks before anyone attempts to figure that out. And even then, we might never find out the truth."
"So... many... people..." Ash shuddered, clenching his fist in anger. "How dare THEY?"
Suddenly, Brock appeared on the TV, talking to the reporters amid the remains of the Pewter Gym, where his siblings were helping several of the locals clear the debris.
"Mark my words," Brock said defiantly. "We will rebuild, and the Pewter Gym will be better than ever! Team Rocket won't get us down... NO WAY, NO HOW!"
"That-a-way, Brock!" Ash pumped his fist in agreement.
"Pikachu!"
Daisy sighed. "I know that Brock's trying to give off a look of confidence. But, like, truth be told, his gym's gonna be out of commission for a month or two."
"A month or two? Really?"
"Uh huh. And although he could still give official battles even without a working gym, he probably won't have much time for it with the rebuilding, not to mention the state of the nearby neighborhoods. Some people lost all they had in that earthquake. The same with the tsunami on Cinnabar Island, and that explosion in downtown Celadon. It could be quite awhile before things will be back to normal."
Ash growled, steamed over Team Rocket's path of destruction.
"Those guys... they'll pay for all of this! Team Rocket... TEAM ROCKET'S GOING DOWN FOR THIS!"
"PIKA-CHU!" agreed Ash's best friend.
"I agree that, like, something has to be done," responded Daisy, "but surely you're not going to attempt to, uh, take that whole organization down by yourself?"
"It won't be by myself! Pikachu's with me! And so's Brock and Misty..."
"Brock's gonna be too busy with the rebuilding of his gym. And given what you did to Misty, I doubt she'll want anything to do with you."
"But..."
"Oh, and Tracey told me what happened. Like, I never pegged you to be the two-timing type. Even I didn't see that comin'!"
"But... but..."
"I'm, like, kidding Ash! When I said Tracey told me what happened, he meant EVERYTHING! Like how Duplica misled you into thinking she was helping your relationship with Misty. Boy, she's a sly one."
"So... what am I gonna do about Misty?"
Daisy winked. "You know Mist is pretty stubborn. I mean, after I found out this morning, I wanted to talk to her. But, apparently, she needs some, like, alone time."
"What do you mean?"
Daisy shuffled through some paperwork on her desk and gave one of the pages to Ash. Ash had a puzzling look on his face as he took it and started to read it aloud.
"I need some time alone to think about what to do with my life. Please mind the gym until I return. And don't bother to look for me. Misty."
"Apparently, little sis has taken upon it to run away from her problems."
"RUN AWAY? I HAVE TO FIND HER AND EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!"
"But, like, you don't even know where to start! She could've walked, caught a flight, climbed up towards Mt. Moon..."
"I don't care! Misty and I deserve to be together, and I wanna prove it by finding her and setting things straight! Now that I've confronted my mistakes and learned from them, I've got to get her to do the same!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu nodded in agreement.
Ash started to run out the door, but Daisy jumped out of her seat to stop him.
"Wait! Like, what about the Pokémon Junior Master Coronation Ceremony? President Goodshow will be arriving tomorrow to..."
Ash never heard the rest of Daisy's statement, as he had long left the room and, by that time, the Pokémon gym.
"Misty! Misty, where are you?"
"Pika!"
And so, Ash and Pikachu began searching the city for Misty. They went to the Pokémon Center, the local branch of the Pokémon Fan Club, the International Airport, the Police Station, and the Fashion District. But everywhere they went, they got the same answer. That no one had seen her.
Determined not to give up, Ash and Pikachu started towards the outskirts of the city, heading for the path towards Vermilion City.
"C'mon, Misty, don't do this to me!" Ash thought aloud. "I'll do whatever it takes, even if it means never looking at another girl again!"
"Pika pi!" Pikachu suddenly cried, pointing ahead and to the right.
"Huh?"
Ash followed Pikachu's gaze, and saw that he was pointing at a small log cabin off to the side of the main road. A sign in front of the building read 'Poké-Mart Southern Cerulean - Grand Opening!'
"I guess even out here shops are starting to pop up," Ash said. "We'd better check it out, just to be sure."
And so, Ash and Pikachu headed over there. As they did, a teenage girl walked out. She was wearing a closed, long sleeve yellow jacket and a pair of blue jeans, but her face was obscured by the hood hiding her hair. Suddenly, the girl jumped upon seeing Ash and Pikachu, and quickly turned the opposite direction, whistling and twiddling her thumbs, hoping they wouldn't notice her.
"Excuse me, miss? Have you seen a girl about your age, with orange hair? Her name's Misty, and she's the Cerulean City gym leader. I'm trying to find her."
Pikachu blinked curiously, and started sniffing at the girl's shoes.
"Nope, never seen her!" she exclaimed as she took off running.
"Hmmm... must've been in a hurry," noted Ash.
Pikachu scratched his head curiously, wondering if...
Thursday, January 3rd
A medium-sized crowd was gathered outside the Cerulean Gym as Ash was preparing to officially be coronated as the new Pokémon Junior Master. His parents and some friends were among those in attendance, as well as all his Pokémon... though there was one that wasn't...
"Misty..." Ash murmured.
As he kept thinking about her, President Goodshow was in the process of introducing him at the podium. In fact, he was so lost in thought that he didn't even hear the President say his name. It took a nudge from his mom, seated next to him, to snap him out of it.
"Ash, dear!" she smiled. "Let's not keep them waiting!"
"Pika pi!" added Pikachu, sitting on top of Ash's head.
Ash finally got up out of his seat, to the relief and delight of the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation. That included his mom and his dad, as well as President Goodshow, all smiling with glee. And Tracey and Misty's older sisters, who were cheering for him. As well as Ash's Pokémon... Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, Pidgeotto, and Heracross, who were ecstatic to see their friend get a just reward.
"Thank you!" Ash said, quieting the crowd as he began to speak. "I just wanna say that I'll do my best to honor the Pokémon League by becoming the best Junior Master ever! I also hope that, one day, I'll become the Pokémon Master as well!"
The audience cheered enthusiastically to that.
"And one of the first things I'm going to do is to try and bring Team Rocket to justice! What they did a few nights ago was uncalled for! Taking so many lives just for the evil purposes... including a gym leader that many of us hold dear to our hearts. With the help of the Pokémon League and the Elite Four, we will make Team Rocket pay for what they've done... and stop them, ONCE AND FOR ALL!"
That last statement produced a thunderous round of applause by the crowd... especially from his friends, family, and Pokémon.
"And with that," President Goodshow stepped in, holding up a case that he opened to reveal the Junior Master medal, "Ash Ketchum, I hereby dub you... Pokémon Junior Master!"
Ash bent down to allow the President to hang it on his neck. Once he had been decorated, Ash and Pikachu rejoiced, waving to the crowd as they did.
"Ha ha! I'm now... A JUNIOR MASTER OF POKEMON!"
"PI PIKACHU!"
Ash continued to take in the cheers, and despite how happy he was, the thought of Misty not being there refused to leave his mind...
Saturday, January 5th, Indigo Plateau
Two days later, an even larger crowd was at Indigo Stadium at the Indigo Plateau, with mourners lined up for what seemed like miles. All just to pay their final respects to Erika, the gym leader of Celadon City.
Among those saying their goodbyes were gym leaders from all over. Not just the Kanto leaders, but many from the surrounding Johto and Hoenn regions as well. Some left mementos, others left prayers, and quite a few left wails of despair.
Daisy, representing Cerulean in Misty's absence, peacefully transmitted her farewells on behalf of the Waterflower family. She did her best to keep up a strong presence as she glanced upon Erika's calm body.
Brock, however, was a different story, crying heavily as he moaned out loud about what he could've done to protect her, given everything he knew about what she was researching.
Finally, it was Ash's turn. Stepping up to the side of the coffin, it felt kind of eerie looking at how comfortably Erika was relaxing, with her arms folded over her stomach. Pikachu seemed to have the same feeling, looking on sadly at the deceased gym leader.
"Chaaaa..."
"I know... it's so sad. She didn't deserve this."
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"She didn't deserve to have her life taken. None of them did."
"Chu."
"Pikachu... we're going to make sure Team Rocket pays. For Erika and all of them! No matter what it takes!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded, pumping his fists.
Ash then reached into his pocket and pulled out his Rainbow Badge. He then slowly placed it on the table next to the coffin as he remembered his battle with Erika... and how he earned it.
"I'll never... make fun... of perfume again..." Ash stated with a shudder, trying to keep his composure as he walked away from Erika's coffin, head lowered in despair.
As Ash left, the procession of mourners continued, as it would for several hours that day.
As night began to fall, many were still gathered around as several Pokémon League officials, including Lance and Bruno, were helping carry the casket out to the hearst. The closed coffin brought another round of tears to the onlookers as they watched it being loaded in, where it would be driven to the airport and then loaded onto a plane back to Celadon City for the official funeral and burial.
The crowd was silent as the hearst pulled away from the arena. It didn't take long for the crowd to start diminishing. As they did, a brown-haired young man was sitting in a tree overlooking the crowd, peering down on them through a pair of high-tech binoculars. Once the hearst was out of sight, he pulled them away and tapped the earpiece of his cordless communicator.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way..." he murmured.
Coughing to clear his throat, he then began his transmission.
"This is PTA Operative Joel Orino... Phase One is complete. I repeat, Phase One is complete. Begin preparations for Phase Two... launch in T-minus five days."
He then reached down and tapped his belt buckle once. With that, the PTA agent disappeared into the impending darkness...
To be continued next week in Part 3!
