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2005- Chapter Five

Once they got back to the hotel, Jessie and James exchanged their stories with Meowth (both leaving out a couple incriminating details), then Jessie insisted Meowth- he preferred being called that rather than Persian- tell them exactly why he wasn't lying in a coffin. "As you both know, when dey made me join de army I was more like a mascot den anything. Obviously, Pokémon don't fight in wars, so I was mostly safe from dat sorta thing. Unfortunately, ol' Giovanni, who was considered my 'master,' died in a fight a little after youse guys left. Since I didn't have no one to call my human, dey went ahead and released me. I roamed around Viridian Forest for a while, where I joined up wit' dis pack of cats and eventually evolved." He licked a front paw; Jessie and James had noticed that since his evolution he behaved a lot more like a cat than he used to. "So anyway, I eventually ditched 'em an' found my way into this cozy little village. Da folks here thought it was really somethin' to meet a talkin' Pokémon-" he ran his head along the window ledge, purring happily at the memory, "an' sorta adopted me as the town pet. So basically I just roam between houses, sleep wherever I want an' get free meals at all hours of da day. Not a bad life, if ya know what I mean." He curled up in between the two, yawning happily. "So, what brings da livin' dead to a middle-of-nowhere place like dis?"
Jessie was about to answer, when a knock came on their door. James answered, to see Misty and Brock standing there, Misty looking impatient and a little bit worried.
"Have you two seen Ash around? It's nearly ten and he hasn't come back yet," Misty explained. "Normally, it wouldn't matter so much, but I'm dead tired and I can't get into my room until hecomes back."
"You're hangin' around wit' dem?!" Meowth questioned, eyeing the "twerps" warily. Jessie nodded in answer to the cat's question, then turned to her travelling companions. "Sorry,but we haven't seen him anywhere."
Misty rubbed her temples. "I figured. Knowing him, he's probably down at one of the bars. James, do you think you could come with us? If Ash got into a fight..." she trailed off.
The bounty hunter agreed to come along. Jessie tossed him the key, saying she was in for the night, and the trio exited, closing the door quietly behind them.
"Please explain dat to me," Meowth said, eyes wide and confused.
Jessie told the story as well and briefly as she could. "We're going to start climbing Mount Silver tomorrow."
Meowth looked out the window at the looming mountain. It seemed more foreboding in the winter, with the dead trees, gnarled by wind, sticking out on its top peaks. "Dat ting in da middle of winter?" He shrugged- something that a Persian couldn't do without looking awkward. "It's your funeral, I guess. You couldn't pay me to hike up dat, no matter what season it was." He remembered something he had meant to ask Jessie once they'd met. "So, James as a bounty hunter, huh? An' so serious, too. Mind tellin' me what happened to da teen I used ta know?"
Jessie sighed, gazing at the dark peak of Silver. "Meowth, if I knew, believe me, I'd tell you."

~
Tracey knew it had been a bad idea the minute he and Gary had stepped into the bar. It wasn't very crowded, which was one reason it was so easy to see Ash, seated in the middle looking over a menu. Apparently he'd just gotten there, too.
"What do you say we go over and have a seat?" Gary asked, already moving to where Ash was.
"He wasn't in a very good mood earlier; maybe he just wants to be left alone," Tracey remarked, which was the nicest way to put it.
Gary shot him a look. "It's just Ash, Tracey. If he asks us to leave we will." He shrugged. "There's still this invisible wall between him and everyone else- what better place to have a little male bonding then a bar?"
"And by male bonding, you mean talking beer, sex and cars," Tracey laughed. It was a forced laugh; he still didn't like the feel of the situation. The tension around the League Champ was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Gary pulled out a chair, asking as he sat down, "You mind?"
Ash barely looked over his menu. He shrugged, but Tracey saw the way his eyes had narrowed once he'd seen who it was. "It's a free country."
The waitress came over to the trio. She was a big, middle-aged woman, who appeared to be more interested in the gum she was chewing then taking care of her tables. "What do ya need?"
"We already ate," Gary explained. "Just get me a beer, okay beautiful?" She actually looked down at the group, grinning a crooked smile at the ex-pilot. "Can do. And the rest of you?"
"Same as him," Tracey voiced.
"I already ordered," Ash reminded her. "And I've been waiting for ten minutes."
"Sorry kid. I'll be back with 'em fast." She winked at Gary, then left. Tracey stared at his friend. "I can't believe you just flirted with a 40-year old. Are you seriously that desperate?"
Gary leaned back, smiling as the waitress brought their drinks over not half a minute later. "Thanks, honey." She winked again, walking off and giggling like a teenager. Gary smirked."You'd be amazed what a little flattery can do."
Ash took a sip of what was obviously strong liquor, shivering slightly.
"How'd you get that? You're only eighteen, right?" Tracey wanted to know.
Ash looked at him irritably. "If you have to know, I used my League I.D." Gary shot him a disapproving look, but stayed quiet. Ash saw it. "What?"
"Did I say anything?"
"Look, don't try to act like a big brother and tell me how horrible it is to drink underage, since I know you both probably did it," Ash said tensely. Tracey bit his lip; he didn't like the way this was going.
"Guilty as charged, of course," Gary admitted. He couldn't stop there, much to his companion's disappointment. "But... ya know, using an I.D. like that for something like this... seems kinda silly,don't you think?"
"I'll use my I.D. for whatever I damn want to," Ash snapped. "Just because you don't have one doesn't mean you have to get all philosophical on me."
Gary swirled his beer with a toothpick, not ruffled in the least. "God, you've been acting like this all day." In a joking, sisterly voice, he added, "Would you like to discuss your feelings? We're not here to judge you."
Tracey was hoping Ash would laugh it off and make peace. Luck wasn't with him. "Like you don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if you showed me up in camp this morning just to spite me, then came here to rub it in."
"What? You mean when we told Mariko what we knew?" Tracey broke in. "It wasn't anything like that-"
"You know, Trace, the next time I want to talk to you I'll make sure I say your name," Ash's voice rose a little louder; apparently getting worked up over nothing. Tracey flushed, gripping his glass tightly to keep from saying something he knew he'd regret.
"I wasn't trying to get you pissed or anything," Gary explained. "I was just telling her what she wanted to know. Why would you think I'd do that?"
"Ever since day one you've put on this better act, like you've got it all together and I'm just some idiot with a lot of luck. I'm sick of it."
Gary took a sip of his beer- Tracey was at least moderately consoled by the fact that his friend didn't find this worth getting mad over. Gary even chuckled a little. "You know, from the way you're talking, it almost sounds like you jealous of me for some reason."
Ash snorted, saying loudly, "Why the hell would I be jealous of some self-absorbed, show off cripple!?"
The League Champ recoiled as soon as it came out. He heard a slight gasp from the bar entrance. Glancing over he saw Misty, Brock and James standing in the doorway. How much they had heard he didn't know, but apparently it was plenty.
The glass in Gary's hand dropped to the table with a clatter. He jumped up, about to attack the champ. Tracey grabbed his shoulder, saying quietly, "Leave it, Gar'. It doesn't matter how many times we kick his ass- he isn't going to change."
Gary took a breath, to steady himself, then nodded in agreement. He exited first, followed closely by Tracey, James and Brock, who all managed to give Ash the coldest looks possible. Misty stared at Ash for what felt like hours, positively disgusted and shocked. Slowly she turned and left with the others, head down.
The doors clattered shut. The already quiet and almost deserted bar was now dead silent. A dark form stood up from the corner. Golden eyes flashed icily. "That was one of the most disgraceful acts I have ever seen. I hope you're very happy with yourself, boy."
Ash watched Mariko leave, slumping down in his chair. He put his head in his hands, sighing heavily and wishing Gary HAD attacked him. Anything would have been better than what he felt right then- the horrible, stabbing pain of guilt.
~
Everyone- with the exception of Mariko, Ash and Gary- had gathered in James' room for a small discussion. Tracey, Brock and Jessie (she'd been filled in) were steaming mad; even James was barely holding it together. Meowth was blissfully napping at the foot of the bed, unaware of the problems his human friends were dealing with. Only Misty remained oddly silent,staring at the carpeted floor numbly.
"That bastard," Tracey growled, pacing the length of the floor. "That bastard!"
Jessie tapped her foot angrily, unable to keep still when she was mad. "I figured after his miraculous 'change of heart' he'd start acting more mature, but here he goes again. And to say something like THAT-"
"Where's Gary?" James managed to get in, two clenched fists the only way to see he was as angry as the rest.
"Back in his room. He tried to brush it off- but you can tell he's as upset as the rest of us," Brock explained, drumming his fingers along the lamp table.
"And then some," Tracey added, "that bastard."
"What are we going to do about him?" Brock asked, not really expecting an answer. "It's not like talking helps that thick-headed git, and you can't beat someone into liking you- or at the very least respecting you."
James looked towards the half-open door. "Are you just going to stand there, Midnight, or come in?"
The older assassin, entered the room. "I was in the corner. I heard the entire thing, and may I say he ought to be killed for that."
"Not a bad idea," Jessie muttered.
"I say we ditch him," Tracey suggested. "Between the seven of us we could make the Elite listen to reason- it's not like the bastard helped that much anyway."
Mariko nodded. "Yes, but like it or not, he's the only one who knows the way up there."
"We could figure it out," the artist insisted.
Brock ran a hand through his hair, taking a breath to collect himself. "Talk sensibly, Tracey. I know your pissed- we all are- but you can't just jump into something crazy like that."
Tracey took an exhausted seat on one of the two beds, nearly waking Meowth up in the process. "I know you're right, but at this point I don't really care." He looked up at the ceiling, trying to calm himself down as much as possible. "Okay. So, what other plans do we have?"
Jessie started pacing in Tracey's place. "I'm still leaning towards killing him- or at least kicking the piss out of the little brat."
"We do nothing." Misty's remark was almost unheard- she said it so softly.
"Do nothing?" James questioned. "You heard what he said-"
"I don't mean," she began, louder now, "that we act like it didn't happen. But why do we even have to speak to him? Our only duty is to get him to the Elite alive- I know what he said, but it's not worth sacrificing the welfare of our planet."
"The silent treatment?" Jessie raised an eyebrow. "That seems a bit childish."
"I wouldn't call 'kicking the piss' out of him mature either," Mariko reprimanded. Jessie blushed. "At this point, it sounds like our best option. But, since you prefer the democratic way, we'll take a vote." Though Mariko remained expressionless, her voice read the same disgust the others felt. "I'm in favor."
James nodded. "I agree."
Jessie muttered a couple harsh words under her breath. "Fine. Me too."
"If there's nothing better... than all right," Brock voiced.
They looked towards Tracey, who was still watching the ceiling, hands gripped against the sheets of the bed. He swore violently enough to make sailors blush. "I'm out-voted already as it is. Okay, I'm in." He stood up quickly, heading for the door. "I'm going back to my room. Pray that I don't see the bastard on the way down, because I really don't know what I'd do at this point."
"I don't think you're the only one," James assured him, glancing from face to face. Tracey managed a tired, forced smile, then disappeared down the hallway.
Misty still hadn't looked away from the floor. Brock walked over and lifted her chin up- there were tears barely being kept back in the corners of her aquamarine eyes. "You okay, Mist?"
She nodded slightly. "Do you mind if I stay in your room tonight? The thought of being within ten feet of HIM.." she spat the word, stopping to choke back her emotions of distress.
"Yeah. That's fine. I'd probably feel the same way." As an afterthought, Brock added, "As long as Mariko-"
"Not at all. Unlike the rest of you, petty emotions won't keep me from sleeping well- no matter who I room with."
Brock blinked. "I didn't mean you had to switch rooms. We could get another cot, or-"
He was interrupted again. "These rooms are barely big enough for one, much less two extra beds. As I said, it won't bother me a bit to change. I'll get my things. And don't worry about my getting into the room- I know how to pick locks."
~
Ash's feet dragged slowly along the hotel floor as he grudgingly made his way back to his room.He felt like dirt- correction, he was lower than dirt.
"Ash Ketchum, you are the scum of the earth," he said to no one in particular, fumbling with his key and turning it in the lock. He opened the door.
"It's about time you got back."
Much to Ash's surprise, Mariko was sitting in the full-size bed, the small cot shoved into a far corner. She was reading one of the hotel's own magazines, a reading lamp by the bedside turned on at half power.
"Where's Misty?" he wondered blandly.
"She was quite upset by your display at the bar this evening. She and I switched rooms." She went back to the magazine. "So unkind of you not to leave a key- these hotel doors are difficult to break in to."
He didn't respond. Ash didn't have any will power to. Wordlessly he got ready to sleep. His gaze landed on the cot, which was too small for him to stretch out in without having his feet hang over the edge. Mariko, on the other hand, was a few inches shorter and would fit nicely. "I'm too tall for the cot."
"You're welcome to share the bed with me," Mariko offered, not once glancing up from the article. "Of course, if you were to take advantage of me, I really would have to kill you."
Ash didn't want to talk. He wanted to crawl into a corner and die. Doing neither, he slowly climbed into the small bed. It creaked, but miraculously stayed together. He curled up, facing the wall and wishing with all his might to disappear off the earth.
"The others were disturbed by that magical scene in the bar," Mariko began idly. "In fact, they had to call a meeting afterwards to decide exactly what was to be done." Ash thought he heard her chuckle. "My favorite was Jessie's thought of 'kicking the piss out of that brat,' but Tracey's ideas of ditching you were honorable as well."
"And?" he asked bitterly, not really caring what they did to him, but found both better than the lead weight on his back.
"They finally decided to do nothing at all, courtesy of Misty. You should be glad to have a friend like her- even in a time like this she managed to see the big picture."
Ash didn't answer. He felt Mariko's eyes bore into the back of his skull. Finally, he rolled over to face her. "What now?"
"Boy, you have to grow up sooner or later. It's all well and good to throw a fit then feel guilty about it afterwards- when you're ten. But, as a legal voter and League Champ, that sort of behavior will never do." She fixed him with an incredibly intense look that seemed to see into his mind. Ash couldn't keep his own eyes on that gaze for very long without looking away. "It's about time that you face your own problems, rather than setting them on others. And, while we're at it, you could learn how to treat people with some amount of respect and decency."
"What are you talking about?" he demanded, knowing full well but not wanting to admit it.
She snorted. "There isn't a single person in this group who you respect, with the possible" she emphasized the last word, "exception of James, because he saved your life. You treat Gary like slime; Brock, Tracey and Jessie are invisible as far as you're concerned; and as for Misty- who obviously cares a lot for you, and don't act like it isn't true- why, you're positively horrible to."
"Like you're any better," Ash's voice was a low growl, nearing a pout.
"I give respect to those who deserve it," Mariko informed him. "Misty earned it today; you have yet to." Her voice turned into a nearly mothering snap. "And stop trying to change the subject. Look me in the eyes, boy. Wipe that pout off your face- you aren't in Preschool anymore. You're lucky you live in Kanto; in some countries children are beaten for insolence like this. If I were your mother, I'd be absolutely disgraced at you. You should be glad she isn't here, or she might have to kill herself in disappointment. Really, the League Champ calling someone something as tactless as a cripple."
Ash flinched at the last word. Tears sprung up in his eyes about the thought of his mother. He could imagine how hurt she'd be... and it was Gary, of all people. Her fiancee's grandchild...
Mariko turned off her light, sighing. "Perhaps Brock was right. Talking does no good for someone as thick-headed as yourself. It'll take a near miracle to phase you. I just pray to Ala that one comes around before the morning."
Ash sat in bed, staring blankly into the murky darkness lit by only a streetlight from outside. After what seemed like a long enough time for Mariko to fall asleep, he dug around in his bag and pulled out a flashlight, pencil, and paper. "Mom, I know I screwed up, but I'm doing what I can to fix it. I'm gonna need your help on this- I just hope I'm doing the right thing."
~
'Why the hell would I be jealous of some self-absorbed, show off cripple?!' the words rang through Gary's head incessantly.
Earlier, he really had wanted to kill Ash. Most of that had burned away a couple hours ago, leaving only a few weakly flaming embers amidst the blackened shreds of despair.
Gary smiled inwardly. He wondered if you were always this poetic when you were depressed. The feeling was short-lived, as the saying came back to his mind, sealing the wall that would forever be between himself and the last link to his hometown.
After Gary had gone to bed, Tracey had went to talk to the others. 'About what to do about Ash- and me,' he thought grimly, drawing a pattern along the top of the comforter. Through the dim light he could see his friend, fitting snugly on the rickety cot, tossing in his sleep.
'At least you're having dreams, even if they are bad ones,' he thought glumly. Gary considered waking him up- he needed someone to talk to- but decided to let Tracey rest. 'He's lost enough sleep over me.'
Gary slammed a hand against the bed, the sparks of anger flaring up again. He felt so useless half the time these days. If Ash wasn't accusing him of showing him up, the others were asking him if he was okay, or trying to help him out. 'Just because of some stupid plane crash! God, why did I even join the damn Air Force?'
Because you wanted to prove you could do something the Ketchum kid couldn't, an inner voice told him. Oh, sure, you covered it with all that patriotic slush, but in reality you're no better than Ash is. Just face the facts- it's a sad, cruel world out there, and everyone's helped contribute to it- that's right Gary, even you.
He sighed, flipping over onto his stomach to stare at the headboard of the bed. 'What's the point?' he asked himself. Gary shook his head, pinching his own arm and cursing silently. 'I am NOT going to do this,' he reminded himself. 'I'm not gonna drop myself into that hole of depression. Everyone has to deal with this kind of crap eventually. Might as well get it over with early.'
The inner voice tried to nag at him some more, but he pushed it away. If it was the only thing he managed to do the rest of his life, he'd find some way to kill that little speck of doubt. Unsureness was what had started this whole thing in the first place- if he hadn't hesitated to fire he would've shot down that Yumaran pilot first.
"Oh God, I wonder if everyone else has these kinds of struggles with themselves?" he asked the night air. His eyes caught on Tracey's form jerking upright. After a minute the artist rubbed his temples, laying back down to try and fall asleep again. The dream, no doubt. Gary smiled grimly, knowing his answer: of course.
~
Brock woke up around eight the next morning, jumping out of bed when he discovered Misty lying next to him. "What is she-" he remembered the previous night's events. How distraught the poor girl had been; they'd stayed up for a while, listening to the TV while Brock did his best to cheer her up. He sighed, relieved, realizing that they were both fully clothed and not even under the covers. He laughed nervously. "Guess we just fell asleep watching midnight informercials." To prove his point, the television blared a morning news report. "Lovely. More fighting."
Misty rolled over, shivering slightly and curling up tighter. Brock gently pulled a blanket up over her sleeping form. He smiled sadly. She deserved someone so much better than Ash. "I wonder what she sees in him?" He sighed again. "Well, it's her life, I guess." He checked the clock. "I'll let her sleep for another half hour. Lord knows she deserves it."
Quietly, so as not to wake his friend, Brock unzipped his pack and pulled out an outfit.Changing quickly in the bathroom, he came back out and, as an afterthought, threw a sweater on. Climbing a mountain in the early weeks of December wasn't going to be a warm trip. "Brock?"
He glanced over his shoulder. Misty sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "I hope I didn't sleep in too late." She looked a lot better, he noted, considering all that had happened yesterday. But, if there was one thing he knew they all could do, it was bounce back from just about any situation. He guessed Misty was no exception. "Brock? Did you hear me?"
"Hm? Oh, no, it's just a little after eight. I was gonna let you sleep in for a while longer- I didn't wake you up, did I?"
She shook her head, smoothing a wrinkle in her pajama top. "Got up all on my own. Ain't you proud?"
He chuckled. "Ecstatic." He leaned over to pull out a toothbrush and zip his bag up. When he stood, Misty was in front of him, smiling a little. "What's up?"
"Did I ever tell you how great of a friend you are?" she asked, giving him a little half-hug, then turning to get her own things for the morning rituals. "Letting me switch rooms with Mariko, and tagging along with you yesterday-"
"I oughta be thanking you," Brock broke in. "I wouldn't have found what I was looking for if you hadn't been there."
"Yeah, well, you've just been real sweet is all. Sorta like the big brother I never had," she explained, yanking out some warmer clothes and heading to the bathroom. She stopped at the door. "Oh, sorry. Do you wanna get in first?" She jerked her head at the toothbrush in his hand.
"Nah, go on ahead. I don't mind waiting."
She closed the door behind her, leaving Brock alone with his thoughts.
"Big brother, huh?" he mused. "Wonder if that's a good thing."
~
When Ash finally made his way down to the hotel hallway a few minutes after ten, all the others were standing around, ready to leave. He took a deep breath, hoping he didn't screw this up like he did everything else. "Um," he had to clear his throat for a moment. "Excuse me? Everyone?"
The bit of chatter stopped immediately. The eyes of the seven other individuals stared into his; more than a few flashed anger, or at least disgust. He looked down, hoping he didn't look as tired as he felt- two hours of sleep wasn't much to go by. After what seemed like hours, Ash began what he'd rehearsed last night. "I know that, ever since Misty and I met up on Mount Silver, nearly three months ago, I've been a real jerk to all of you. I've said and done a lot of stuff I know I shouldn't, and there's no excuse. And, as much as I'd like to, I can't take any of it back, from little comments to... other things," he met Gary's eyes when he said this. The ex-pilot looked away. Ash glanced down at the rolled up document in his hand. "I completely understand if you never want to talk, see, or hear me again- I'd feel the same way in your situation. So..." he tossed Gary the parchment. Slowly Gary unrolled it, looking it up and down then fixing Ash with a questioning look. "It's a map. Up to the Elite's hideout. I know it isn't perfect- I'm no artist- but you ought to be able to get there. There's a note on the back, from me, telling them to listen to everything you say. And... well... if you want to go on without me, now's your chance. You'll never hear from me again. I don't expect any of you to forgive me..." 'but maybe my mom will,' he added silently. Ash stared hard at the tiled floor, waiting for the sounds of the group moving out. Something hit his knee, then fell to the ground, partially unrolled. It was the map he'd given them.
"You're right. You have been a jerk, and an asshole, and a childish brat," Gary, surprisingly, was the first one to talk to Ash.
The League Champ looked up. He was met with a penetrating stare; he'd never realized Garyhad that same intense look Mariko did- the one that seemed to look right through you. He had to focus on a spot just above Gary's eyes instead; it was too unnerving a gaze to hold. The look softened, just slightly. "But the way I figure, everyone deserves a second chance. Just make sure you don't screw it up."
There appeared to be a mutual agreement between the others; Gary had spoken their thoughts as well. Mariko nodded slightly at Ash with approval, but seemed to be saying he hadn't earned her respect yet. Wordlessly everyone picked up their bags and moved out. Ash blinked a few times, letting what had just happened sink in.
He trotted to catch up to Tracey, Jessie and James. "That's it? After everything I've done, you forgive me that easily?"
"Don't think it was my idea," Jessie muttered. "If it was up to me you'd have been forced to beg for forgiveness."
"Consider yourself lucky Gary is the type of person who doesn't hold grudges," James added. "I can't say I would have been so nice if I had been treated like that."
Ash looked to Tracey. Being Gary's closest friend, his opinion, somehow, mattered more than everyone else's combined. The watcher looked away, up at the topmost peak of Silver, shrouded in fog. "What you did was absolutely horrible, and I don't think any of us are ever going to look at you the same way- including Misty, who thought the world of you, by the way. And, if it matters at all, if you say anything like what you did last night to ANYONE, during this trip and the rest of your life, I'll personally make sure you're tossed off Mount Silver." He faced Ash. Tracey's eyes were icy, but a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "After I let Jessie kick the piss out of you."
~
By the time they finished a late lunch in a local diner, it was nearly one in the afternoon. Meowth decided to stay with his long lost friends until they reached the base of the mountain, but after that, "dey was on deir own."
Though the tall, nasty peak seemed to be just a few meters away, in reality it took them a good four hours to reach the bottom. Brock checked his watch- nearly five, surprisingly- and made the obvious observation that climbing something as treacherous as that would have to wait until morning. The sun was already beginning to sink behind the immense mountain, and light was something they would need plenty of on a hike virtually straight up.
"Well, dis is where I make my grand exit," Meowth announced, rubbing along his friends' legs in a final farewell. "If youse guys make it down alive, don't forget ta stop by. By den, of course, I'll probably be too fat from all da free food to stalk you down a street, but maybe some nice citizencan wheel me out on a skateboard."
Jessie chuckled, scratching his head. "Take care of yourself, all right? And try not to gorge too much."
"I make no promise I can't keep," he replied lazily, flicking his tail, obviously reluctant to leave."Hey James, walk me to da edge of camp, will ya?"
James didn't know why the feline wanted him to accompany him such a short distance, but, since this could be one of they last times they saw each other, he decided to oblige. Once they were out of hearing distance, Meowth started talking. "So, da dynamic duo is reunited, huh? How was dat? Prob'ly a lot different from the semi slammin' inta your life when she died."
James shifted nervously. "I won't lie: it's nice to have her back."
"Yeah, well, make sure she stays dat way, all right? Jess told me she's got some people after her- kill 'em for me, will ya?" There was genuine concern in his eyes. "When both youse guys left so close tagedda, I gotta say it wasn't so easy on me. I may not be human, but I got feelings too, all right? Don't get killed, and help Jessie ta do da same." He laughed slightly. "And for da love of God, Jim, smile! Your two best friends are alive, an' you got a whole mess of new companions! Granted, twerpy companions..."
James pushed him off balance- not an easy thing to do to a cat. He laughed, much to Meowth's pleasure. "Get back to your town full of Persian-worshippers, before I tell the electric rat all the names you used to call him."
"Oh, please, anyting but dat," Meowth drawled sarcastically. "See ya around, Jim. Have a nice climb- don't get blown off by a stray north wind. Give da assassins a fightin' chance at ya first. Oh yeah, an' give da Ketchum kid a kick in da ass- its sometin' we've been puttin' off doin' for too long."
~
"What was that all about?" Jessie asked once James returned to camp. She handed him a small bowl of hot soup- no one was especially hungry, so Brock had just thrown a small something together- and a roll.
"The typical things you say at a good-bye. He told me to stay safe, I threatened to tell Pikachu all the things he used to call the mouse, he asked me to give Ash a kick in the ass. The usual, of course."
Jessie smiled, laughing slightly. "Sounds so dull."
James took an experimental sip of the liquid, looking around the partially- darkened tent. Instead of a group meal- some people were still a little tense around Ash- they had all retreated to their tents for the rest of the evening. "I think he took our leaving a lot harder than you would have expected. I never really thought about it, but we were the only real friends he had."
"Mm-hm," Jessie agreed. "But, he seems to be doing pretty well now. At least he found a place where people actually like the fact that you can't get him to shut up."
James smiled, leaning against the tent wall. Big mistake. He sucked in air as his tender, burned shoulder hit the canvas. Jessie's head snapped up. "You okay?"
"Oh, wonderful," he said grimly, easing off slowly. "When Midnight aims to kill, she means business."
"I noticed," came the dry reply. Jessie rummaged in her bag until she pulled out a small tube that resembled suntan lotion. "I got this yesterday, when I went into that shop to get a few supplies." She tossed it to him. "You really oughta take better care of yourself. If you don't put anything on it it could get infected."
"When did you become the leading expert on this?" he asked in a joking manner, opening the cap.
"When a building falls down on you, you learn a few things about burns. That's the same stuff I used- and look at me. Mostly scar free. It's the best."
James pulled off his shirt, slowly unwinding the bandage he'd had on for a while. "Thanks. How much did it cost? I'll have to pay you back-"
"I used your own money," Jessie reminded him. "I hope you aren't too mad about that."
"Why should I be? It's not as if I was planning to invest it or anything," he told her, squirting out a glob of the cream and slapping it on the burn. He winced. "It stings."
"Of course it stings. If there's one thing I've learned it's that anything good for you will either hurt or taste terrible." Jessie pulled a small bamboo shoot out of her soup, making a face. The concoction was delicious, but she absolutely hated that plant. "How else do you explain these?"
James chuckled. Awkwardly, he tried to manage the cream, but it was obvious to his old partner that he had no idea what he was doing. She sighed, putting down her empty bowl. "Oh, let me do it." Jessie pulled his hand away and started to rub it in slowly. "James Morgan, you are absolutely hopeless, did you know that? I'd have thought that after a business like this, if you learned anything it would have been how to clean up this sort of thing. I'd have expected Mariko to take better care of you."
"I'm alive, aren't I?" he countered. "And she's worse than I am. If Gary hadn't patched up her own burn she wouldn't have even wrapped it up."
"How do you assassins manage to keep yourselves in one piece?" Jessie wondered, a hint of annoyance, but also humor in her voice.
"They go away on their own in a couple weeks. I've only gotten a couple others, and I've never known of one to get infected on anyone."
"Ah, so you're all extremely lucky," she concluded. She rubbed the salve off her hands onto a paper towel. "Finished." She leaned over James, grabbing a bandage out to wrap it up in. "Speaking of luck, you're lucky I'm here. You would have had to deal with that for a good two or three weeks without any pain relievers on that thing. James, you need a woman."
He laughed. "What does that make you, then?"
"Oh, you know what I mean," Jessie began, pinning the bandage into place. "You may be able to wield a gun, and sure, you're smart enough, but its the little things. The way you treat yourself, for one, and Lord only knows what sort of thing you eat when Brock isn't around." Jessie laughed, grabbing his shirt to give back to him. "I'm tempted to marry you just to keep you out of trouble."
James rolled his shoulder experimentally, smiling. "Sounds like fun."
There was a slight moment of silence, as the two looked at the other for a moment, letting the last few comments sink in. Quickly Jessie shoved the shirt back into James' hands. "Here."
"Thanks," he said, just as quickly. 'What the hell possessed me to say that?' he thought.
'What the hell did that mean?' Jessie wondered.'Does he...? No, that can't be it...can it?'
"So..." they said in unison.
Misty pulled back the flap of their tent. "Dish duty, coming through. You both finished?" She took in the interesting scene: James was shirtless, and both seemed to have a slight glow- a blush, maybe?- on their cheeks. Misty giggled. "I never realized what a cute couple you make."
Jessie handed her their bowls, laughing it off, but unable to wipe the blush away. "Charming, Misty."
The younger girl took the dishware. She winked at James. "I'm impressed. You've been working out, huh?" He turned a slightly darker crimson. "Well, I'd better leave you love-birds alone. Bye." She smothered another giggle, making her departure.
"What was that all about?" Jessie asked.
"I was hoping you could tell me," James replied.
"Maybe she wants you," Jessie suggested. He laughed; it was a sound she was getting more and more used to everyday. The ex-Rocket checked her watch. "Damn, it's already nine. Guess the time flies when you're enjoying yourself." She chuckled. "You should throw yourself in front of girls more often."
"You're welcome to do this everyday, if you have fun with it," he offered.
Jessie grinned. "I get to be the bounty hunter's nurse, huh?" She shrugged. "Might as well pay you back for saving my life- several times. Oh, I meant to ask, now that you know where the money comes from, do you still want me to pay you?"
"How about this: I look out for you, and you keep using your magical healing powers on me," he said jokingly.
"Deal."
Later that evening, James sat in his sleeping back, sighing happily. For some odd reason, he felt a lot better than he had in a long time.
~
Ash viewed the enormous peak. Now in full daylight, it didn't look as foreboding as it had the past evening, but it certainly seemed a lot taller. "Luckily," he told the others, "we won't be climbing the full thing. Just about a half-mile up." He shouldered his pack. "There's a trail a little to the right of where we are. It's a lot slower going up then down, but we should reach our destination late tonight, if we keep going after it gets dark."
Mariko wordlessly reached into her pack. After a moment, she pulled out a rope with a metal claw at the end. She swung it up, letting the hook attach to a ledge a good ways up. Mariko tugged on the rope, making sure it held, then tested a foot on the vertical rock wall. "Perfect for climbing," she muttered to herself.
"Um, Mariko? What exactly are you doing?" Misty asked timidly.
"I am taking the quickest way up possible, and so are the rest of you," she explained.
Ash rubbed the back of his head nervously. He cast a knowing glance at Gary, who didn't seem to like Mariko's idea very much at all. "I don't think-"
"We've noticed," she said sharply. "It's perfectly safe, if that's what you are all worried about."
She fixed Ash with her intense stare. "You will agree, won't you, that it is the quickest way up?"
"Of course," he admitted. "But what about-"
"Then there should be no argument. I am trying to get you and your companions to these Elite as fast as possible. You ought to just thank me and begin your climb."
Ash gave Gary a look that meant "I tried." He sighed in resignation, then started to journey up rock face. Misty followed shortly, then Brock. Tracey bit his lip, knowing Gary would say nothing to Mariko. He was torn for a moment between embarassing his friend or doing what was right, when Gary stepped in front of him. The ex-pilot spit on his hands, rubbing them together with a look of determination written clearly on his face. He tucked the crutch in between his bag and his back, hoping to God it didn't fall out, and began the long climb. Tracey sighed, knowing it would have been hopeless to try and stop his stubborn companion, and followed suit.
"I shall take the rear," Mariko told Jessie and James. "You had better get going, or we'll fall behind."
Jessie's face had a distinct chalky color to it. She noticed James didn't look much better. "I take it you haven't conquered your fear of heights yet," she assumed.
"I gave up trying years ago," he murmured. James wiped the sweat off his palms, taking a breath.
"No time like the present, I guess," she sighed. "After you."
"Ladies first," he insisted.
Mariko broke in. "If you are truly this afraid, then I fear all hope is lost for you, Carol. I'm really quite disappointed, both in you and your companion."
Jessie took a slow, even breath. "Okay. I can do this." She took hold of the rope, pulling herself up. James came right after, then Mariko. The female bounty hunter had a hard time keeping a straight face, as she heard both whispering to themselves several times: "Just don't look down."
Once they reached the ledge, Mariko swung the rope up to a higher ledge, and they continued on their way. They had to do this constantly throughout the day, and everyone wondered how Mariko continued to do it without growing tired. She seemed to have an unlimited amount of reserve, and threw the rope a good thirty feet up every time. Finally, around two in the afternoon, they reached a spacious ledge perfect for taking a quick break and eating a small lunch.
Brock, who was as exhausted as the rest, threw together some sandwiches and called it a meal. No one felt the need to argue- despite it being a simple meal, it tasted wonderful, as always, so no complaints were made.
Gary leaned back against the wall of rock, breathing deep and massaging his sore leg. Tracey chewed on his lip, once more wondering if he should have spoken up at the bottom of the mountain. "Something wrong?"
Tracey's head came up fast. Misty took a seat on one side of him, Brock on the other. Misty was the one who had spoken. "Why do you say that?"
"You always bite your lip when something's bothering you," Misty explained. "A nervous habit, Iguess."
"Nice observation," he complimented.
She smiled. "I learned from the master." Tracey blushed slightly. "So, what's the problem?" She followed his gaze. "Gary?"
He nodded. "I know he'd kill me if he knew I was worried, but this is a lot harder for him than it is for us. I wish he didn't feel like he had something to prove."
Misty sighed. "I know what you mean. There's nothing wrong about asking for help."
"I think it's a matter of pride for him," Brock remarked thoughtfully. "Maybe he feels like he's holding us back if he says something."
"But Gary knows us!" Misty protested. "We wouldn't care; we'd understand completely."
Brock shrugged. "It was just a thought."
"You're right, though," Tracey agreed. He frowned. "It's really all Mariko's fault. She knew perfectly well this would be tough for him, and she went ahead and did it anyway."
"Well, when we get to the top, you should talk to her," Misty suggested.
Tracey finished off his small meal. "Maybe I will."
~
Despite being harder, Mariko's way was a good deal faster. Rather than reaching their half-mile up location by nine at night, as Ash had predicted, they crawled over the cliff in a tired heap right around four. Mariko climbed over the edge as if she'd only been moving for a few minutes, dusting off her clothing and storing the rope and grappler back in her bag. "We made wonderful time. I'm quite proud of the rest of you." She checked the sun's location. "I suspect we could get in a few more miles before night, don't you agree?"
One loud, long groan of protest was enough for the assassin to understand they had no intention of going any further that day. The group itself, with the possible exception of a few people, was in decent shape, but none seemed to have the amazing endurance Mariko held.
"You think it's a Yumar thing?" Brock wondered as he flopped down a few minutes later. "I know this is stereotypical of me, but in the Olympics they always beat out just about everyone else in long-distance events."
"I suspect it to be more of a Mariko thing," Jessie grumbled, taking a seat next to the designated cook.
James sat on the other side of Jessie. "I wouldn't expect less from her." He leaned back, watching a Pidgey lazily glide across the sky. "Personally, I'm just relieved to be on solid ground again."
"That makes two of us," Jessie agreed, smiling crookedly. "On the way down, let's take the stairs."
"I don't feel quite like calling it a day, yet," Mariko announced. "I shall be up ahead a little ways;if you would get me when dinner is ready..?"
Misty waved a tired hand. "Yeah, fine. Have fun."
She set off at a stride much too quick and light for someone who had just climbed a mountain,disappearing around the corner in a few moments.
"Is everyone okay?" Ash asked once she was gone. He tried to look at everyone, not just a plainly exhausted Gary. "Twisted ankle, rope burns, or anything like that?"
"Does having every muscle feel like its about to fall off count?" Misty asked somewhat irritably.
Ash bit back a smile. "Wait until morning; then you'll be wishing they'd fall off."
"I heard that," Gary said with a dry chuckle. "Mariko doesn't seem to mind throwing us in to everything, does she? I'm welcoming this break, that's for sure."
Tracey hesitated, then slowly stood up and went the same way Mariko had.
"Where's he going?" Ash wondered idly, not seeming to particularly care either way.
Brock pulled out the cooking supplies, with some reluctant help from Misty and James. "Just for a stroll, I guess."
Gary frowned, having a pretty good idea where his friend was going. He sighed; just like it was impossible to get Gary to admit his limits, it was impossible to get Tracey to stop sticking up for his friends. The ex-pilot closed his eyes against the dim amount of sunlight still trickling over the edges of Mount Silver. Oh well. At least he knew it wasn't just for him; back in the boonies Tracey had done that sort of thing for any of his closer companions. Still...
"Gary?"
He peeked through an eyelid. Misty was in front of him, waving a cup of hot tea in front of him."You gonna go straight to sleep without eating?"
He grabbed the cup, realizing how cold it had gotten on their way up. "Nah, I was just spacing out. You know how it is. Thanks."
"Anytime." In a quieter tone, she said, "You okay?"
"Oh, God, not you too," he groaned, slapping his forehead in mock (but partially real) irritation. "Before you know it the whole camp'll be carrying me to the Elite in a carriage on a bed of pillows." He scratched his chin. "Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like a bad idea." He grabbed Misty's hand. "Fetch the royal coach, I'm feeling faint!"
Misty laughed, leaning back on her heels. "You're hopeless. I have to go help Brock get things set up; I'll call you when the food's ready."
"But I'm a scared and helpless invalid!"
~
Tracey found the Yumaran native sitting on a rock, looking out over the vast scenery. From this high up, the small town of Silver glowed eerily, shrouded in fog and cast in shadow. Viridian Forest was just a green backdrop, reaching to where the sky touched the ground. The artist would have found it to be incredibly picturesque, if he hadn't had so much on his mind. "I believe you wanted to talk to me," Mariko said without turning around.
Tracey didn't bother trying to figure out how she knew he was there. "Yeah, I did. Why did you get it in your head to scale this peak, knowing full well Gary would have a hell of a time doing it?" He leaned his back against the smooth rock wall. "Any particular reason? Or maybe you bounty hunters are just a bunch of heartless killers, and like seeing people struggle." He wasn't as angry as he sounded, but couldn't seem to keep the edge out of his voice.
"You are Gary's closest friend, correct?" she asked, not bothering to face him.
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Then you of all people should understand what I was doing," her voice never rose or fell, but stayed in that oddly calm stage, completely void of emotion. Tracey hated people like that; it was always so hard for even him to figure them out.
He raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Forgive me, I haven't been part of your small community for very long," she finally faced him, hitting the watcher with her penetrating glare, "but isn't it true that your friend despises being treated differently?"
Tracey caught the look and held it, not once losing contact. Mariko once more had a hard time smiling; he was one of the first who didn't look away when she did that. "You're right about that. But I still don't get-"
"Then why would you try to make him feel like the odd man out? Give him what he wants."
Tracey put a hand against the stone behind him. "Look, as much as he hates to admit it, he does need help in some things. Frankly, I'd rather see him embarassed then to see him slide off a cliff."
Mariko sighed, rubbing her temples. "For one of the leading technological and economical countries of the world, you Kantans certainly are a close-minded bunch." She turned all the way around, so her back was against the open air of the mountain. "Do you know what we do in Yumar to people with disabilities?"
"Force them to work in sweatshops?" Tracey said sarcastically.
There was the slightest hint of amusement in her voice. "If I wasn't such a heartless killer I might have found that funny." Tracey winced, remembering he'd said that. "We treat them exactly as you would treat anyone else. Of course, there are exceptions, such as the blind needing to read brail and not being able to drive. It would be cruel to expect them to do those sort of things. But everyone grows up believing everyone else is perfectly equal. It's a prejudice- free society- and yes, I can see you're about to protest, but you have been treating Gary with prejudice, even if it was with good intentions. Perhaps if you would leave people to themselves, things would go a lot smoother. Believe it or not, your friend does know his limits; it just so happens that climbing a mountain was not one of them."
Tracey was shocked that she had known so much about them when she'd only been in the group for a few days. He was about to ask if she had been stalking them, when it hit him- Mariko just happened to be very, VERY observant. He smiled without meaning to. 'Like me.'
"What do you find so amusing?" she wanted to know.
He shook his head in amazement. "You seem to know everything: why don't you tell me?"
"I'm observant, not a mind reader," she countered. "And neither are you, so stop acting as if you know what everyone is thinking."
"Mariko, I will never know what you're thinking, not if I live to be a hundred." He shifted to his other foot; they had been talking a while. "You have a point, though. About what you said earlier, I mean. With that sort of attitude, I'm surprised Yumar isn't a more dominant country in world views."
"We're a private type of people; like to keep to ourselves."
"I've noticed."
Misty's head came around the corner, causing Tracey to jump in alarm. "Sorry to bug you guys, but dinner's ready. Just come back when you're done... Trace, don't chew her out too much, okay? And Mariko? Don't shoot him. I'd like to keep both of you alive through this trip." And she was gone.
"Odd girl," Mariko commented lightly.
"Says the desert to the grain of sand," Tracey said in a joking manner. He rubbed the back of his head. "Uh, sorry about my calling you a heartless killer earlier. I guess we all say things we don't mean."
She nodded. "Indeed. Perhaps you should keep that in mind, the next time you talk to Ash."
"Ouch," he said dryly, turning to leave. He stopped. "You know, Mariko, I never knew my mom,but I think if I had she would have been a little like you."
Her eyes curled up into a smile. "Then perhaps it's best that she remain unknown."
Tracey trotted off, shaking his head and chuckling. She was easily one of the strangest people he'd ever met, but, in a way, more like him than anyone else he knew.

Chapter Six: Secrets

Chapter Index