I saw them off, Brock, Misty, Sabrina and Melanie. Once farewells said and done they boarded I felt a sense of loneliness. It passed quickly, I wasn't alone after all I would be working with Will and the Professor. It had been some time since I had seen Ash and everyone else and just building a friendship with Brock and now this happens.
I suppose I will see Gary's sister soon. I hope so, May has become a major part of my life since I left Ash and Misty to be the Professor's Aid. Gary! He always infuriates me! He was always making fun of me, yet I do feel concern for him although he is both mine and Ash's enemy. Is enemy too harsh of a description? I don't know. I do know Prof. Oak is worried about both of them.
Mrs. Ketchum is also worried but, she's handling it rather well however. She tells me that if anyone can overcome any situation it was Ash. Funny the Professor says the same thing about Gary. They are so much alike, Gary and Ash that is, the only difference is that arrogant personality Gary carries. He has a superioty complex.
Back to the subject at hand, Misty is traveling with Sabrina along with Melanie. Sabrina's Mentor has called for her to bring Misty to him. He believes Misty can help in the search and recovery of Ash. Brock will be with them until he boards the train to Goldenrod. Whitney and Bugsy are to meet him there and they will travel to find Pryce. Sabrina's Mentor senses that Pryce knows something about the incident.
I will stay here in Indigo to help Will. He tells me that his powers are going to leave him weak and he needs me to help keep everyone in contact. I have to phone the gym leaders in Johto, the Kanto and Johto leaders have some old grudge against one another. The younger leaders like Whitney, Falkner, and Bugsy have no clue what the feud is about but, the other gym Leaders hang up on Misty and Brock. Brock told me he has no idea what the fight is over either. It seems only the older Leaders know. Well I hope they listen to me or at least they won't degrade me. -Tracey.
Tales of old speak highly of a boy who learns our plight. He ceases his dreams to carry on our fight. Oh he who is to smite the mightest of foes! Break them! Bend them! For they will bow beneath your blows!
Nero recalled the old chant as he watched the boy and his pokémon. He saw something peculiar, one trapper trusted the blue haired one with his money. This was something all slave trappers would not do. Nero didn't know what to think of them now.
Why did the kid have that strange yellow animal? Or a Meowth for that matter? Slave trappers always had tracking pokémon with them like houndours, zubats or torks. The boy fell asleep shortly, dreaming of someone was what Nero could make out from the few mumbles that drifted toward him.
Pikachu stiffened, his tail twitched and he sniffed constantly. Meowth was laughing while Ash was talking to Misty in his sleep. He was too busy getting the details about Ash's dream that he didn't notice Pikachu's odd behavior until Pikachu gave Meowth a little jolt.
"What was that for you yellow rat!" Meowth glared at him.
"There's someone out there!" Pikachu told Meowth.
"Really? Wh..."
"Don't say anything about what I tell you! The human is close and can proably hear us talking." Pikachu felt scared even though he seemed brave.
"Meowth! Meowwww!" Meowth ran over to Ash and tried waking him up. He hated talking in his own language since he was starting to forget words and pharse in Meowth cries.
"Hey kid wake up!" He whispered in human.
Ash felt the world fading away, Misty was disappearing as well. He tried reaching for her hand but, the night was coming faster every second. He saw her flying further away from him. He shouted for her not to go but, she drifted away. Then Meowth was slapping him.
"Meowth!" He sat up cursing the cat pokémon. "What happened to Misty?"
"Hey, wake up kid! That girl ain't here. Listen your rodent tells me that someone is out there." Meowth continued to search the canopy ahead of him.
Nero watched the trappers do several out of character things. Trust each other with their money, he never saw a trapper even consider this. He began to wonder if they were slavers. Nero was know to be rash, he decided to observe them some more before approaching. He settled down for a quick nap.
Misty was slow to realize how close Brock was sitting to Melanie. She gave him a raised eyebrow, he caught her look and moved a few inches away. She knew he was crazy about girl's especially Melanie. She was afraid to offend Melanie or Sabrina with his often rude manner of trying to impress any girl. Misty noticed something else, across from their table several pretty girls were sitting and eating breakfast as well yet Brock kept staring at Melanie.
Togepi stole Brock's toast, it sat happily munching away. Misty picked up Togepi while apologizing. Sabrina had been gazing intently on her plate.
"Excuse me?" Sabrina inquired.
"Nothing Sabrina, Togepi was just being a little pest." Misty smiled.
"It's okay Misty. I didn't want it anyway." Brock was talking to Misty yet his eyes did not leave Melanie.
"Oh drat! I forgot your coffee Sabrina." Mel waved at the waiter.
"It's fine. I need to go lie down a little." She stared at Brock.
Misty was wondering why Sabrina was looking towards Brock and not Melanie. Then her stare turned toward Melanie when she started talking to the waiter. Misty heard Togepi mutter something, Sabrina looked toward Misty then her gaze drifted away toward a couple behind them talking. Misty felt something was wrong with Sabrina. It wasn't her alone, Melanie was giving Sabrina an odd look as well. Brock noticed this as well.
"Sabrina? Is there anything wrong?" Melanie pushed the cup of coffee towards her Sabrina.
"No! I'm just tired. I should really just rest." She felt for the cup.
"Please Sabrina if there is something wrong just tell us." Melanie pleaded.
"There's nothing wrong! How many times must I tell you I'm just tired!" Several diners stopped and stared.
Sabrina spilled the coffee.
"Confounded!" She slammed a fist on the table before stalking away.
"Misty may we talk with you?" Melanie helped clean up.
"Always." She gave the two a friendly smile. "What's up?"
"Not here, Let's go to my room. Me, you and Brock need to talk." She picked up Togepi who was sipping coffee from the floor.
Misty took her pokémon from Melanie. She was wondering what the two wanted to discuss privately. She sighed and wondering again about Ash.
"Stop! You there stop!" James halted, he felt cold beads of sweat in his scalp. "Turn around! With your hands high!"
James was shocked to find a teenager was ordering him around. He was wearing sunglasses, a backward turned black cap, a trench coat looking cloak which was green with a large hood hung behind his head. He held one arm outstretched with his palm open. James realized he was using some sort of universal gestures to remain calm.
He made several quick orders which consisted of request to drop all if any weapons on the ground. He made several comments to the effect that he would not harm James. James knew the type, he knew the type very well like any Team Rocket member.
"Sure officer!" James replied.
"Huh?" The kid looked puzzled. "Who said I was police!"
"You act like one." James felt nervous again, if the kid wasn't a rookie officer what was he?
"Rock throw!" Someone shouted, the kid dodged the barrage of stones but, not before taking one solidly to the cheek.
James shrugged and did what naturally came to him, he ran. is arms pumped, his legs bent, twisted and sent him springing around the vegatation. He looked back to see the kid following him. He got an idea, he leapt and rolled down a the small hill. He rolled to his knees at the foot. He ran again.
"Get that kid!" James heard the other voice shout from the top of the hill.
The guy with blue hair vanished in the time he took to glance back. Grunting the kid had an idea. He leapt, rolling down the hill. He came to a stop at the foot. Above his pursuers continued to search the hill above.
Why did that guy think he was police? He shook it off, he had to get moving before the trappers found him. He stood, there was footsteps ahead of him. He saw a flash of black, white, and blue. That guy! He ran after him but, matching footfalls and changing his breathing. He was experienced in tracking. He needed answers and he was going to have them.
Pupitar quickly slashed it's tail at Gary, he screamed as the blades flew toward him. Minutes went by, Gary no longer felt the ropes around him. He began to wonder if he was dead already or dying? He felt his pains fade away.
A drop hit his face, his eyes blinked. He saw the pupitar lying on the ground. He found himself free. Gary watched for signs of life in the lizard bug pokémon. The tail twitched. Gary lifted the creature, was he doing this? Moments ago he was sure this thing would kill him like Jessie yet it merely freed him.
Gary felt the rain fall harder. He ran with his monster, they would need shelter. Gary found a cave where he found his belt looped around pupitar's throat. Jessie had tried to defend herself but, the pokémon was to strong. He removed it, applying some medicines on the bug's wounds.
He let Eevee out asking her to find some wood to build a fire. Gary remembered his crystal, yet he had the responsiblity to tend to his pokémon. He would look for it after Dark was looking better. Eevee managed to bring some kindling back. He ignited it, he would stretch beside it to sleep soon.
Why had he ignored his Eevee? He wondered. His grandfather gave him this Eevee yet he found another two on his own and he evolved one into Umbereon. This Eevee was so loyal, Gary placed his pupitar near the fire. Eevee curled up next to it to keep it warm. Gary hugged the little furball before resting.
Misty thought about what she talked with Brock about. Sabrina defintely had something wrong with her. She would not admit it either, Sabrina had trained herself all those years ago to think that any weakness was total failure in oneself. Then her thoughts drifted to the other subject. Brock, Melanie a couple? She saw the pieces come together. They did seem so much in love, she felt happy for Brock.
"Togepi, Brock finally managed to find the perfect girl for him. Wonder how things are going to change around here?" Togepi only smiled and mutter in it's words. "If only I could find someone like Brock did. I shouldn't be thinking about this should I?"
Again Togepi thought Misty was playing a game and laughed and told Misty that she was amused. Psyduck came out of his ball and ran to the window looking out.
"Psyduck!" He got dizzy watching the trees whip by.
"Hey Psyduck! Do you think we can find Ash?" She sat up on the bed.
"Duck! Psy!" The duck smiled at her.
"Why do I care for him so much? He is such a pest at times." Psyduck gave her a gentle pat on the back. "And other times he can be so caring too. He has this love for pokémon and he does know how to cheer me up when I feel bad."
Psyduck and Togepi agreed to cheer up Misty with a little dance. The two looked so silly that Misty couldn't resist giggling and then she took both in her arms.
"This is all too strange to me." Brock gazed at the peaceful meadows breeze by.
"What is Brock?" She turned away from the window.
"Traveling alone." He was silent, contemplating the future trip to Goldenrod.
"You won't be alone Brock." She rested her head on his shoulder. He smiled but, it was soon melted away.
"Not now, tonight though. When that train departs from Saffron I will be. I've never been truly alone in my life, I always had my family, Ash and Misty. Even when I was in the Orange Islands I had..." He trailed off he didn't want to remember Ivy right now. "Well I always had friends around me. Now I have to go to Johto alone."
"It'll just be an seven hour ride Brock, just sleep through it if you want. I can't believe that you've never been alone Brock. You must have had some time in your life you made a lone journey." She put her arms around him.
"Well when I left the Orange Islands I went back home. My ten siblings all greeted me, well except for Flint Jr. that is. He practically had me thrown out the gym with his Golem. Dad told me he was upset that I hadn't visited or called often. I've tried to call them but, Flint always acts so childish and hangs up on me." Brock missed his brother. "He was my student as well. It was natural he would take the gym up. I just didn't expect him to act this way. First Ivy then Jr, now Ash. I lost a piece of my life! I feel if I take off again I'll lose someone else, like you."
"Brock I'll be in Saffron! I won't leave you in heart or spirit." She gave him their first kiss.
Sabrina cursed the blackness, she roared mentally. She destroyed the lamp with a snap of her fingers. She was asked to stop. She swung her head around.
"It's me. I sense you are in pain Sabrina. What is causing it?" She heard his voice.
"Nothing Mentor. I am upset about my failure nothing more." She knelt to the floor.
"You lie. Your pain is physical, emotional and I can't help if you refuse to admit it. Please Sabrina let me help." His voice was soothing to her, she cursed her weakness.
"My lord have you found the trainers yet?" She rose to her feet.
"Changing the subject is bowing to your weakness! Please allow me to help."
"I am fine! Leave me alone please!"
"As you wish but, remember just call me when you are ready to accept help." He cut the link.
Ash silently crept inch by inch toward the sleeping figure. He had no plan to speak of. He was going on luck. He was hoping he could find some answers to his questions. He signaled Meowth to run left and Pikachu to run right, flanking their target. Ash was nervous but, if he pulled this off maybe just maybe he'll have the right answers to find Gary and Jessie. If he was going to see Misty again he needed to find them.
James found a large open market flourishing in Viridian. He quickly darted about, he would use his fashion sense to whip up some terrific disguises. He decided to snag the items they needed if they could fit in his pockets. He wasn't above stealing until he realized something.
If I get caught stealing I will be dragging the others down with me. I must do the honest thing and buy it fair and square. He made several purchases, and toward the end he was very low on Ash's cash. He bought no food, so he had to result to thievery after all. Luckily for him no one saw him swag a roll here, an apple there, he even managed to steal an entire roast chicken in the backpack he bought.
"You little thief!" The kid whispered as he saw the blue haired guy in town. "Looks like you just bought dinner."
He placed the hood over his face, he didn't want to draw any attention to himself. He would soon track James back to the camp. James was unaware that he was being stalked. He stole a newspaper and then moved on to swipe potions, doughnuts, another pack. A soda later he barely could hold the backpack. Good enough haul to him so he walked calmly toward the forest.
Nero felt better now that his scrolls were back in his hands. He sat across from the boy, he had confronted Nero. He was no slave trapper or trader, he was of a dying profession Pokémon Master. His odd creature seemed so well trained but, the Meowth was rather indifferent to his trainer. Nero wonder if he had heard the Meowth talk earlier. It talked in it's pokémon language with no sign that it could speak a syllable of human speech.
James appeared before them. He glared at the newest member at the campsite. Nero leapt to his feet, his face gnarled with fear.
"What is it Nero?" Ash stood.
"He's a Rocket! Murderer! Scum! We must flee!" Nero felt a hand grab hold of his robe.
"Ex-Rocket, I would never wear that uniform again!" James sat down.
Nero tried to free himself from Ash's grasp. He then spun around trying to hit James with his fists. Now Ash was restraining Nero from hurting James.
"That's enough Nero!" He tripped the scribe with his foot. "He's telling the truth! He wasn't even part of Team Rocket when they attacked Indigo!"
"Then why was he wearing the uniform this mornig!" Nero shouted.
"It was you! You wouldn't stop to help us!" James shouted. "You are a very rude chap."
"Sit down Nero and listen, we have had some hard times and James is only pretending to be a Rocket so we can get to Viridian and find our friends." Ash sat down on a fallen tree.
"I brought gifts!" James laughed as he emptied the pack. "And the prize!" He held up a foilball.
"What is that?" Ash thought James was cracking up.
"Why a perfectly roasted chicken!" He unwrapped it.
"Great I'm hungry!" Ash grabbed a soda from the pile of goodies.
Nero glared at James still untrusting but, it had been a day or two since he had ate well. If Ash trusted the ex-Rocket he should try. He took a can and a drumstick. Meowth ate greedily, Pikachu watched with a little disgust. James tossed everyone a roll.
"Any room for one more!" A kid clothed in a green cloak leapt into the center of the campsite. "Everyone freeze!"
Ash, Nero, James and the pokémon were motionless. All scared out of their minds. Nero shouted something about a slave trapper. Ash reached for Tork's pokéball, James felt for Victreebel, and Nero grasped for his pokémon.
To be continued..........
-JLB