Chapter 2- An old friend Ash stared at the man at the table. It was indeed his good friend Brock. It had Been 4 years to be exact since he had last seen him. In Brocks soft brown eyes there was pain that Ash had never seen before. “How did you…” “How can you…” Brock stared at Ash with a deep sadness in his eyes “a lot has changed Ash old friend. I moved here 2 years ago with my siblings hoping they would be safe. Then Team Rocket took over and there was nothing I could do. I could not leave and even if I could then I would have to leave my siblings. I sent my Crobat out to find help and he found you. I’m glad he did though, I need you. It is a good thing you managed to break in. I guess it isn’t as impossible as the Rockets think.” Brock smiled slightly at that “but I guess nothing is impossible for Ash Ketchum.” “But why do you need me?” Brock stared at him his eyes penetrating into Ash’s “isn’t it obvious we are going to start a rebellion.” Ash stared at Brock and Brock stared back, a waitress interrupted them. “What can I get for ya’ll?” “Bagel and coffee” said Brock. “I’ll have tea, orange juice, a cheese omelet and toast” added in Ash. The waitress wrote that all down and walked away. Brock chuckled “you still eat a lot I see.” Ash however was in no mood for jokes. What Brock had just said was dangerous, deadly, and down right stupid; not to mention nearly impossible… Brock however seemed to be serious about it. “Brock how- “So Ash how’s your sister doing?” Ash stared at Brock what was a matter with him. Ash was an only child who had no sister. Brock nodded to the door and Ash glanced back, there were the Rockets again. They were dressed in the baggy black pants and shirts that all rocket grunts wore. The bright red R painted unto there shirt was a symbol of authority. The restaurant owner was clearly nervous and seated them immediately. The meal would be free. There was no law that said that, but the last person who made them pay had been shot in the middle of the night. There was no “proof” that Team Rocket had done it, but everybody knew they had. This conversation was obviously not going to continue. For a while Brock and Ash made forced conversation and when their food came they guzzled it down and Brock quickly paid the bill. “Follow me” Brock whispered as they walked out of the restaurant. Brock, still taller then Ash, took longer strides, and Ash had to walk very quickly to keep up. They walked inside of the crowd so they would not be seen. They pushed and shoved there was until they turned down a lesser known street. They twisted, and turned until finally they arrived at a small apartment building. It was a decent place built of bricks, and with flowers planted around it. Like all apartments it had an electronic box in which to slide your citizen pass. Brock scanned his pass into the machine by the door, and it sprung open. Brock led Ash to an elevator and refused to say anything until they were inside his room. The apartment was small and very comfy and all along the walls were pictures of the three friends; Brock, Ash and Misty. Ash felt a lump in his throat as he thought about the good times they used to have together. Brock settled down on the couch and Ash did the same. Three of Brocks siblings spied on them from the kitchen. Brock smiled at them “Ash this is Kiara, Mary-Jane, and Slate.” Ash smiled at the kids they all looked under twelve, and Ash grew angry at the thought that this was how they had to grow up. The one who had been introduced as Kiara looked him in the eye and asked “are you gonna help?” Ash was a little confused “help how?” Brock interrupted “this was what I needed to talk to you about. I couldn’t with the Rockets though, I barley had a chance to sit down.” “Boy” Ash conversed “some luck that that boy had a pokemon.” “Not luck” Brock said “that boy is helping with the rebellion I sent him to distract the Rockets.” Ash was very impressed at the boy’s bravery. “The boy looked like he was young.” Brock nodded “only fourteen.” Was I that brave at 14, would I give everything just so Brock could talk to someone I didn’t know? Yes, I would. Now” Brock stated “time to tell you about this rebellion.” Ash nodded and made himself comfortable. “As I’m sure you know about 5 years ago Team Rocket gained more and more power.” Ash nodded but Brock continued. “They tortured, blackmailed, and threatened people into joining them. Soon when they were all powerful Giovanni sent them to take over cities and towns. They started small and grew bigger and bigger. Soon they were feared through all Johto, and Kanto. The police force advised the elite four and Lance to go into hiding and some of the more powerful gym leaders hid too. Soon the police force was diminished and the gym league was no more. Team Rocket is on its way to complete global control and someone has to stop them!” Brock stood up breathing heavily his hands clenched in to fists “I know you will help us Ash.” Ash nodded “I have helped a little” he said “do you remember a few years back Team Rocket tried to take control of Azalea Town but couldn’t?” Brock nodded “of course that was a complete embarrassment to Team Rocket. Azalea town only had like a hundred people defending it and The Rockets had at least 300. That really caused Tem Rocket to strengthen there battle forces. ” “Well” Ash grinned “me and Bugsy started that. I’ve also helped a few gym leaders escape to safe places and have saved a few trainers from Team Rockets hostilities.” Brock smiled “I knew I could count on you. What gym leaders did you help escape?” Ash thought it over “Jasmine, Koga, uhhhh Morty and that’s it.” “Do you think you can get them to help us?” Brock wondered. “Ash frowned I don’t know where any of them are, but I can get Bugsy to help for sure! I need some information though. How many people in the rebellion what is our main goal… stuff like that.” Brock suddenly looked less enthusiastic “we only have about 50 people as of now but were getting more. We have some good gym leaders Lt. Surge, Sabrina (she’s still lives her but can teleport in and out to talk to people), Falkner, Clair, and Agatha from the Elite Four.” Ash was impressed “anyone I know?” “Yes actually! Duplica, Richie, Casey, even Gary.” “GARY?” Brock laughed “Gary is a good guy once you get to know him.” Ash was still a little in shock from what Brock said and hardly heard him say “and of course we do have some spies in the Rocket headquarters.” Ash thought for a little bit he was about to ask who those spies were when he remembered something “what about Misty?” Cerulean City was one of the first cities taken over. Ever since then Ash had been plagued by thoughts of Misty and wondered how she was doing. “Did she join?” Brock got very silent, and in a shaking voice whispered “her house was burnt in the middle of the night only two bodies were found no one knows what happened to Misty.” Ash sat in silence and thought about what he said. Misty her house burnt? WHY? Brock as if reading his mind said “Misty publicly denounced Team Rocket. She was a gym leader and had a lot of power so Team Rocket feared her. I told her that she had to get out of there and Team Rocket would try to kill her, but she refused to leave the gym.” “Is she d-d-d-dead?” Ash ventured. “No one knows.” A tear dripped down his face and another, and another before he knew it he had broken down into sobs over Misty. Brock tried to comfort him “there is a chance she is alive and in hiding. No one could tell whom the bodies belonged too.” Ash was speechless Misty had been his best friend, and she was most likely dead. Even if she was alive there was no way to find her. For a moment his thoughts lingered on her red hair, and smile. She had always been closest to him and he had cared deeply for her. He always assumed they would end up married. Not anymore though. He cleared his throat and asked “so what is it were trying to do?” “Well obviously we want to get as many people as possible to join the rebellion and help us fight Team Rocket. We know a little of what they are going to do and think they are going to attack Celadon City, so we want to get Ericka out., so she can join us.” Ash nodded his head. “We also think if we can destroy Team Rockets main headquarters and get rid of Giovanni, all this will end. For now however were just trying to gather people and protect as many cities as we can! Also we have to find the rest of the Elite Four and Lance! We believe if we can gather all the gym leaders along with them, we will have the most powerful Pokemon trainers in the world. Ash actually smiled it seemed like a pretty decent plan. Brock kept on talking “of course some gym leaders did go over to Giovanni’s side.” This shocked Ash “What who?” Brock stared at him. Don’t you keep up with the news “Pryce said on TV that Team Rocket was the best thing that ever happened and Chuck now helps train Pokemon for them. We are afraid that Blain might join also, but so far he hasn’t taken a side. Sabrina is trying to convince him to help us!” Ash scowled “I never trusted Chuck!” Brock laughed “so are you in?” Ash nodded “well of course I’m- Ash stopped “hey wait a second were do 50 people meet, and train. You would have to have nurses, and a Pokemon gym to train in, there is no way…” Ash’s voice trailed off as he saw the look on Brocks face “You mean we do have headquarters!” Brock nodded his head “I mean we do have headquarters.” So what do you think? Puhleez review. I forgot the disclaimer on the last part so this counts for both. I never have nor will I ever own pokemon.