*What are you going to say?* Pikachu asked Ash as he climbed through an open window. Breaking and entering. Ash had become very good at it. He placed his feet on the floor and glanced around the hallways of the gym. *I don't know. After our last encounter I doubt she'll be too friendly.* He glanced at his watch, and upon seeing that it was two o'clock in the morning he added, *And I'm sure she'll be thrilled that I'm waking her up at this time.* *I just hope she doesn't kick your ass,* Pikachu said from inside the bag. Ash frowned at this. It was true that during their travels together Misty had abused him quite frequently. *She wondered why I was so dense. Probably from one to many hits with that mallet of hers.* Suddenly Ash was tackled from behind. He briefly heard Pikachu think, *What the- * Before he hit the ground facedown with a thud. This did not help his already injured side, but he ignored it's protests as he struggled to get away from his attacker. Pikachu was stuck in the bag and was unable to get out to assist Ash, who was taking a beating. His attacker was straddled across his back, hitting him with a couple of hard punches. Ash retaliated by elbowing him hard in the stomach. He heard the man's air expel in a loud "Oof" as he fell off of Ash's back. Ash scrambled to his feet and took off his pack, sliding it out of the way so Pikachu wouldn't get hurt. Ash stood in a fighting stance, waiting for his attacker to get up. The other man struggled to his feet and they began to circle each other. The man attacked and Ash dodged the punches that were thrown his way, and retaliated with a swift kick to his stomach. The man stumbled backwards, but remained standing. They began circling again, Ash only able to make out the other man's silhouette in the dim light. Unexpectedly, the man lunged at him, and before Ash had a chance to dodge, he was tackled to the ground once more. The man sat on his stomach, causing his side to burn. Ash felt the blood seeping through his bandage, and knew the wound had reopened. Ash drew his fist back, aiming a punch at the mans chin, but he grabbed Ash's wrists and held them together. Ash flattened his palms and closed his eyes. He concentrated on building up his electrical energy and directing it to his hands. Ash's eyes snapped open, and he was about to release the yellow ball of energy that had formed into the man's chest, but stopped. The glowing electric ball provided enough light so he could see his attackers face. Above him hovered a tan man who's short brown hair covered his forehead, his expression perplexed as he looked at the ball of electricity in Ash's hands. "Brock?" Ash asked. Brock tore his eyes from the yellow ball and looked at the man he was sitting on. "Ash?" After a moment, Brock released his grip on Ash's wrists, and Ash let the electricity recede, throwing them both into darkness again. The stood facing each other until Ash heard Pikachu think, *Anytime you want to get me out of this bag would be fine.* Brock watched as Ash turned and quickly walked to the black bag he had brought with him. He unzipped it and Pikachu jumped into his arms. Ash put the yellow rodent on his shoulder as he walked back to Brock. Brock was at a loss for words. Misty had told him that Ash was alive, but something in him wouldn't let him believe it. Now he was looking at him. Without warning, Brock pulled the younger man into a hug. "Pi pika," Pikachu said, scrambling onto Ash's head to get out of the way. Brock broke the embrace and they stood in silence until the hall light flicked on. "Brock, what's going..." Misty trailed off at the sight of Ash. Ash stood in the middle of the hallway looking at the people who had been his two best friends, Pikachu still sitting on his head, and his right hand covering his now bleeding side. The three stood in silence until Brock noticed Ash's blood covered hand. "Hey are you okay? Did I do that?" Ash shot a weary smile at him before saying, "Not unless you were the guy who shot me two days ago." "That's a gunshot wound?" Brock said, clearly concerned. "Why is it bleeding again?" Misty asked softly, avoiding eye contact. "Brock here decided to say hello by beating me up." Brock grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "I thought you were a Team Rocket agent." *Ash,* Pikachu said silently. *Apologize to Misty.* *Pikachu, stop acting like my mother!* Ash snapped back. Brock watched as Ash and Pikachu carried on a silent conversation. "You and Pikachu are connected?" The question caused both of them to look at him, their argument forgotten. "Yeah," Ash said nodding. "Sorry about that, we often slip into conversation. We aren't used to being around people." Brock raised his eyebrows at this statement but made no comment. Instead he said, "Come on, lets get that wound bandaged." Ash found himself once again in the white room, in the wee hours of the morning. Misty stood far off in a corner while Brock wound clean bandages around Ash's side. Pikachu once again said, *Apologize, Ash.* Ash turned to the little pokemon who was sitting next to him on the table. "Drop it, Pikachu," he snapped out loud, causing Brock to look up at him. Ash, however, didn't notice Brock, he was too distracted by Pikachu who was chattering angrily in his native language, although Ash was the only one who could understand him. Apparently Ash had just said something in his mind because the yellow pokemon's eyes narrowed and his cheeks began to spark. Brock backed away. He had seen that look on Pikachu's face before. It was the look he wore just before he would thundershock Ash. "Piikaachuu!" the little rodent cried before releasing, not a thundershock as Brock had expected, but a full blown thunderwave at his trainer. "Ash!" both Brock and Misty cried as the thunderwave hit him. The wave was so bright that hey had to look away. Misty felt her hair being blown around by the energy. Pikachu stopped his attack, and, to the complete shock of Brock and Misty, Ash sat on the table in the same position, not even singed. He smirked at Pikachu and shook his head. "I don't know why you waste your energy." Brock's jaw dropped and Misty's eyes widened to three times their normal size. Ash looked at the two, amused at their reactions. Misty was the first to compose herself. "I think I'll head back to bed now." She turned to leave. "Misty," Ash said. She stopped and glanced at him over her shoulder. "I wanted to apologize for the other night. It was unfair of me to say what I did." "You can stay here tonight if you want," Misty said changing the subject. "You'll have to share the guest room with Brock." With that she exited the room. Ash shrugged at Pikachu then turned to Brock who was looking at him oddly. "What?" Ash asked. "What just happened?" Ash raised his eyebrows, unsure of what Brock meant. He continued. "First that ball of electricity in the hall, and now Pikachu hits you with a full power thunderwave, and you weren't even singed. Ash grinned. "Oh, that. Just a trick I picked up a few years ago." Pikachu snorted, making Brock assume that was an understatement. "Brock, why aren't you in Pewter City?" Ash asked, remembering what Persian had told him about Rocket headquarters. "Misty called me the night you were here. She was more than a little upset." Ash slid off the table and put his shirt back on. "Why didn't she just call her fiancé?" he asked, with a touch of bitterness in his voice. Brock looked at him in surprise. "You know about that?" "You would be amazed at what I know," Ash told him as Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder. Brock looked at him suspiciously, then changed the subject. "Are you staying?" "Yes, I need to talk to Misty." "Come on then, we really should go to bed. It's three in the morning." Ash didn't mention that being up at three in the morning was a usual part of his day. There was only one bed in the guest room and Brock offered it to Ash. "No, that's okay," Ash told him. "I'm used to sleeping on the ground." After a few protests Brock finally took the bed and Ash made himself comfortable on the floor. Pikachu snuggled up next to him and thought, *How long are we staying?* "Long enough to tell Misty about Lindham. As soon as we're done we're heading to Pewter." Brock sat up in bed. "Okay what about Lindham and why are you going to Pewter City?" Ash blinked at him confused, although it was hard to see him in the dark. Then he realized what Brock was talking about. "Did I just say that out loud?" "Yes." "Damnit!" Ash cursed, angry with himself. "Ash," Brock said, turning on the light. "What aren't you telling me?" Sitting up, Ash sighed, then launched into an explanation. "Lindham is one of Team Rocket's top agents." Brock snorted. "We're talking about ? Ash, have you ever met the guy? He's like a walking anti-Rocket add." "I've never met him, but my sources told me." Silently he added, *And since Persian likes to ruin my day, I have no doubt he's telling the truth.* "You know someone destroyed the lab in his building the other night. Officer Jenny thinks that it was one of Team Rockets agents, sending him a warning to stop bad mouthing them," Brock informed him. Ash cocked his head and shot him a skeptical look. "Brock, < I > destroyed the lab because Lindham was using it to experiment on pokemon." He gestured to his side. "How do you think I got this?" Brock's eyes widened. "Experimenting on pokemon? That's inhuman." "I know. I'm going to tell Misty, although I'm sure she wont believe me, and say that I'm jealous. But once I tell her I'm out of here," Ash told him laying back down on his back. "Why are you headed to Pewter?" Brock asked. "I have some business to take care of." Brock laid down, not believing him. "I'll go with you. I have to get back anyway." He flicked the light off. "Brock, I don't travel by day anymore. I don't need someone to recognize me and start a problem. It's better that everyone thinks I'm dead." Pikachu rolled over, already asleep. "Ash why didn't you tell us you were alive? I can understand Misty, but why didn't you contact your mom, me, Professor Oak?" "It wasn't like I was just wandering around aimlessly with nothing to do. I have to be constantly on the move." Brock didn't understand. "Why?" Ash sighed. "Team Rocket has a bounty on my head. But it's not dead or alive. It's just dead." Brock didn't say anything as Ash continued. "It was better if I didn't contact you. If they thought one of you knew where I was..." "I understand," Brock assured him. ~*~*~ "Ash, I can't believe you!" Misty cried. "You're jealous!" Ash turned to Brock and raised his eyebrows in an 'I told you so' expression. They had been sitting in the kitchen eating their breakfast. Everything had been going fairly well until Ash brought up Lindham's secret identity. Misty continued to rant. "You think that if you make me hate Chris, I'll come back to you." That struck a nerve. "Misty, you are sadly mistaken if you think I have forgiven you enough to want you back," Ash said, his voice low and hateful. She took a step back, looking as though he had slapped her. The room lapsed into silence as Brock looked nervously between the two former lovers. "Misty," Brock ventured carefully. "I think he's telling the truth." Misty looked at him. Her face red with fury. "I don't believe this!" Ash began to speak, his voice calm. "I have much more important things that need my immediate attention. I only came back to warn you about Lindham." Pikachu climbed up the back of his trench coat and onto his shoulder. "Brock, if you plan on going to Pewter with me, meet me at eight o'clock at the city gate." Misty and Brock watched as he stalked out of the kitchen, and turned the corner, disappearing from view. ~*~*~ Brock and Ash had been walking for a good portion of the night. Brock, who wasn't used to being up all night, was quickly becoming tired. Trees cast long shadows across the road from the moon light. Brock felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up as he saw the red eyes of a nocturnal pokemon silently watching him. He was extremely relieved when Ash pointed to a small cave in the forest and said, "We'll camp there for the day." The cave was damp and smelled as though some sort of pokemon recently vacated it. Brock was exhausted and he slept most of the day. He was finally awakened around five o'clock, to the sound of two familiar voices. He quickly stood up and saw Ash standing near the entrance to the cave, his arms crossed, and Pikachu at his heels. "What's the matter?" Brock heard Ash ask. "Team Rocket run out of assassins?" The people outside answered rather rudely, calling Ash some obscene names. Brock began to walk to the entrance, ready to help. Ash glanced over his shoulder and saw Brock coming towards him. *Pikachu, keep him back there.* Pikachu didn't answer, but he turned and scampered towards Brock. "Pikachu, what are you doing?" Brock asked as the little pokemon blocked his path, refusing to let him through. Ash, certain Pikachu would keep Brock out of sight, returned his attention to the blonde woman and the green haired man that stood before him. The woman wore a black skirt and a shirt that exposed most of her midriff. On her shirt a red R was emblazoned. The man also wore black, the R on his shirt matching the woman's. Sunlight streamed through the trees creating a visible line between them and Ash. The woman laughed haughtily. "Your precious pikachu just ran off. Now you shouldn't be any problem to dispose of." "Cassidy, you underestimate me. As usual," Ash said, his voice steady. "Ashton," the man said, his voice so scratchy that Ash wanted to cover his ears to avoid the awful sound. "I don't know why the boss is so adamant about having you killed. I don't see you as a threat." "You don't Butch? I would think you would, the number of times I sent you to jail," Ash mocked. Butch and Cassidy gritted their teeth as their faces flushed a bright crimson. "Enough talking, let's do this," Cassidy said. "I'll give you ten seconds to run away, if you choose to stay, remember, you were warned," Ash said, his voice low. Butch snorted. "Do you think you scare us?" "I don't right now, but by the time this fight is over, you will be terrified." Ash assumed a fighting position. Cassidy laughed again. "If you think going to fight you, you're sadly mistaken." She and Butch grinned widely as they each pulled out a pokeball. Simultaneously they threw the red and white balls, which landed on either side of Ash. The balls opened with a crack and two large rhyhorn materialized. They stood about twenty yards away from him, one on his left and one on his right, each sizing him up with narrowed eyes. "Rhyhorn," Cassidy said to her pokemon. "Take him out with your takedown attack!" Ash watched as the large rock pokemon on his right began to charge at him. "Gore him with your horn drill!" Butch cried to his pokemon. The rhyhorn on his left also began to charge. Ash looked from one side to the other, and when the two rhyhorn were about ten feet away he leapt high into the air. Ash grabbed hold of a low tree branch, and hung in the air, out of the reach of the pokemon. The two rock pokemon skidded to a stop, their large feet desperately trying to gain traction on the dirt. They looked around, confused as to where their quarry had disappeared to. Cassidy let out a scream of indignation and cried, "Knock down that tree, Rhyhorn!" Her rhyhorn charged the tree and rammed it so hard that it began to shake. "Help him!" Butch commanded his pokemon, who immediately ran, and also began attacking the tree. The tree was taking a beating and began to teeter slightly. Ash pulled himself up onto the branch, then leapt out of the tree, just as it began to fall. He landed on his feet, then rolled away, to avoid the falling mass of branches that was approaching him quickly. The tree landed with a crash in the exact spot Ash had been standing. Ash turned to face the rhyhorn, who were standing next to their trainers, snorting angrily and pawing the ground. He silently wished he had Pikachu, but if Butch and Cassidy saw Brock, Team Rocket would think he was in contact with all of his old companions, and go after everyone he loved. "Takedown!" Butch and Cassidy cried in unison. Ash's eyes widened as once again both rhyhorn charged him. When they neared him he leapt into the air, and over their heads. The large pokemon stopped and turned to him again, resuming their charge. Cassidy smiled as she watched Ash dodge yet another charge from their pokemon. She said to her partner, "We've got him. He's completely on the defensive. He hasn't even tried an attack." Ash leapt into the air again, but this time he miscalculated and landed on the back of one of the large rock pokemon. The rhyhorn he was on didn't appreciate the rider, and began to buck, trying to throw him off. The rhyhorn launched Ash off of him, and sent him flying backwards, into a tree. Ash blacked out upon contact, and slid, unconscious, to the base of the trunk. The rhyhorn stopped attacking once their target was immobilized, and began to peacefully graze. Butch walked carefully over to Ash and examined the tree, which had a streak of blood running vertically down it's bark, most likely from the back of Ash's head. Butch raised his limp arm and felt for a pulse. "He's dead," he announced to Cassidy. They both broke into triumphant smiles. After recalling their rhyhorn they began to climb gingerly over the earlier fallen tree. They entered the cave, looking for Pikachu, and stopped upon seeing Brock. He was standing near the center of the cave with Pikachu in front of him, still blocking his path. Brock had tried to get past the little electric rodent, but the red sacks on his cheeks sparked, warning him he would be shocked. "I remember you," Cassidy said, studying Brock. "You were that guy who traveled with Ashton when he was younger." Butch grinned wickedly. "You're not much of a friend. Ashton was just killed by a raging rhyhorn and you did nothing to stop it." "You son of a bitch!" Brock's voice was low and deadly. "Pikapi!" Pikachu cried, upon hearing this. He tried desperately to connect with Ash but received no response. Brock slid his hand into his jacket and fingered the pokeball with his Golem in it. He was about to release it when he saw something behind Butch and Cassidy that caused him to freeze. Butch and Cassidy, noting his sudden change in countenance, looked behind them. Their faces turned to fear and they began to back away. Ash was hovering two feet off the ground, his arms spread out next to him. His body was glowing the way Pikachu did when he powered up, his eyes closed in concentration. The golden glow surrounding him crackled, reminding Brock of the sound of raw electricity. Without warning, Ash's eyes snapped open and Brock dove to the floor, covering his head with his hands. Ash released a powerful attack that was similar to Pikachu's thunder. Bolts of lightning arched all over the cave, some flying dangerously close to Brock. Brock looked up carefully, when he felt the lightning stop. "Ash!" he said, running to his friend, who was now on his hands and knees. "Ash are you okay?" "Yeah. Electric attacks drain a lot out of me. I try to leave them to Pikachu if I can." *Ash!* Pikachu thought, jumping into his arms. *I was afraid you were... I couldn't connect to you.* "Sorry about that, Pikachu. A rhyhorn slammed me against a tree, knocked me out cold." "That attack was amazing," Brock said, helping Ash to his feet. "What happened to your head?" he asked, noticing Ash's black hair was matted with blood. "Hmm?" Ash said feeling his head. "Oh, the run in with the tree I suppose," he said absently. They stepped over Butch and Cassidy who were now laying unconscious in a tangled heap on the floor. "Let's get moving, it's almost dark anyway." Ash gathered up the few things he owned and put them in his bag. Brock also packed up his things, and before long they were once again walking through the darkened forest, heading to Pewter City. Ash looked at Brock, sudden realization flashing in his eyes. "Did those two morons see you?" he asked. "Yeah." "Damnit!" Ash cursed. "We need to get to Pewter as fast as possible." "Why?" Brock asked, completely confused. "That business I have to take care of just became more urgent." Brock frowned at him, knowing he wasn't getting the entire story. They walked on in silence. Pikachu was perched on Ash's shoulder when he thought, *Ash, what does Butch and Cassidy seeing Brock have to do with saving Mewtwo?* *Because, now Team Rocket will go after everyone I ever cared about.* Ash explained. *I still don't understand what that has to do with Mewtwo.* *Pikachu, I'm not only going to Pewter to save Mewtwo,* Ash thought, looking the pokemon in the eye. *I'm going to destroy Team Rocket once and for all.* A/N: I seriously debated whether or not to leave it as a cliffhanger on that paragraph where Butch said Ash was dead. Then I realized that that would have been extremely evil. Of course that wasn't what bothered me! If I had stopped the chapter there it would have upset the flow of chapter 6. So consider yourselves lucky! Please review, and if you flame me, keep the heat down. Sunburn is about the extent of my thresh hold of pain. ;( Disclaimer: Well the owners of Pokemon finally called me back about my offer to buy it. They said they had a better offer. Apparently someone gave them ten bucks and a whole bag of Kitkats. Too steep for me.