*Sorry to disapoint you, but this is not a new uploading. I just wanted to reload this because I think many of you may have missed this chapter. Never fear though, I am working on Chapter 5 as we speak.(Or is it as we type?)* Misty sighed tiredly as she flopped onto the couch. They had been up all night. After Gary and Ash had left, Misty had called the police. Of course the police were under the control of Giovanni, which explained why there were no Officer Jennies on the force anymore. The Jennies were too respectable to become involved in something as corrupt as Team Rocket. The gym had been full of people all night. Policemen taking pictures and helping the Rockets. Misty had heard nothing but questions for the past three hours. The one question she found difficult to answer was the one asked most frequently. How were the Rockets all knocked out? For some reason, Misty couldn't bring herself to finger Ash, or even Gary. She told the truth... partially. A Rocket and his partner turned on the rest of them. Misty just didn't add the fact that she knew them, or that they had been staying at the gym. Erika told the police the same thing Misty had. When Brock also collaborated her story, Misty was surprised. He had been so angry and hurt, but he too protected Ash. The police had finally left only moments earlier and Brock, Misty, and Erika sat in the living room, each exhausted from the night's events. The sun had risen a half hour before, and Misty closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth as it streamed through the window. She began to drift into the welcome darkness of sleep when a soft knock came from the door. Misty opened her eyes. Brock was next to her, apparently asleep. Erika sat slumped in a chair across from them, the TV remote in hand. When Misty shot her a questioning gaze, she shrugged. The knock came again, slightly louder this time. Misty sighed and forced herself to stand, her legs heavy as she trudged to the door. The walk down the hallway seemed incredibly long when she was so tired, and by the time she made it to the door, the person behind it had begun knocking again. She pulled the door open to reveal Gary, looking exhausted and bedraggled, leaning against the door frame with one arm. His auburn hair was tousled, and his gray eyes seemed to lack some of the luster they had had the last time she had seen him. He was still dressed in his nightclothes. Misty said nothing, and an awkward silence settled over them. "I came for our things," Gary said softly. Misty moved aside, allowing him to enter. "Where's Ash?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she shut the door behind him. "I don't know," Gary admitted, running a hand through his hair before dropping his arm limply to his side. "I searched for him all night; I couldn't find him." Misty began to walk with Gary to the room, hoping to continue the conversation. "Do you think he went back to Team Rocket?" she asked. Gary shook his head. "Only if he has a death wish." She stopped short. "What do you mean?" Gary also stopped walking. "We had been considering it, but once we fought back against those Rockets we became traitors. Traitors to Team Rocket are punished by death." He began walking down the hall again. Misty remained still, contemplating the statement before jogging to catch up with Gary. "I don't understand," she said as they reached the door. Gary opened the door and entered. "What don't you understand?" he asked, his back to her as he began to pick up all the clothes that were strewn about the floor. Two days there and the room already looked like their room at headquarters. "Didn't Ash join so Giovanni wouldn't kill him? Why would he suddenly become a traitor if that will accomplish the same thing?" Misty asked, following him with her eyes as he walked around the room. Gary glanced at her over his shoulder as he began shoving his clothes into his bag, not bothering to fold them. "Who told you that's why Ash joined?" Misty shrugged. "I just assumed." Gary turned to Ash's side of the room, repeating the process of shoving unfolded clothes into Ash's bag. "You shouldn't assume things," he said, not looking up at her as he struggled to make all the clothes fit. "That's not why he joined?" Misty said, a hint of surprise in her tone. Gary stopped packing and turned to her, studying her with his head slightly cocked. "For people who claim to be his best friends, you certainly don't know him very well." He stared at her for a moment longer before breaking eye contact with her. "Ash would have died before joining Team Rocket, if that had been his option. Join or die. No question there. Of all people I would have thought you would have realized that." "So why did he join," Misty asked, quietly, realizing the truth of Gary's words. Gary zipped his bag closed, then straightened up, slinging his it over his shoulder. "Maybe you should have asked him before assuming what had happened in the last seven years of his life and tossing him out." He picked up Ash's things and left the room. Gary and Misty walked to the front door in silence. He opened it and stepped out. Misty wanted to say something, but was uncertain of what. "Good-bye, Gary," she said softly, fairly sure this was the last time she would see him, or Ash for that matter. He turned to look at her. He went to say something but was interrupted by a shout from Erika. "Misty, come quick!" Misty cast a quick glance at Gary before turning and quickly jogging back to the living room, her braid trailing behind her. She entered the room noting that both Erika and Brock were sitting on the edges of their seats, watching the television intently. Misty turned her gaze onto the TV which depicted a burning building. As they watched, the building next to it suddenly exploded and was soon also being engulfed by red and orange flames. A voice began to speak. "Once again, this is live footage of Pallet Town, which was apparently attacked earlier this morning. Bombs have been exploding, any building that is still standing seems to either become blown up or set on fire. Barely a house or public building has been left standing." They sat, stunned at the sudden horrific news. "We have to do something," Brock said, unable to tear his eyes from the screen. "Giovanni is out of control. Now he's randomly destroying towns." As Misty watched what remained of the once thriving town burn, she suddenly realized what Gary had been trying to say. "There was nothing random about this," she said, still watching the television as the flames began to burn higher, licking at the sky. "What?" Brock asked in confusion. "Don't you find it rather odd, that the day after Gary and Ash betray Team Rocket, their hometown is suddenly destroyed?" Misty asked. Brock tore his gaze from the television and looked at her, the obvious connection dawning on him. "Mrs. Ketchum, Professor Oak, Tracey, they are all there." Misty hung her head. Then she remembered Gary. His sister, May, and his grandfather. He deserved to know what had happened. She quickly ran into the hallway and to the door. She skidded to a stop, her socked feet allowing her to slide much farther than normal. Misty flung the door open and quickly stepped outside. She was too late; the streets and sidewalks were empty. He was already gone. ~*~*~ Gary quickly ducked down a darkened ally as a squad of Team Rocket agents marched by. He had run into quite a few lately, making him assume they were scouring the city for Ash and himself. Fortunately for Gary and Ash, being highly ranked in Team Rocket allowed them to know the best places to hide. Especially when one didn't want to be seen by one of the numerous cameras that had been placed all over the cities. That's why Gary chose this particular ally. It was one of the few alleys that wasn't being monitored by cameras. He remained quiet, crouched in the shadows as another squadron marched by. Each squad consisted of about eight Rockets, dressed in their black Team Rocket uniforms, marching in two rows of four. They were all armed, hand guns clearly visible in holsters around their waists. Gary released the breath he had been holding when they had passed. It was then he sensed another's presence in the ally. He stood up slowly, his hand on his gun. He turned quickly, his gun pointed Ash's forehead. Luckily for both of them, as quick as Gary was with pulling the trigger, he was just as quick with holding himself back. He dropped his arm, placing his gun back into his holster. "I've been looking for you everywhere," Gary told him softly, in case more Rockets were around. "I just needed to be alone for a while," Ash said. A small squeak from the pikachu on his shoulder caused him to add, "Well, not completely alone." Gary nodded, understanding. "Ash, Pallet..." he trailed off, staring at the ground. "I know," Ash said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They haven't found any survivors yet." "We never even should have thought of betrayal. Now our families and hundreds of innocent people are dead, and we're on the run," Gary said, anger and frustration combining in his voice. Ash suddenly furrowed his brow. "How did he know we were considering treason?" "I think it was pretty obvious when we attacked our teammates," Gary said, slightly sarcastic. "No," Ash said, shaking his head, deep in thought. "They knew before that," he said as he recalled the Rocket announcing he was under arrest. "Then that means-" Gary fell silent as another group of Rockets marched by. When he was sure they were gone Ash finished Gary's thought. "He must have bugged us." Both he and Gary looked at the bags Gary had slung across his shoulder. Gary quickly set them on the ground and he and Ash searched them for the device. "Got it," Ash said, after a few moments as he held the small black bug up. It fit between his forefinger and thumb. He stood, dropping it to the ground then Gary smashed it with the heel of his boot. This reminded Ash he had no shoes on and he sat down on the cold cement, pulling on his boots and lacing them up. "That means Giovanni heard everything we said, including the location of Bruno," Ash said as he stood up, brushing himself off. "So he knows where one of the Elite Four is," Gary agreed. "He'll send agents after him." "Then I guess we'll have to find him before Team Rocket does," Ash said. They both ducked behind a trash can as yet another squad of Rockets passed the alleyway. "Or before Team Rocket finds us," Gary muttered. ~*~*~ Sneaking out of a city that was crawling with Team Rocket agents and full of cameras was much easier said than done. Ash and Gary had a few very close calls as they snuck their way through the city, hoping to remain unnoticed. They were fairly inconspicuous as Pikachu was now in Ash's back pack. The only thing that really made them seem anything but normal was Ash's bow. They did their best to remain in dark ally ways, and out of sight of many of the cameras. The trip out of the city was silent for the most part. Both men had lost his family earlier that day and Ash had lost two of his best friends. Each simply wanted to be alone in his thoughts. It wasn't long before the buildings began to become smaller, the traffic less. They had reached the outskirts of the city and the beginning of Route 9. Rock Tunnel was a day's walk from Cerulean, and they needed to get there as soon as possible. Ash and Gary were used to traveling long distances with little or no rest. They were careful to remain out of sight as often as possible; one never knew who was a Rocket agent. They walked the entire night and arrived at Rock Tunnel in the early hours of the morning. The sun was just beginning to rise and the world around them appeared to be a dull shade of gray. A light breeze rustled the trees and foliage that very near hid the entrance to the tunnel. Ash pushed the vegetation aside and entered, Gary following close behind. Although the entrance was small, forcing them to duck to enter, the opening immediately opened into a huge cavern, at least twenty feet in height. It was dark, making it almost impossible to see the many tunnels that were attached to the cavern. "Pikachu, use flash," Ash said. Although he spoke at a normal volume, his words echoed loudly off the large walls. Ash's bag shifted as Pikachu climbed from it and took his position on Ash's shoulder. The room was suddenly brightly illuminated by the light emanating from the little pokemon, allowing each stalactite and stalagmite to become fully visible. Ash looked around the familiar cavern, remembering the last time he and Gary had been there. Over two years ago, Giovanni had sent Ash and Gary on a mission to map out Rock Tunnel, from the main cavern to every hidden tunnel. They spent over a year wandering the vast number of passageways and underground caverns. They knew everything there was to know about Rock Tunnel, including where Bruno was currently hiding. When the Elite Four had refused to join Giovanni, he had placed a bounty upon their heads. They had taken their pokemon and fled, each going into hiding. Ash and Gary had stumbled upon Bruno's hiding place, a cavern deep inside Rock Tunnel. Needless to say, when Bruno saw two Team Rocket members enter his new abode, he did not welcome them with open arms. He had, in fact, charged at the two of them, and seeing a six foot man with more muscles than a machamp barreling at you was a slightly scary sight. Gary never was one to allow himself to be beaten to a pulp, which was why he had pulled his gun from it's holster and pointed it at Bruno. Although the large tanned man could probably pick up a train and throw it, the gun did the trick, stopping him in mid-run. Ash and Gary really had no intention of turning Bruno in. This was a man they had both grown up idolizing, each believing they would eventually beat him in a pokemon battle. After he realized they meant him no harm, Bruno was quite friendly. He had, after all, had no human contact in over a year. Ash and Gary had left Bruno with the promise not to reveal his location, and they hadn't. They even went so far as to not map out the cavern he was hiding in, nor the tunnels that led to it. The rustling of foliage and the murmur of voices caused Ash and Gary to turn towards the entrance. Ash could make out a bit of the newcomers' conversation. "How are we going to find him? These tunnels are like underground mazes." It was a female voice. A very familiar female voice. As they watched, a young woman ducked through the entrance, a long red braid trailing down her back. She was followed by another young woman, this one with black hair, pulled back by a red headband. Behind her came a tall man, pushing his brown hair from his eyes. Their banter stopped abruptly when they saw Ash and Gary standing in the center of the cavern. They were hard to miss, considering the only source of light in the cavern was emitting from them. They all remained silent for a moment before Misty said, "Ash, Gary. Pallet Town..." she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. "We know," Gary said softly. Brock, although he now believed Ash had been forced into Team Rocket, still wasn't sure where his loyalties lied, and he still didn't trust Gary. "What are you two doing here?" he asked suspiciously. Ash remained silent, not really wanting to become involved in a conversation. He was still hurting deeply from his last encounter with Brock. "We're looking for Bruno," Gary told him, not without bitterness in his voice. "To turn him in?" Misty asked. "No, to protect him. Team Rocket knows he's here," Gary said. "Oh, and how did they find out?" Brock said accusingly. "They *bugged* us," Gary snapped, tired of his snide attitude. "Why don't you get some facts before you go throwing around accusations?" "What are you going to do?" Brock sneered. "Shoot me?" Gary went to lunge for Brock, not wanting to shoot him, but to punch him into unconsciousness. Ash grabbed his arm, restraining him. "Knock it off, both of you," he said angrily. Everyone looked at him in surprise. He continued. "You're acting like children. Brock, you may think what you like about us, I doubt I could change your opinion." He was tired of Brock's superior attitude towards Gary and himself. "We did what we had to and, though I regret it, there is nothing I can do to change it. Right now we all have a common goal, to find Bruno before Team Rocket does." He turned and headed for the tunnel he knew would lead him to Bruno. Gary cast one more cold glance at Brock before following him. Erika watched them go, and the shadows began to settle around them the further Ash got from them, taking his light source with him. "You know," she said. "Pikachu is a much better light source than these flashlights." They each glanced down at the flashlights they all held. Misty looked at her, then at Brock, then she took initiative. "Ash!" she called. He turned and stared at her, his golden brown eyes boring into her blue ones. "Can we come with you?" she asked, slightly worried he would say no. He shrugged. "Fine." Misty and Erika ran to catch up with them, Brock following, but at a slower pace. The group walked in silence, venturing deep into the earth, each individual's footstep echoing off the stone walls. The tension between Ash, who led the group, and Brock, who was bringing up the rear, was thick. Misty was unused to having to be peacekeeper, that was always Brock's job. She spoke. "Erika, you said he was in one of the deeper caverns right?" Erika nodded and Misty looked around. "Ash, maybe we should take that tunnel," she said, pointing to her right at a tunnel that seemed to lead downward. Ash glanced at her over his shoulder. "Sure, if you want to end up a few thousand yards away from where Bruno is." "How can you be sure?" Erika asked. "He could be anywhere." "No," Gary intervened. "He could be exactly where he was the last time we saw him." "You saw Bruno and didn't turn him in?" Brock piped up, a hint of astonishment in his voice. Gary glared at him over his shoulder. "Yes, we evil villains did something good," he said, his voice dripping in sarcasm. Brock was about to comment when the ground began to shake. The group stopped walking, trying to remain balanced upon the rapidly shaking ground. Then the wall near Brock began to crack, starting with one thin crack which began to grow and spread, as cracks on glass often did. Realizing what was happening Ash dove, knocking Brock to the ground, just as a what appeared to be a large boulder burst through the rock wall. Rock and dust scattered all over the tunnel covering everyone. Ash and Brock struggled to their feet, now separated from the others by the boulder, which if one looked closely was actually a head. The head was attached to a long line of boulders, which formed to create a giant snakelike body. The onix wasn't completely out of the tunnel it had dug. It's head protruded from the hole, roaring and thrashing about wildly, nearly knocking Ash and Brock back off of their feet. Pikachu, who had leapt from Ash's shoulder when he dove to push Brock out of harms way, quickly climbed back up his master's pant leg and onto his shoulder once more. "What do we do?" Ash heard Brock ask over the onix's roars. "Stand up against the wall," Ash commanded him. "What?" Brock asked questioningly. "Just do it!" Ash called. Brock did what he was told, standing with his back against the rock wall. "Pikachu, use thunder shock, aim for it's eyes!" Pikachu hopped from Ash's shoulder and launched the attack in midair. Although it was Pikachu's weakest electric attack, the thundershock was powerful and hit the onix square in the eye. It roared in pain and rage and began to slither into the tunnel ready to chase the small yellow rodent that had nearly blinded it. Pikachu landed back on Ash's shoulder and Ash took off running, trying to stay ahead of the fast moving onix. Ash ran until the tunnel suddenly opened up into a large cavern. He skidded to a stop, gaining traction on the dirt floor and stopping right before he slid off a cliff. Ash was fortunate he remembered this cavern. The cliff was at least a hundred foot drop, right into an underground lake. He moved away from the tunnel entrance as the onix angrily tore through it. Unlike Ash, the onix was much bigger than him, and once its momentum had started, it was next to impossible to stop quickly. It slid right off the cliff and landed in the water below with a splash. Ash sighed with relief and leaned against the wall, allowing himself to catch his breath, Pikachu still on his shoulder. Pikachu's ears perked up and soon Ash's inferior ears could detect the sound of running coming from the tunnel. He watched as Brock darted from the tunnel entrance. Realizing he was about to fall off a cliff, he stopped abruptly, his boots sliding about a foot before they gained any traction on the ground. Brock quickly walked the rest of the way to the cliff and anxiously peered over. The onix was far below sitting in the water, which wasn't deep enough to cover it completely, roaring angrily. Upon seeing the onix thrashing around in the water, Brock cried, "Ash!" "What?" Ash answered from behind him. Brock whirled around to see Ash, leaning against the wall, his arms folded across his chest. A look of relief crossed Brock's features. "I thought you had fallen." Ash glared at him stonily, the brunt of his anger with him coming to a full boil. "Sorry to disappoint you. There's one more for your list." Brock's jaw dropped, surprised at the comment. The sudden arrival of Gary, Misty, and Ash, interrupted anything else that either man might have said. Gary strode to the edge of the cliff and looked approvingly at the roaring splashing figure that was the onix. He nodded, apparently impressed. "Original," he said, as he pulled his gaze from the rock pokemon. Mist and Erika noticed Ash's sudden angry countenance as he continued to glare at Brock. "Let's go," he said coldly. He pushed himself from the wall and headed back into the tunnel, looking for the passageway they had missed on the mad dash through the tunnel. The passageway that led to Bruno. A/N: I'm sorry that took so long. A slight case of writer's block and a large case of too much school work really held me up on this one. I received a review asking me why I don't inform people when I post new stories. I decided that if you would like me to email you when I post a new chapter or story just specify that in the review and leave your email address. As promised, I'm going to write the next chapter of Hidden in Plain Sight, meaning the next chapter of this could be a while. Sorry. Please keep in mind I have exams next week so not much writing will be accomplished. Thanks for sticking with me, please review.