This part was written by Red Hawk.  Part 6: Fallen Stars

Misty woke in her new room after a hard night's sleep. She knew there was a 
camera in here somewhere, but she just couldn't find it! She had spent most of 
her night, and day, searching for it frantically till she had collapsed in a fit 
of sobs and eventually cried self to sleep. Though, she knew the camera was just 
a distraction from what was really troubling her.
Seeing the way Ash had given it all up for her like that placed so much guilt on 
her. How could she have ever gotten him into this? Then, when she was brought 
her new uniform the other day, she had heard a rumor that chilled her. There was 
apparently a new plan about to take place for world domination. And somehow, Ash 
was at the top of it all.
Had he really fully joined them? And not just joined, but crossed over to become 
one of them? Had he really... She shuddered under this thought, Had he really 
gone and taken his 'rightful' place at his fathers side? 
She shuddered. Then the comm-unit on her wall beeped startling her out of her 
unhappy thoughts. She walked over to it and answered. "Yes?" A gruff voice 
barked out at her, "You have a summons from the Boss, report to Level 3, sector 
R7." She frowned, feeling that old feeling of stubbornness well up in her. "What 
if I chose not to?" "Then you will be taken care of... You have less then five 
minutes." It bleeped off.
A hand went up to her face where a dark scar in the shape of an R was. She took 
one last look around her room for the camera then gave up and left.
<><><><><><><><><><><>

The room was dark, and a little cold. How did those Tear Rocket girls do it all 
the time? Such short skirts! Well, the boots kinda helped, being as high as they 
are. Misty stepped in all the way quietly and looked around, eventually her eyes 
fell on the high throne. A figure half in darkness watched her.
"Nice of you to join us..." He looks at his watch briefly, but making it 
obvious. "That took ten minutes. Most would be killed at such a crime. And they 
are the lucky ones." She looked down a bit embarrassed. "I... I got lost..." 
Then her temper swelled up. "But it's not like I was given the grand tour of the 
place to begin with. Or a map." 
He seems to brush it aside. "Very well, but next time, I expect no delays." She 
noticed for the first time a second figure standing behind and off to the side 
of his throne. He was in shadow. 
She stared at the figure for a moment. Though it puzzled her why she was so 
interested in it. It was most likely a bodyguard or something. 'Important' 
people always had them. 
"Misty, it is time for your partner arrangements." He jumped right into the 
subject, ignoring her silent glares. "Partners?" She blinked in surprise. Why 
would they just let her out in the open like that and trust her? Without her, 
how could they hope to keep and control Ash? 
"This is Team Rocket. All agents are required to have a partner, especially on 
the field." He gestures off to the side and Suddenly Jessie, James, and Meowth 
step out of nowhere causing her to jump a little.
"Yeah Boss?" Meowth grinned up at him. Misty suddenly felt a bit of foreshadow. 
"Listen up. Due to recent events," He held his gaze on the trio for a moment 
longer then moved onto look at Misty. "We have some rearranging to do."
Jessie cast a quick look at Misty and caught her eyes. "But Boss..." "Silence! I 
did not ask you to speak!" "Sorry sir..." She looked down. "Jessie and Meowth, 
you will be placed as partners with Misty." James stepped forward. "But what 
about me? I'd prefer to remain with my partner that I've had for years, and 
know." 
Misty noticed how James had stressed prefer. He seemed to not want to leave 
Jessie. "Dually noted, but it seems you've been with them to long. You've gotten 
soft. Time for a... higher placement." James looked up confusedly. "With who 
then? Surely not..." Is cut off. 
"No, she already has an assignment. This is your new partner." He snaps his 
fingers and the figure behind him steps up. Misty felt her heart skip several 
beats. How can it be possible? NO! She wouldn't believe it! 
Ash stepped out into the light. "Don't worry James, I'm sure from what I hear 
about your past, we'll be just fine together." A quick glance at Jessie, James, 
and Meowth told her all she needed to know. This was as much a surprise to them 
as it was to her. 
"Ash! No! This is a mistake! You don't know what your doing!" She felt the tears 
swelling up in her again. She angrily pushed them back. "Do I Misty?" He 
laughed. "I've seen the grand scheme of things... If only you could to." She 
picked up a hidden meaning in it, but she was too frantic to catch it at that 
moment.
"Now, you may leave. You will be given your first orders later. My son and I 
have some things to discus." Misty found herself being led out by Jessie and 
Meowth. James leaned against the wall once outside. "Damn it... I'm sorry Jess." 
"It's okay. Maybe he'll see what a mistake this is, and we'll end up back 
together..." Misty received a glare full of hate. 

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>

She walked back in her room. "Oh Ash... How could you?" She moaned, and then 
kicked at a bookcase. Instantly a camera fell out of a hidden panel in it. She 
stared at it and it's simplicity, then laughed. The laughter turned to tears, 
and tears turned to utter despair. 
She flung herself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Then it hit her like 
a brick wall. The way he had looked at her, the way he had asked her to 
practically join him. He didn't want her to get hurt or be taken away! As long 
as they were close, they needed her! There was still hope... 
You're only kidding your self... Do you want to get hurt? He's one of them now. 
She found herself betraying it. She didn't know what to believe... but she had 
to find out what was going on, and try to stop it... 
A picture formed in her mind. BROCK! Where was Brock! Surely he'd be looking for 
them! Ash always listened to him! He was like a father to him! A true father...