Chapter 6

Sorry for those long delays. Here comes the 6^th chapter...

Before starting, let me tell it one more time, I don’t own any of these characters except Marlene and Veronica.

After Veronica’s attack, the kids returned to Pokémon Center. They all need some rest to get through the shock. Now they were in their rooms, resting and discussing the event.

Ash, Tai, Joe and Izzy were sharing a room, while Matt and TK stayed with Tracey and Brock, and the girls stayed in another room.

In the girls’ room, Sora and Kari were trying to calm Misty down. She was tranquil, in fact, but she was still shaking a bit. Mimi, who was very frightened, also, was taking a shower, singing at the same time.

“I love you baby, and if it’s…” Mimi’s voice was heard.

“She has a beautiful voice.” Misty commented.

“She does have.” Sora answered. And then shouted: “Who is it that you love, Mimi?” However, Mimi didn’t hear it and went on singing.

“You are very lucky.” Kari said to Misty.

“Yes, if it wasn’t for Ash, you could have been…” Sora added.

Misty lowered her head. “I know.” She said quietly. “He saved my life, huh?”

“He really did, I suppose.” Kari said.

At that point Mimi, who had got out of bathroom at that moment, interrupted. “You should have seen it, Misty.” She said. “It was very romantic… Everybody was worried for you, but mostly, Ash… He did not doubt a second to throw his pokéball and save you. You should have seen his face…”

A flash of light shined through Misty’s eyes for a second, which Sora didn’t fail to notice. “Are you serious?” she asked with excitement. “Was he really worried?”

“Oww, Misty, you should have seen it. It was like…” Mimi stopped to find some words to describe Ash’s attitude.

“Anyway.” Misty said abruptly. She had noticed Sora and Kari smiling slyly. “He saved me. And I’m fine now. That’s all that matters.” She said unimportantly.

“But you haven’t listened it all, yet!” Mimi said with excitement. “You fainted, and he was… I thought he was going to cry. He was just so upset… Misty, that boy does have some feelings other than friendship for you…”

Misty blushed, but she was glad at the same time. “Oh no, Mimi. He doesn’t. He’s my friend, my best friend, and that’s all…” Sora looked at her as though she was saying “Are you sure?”.

“No, come on, Misty.” Mimi continued. “You have some feelings for him, too. Don’t you?”

“Of course not!” Misty said angrily, but she calmed down quickly. “I mean, we’re friends, and that’s it. No other feelings…” And she added in a tone no one could hear “And, he likes someone else. He loves Sora…”

It was nearly the evening when TK woke up, saying, “Matt, I’m hungry…”.

“He’s right.” Tracey approved. “Me, too.”

“Let’s tell the others, then.” Matt said. He actually didn’t need to say this, because Brock had already gone and now he was knocking at the door of the room that Ash was staying in.

“What?” Ash said, sleepily.

“Let’s go and eat, Ash. We’re hungry.”

“Yes!” Tai shouted from behind. “Tell the others to be ready.”

Brock announced the girls to be ready, too.

In 15 minutes’ time, they were all walking on the street, looking for a restaurant. They had left their Digimon in their rooms with Pikachu ad Togepi, promising they would feed them when they come back.

They found a fast food restaurant and got in to eat. None of them noticed the three familiar faces sitting at another table. These were –of course- Jessie, James and Meowth. They weren’t following Ash this time –unbelievable! -, they were discussing the details of their plan.

“Hey Jessie!” James said. “Look who’s here…”

“The twerp…” Jessie murmured. “But Pikachu isn’t here…”

“Let’s attack them anyway.” James suggested. “And make them give their Pokémon and those strange creatures to us.”

“Yes!” Jessie stood up, but Meowth made her sit down.

“Meow, no! We won’t do anything.” He said.

“But why? It’s a big opportunity…” James opposed.

“No, our Pokémon shouldn’t get tired, otherwise we can’t succeed in our plan.”

“How do you know we’ll have to execute it tomorrow?”

“Jessie’s right. What if he decides to challenge Marlene two weeks after or something…”

“Meow, we’ll wait, then, but I feel we will not have to wait long. You know how impatient that boy is…”

“By the way…” James interrupted. “Are you sure that girl is going to help us? Veronica?”

“Why, of course.” Said Jessie. “Why shouldn’t she?”

“I don’t know. I don’t trust her. She is not a good person.” James answered.

“Of course, not, you fool. If she was, she would be our enemy…” Jessie said.

“Anyway, shut up, and let’s leave before they see us.” Meowth interrupted.

And TR left the restaurant without anybody noticing.

Ash and Misty didn’t talk to each other at all, but kept glancing at each other. “Could it be true?” Misty was thinking. “Can Mimi be right? Does Ash love me? But look, he doesn’t even talk to me. He doesn’t care…”

Ash’s thoughts weren’t different. “Does she have a problem? Why doesn’t she talk to me?” Anyway, he kept chatting with the others.

“You know what?” Ash said suddenly. “I think I’m ready.”

The others looked at Ash with questioning eyes.

“I’m going to challenge Marlene tomorrow.”

There was silence. Misty felt a wave of worry rising in her. She didn’t understand why, but she didn’t want Ash to fight tomorrow. She suddenly felt Ash might never end this battle. Something bad was about to happen…

“Are you sure?” Brock broke the silence finally. “I mean, are you really ready? You know what will happen if you lose 3 times…”

“I am ready, Brock. Don’t worry. It won’t be difficult.”

“Don’t be so confidant, Ash.” Misty said.

Ash turned to look at Misty.

“Here we go again…” Brock sighed.

“What? ‘So confidant?’ I’m not so confidant, Misty. I’m ready to challenge Marlene.”

“I don’t think you are.” Misty answered. “What have you done to improve yourself? Woke up early and did your usual practice. That’s all. Now can you tell me how did you get so prepared?”

“I know I didn’t do much, but I believe it is enough.”

“Really?” Misty said with contempt. She was trying to change Ash’s mind, although she knew how stubborn he was and how difficult it would be with this attitude of her.

“Yes. I say it again, it won’t be such a hard battle.” Ash said with self-confidence.

“Yes, sure. It was so easy that you lost in your first trial, right?” Misty said back. Ash bit clutched his fists to control his anger.

“Misty…” Tracey had raised his brows warningly.

“What?” Misty answered. “Isn’t it right? If he had been good enough, he would have beaten Marlene in his first challenge.”

“But Misty, don’t be so harsh. Team Rocket attacked during the match and all that…” Tracey tried to persuade her.

“Oh sure, just one electric shock made him lose, huh?”

Tai couldn’t stand the contemptuousness of Misty anymore. “If it was so easy, why didn’t you battle?” Tai asked Misty angrily.

“Shut up Tai.” said Misty, rather than answering. “If I was the one who wants to be a Pokémon Master, be sure that I would.”

“Don’t be so rude to Tai.” Ash said angrily.

“If he deserves it, I will.” Misty answered.

“Misty! Calm down a bit.” Brock interrupted.

“Why are you warning her, Brock? Don’t you know she’s always so offensive?” Ash silenced Brock.

“Oh, so you think I’m offensive, Mr. Pokémon Master? I’m not sorry for treating people the way they deserve.” Misty looked at Tai.

“Misty, you’re so…”

Misty didn’t let Tai finish his sentence. “Thank you Tai, but now mind your own business.”

Tai was preparing to answer Misty, when he felt Sora touch his arm and whisper, “Tai, stay out of this.” Tai felt his heart beating faster and he forgot what he was about to say. “And Misty, this is not the right place to argue…” she said to Misty.

“But Sora… Why are you all taking sides with Ash?” Misty was surprised.

“Because I’m right.” Ash said, smiling victoriously.

“Misty, Ash, nobody is taking sides with anyone. This argument has no point at all.” Tracey disrupted.

“No point?? I’m trying to warn Ash here, trying to prevent him from making a big mistake, and you say it has no point…”

“Thank you for your ‘considerate’ behavior Misty, but I will challenge Marlene tomorrow whatever you do.” Ash said.

“Go on then, go on and lose, let Marlene make those men attack you. She may even make a creature like the one who attacked us today eat you!” Although she didn’t show it, Misty thought that creature –whatever it was- hadn’t gone away.

Ash suddenly became serious. He remembered that he was about to lose Misty not too long ago, but that morning. “Do you think it was a Pokémon?”

“I don’t know, but whatever, she might throw you in the middle of those twisters.” Misty shook her head as if she wanted to get rid of such thoughts.

“Oh no, don’t talk about that…” Kari said pleadingly.

“We have to.” Izzy opposed. “We have to find what it was.”

“Oh Izzy, you’re so insensitive…” Mimi was supporting Kari. “I don’t want to hear any of the things that happened today. First, those strange writings on your computer, as though a gate was about to open, and then the twister, and now all these arguments…”

“What did you say?” Joe interrupted excitedly. Misty and Ash had stopped arguing, too. Everyone was listening to Mimi and Joe.

“I said, I don’t want to…”

“No, not that. First, the computer, and then the twister…” Joe looked at the others. They all looked back at him meaninglessly. It was Izzy who understood what Joe was saying.

“You mean… Were those writings a warning about that?”

“Maybe. Or maybe the approaching twister caused them. Or maybe those writings caused the twister…” Joe answered.

“Or maybe something else caused them both.” Matt completed.

“What?” Ash asked excitedly.

“I don’t know. But I think the Digiworld is in danger.” Matt answered. “And this world, too…”

“Somebody has bad plans for the two worlds…”

“No!” Mimi opposed. “This is just an assumption. I don’t think it’s true. I don’t think those writings were relevant to the twister…”

Everybody sighed.

“If only we could know…” Tai murmured.

When they were back at the Pokémon Center, everyone went to bed. Everyone was asleep, except Ash and Misty.

Ash was excited about his battle. He was also thinking the events of the day. Misty would usually oppose to everything he said and did, but not like this. This time, she really didn’t want him to challenge Marlene. Was she worrying that he might get hurt? And that storm at the beach, of course…

Misty’s thoughts were totally different. Why was she so uneasy? What was happening? Ash would always challenge people, and he usually wouldn’t succeed in his first trial. Why didn’t she want him to battle tomorrow? She was sensing danger around them…

Ash decided he could sleep after taking some fresh air, so he got up and listened for a while. Tai, Joe and Izzy and Pikachu and the Digimon were all dead to the world. Without a noise, he left the room, and was soon in the terrace of the Pokémon Center.

Misty tried to sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she was seeing ghosts, black ghosts, so she gave up in the end. She resolved that if she had some air, she would sleep better. Mimi, Kari and Sora were deep asleep, so she left the room without making any noise. When she was in the terrace, she noticed that she wasn’t alone.

Ash, who heard footsteps behind him turned around and saw Misty. Ash was wearing shorts and a t-shirt, and Misty was in her pajamas.

“Misty?” Ash asked quietly.

“Yes, it’s me.” Misty answered. “What are you doing here, Ash?” she had approached Ash by that time.

“Nothing.” Ash shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep. You know, the battle tomorrow…”

Misty sighed, but didn’t say anything. Ash looked at Misty. She looked very beautiful. If only she would… Was it the time? Should he ask now?

Misty was thinking nearly the same. Did he like her? He was just so cute…

“Misty? May I ask something?”

“Go on, Ash.” Misty smiled. Ash was glad it was dark; otherwise Misty would see him blushing. His hands were shaking, also. That smile…

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Misty answered confusedly.

‘Go on, Ash.’ Ash thought. ‘You must tell it now…’

“Misty, you know, I… I mean, you… Like, you know, err, we were talking, and…”

Misty was confused. ‘What is he trying to say?’ she thought.

“And, I thought. I mean, for a long time. Very long time… And what I want to say it…”

“Yes?”

‘Nerve…’ Ash thought. ‘Come on…’

“All right. I‘m going to tell it now.”

“Go on, Ash.” Misty giggled. He was very excited. His voice was shaking a bit. And he was speaking in a very gentle tone. He was so cute…

“Misty, I…” He feared Misty’s reaction. If there was no such thing… He suddenly changed his mind. “Well, would you mind telling me why you don’t want me to challenge Marlene tomorrow?”

Misty felt a wave of disappointment rise in her. But what was she expecting, anyway?

“Well, I told you, I don’t think you’re ready…”

“It’s not the reason, Misty. We’ve been traveling together for a long time, and I think I know you well. You wouldn’t act like this if you thought I was not ready.”

“Really?” Misty smiled. “What would I do, then?”

“You would offer help, give strategies, but would not tell me to give up…”

Misty smiled again. He did know her well. She decided to tell why she didn’t want him to fight.

“Well, you’re right. I’ll tell you. Ash, strange things have happened in these last few days. Children from another world have arrived, with weird creatures. And then strange forces attacked us. And I… I don’t know, but I don’t feel well. I feel worse is about to come. Bad things will happen soon. And if you do that battle tomorrow… I don’t know why, Ash, but I fear something terrible will happen to you. Something worse than you losing the battle…”

Ash looked into Misty’s eyes. Although it was dark, he could see the anxiety in her eyes. And he thought ‘She worries for me…”

“I see.” He said finally. “I understand your concern… But still, we have to move on. Wouldn’t it be better if I won my badge and we left this island as soon as possible?”

“I don’t know.” Misty said quietly. Her voice was full of uneasiness.

“Look, Misty.” Ash suddenly took Misty’s hands in his, and looked into Misty’s eyes. She did have beautiful eyes… This time it was Misty who was glad that her blushing was concealed by darkness. She looked at Ash. Ash continued. “I promise that nothing will happen to me. I will challenge Marlene tomorrow, I’ll win my badge, and we’ll leave all alive and well. All right?” He squeezed Misty’s hands.

“I think I know you well, Ash, too.” Misty answered. And as far as I know you, I know you always keep your promises. All right.”

There was silence for a few seconds. None of them moved. They looked into each other’s eyes, had in hand. It was Misty who got out of that daze first. She shook her head; Ash let go of her hands. They were both blushing.

“Well, then…” Misty stammered. “You’d better sleep well. You’ll have a hard day tomorrow.”

“All right.”

“And Ash, I’m sorry for being so rude to you today. But I was…”

“I understand.” Ash smiled.

“And thank you for saving my life.”

“You’re welcome.” Ash scratched his head. “Any time. Good night.”

“Good night.”

Ash went back to bed. Misty stood there for a while, then she too went to bed and made vain attempts to sleep.

Next day, after a quiet breakfast, Ash and co. were on their way to Lemon Island Gym once again. Ash was walking near Misty, and they were talking about things other than Ash’s battle.

Tai was surprised to see them talking without arguing or taunting each other. “I am really confused.” He said to Matt, walking near him. “One day they’re fighting, picking on each other, and the other day, they are…”

“Of course they will.” Mimi interrupted. “This is love, Tai… They hurt each other, because they love each other…”

‘Well, then.’ Tai thought to himself. ‘Then why I don’t feel like mocking Sora… I hate seeing her sorry, why should I make her sorry?’

“But of course, it’s not always so.” Mimi continued, as if she could read Tai’s mind. “Some people hurt the one they love, and some just can’t dare to confess it…” she sent a sly look at Sora, which Tai didn’t fail to notice, and smiled. “I’m sure you understand what I mean…”

Matt couldn’t help chuckling.

“What are you laughing at?” Tai asked them.

“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, I had a friend who matches with what Mimi says…” Matt answered. Tai looked down to hide himself blushing. (By the way, this event takes place before 02 episodes of Digimon start. That means Matt and Sora aren’t going together. Matt considers Sora just a friend. Nothing more than a good friend…J)

“Good for you.” He answered. Both Mimi and Matt burst into laughter.

“Hey, what are you laughing at?” Sora asked them.

“Oh, nothing.” Mimi answered. Matt was telling us about a friend. Sora had a puzzled expression. “Anyway.” Said Mimi.

Little they knew was that they were being followed.

“See?” Meowth was telling Jessie and James. “I told you. This twerp will challenge the leader today...”

“And we can execute our plan...” Jessie completed.

“Fine.” Said James. Yet, he was a bit anxious, which Meowth and Jessie could easily notice.

“What’s wrong with you, James?” Meowth asked.

“Yes James, why have you been so glum since morning?” Jessie supported Meowth.

“I don’t know.” James shrugged. “It’s just... Veronica...”

“Veronica what?” Jessie asked angrily. She was jealous.

“That girl must have really impressed you, James.” Meowth commented.

“I don’t know. I feel...”

Jessie was really jealous this time. She smacked James with her paper fan. “You fool, it’s not time to talk about your love affairs now!”

“But Jessie, I don’ lo...” He was hit by the fan again, so he decided to shut up. Yet, he thought, ‘If only she would listen to me once. I just...’

Then they heard a familiar voice behind them. “Very well... My dear allies how are you today?”

“Veronica!” Meowth saluted her. “How are you?”

“Fine, dear kitty. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” They answered in unison.

Veronica looked at each of them intently. When she looked at James, James felt a sharp pain in his head. Suddenly some images appeared in front of his eyes. Bright lights. Shadows. People running. Screams. Blasts. (Like Harry Potter, huh? Oh, Voldemort…J)

“James? Hey James?”

“Oww…”

Meowth’s scratches got James out of his trance. “Hey, what’s wrong with you?” he asked Meowth angrily.

“Meow, something is wrong with you, James. What have you been thinking?”

“N-nothing. I just… Anyway.” James shrugged. Veronica studied him from head to toe with doubtfully.

“I think he’s losing his mind.” Meowth whispered to Jessie.

“No, I don’t think so.” Jessie answered. “He had already lost it. He’s trying to find ways hide it nowadays.”

“Quiet!” Veronica silenced them.

Meanwhile, Ash and co. had approached the gym. Suddenly, Kari felt the ground under her feet shake. She looked around; others seemed to have noticed nothing. Her dizziness increased. There were images flowing in front of her eyes. Blasts. Lights. A shadow…

She felt she would collapse. All she could say was: “Tai…” At the same time, TK, Patamon and Gatamon, who were walking near Kari, screamed with fear. “Tai! Kari’s…”

Tai ran towards them just in time to hold Kari before she hit the ground. He realized his sister was shaking.

“Kari, what’s happening?” he asked considerately. The other members of the group had gathered around them. Kari murmured some words nobody understood. “Open your eyes, Kari. What’s the problem?” Tai asked again, with a gentle voice.

Misty was surprised to see Tai acting so sensitively. “I can’t believe this is Tai.” She whispered to Sora.

“Well, I told you. He’s not a bad guy. Once you get to know him, he’s always like this…” Sora said dreamily.

‘Just like Ash.’ Misty thought. ‘He too, seems to be dense. But inside…”

TK had begun to cry, Matt was trying to soothe him. Then, slowly, Kari opened her eyes.

“Kari!” Tai shouted.

“Tai… Did you feel it, too?” Kari said softly.

“Feel what?” Tai asked.

“The earthquake…”

“Earthquake?” Joe interrupted. “There was no earthquake.”

“Are you OK?” Gatamon asked.

“Yes, I guess. Suddenly I felt the ground shake. And I lost my balance…”

“This is so strange.” Agumon commented.

“Do you want to go back to the Pokémon Center?” Palmon asked.

“Yes, you don’t need to stay here if you don’t want to.” Ash added. Then he turned to the others and continued: “Guys, you may all go back, if you want. I can battle alone…”

“Pika!” Pikachu corrected. “Pika pika chu!” It was trying to say “You’re not alone, Ash. I’m with you.”

“Yeah! Right. See? So maybe you’d better all go back to the Pokémon Center.” He looked at Tracey, Brock and Misty’s direction. “You, too.” He could hardly prevent saying this in an unwilling tone.

Kari’s collapse had caused Ash to remember what Misty had said the previous night. He thought she might be right, so he wanted the others to stay back from danger. Yet, he was determent to go and challenge Marlene that day.

The kids exchanged glances. Then it was Misty, who spoke first. “Well, Mr. Pokémon Master, I have been with you during all your matches, and I’m not willing to miss this one.” She said jokingly, blushing a little.

“But Misty!” Ash opposed. “You said, yesterday, you sense…”

Misty hushed him by lifting her hand. “Whatever… I won’t leave you alone this time either.” Ash smiled.

“Prii… Toge!” Togepi agreed.

“As for me…” Tracey spoke. “I will watch you also. I want to witness you completing your badges and going to the League…”

“You can’t go anywhere without me, Ketchum.” Brock spoke this time. “I have left you for a long time, and I won’t let it get longer. Besides,” that love struck expression appeared on his face again “I can’t miss Marlene”. Everyone laughed.

Kari had got to her feet. “I’m fine.” She said. “I don’t want to go back.”

“None of us want to.” Matt spoke for the Digimon group.

“Now Ash, go on, and show us how to battle!” Tai shouted. So they continued to walk.

“But Misty…” Ash whispered to her. “What about the danger you feel?”

“Whatever it is, Ash.” Misty answered, “I won’t let you walk into it alone. Get it?” Ash smiled. He knew he could trust Misty.

Veronica was worried to see Kari collapse. “Why?” she thought. “Could she be… No, don’t tell anything. Don’t… ” Upon seeing her get up, she was relieved. Silently, they kept following Ash and the group.

Ash didn’t need to introduce himself when he arrived at the gym. The guards recognized him at once, an asked: “Mr. Ketchum? Are you here to challenge Ms. Marlene again?”

“Definitely.” Ash answered.

“All right, then. Follow me, please.” Another guard said. The rest of the group was taken to tribunes again.

“Good luck.” Misty whispered, before Ash left.

“They are in.” Meowth said.

“Yes. Get ready.” Veronica ordered.

Minutes later, Ash was standing, in the middle of the dark gymnasium, with Pikachu on his side. “Marlene?” he shouted. “I’m here again, Ash Ketchum! I’m here to get that badge this time!”

Kari still had some headache; she was trying hard to hide it from others. Misty wasn’t feeling well either; she had clutched her fists. The evil was somewhere near…

Suddenly all lamps lighted. Once again, from the shadows, Marlene appeared. “Welcome back, dear.” She said. “Nice to meet you again… You want another battle, right?”

“I do.” Ash answered.

“Very well. But be careful, this is your second chance… You know you won’t be treated as nice as you had been, if you lose for the third time…”

“It won’t be necessary.” Ash answered. “Because I’m going to win this time.” ‘And leave this island as soon as possible.’ He thought. ‘I must win for Misty…’

“We’ll see.” Marlene said. And she got out of shadows.

Brock gazed at her with that silly expression. Marlene wasn’t wearing her pinstriped mafia costume. This time, she was wearing a white dress, with flowers on it. She had flowers in her hair also. This was a dress worn commonly in Lemon Island.

“Nice dress.” Mimi remarked.

“Thank you. And welcome.” Marlene said to the spectators. And she turned to Ash. “Shall we start?”

“Of course.” Ash said impatiently.

“OK. Which kind?” Marlene asked.

“Grass.” Ash replied.

“As you wish.”

The floor and the back of the gym parted again, and a garden appeared.

“It will be different this time.” Marlene began to explain. “You see the tree over there, dear?” she was pointing at a tree standing in the corner she had come from. “It is a simple apple tree. But it is protected by many Pokémon. The task is simple: Our Pokémon will try to pick up as much fruit as they can, in 5 minutes, when the other Pokémon will try to protect the tree. The protectors are not my Pokémon; I even don’t know what kind of Pokémon there is, so we’re equal. OK?”

“OK.” Ash said.

“Choose your Pokémon.”

Ash thought for a second. Bulbasaur or Chikorita? He decided to use his old loyal friend. “Bulbasaur, I choose you!” he shouted, as he threw his Pokéball.

“Bulbasaur? Good choice. And I choose… You, Scyther…”

“Wow, Scyther!” Tracey shouted. Everyone was excited.

“Strange creatures, those Pokémon.” Tentomon told Gabumon.

“Who’ll go?” Marlene asked.

“Ladies first.” Ash answered.

“You’re so kind, dear…Get ready, Scyther…”

One of the guards set the time. “5, 4, 3, 2, 1, GO!”

Togepi was so excited she was jumping up and down on Misty’s lap.

Scyther was using his attacks to pick up the apples. Suddenly a Butterfree appeared and sent pollens on it, but Scyther avoided the attack by spinning fast.

“Great job, Scyther!” Marlene shouted.

“You’re great, too…” Brock told. Marlene didn’t hear, but the spectators did.

“Brock, how can you still think about girls when there’s an exciting battle going on?” Matt asked.

“It’s a talent, Matt.” Brock answered. And he shouted “Don’t worry Ash, You’ll do even better!” Ash waved his hand.

“17, 18…”

“Last 30 seconds!” the guard shouted. “3-2-1…Stop!”

The wild Pokémon hid behind the bushes or branches.

“Scyther has picked up 22 apples!” another guard announced.

“Great job, Scyther!” Marlene petted her Pokémon. “It’s your turn, Ash, dear…”

Ash walked towards the garden. “Get ready, Bulbasaur!”

“Bulba!”

“You can do it, Ash!” the watchers shouted in unison.

Outside, TR and Veronica were revising the details of their plan.

“Get whatever you want, but don’t touch the children!” Veronica ordered for the last time.

“All right. You can be sure no one will be hurt.” Jessie assured her.

‘Who said I don’t want anybody to get hurt?’ Veronica thought, and laughed devilishly.

“3-2-1-GO!”

“Bulbasaur, razor leaves, now!” And a Bellossom appeared. “Avoid her smell, Bulbasaur, vine whip!”

“Not bad.” Veronica said.

Kari couldn’t stand the pain any more. She got up.

“What’s wrong, Kari?” Sora asked.

“Nothing. I’m just… Excited.” Kari tried to smile.

“Great job, Ash!” Tracey shouted.

“You will get the badge this time!” Izzy said.

“20… 3 more, Bulbasaur… Hold on! A Gloom…” Piyomon exclaimed.

“Now Bulbasaur, razor leaves again!” And 4 more apples fell on the ground.

“24!” the guard shouted. “Ash Ketchum wins this round!”

“Pika/Toge/Bulba!”

“You’re great, Bulbasaur…” Ash shouted. Mimi clapped her hands with excitement.

Misty was sweating; she was feeling the evil was near. Kari, too, suddenly screamed because of her pain. Ash and Marlene looked at them. At that moment, the walls opposite to the watchers collapsed, and three shadows appeared. They were standing on a jeep.

“Prepare for trouble!”

“Make it double…”

“To protect the world from devastation”

“To unite all peoples within our nation”

“To denounce the evils of truth and love.”

“To extend our reach to the stars above.”

“Jessie!”

“James!”

“Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light.”

“Surrender now, or prepare to fight.”

“Meowth! That’s right!”

“No not this again…” Brock muttered.

“Won’t you ever give up?” Ash shouted. “Don’t you see? We’re having a match here.”

“Of course we see it, twerp.” Jessie answered. “And we’re here to ruin your match.”

“And get those strange Pokémon!” Meowth completed, pointing at the Digimon.

“They’re Digimon, not Pokémon!” Mimi shouted at Meowth. Meowth sweat dropped.

“You’re not stealing anything. You’re leaving now. Pikachu, Thunder shock!” Ash ordered.

Just as Pikachu was about to jump, another dark silhouette appeared. She made Pikachu stop by just lifting her hand. “Hold there, little mouse…”

Kari’s head wasn’t aching any more. She was thinking she knew this voice. Misty felt what she was afraid of had come.

“Who are you?” Ash asked her. “A new member of Team Rocket?”

“Me? A member of TR? How insulting…” the lady answered.

“Insulting?” Jessie looked at her angrily.

“I know you…” Marlene stammered. “Y-You’re… Veronica!”

“Congratulations, dear,” Veronica got out of shadows.

“Why are you here?” Marlene asked. Ash could notice her nervousness.

“I’m here to help my new allies.” Veronica answered. “Help them get the Pokémon and Digimon. And to execute my own plan, of course.”

“You can’t steal anything!” Tai shouted.

“Let’s see.” Veronica laughed.

“Arboc, go!”

“Weezing!”

“Go, Pikachu, Bulbasaur!”

Another battle began. Soon, Marlene, Tracey, Brock and Misty joined the battle with Scyther, Venonat, Zubat and Staryu. The Digimon evolved, too. Veronica was just watching.

“Won’t you help us?” Meowth asked, attacking Greymon at the same time. Veronica grinned.

Slowly, she walked to the middle of the gym, where the battle was going on. The battle stopped as she walked. She then stopped in the middle of the gym. “And now…” she said. “It’s time!” Marlene understood what she was about to do, and tried to stop her, but soon was fainted by a blast sent by Veronica. “No one can stand in my way!” she yelled.

Suddenly, a black hole appeared in mid air. It got larger and larger.

“What is this?” TK shouted.

“You’ll soon learn well.” Veronica answered.

The hole was pulling the children towards it. Almost unconsciously, they approached the hole. The Digimon were trying to hold them back, but it was no use. The hole took Ash in, first.

“No, Ash!” Misty ran after him with Pikachu. They were in the hole now. Then the hole took the others in, also. All kids were gone.

“Now, you can get these Digimon.” Veronica told Jessie, James and Meowth.

Jessie, shocked at what she saw, asked: “But what happened to them?”

“Don’t worry about them.” Veronica answered. “They’ll be fine. They’re mine.”

“OK.” Meowth ran towards the Digimon.

“No!” Greymon shouted.

“Let’s follow them!” Garurumon said. Greymon sent a blast of fire, which busied Jessie and James for a few seconds. The Digimon entered the hole. They were gone, before TR could catch them. Veronica was gone, too.

“Oh, no!” Jessie swore. “We’ve missed them! They’re gone.”

“They’re in trouble.” James said, looking at the hole. The hole shrunk, and disappeared.

“What do you mean?” Meowth asked him.

“I don’ know, but I have a feeling saying that Veronica will not be nice to them.”

“Where’s Veronica?” Jessie asked. “She’s gone! She got what she wanted, and we have… Nothing!”

Marlene woke up by that time. “Veronica…” she said in a faint voice. Jessie, James and Meowth ran towards her. She was still on the ground, trying to get up. “Stop her! She’ll… She’s… Poor kids… Oh dear!” and she started crying.

“Hey girl, what’s wrong with you?” Jessie asked her.

Ash and co. was standing in a dark place, a stone ground. There was emptiness around them. The Digimon had arrived also. They had returned to their normal shapes.

“Where are we?” Joe asked.

“I don’t know.” Izzy answered. He looked at his computer; writings were flowing across the screen. “I am sure now.” He said. “The writings had something to the with that Veronica.”

“This means it was her who caused the twister…” Sora continued.

Children looked at each other.

“So what, now?” Brock asked.

“Hey, look!” Tai shouted. He pointed at somewhere in front of him. “There’s a bridge. Let’s go!” He ran to the bridge.

“Wait!” Sora tried to warn him. “This bridge doesn’t look safe…” It was too late. Reckless Tai was on the bridge, trying to go to the other side. Soon, they were all following Tai. Suddenly, they felt the woods beneath their feet crack. The bridge was shaking dangerously. And it collapsed.

“No!” The kids and the Digimon and Pikachu and Togepi fell down, before they could hold on. They fell a long way.

Sora opened her eyes. She felt the floor beneath her. Where was she now? At the bottom of the hole. What about the others? “Guys, are you ok?” she asked.

“Oww, my head…” It was Brock.

“Where are we?” This was Mimi.

“Matt…” it was TK.

“Are you ok?” Sora asked them.

“Yes.” They answered.

“TK, Mimi, Brock… What about the others? Where are they?” Sora continued. Silence.

“Oh no!” Mimi shouted. “They are dead! And we are…” TK began to cry.

“Don’t despair.” Brock said. It was dark, he couldn’t see anything, but he searched the ground with his hands. He stopped when he hit a wall. “We’re in a room.” Brock said. “There are walls… And nobody else.”

“Where’s Matt?” TK asked.

‘And what about Tai?’ Sora thought silently.

Suddenly, the room was illuminated. Sora, Brock, Mimi and TK were shocked at what they saw. They were in a room, which had at least 20 walls, all covered with mirrors. The floor and the top were covered with mirrors also.

Tracey, Misty, Matt and Tai woke up alone. They had been lying in a corridor, with stonewalls. The road parted into two or three. Then another corridor, dead end…

“It’s a maze.” Misty thought. The others had understood were they were, also.

“Can you hear me?” Misty heard Tracey shout. “Is there any one?”

“Tracey! I’m here, Misty!” she answered. She heard Matt and Tai answer, also.

“Where are the others?” Tracey said.

“Kari!”

“TK!”

‘And Ash!’ Misty thought. ‘What happened to Ash?’

‘Is Sora all right?’ Tai was thinking.

Kari, Izzy, Ash and Joe were woken up by the sound of waves. They were surprised to find out that they were laying on a beach. They were in a small island, which was only as large as a small garden.

“Where are the others?” Ash asked.

“Are they all right?” Kari asked, worriedly.

“Look at this!” Izzy shouted. He was pointing at a canvas. There were lines and dots everywhere, black and white.

‘Where’s Misty?’ Ash thought.

Well, that’s it. It’s the longest chapter so far, huh? If you want to send feedbacks, the address is lucky_sans@hotmail.com . Thanks for reading!!