Disclaimer: Don't own pokemon! A/N: Well, here's chapter 3! By the way, thanks to everyone who reviewed 'School Days.' I really appreciated it. I just hope this fic meets everyone's expectations. Chapter 3 The Plan Revealed A cold night chill rushed throughout the corridors of the Team Rocket Headquarters as Ash and Pikachu walked to Misty and Brock's holding room. Slowly, he opened the door and found the rocket member taunting the young girl. "Hey! Leave her alone!" Yelled Brock through the bars of his cell. "Oh, shut up!" Hissed the rocket. "Come on over here, sweetie. I'll show you a good time." He smiled seductively as he looked in Misty's direction. Misty was curled up in the far corner of the cell, hugging her knees to her chest and looking down at the floor. "That's enough." Ordered Ash as the rocket abruptly turned around. He straightened himself out and stood, saluting, the elite. "Sir! I-I didn't know you had returned." Stammered the rocket. "Obviously." Stated the elite, who was looking in Misty's direction. Misty, on the other hand, was looking at the scene that was taking place from the corner of her eye. "Are you okay?" Whispered Brock. Misty nodded in response but kept her eyes on the elite and the rocket member. "You're dismissed." Sighed Ash disapprovingly. "Y-Yes, Sir." Bowed the rocket member as he exited the room. Ash shook his head in frustration as he took a seat next to the two cells. "Pikachu, pikapi?" Asked the electric pokemon. "I'm fine, Pikachu. Just stressed out." Explained Ash as he petted his friend. Ash looked over at the young girl in the jail cell and smiled. "So, you know our leader, Giovanni?" Asked Ash. Misty kept her gaze to the ground as the elite spoke to her. She didn't want to talk about anything to do with him. Every time she would hear his name, a combination of anger and pain surged throughout her body. "Not talking then?" Inquired Ash. "Fine. What about you? Do you have any connection with our boss?" He asked, directing his question towards Brock. Brock, in response, shook his head. "What are you going to do with us?" Ash smirked at him and stood up. "What is it that you all have in common? You, her, Surge, Sabrina, Koga, Blaine, Erika…" "Our gyms." Replied Brock. "Very good. Now, what makes a gym operate? Besides the fact that you need a gym leader." Asked Ash. Brock thought for a moment and went through the possible solutions in his head. "Money…" Ash and Brock looked to Misty, who had been quiet the whole time. "Exactly." Smiled Ash. "But why would you do all of this just for money?" Asked Brock. "Why not?" Shrugged the elite. "Once we take control of your gyms, we will be the most feared organization in the world." "How do we play a part in this?" Brock inquired. "You're gym leaders, aren't you? Well, in order for us to be successful with our plans, we need to get rid of all of you first. Then, since none of you will be returning to your gyms alive, we'll take them over." Explained Ash. "You'll never get away with this!" Yelled Brock. "Oh, yes we will." Countered Ash. "But don't you think someone's going to notice that all of the gym leaders are gone?" Questioned Brock. "Of course, but no one's going to suspect that we're responsible. No one knows where our base is. And besides, people on the streets already think that Team Magma and Team Aqua are responsible. We're in the clear." Stated Ash confidently. "You're sick." Brock spat out. "Maybe, but I'm not the one in the cage, am I?" Taunted Ash. Ash's gaze then reverted back to Misty. "What's wrong with this one?" Ash asked. "What do you think is wrong with her?!" Screamed Brock. "We're locked up in Team Rocket Headquarters and we're all going to die." "I suppose you have a point there." Smiled Ash. "Pikachu!" Nodded the pokemon. "Well, you two had better get a good night's sleep. I'll be here keeping watch, so don't even think about trying anything on me, got it?" Warned Ash. Brock nodded and sighed, wondering how they would ever get out of this situation. "Hey Ash, its Matt." Said the small device attached to Ash's collar. "Go ahead, Matt." Responded Ash. "I just got word that the boss wants to start eliminating them tomorrow…starting with Sabrina, of course." Informed Matt on the other end. "Okay, I'll be there first thing tomorrow to help you out with her execution." Smiled Ash. "Okay, thanks. Over and out." Announced Matt as the device turned off. "You're going to kill Sabrina…" Whispered Misty, not believing what was happening. "Well, to be truthful with you, I've never actually killed anyone. I just help my squad with restraining the prisoners." Explained Ash. "You've never actually killed anyone before?" Questioned Misty. Ash shook his head. "Nope, I'm not too partial to seeing blood spilling out of someone." He laughed. "Then who actually does it?" She asked. "It depends on who's on duty." He explained, giving her a questioning look. "I'm glad you finally decided to talk to me." Upon hearing this, Misty turned away and continued to stare at the ground. Ash, on the other hand, just smiled. "Don't worry. It'll all be over before you know it, I promise." Smiled Ash, who was looking at the girl. "I'm not afraid of dying." Whispered Misty in a coarse voice. "What was that?" He asked, staring intently at the young girl. "I'm not afraid of dying." She repeated. Ash looked at her as a million thoughts floated through his mind. 'Not afraid of dying?' He asked himself. 'Well, there's a first. She's brave, I'll give her that.' "You're very brave. You'd make an excellent Team Rocket member." Commented Ash. "Forget it." Misty started. "I guess courage runs in my family." "I see." Nodded Ash. "So, if I may inquire, where is your family now?" "Dead…" Replied Misty coldly. "Killed by whom?" Inquired Ash. "Look, can't you see she's been through enough? You've already won, there's no need to probe any further." Said Brock. "I apolo--" "Your leader…" Misty interrupted. "Excuse me?" Asked Ash, looking in her direction. "That sick bastard you call a leader killed my mother, my father, and my three sisters." She explained, flashing him a look that the young elite had never seen in anyone before. Her eyes told him of the pain that she had endured throughout her life. "I'm sorry about that." Apologized the elite. "But I'm sure our boss had good reason to-" "He had no right to kill my family!" Screamed Misty, tears in her eyes. "He left me with nothing…no family…nothing…" The elite continued to stare at the young girl as she wiped away her few tears. He sighed and then shook his head. "Look, Ms. Waterflower, I really am sorry about what happened to your family." Sighed the elite. "But what had to be done, had to be done." Misty looked at the elite, but said nothing. He looked back at her, trying to figure out what exactly she was thinking. 'Its like she's trying to see through me.' He thought as he broke eye contact. Trying to change the subject, Ash flipped through the prisoner's papers and stopped at Misty's profile. "So, your 23?" Asked Ash. Misty just nodded in response. "You know, you're the youngest gym leader in Kanto." Announced Ash. "I know." She whispered. "Hey, don't get any sick ideas pal!" Warned Brock. "I wouldn't dream of it." Smiled Ash, directing his gaze back at Misty. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm the youngest Team Rocket member here. I'm only 24." "You're 24?" Questioned Brock. "Why? Were you expecting me to be older?" Laughed Ash. "Well, yeah. You are a part of Team Rocket…and an elite at that." Said Brock. "What can I say? I started young." He smiled. "Well, that's enough talk for tonight. I suggest you two get some sleep. Like I said before, there's still a lot to do before your big day." Brock shook his head in disgust and tried to get comfortable on the cold stone ground. Misty, however, stayed in her corner and continued to stare at the ground, her arms folded across her chest. Ash noticed this and looked at her. "Hmm…" 'There's something about that girl that I quite can't put my finger on. It's like she's accepting what's going to happen and yet, she hasn't given in. I'll have to keep a close eye on her.' Thought Ash as he made himself comfortable in his chair. After telling Pikachu to keep watch for the first few hours, Ash drifted off in to a deep sleep. Misty, however, looked out of the tiny window in her cell. She saw the moon in all its splendor, showered by the stars that sparkled like diamonds. At that moment she was praying that somehow, someway, she would get out of this alive. A/N: Okay, there's chapter 3! Sorry it was kind of short but I hope it was all to your liking anyway. Now, go review!