Chapter 5!

Hopes that whatever stupid bug is plaguing my MS Word is now gone…

Lance x Tabitha is one-sided if that weren’t evident.

Chapter 5

“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing, Misty? We really don’t have proof-.” Gary offered, but was silenced with a glare.

“Look, do you think Suicune would lie to me? Besides, I doubt Lance is dead, even with those fancy tricks…”

“I meant no disrespect…”

“Then shut it! I don’t’ have time now. Sorry, Ash, but you’ll have to battle now.”

Ash gulped, but inwardly, he was almost excited. Finally, a chance to battle…

He didn’t care much for the context, really…

Behind the three on Zapdos, Pryce rode on Articuno… and Morty and Sabrina followed on Moltres.

The three legendary cats waited in their Master Balls.

“So you do know where Team Aqua’s base is, right?” Ash asked.

“Of course. Sabrina has all your memories. She’s giving the directions.”

Ash gaped. “Why-what?”

“Well, come on, we had to make sure that you weren’t a spy.”

“But that’s invasion of privacy!”

“Big deal. In war, sacrifices have to be made.”

Ash cast an uncomfortable look at Gary, who shrugged. Apparently he was used to this game scheme…

Too soon, they arrived at the training facility.

< Misty, I don’t think he’s here… > Sabrina finally spoke. < I feel no trace of his presence. There’s nothing here but a lot of Grunts and some instructors. This is not their main base… >

“Lance might have learned how to shield. After all, Mew knows how long he was plotting this.”

< However, > Morty interrupted, < There are no dragon pokémon auras. Surely he could not hide their presences, as that would be beyond his skill level…? >

“Lance uses dragons?” Ash inquired.

Gary snorted. “Yes. Gyarados. Kingdra, and two Dragonair… so he was still within Team Aqua’s jurisdiction to use those.”

“Now, now, don’t squabble.” Pryce smiled. “I’m sure my Piloswine and Dewgong can take care of them.”

Misty nodded. “Well, I suppose just storming in isn’t an answer. Sabrina, how many can you hide?”

< Working together, Morty and I could sneak our small group in. Was it wise for us to all come? What if it is a trap? >

“I’d know, of course. The legendaries would warn me.” Misty smiled thinly. “Are you questioning my orders?”

< Of course not Misty. >

Sabrina and Morty cloaked the group in shadows as they made their way through the corridors, unseen. They saw several classrooms where discussion on pokemon battling techniques were taking place, and a healing Center staffed by a tired-looking old woman with white hair…

Down the stairs, were several levels of research facilities, but those were for later.

< Hold on. >

“What is it, Morty? Did you sense something?”

< Kyogre… Kyogre was here very recently… >

“Figures. I never knew Team Aqua had Kyogre in their possession, but… it is to be expected after all.” Pryce nodded.

< How else would they be able to summon it so quickly? >

“Point taken…”

Ash hid behind Misty as they finally made their way to a large oaken door set with gold and blue symbols.

“Do you recognize this?”

“This is… this is Archie’s office. I’ve only been here once.”

“Hm, that makes sense.” Misty grinned. “So he ought to be here. I wonder why we haven’t found any guards?”

“Overconfidence, maybe?” Pryce suggested.

“Well, let’s see.” Gary said, as they pushed the doors open.

A young woman with dark red wavy hair underneath a blue bandanna slept deeply, her head pillowed over bare arms. Six poke balls adorned her belt, and her bearing indicated that she was no mere Grunt.

“Do you recognize her?”

“I can guess.” Misty grinned. “She’s either Tabitha or Isabelle. One of Team Aqua’s three executives…”

“So it’s a good thing we found her?”

“Oh yes… Gary, if you would?”

The young man stepped forwards, and a quick whispered command later, she was paralyzed. His Nidoking and Nidoqueen stood protectively by while he searched her.

“Key card, wallet, poke balls… nothing else really of importance.” He smiled. “With this little baby, we can get into anywhere on this base.”

“Well, that’s good.” Pryce put in. “Now what to do with her?”

“Prisoner I suppose. She’s high ranked enough, but there’s no time for Sabrina or Morty to steal her memories.”

“You…you can steal memories?”

< We didn’t steal yours. > Morty reassured Ash.

“But even if you did, I wouldn’t know!”

< Regrettably, that is quite true. You’ll just have to trust us >

Ash swallowed, but nodded. Yes. He’d have to trust them…

“I believe, Morty, that now she is your problem. I trust you can take care of her on your own.”

< If I leave, Sabrina can only shield two people. >

“That shall be enough. Take her back to base.”

< Yes, Misty… >

He picked up the paralyzed woman as he teleported. * Foolish, Misty. You are foolish. You abuse your power recklessly. Without it, you have nothing. I cannot wait until he takes back what is rightfully his… *

Instead of making friends, Misty had several enemies within her Council, but they hid it well. They would wait until she was exposed as a fraud.

Sabrina sent a quick prayer to Honou for Morty, and then turned to Misty. “Now what?”

“How many can you teleport at once?”

< Why… our entire group, but I will be no longer able to shield afterwards. >

“Then find Lance’s aura, and then take us to him.”

< I shall try my best… >

Ash felt quite uncomfortable. This seemed like fighting dirty, but… well, he’d have to adapt, right? Surely Misty was right…

After all, if she had the legendary pokemon… she had to be right, right?

Sabrina settled into a meditative trance for almost half an hour, before her eyes cleared of red and she spoke softly.

< He’s not here. He’s at Mount Pyre. >

“It’s time for a battle then.” Gary stated.

< I’m afraid so. >

“Let’s do it.” Misty touched her Master balls protectively. Of course the legendary pokemon would protect her!

This would just be a quick battle and then she’d capture Kyogre and save the world from this flood!

End Chapter

Completed 5/23/05

Ash: I’m an idiot

Phantomness: Don’t worry my dear muse! You’ll get over it!

Lance: *sighs*