Heh! Another chapter!

Red = Ash

Chapter 3

 

            That night, Red lay on his bed, frowning. He was not quite sure what to think. Firstly, he was now stuck in Team Rocket whether he liked it or not. He had lost the bet and the battle, and as much as it irked him, he was a pokemon trainer of his word.

            Secondly, Lance was being awfully nice. Just like an older brother… and if it were an act, he was a really good actor.

            Thirdly, there was a lot of proof, solid, tangible stuff. Red knew he didn’t remember anything before age four. However, he had never expected that it had happened because he had been the heir to Team Rocket and gotten abducted and brainwashed. That was not a happy thought.

            Finally, he was tired and all this thinking was giving him a headache. With that in mind, he added to the kitchen for some food.

 

            “Chocolate’s in the third shelf the left, along with the hot chocolate, passion fruit and lemonade mixes.”

            Red froze. “How did you know…?”

            “Older brother, remember?” He shrugged. “Enjoy.”

            Red frowned, and, just to spite Lance, made himself a cup of hot ginger root tea instead. Two seconds later, he was gagging at the taste. Nevertheless, he was still trying to force himself to swallow the vile liquid.

            Lance sighed as he heard the sounds coming from the kitchen. Maybe he didn’t want to know after all…. With a sigh, he went to shower and came out twenty minutes later to find that Red was now devouring an entire box of Belgium chocolate.

            “Just don’t get sick.” He warned, and then closed his bed curtains. “I’m going to sleep early.”

            Red brushed his teeth, drank a cup of warm milk to induce sleep, and then went to bed. He slept well.

 

            The next morning, the smell of bacon, eggs, and buttered toast woke him. He also had a horrible stomachache. With a groan, he headed to the bathroom to perform his daily ablutions and came out in a bathrobe, still yawning.

            “Enjoy.” Lance said sliding a plate piled high with food in front of Red.

            “… You cooked this?”

            “Yes.”

            Ah! What if it was poisoned? But he was so hungry… and besides… but he didn’t want to die!

            Seeing Red’s hesitation, Lance snatched a piece of bacon off his plate and ate it. After seeing that he didn’t die or become drowsy, Red applied himself to his meal with vigor and quickly finished it all.

            “Now then,” Lance smiled, “Since you’re still new at this, I won’t force everything on you at once.” He produced a black handbook with a red ‘R’ on the cover from the bookshelf. “This is the Team Rocket code. You have a week to memorize it. After that week, I shall be testing you. Budget your time wisely.”

            “… Okay.” Red finally managed. His stomach had finally stopped hurting, except for dull twinges once in a while.

            Lance nodded and then went to his computer.

            Red sighed, picked up the manual, and began to study…

 

            Three hours later, his eyes were spinning in their sockets. It was easy enough to understand but quite repetitive.

            Was this a brainwashing technique then? Oh no!

            Still, he didn’t care much… he was stuck here… and Pikachu had run *away*…

            Stupid rat!

            Why didn’t you stay with me? We promised to be partners!

            We promised…

            One spark of innocence shriveled and died.

 

            “… Oops.”

            Jessie whacked James. “Oops? Wheezing killed her and all you can say is ‘Oops’? And the Pikachu got away? Giovanni told us to capture!”

            James winced.

            Giovanni was not terribly pleased, but since the child with the Viridian power was dead, it didn’t quite matter…

            Now, no one would stand before his organization’s might….

 

            “You can cook?”

            Lance shrugged, flipping the grilled cheese sandwiches expertly. “You thought I ordered breakfast?”

            “Er… well…” Now that he thought of it, it did seem quite stupid.

            “Tis nothing. No one expects it.” Lance caught the bread again, decided that it was toasted enough, and slid it onto Ash’s plate. “Enjoy. And you’ve watched me cook the whole thing, so it’s not poison.”

            “Am I really that obvious?”

            “You have zero mental barriers right now.”

            “Y- you’re a psychic?”

            “What do you think?”

            Red paled, as white spread over his face. “Then… how do I know you weren’t putting false memories in my head?”

            “Because, my dear brother, you are a dark type. Psychic attacks won’t work on you. Didn’t you know?”

            “…Wait, what?”

            “I’ll tell you later.” Lance promised, as the phone rang and he went to answer.

 

            Red scowled, but ate the sandwich, deciding it wasn’t bad, and waited for Lance to come back so he could order another.

            The Rocket returned, fixed another two sandwiches, and then promptly went online. Red sighed and went back to the handbook.

            So boring…

            At least he was halfway through already…. Did this organization hire stupid people or was Lance testing him? With a shrug, he turned the page.

            Ah, how to use robots… now this sounded more interesting….

 

            The manual contained briefings on the weapons and special equipment normal rockets were supposed to know how to use. Red wondered if he had to read the part about driving. He couldn’t drive for another four years…

            “Lance?”

            There was no answer. The boy’s attention was quite fixated on the computer. Red checked his watch. It had been an hour already, but…maybe he was busy?

            Still, he had to learn this material. Giovanni believed in him….

            How odd….

 

            Soon enough, Lance looked up. “Yes, Red?”

            “Er… um… do I need to learn how to drive?”

            Lance looked at him like ha d gone insane. “Why would you need – oh? No, no, you don’t have to learn how to drive. It’s a useful skill, but not a required one.”

            “Thanks.”

            “Nothing, it’s really nothing…” Why did they take you away from me, little brother? I could have protected you, taught you, loved you…

            But now... things have changed, haven't they, otouto? You look upon me with suspicion and fear, and I hate it. I hate it!

            I wish I knew what to do….

 

End Chapter

Completed 5/2/05

Hmm… well, maybe kick out the incest, so I’ll see what I can do…