A/N: Sorry for the long wait, after losing chapter 3 while I worked on it I had to rethink the whole chapter; that and I was preoccupied with my other stories and writer’s block. Now I’m back with chapter three and I apologize for the long wait. Now I understand how some of you felt when I did the first chapter and now since you liked the second chapter so much, I’ll try and finish this story as best I can.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or characters that belong thereto. I do own the storyline; it’s my original idea.

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Curse of Fate

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Chapter 3: Team Rocket’s Attack, Misty’s Decision.

 

The next morning, the sun rose over the hills that surround Pallet Town and shined on the small town. The Pokémon that inhabited Professor Oak’s laboratory frolicked around the lab area while in the open field of the lab area; Ash was training all of his pokémon. From his Treeko, to his Torkoal (A/N: spoiler), his Corphish, Kingler, Charizard (who had returned after a long while in the Charicific Valley), Pikachu, and a whole lot more. His Tauros all stampeded around the lab area for their exercise while some of his other pokémon did their own way of training.

 

Ash barked out orders and his pokémon obeyed because they all heard about the little ordeal Misty had gone through. Like Ash, they made their vows to not let anything happen to Misty. Despite Bayleef’s jealousy, she listened to Ash didn’t argue about it at all. Even Charizard was willing to help out, even after roasting Ash a couple of times, and trained harder out of all of Ash’s pokémon along with Pikachu. Pikachu was working on his Iron Tail technique that he learned in the Houenn league in case Team Rocket arrived with a rock pokémon.

 

Ash was training himself as well by running with his Tauros, doing pushups, and practicing some martial arts moves he learned after becoming a pokémon master. He would even fight Team Rocket himself if it came right down to it. He cared about Misty a lot since they were very close friends. Deep inside him, though, he loved her and he knew he did. He just wanted to wait for the right moment to tell her. After a couple of more pushups, sweat now covered Ash’s tanned body and he noticed many of his pokémon were getting tired as well.

 

“Ok guys, take a break!” Ash called out and immediately all of Ash’s pokémon, except his Tauros, all stopped their training and went to rest. Ash himself went over to a boulder where Misty sat. It was the same one he lied down on when he lost his first battle against Gary and his Eevee.

 

Misty was watching the whole time, she was quite impressed on how Ash trained his pokémon well with affection and they returned it. He really was a unique trainer in her eyes. Most trainers she met didn’t usually care how they used their pokémon. Many of them saw pokémon as tools for fighting while others would just abuse them if they failed. These kinds of trainers really disgusted her; but it’s trainers like Ash that make her love being a water pokémon trainer.

 

As he sat down she handed him a towel to wipe off his sweat. After he accepted it, he thanked her for it while he wiped his sweat off his forehead and face. He then took a bottle of water and gulped down a huge amount of it. He sighed heavily as he put the towel around his shoulders. Misty couldn’t help but to smile at him.

 

“You sure seem to work out more often now, Ash.” She said looking at how muscular his arms were.

 

“Hmm? Oh…yeah, ever since the Houenn League I’ve been working out more often.” Ash replied looking towards his pokémon who were all taking a break, except his Tauros of course. Ash just grunted while he tugged his white undershirt that he was exercising in off revealing how muscular he had become.

 

Misty actually began looking him over. He was more well built than she remembered. She could clearly see his abs through his t-shirt and saw that he had a six-pack that any girl could want. But he was hers and no one else’s; Misty couldn’t help but to smile as she looked towards the pokémon. Ash looked her over for a little bit as well; he couldn’t believe how beautiful she became since he last saw her. He was pretty sure that any guy trainer that was immature would want her for…he’d rather not think of that but he was sure that’s what they would want. Even if they did try he’d make sure that they’d think twice.

 

“Hey you two!” Came Brock’s voice causing both Ash and Misty to groan as they both turned. “Professor Oak needs to see both of ya!”

 

“We’ll be right there Brock!” Ash called back as he and Misty got off the rock and walked into the laboratory

 

After a few more hours at Professor Oak’s lab, which mostly had him examining Misty a little and giving her suggestions to try and control her powers, our heroes now head back to Ash’s home for a well-deserved rest. Along the way, Ash had been telling Misty everything that’s been happening to him during the Houenn Competition as well as telling her about how May trained her Beautifly for pokémon contests. Misty couldn’t help but laugh at some of the times Ash made a fool of himself, but she also congratulated him for finally achieving his goal.

 

Their conversation was interrupted as they heard several helicopter engines around them. Soon enough, black helicopters began to fly all over Pallet Town and one seemed to focus on Ash, Misty, Brock, May, and Max. Every helicopter had a huge red “R” on them and that only meant one thing, it was Team Rocket!

 

“Oh no…they found me!” Misty cried in fear as she watched one helicopter hover in front of them and land as well as many others. After they landed, dozens of Rocket grunts began to surround the group and point guns at them. After gathering the group together, another helicopter, much different from the others, landed near the group.

 

After it landed, it’s door opened up to reveal the head honcho of Team Rocket himself, Giovanni. He grinned menacingly as he and his Persian stepped down and walked towards the crowd of trainers. Many of the grunts moved aside and stood at attention as he walked passed them. Ash’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the man. This same man ordered Mewtwo’s creation, many more Pokémon, and other trainers to suffer. After reaching the group, he circled them while snickering very slowly and evilly.

 

“Well, well, what have we here?” He taunted as he looked at the group as they huddled together around Misty protecting her. “I come all the way to Pallet Town to capture someone who might be useful to my plans and what do I find? Several children and their pets.”

 

“Watch it pal!” Ash hissed as he glared daggers at Giovanni and was ready to jump him even though a couple of grunts pointed their guns at him forcing him to not do so.

 

“Now, now young man…” Giovanni said in a slightly kind voice trying to sound more business-like. “I’m only here to retrieve someone and I will be on my way.” After he finished, he looked at Misty. “Young lady, I do believe you are the person I’m after.”

 

“Leave her alone!” Ash shouted only to be punched in the stomach by a grunt causing him to haunch over and the gang to surround him.

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“That’s odd…”Jessie said as she saw a whole bunch of Team Rocket helicopters hovering and in Pallet Town.

 

“Why is the special operations group here?” James inquired as he too noticed this odd behavior.

 

“You don’t s’pose the boss already knows about this do ya?” Meowth asked jumping on James’ shoulder and looking in the same direction.

 

“WOOObafett!” Wobbuffet exclaimed as he popped out of his pokéball behind Jessie and saluted.

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Ash was on his knees clutching his stomach after that grunt punched him there. He slowly looked up and continued to glare at Giovanni while clenching his teeth in pain. Misty helped him up and glared at Giovanni too. “What do you want from me?”

 

“Why my dear, I merely wish to help you control your powers.” Giovanni replied in a way that made him sound hurt. “I’m only trying to help you dear lady.”

 

“You expect me to believe that!?” Misty nearly shouted back as she clenched her fists ready to jump. Soon she started to feel that same feeling when she was about to use her powers and clutched her head with both hands, whimpered, and fell to her knees.

 

“As you see my dear, you’re having difficulty controlling your powers.” Giovanni began to explain as he walked to her. “If you do not come with me, your powers might actually destroy everything in your path, including your friends.” This caused Misty to look up at him. “But if you come with me, I can find experts to help you control your powers enough for you to summon them at will.”

 

Misty began to think it over, his proposal was tempting but this was the leader of Team Rocket for goodness sake! He could not be trusted! But what if he was telling the truth? What if he could help her control her powers? No, what about her friends? More importantly, what about Ash? She couldn’t leave them, not after being separated for a long time! Misty slowly looked from her friends, to Giovanni.

 

“And if I refuse?” Misty asked almost in a quiver to find out his answer.

 

“Well then,” Giovanni said with a menacing grin before he snapped his fingers and every grunt began to point their guns towards Ash and the others! “I’m afraid your friends will suffer the consequences.”

 

Misty gasped and put her hands over her mouth in fear. She just couldn’t bear to lose any of her friends; especially Ash. But what about her Pokémon? If she did go with him, would she need them? No, she had to keep her Pokémon safe with someone and she already knew whom her Pokémon would listen to. She stood up with her head down enough that her hair shaded her eyes.

 

“Alright, I’ll go with you. Just leave my friends out of this and at least give me time to say good bye to them.” Misty begged while turning to Giovanni while her friends were in shock of her words.

 

Giovanni simply grinned and nodded. “I knew you’d see things my way, and I shall give you fifteen minutes. No more, no less.” He then turned towards his helicopter and prepared to leave.

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During those fifteen minutes, Misty said her goodbyes to Brock, May, Max, and Tracey as well as everyone else she knew in Pallet Town. Right now, there were five minutes left and she had one more person to say good-bye to. She walked right to him and stood directly in front of him.

 

“Misty, don’t do this! There has to be another way!” Ash pleaded trying to make Misty reconsider but she shook her head.

 

“I can’t risk your life or anyone else’s Ash, if I did, I’d never forgive myself.” Misty said in a sad tone looking deep into Ash’s amber eyes with her aquamarine ones.

 

“But Misty, you know what will happen if you go with Team Rocket! They’ll use you like a puppet!” Ash kept trying his best to get her to reconsider with as many excuses as he could, but it was no good; Misty had made up her mind and chose this. Just before Ash could make another excuse, Misty silenced him by placing a finger over his lips.

 

“Ash, I know this is wrong, but believe me…”She then lowered her head and her eyes were once again shaded by her hair. “If I don’t go, then if Team Rocket doesn’t kill you…my powers will.” She nearly quivered in her voice at the last part. “You’re one of the most important people in my life, Ash, and I can’t risk you getting hurt. And that’s why I’m also giving you my Pokémon.”

 

Ash’s eyes widened as Togepi wiggled in her mother’s arms trying to stay in them. As Misty started to give Togepi to Ash, Togepi turned and tried to reach back to Misty. Misty bent down to Togepi, now that it was in Ash’s arms along with her pokéballs containing all her pokémon. Misty gave Togepi a small motherly smile as she stared at it with sad eyes.

 

“Togepi, mommy’s gonna be gone for a while.” Misty began to talk to Togepi as if she were talking to a real child. “So I’m letting Ash take care of you until I get back OK?” She asked the tiny Egg pokémon.

 

“Toge…” Togepi did its best not to cry but nodded anyway.

 

Misty then placed a small kiss on the tiny pokémon’s head before turning back to Ash with an even sadder look. “Ash, please take care of my pokémon? I know they’ll listen to you.”

 

“Misty…”

 

“Promise me Ash!” Misty cried letting the tears flow down her cheeks.

 

“I…I promise.” Ash said slowly while looking at her trying not to cry himself.

 

“Time’s up!” Giovanni yelled and Misty nodded before turning to Ash. She then lunged herself at him, wrapped her arms around his body, and hugged him tight. It took a while for Ash to respond but he hugged back while Togepi was left in Pikachu’s care. A pair of Rocket grunts pulled them apart and dragged Misty to the helicopter while another pair pointed their guns at the group holding them back.

 

After a few minutes, the helicopters belonging to Team Rocket began to leave Pallet Town while Ash stared towards them now letting the tears in his eyes flow down his cheeks. After a while, he clenched his fists and looked towards the horizon with fire in his eyes.

 

“I promise you Misty, I will find you…I swear It.” He hissed to no one as he watched the helicopters disappear in the distance.

 

 

To be continued…

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A/N: SOOOOOOOOO Sorry for not updating this sooner. But here it is, chapter 3! Did I do well with it or horribly? Please tell me.