Nightmare Syndrome

By: Chibi-Suiko

A/N: Sorry to leave you hangin'' folks! Hope to receive more feedback this time though. Please don't hold back any comments or flames that could help make the fic better than it is already. (Wow, never thought you would hear that did ya?)

Summary: Last chapter Ash and co had a run in with the worst excuses for criminals in the history books. Of course I'm talking about Team Rocket, who were found working in the very Hospital where our Heroes are staying. Now, we're about to find out what their up to... (A/N: If only I could think of an appropriate reason... Oh, well. It will come to me!)

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I'm going to repeat the ages for those (Like me) who may have forgotten them. Also, I need to add Jessie and James in here.

If there are any problems with the age I make TR, please do not hesitate to make a suggestion or complaint.

Ash: 16

Misty: 17

Brock: 20

Jessie: 24

James: 24 (Hey, even though there bad guys I don't want to make them too old!)

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Chapter Title: Priorities and Incentives!

Ash (Ketchup hanging from his chin): Ssoooo, you guys going to begin any time soon?

Jessie (Disgusted): Sorry, I was so engrossed in that putrid red condiment dripping from your face...

James (Going frantic, as if the room is closing in on him): Yeah, ever heard of a napkin? It's a new invention; people use it all the time now a days...

Ash was looking very much like a trapped little rabbit with no way out of this situation.

Ash (HUGE Sweat drop): Yeah... Well... It looks like YOU three are in no condition to bring up frivolous attempts of escape like that...

Meowth (Smirking): Oooh, add a new word to your dictionary, did ya's?

Team Rocket started snickering uncontrollably. They were almost ready to fall to the ground when Dr. Yomaki cleared his throat to quiet them.

Dr. Yomaki: Maybe you three don't understand the seriousness of this situation. You're facing a long-term prison stay unless you three can think up some acceptable excuse for why you did this?

Team Rocket became deathly quiet, while Ash tried to contain his laughter. He let out a snort as James pulled Jessie into a VERY tight hug. She started struggling though you could see her blushing bright red as if she enjoyed it.

James (In the same whiney voice): Jessie, I'm scared! We don't really have a reason and I'm too young to die in jail!!!

Jessie (Still trying to breath): James... If you don't... Let me... Go, right now... You won't have to worry about dying in jail... Because you won't live that long..!

James pulled his arms away and Jessie whacked him over the head. He landed on the ground and there was silence until he picked himself up again.

Dr. Yomaki (Calm and stern): So, you three have no explanation for this illegal movement? I'll just call for security, then.

He moved to a small button on the wall but was stopped when Ash placed his hand over it to hold him back.

Ash (Looking very important, though the ketchup gave him away): Doctor? I think we can deal with these idiots. We do it all the time. Give us some time alone with them, I'm sure we'll get it out of 'em.

Dr. Yomaki: I don't know. They may have tried to hurt some of my patients. Would it be okay to leave them here with you? By yourself?

Ash: You don't have to worry about them doing anything to you patients, they can't even commit a theft right. You have nothing to worry about, believe me.

Dr. Yomaki: Don't worry. I believe you. It's them I don't trust.

He nodded his head to Jessie, James, and Meowth who were trying to catch every amount of conversation from where they were staying.

Ash: Nothing will happen. You have my word. Besides... I have my own little questions for them...

Dr. Yomaki nodded and exited the room. Jessie and the others looked at Ash, their eyes brimming with drama tears. Suddenly, they started to stretch and walk casually towards the door.

Jessie: Well, thanks twerp. You really saved us. We should be going now, though. See you when we try to take Pikachu again--

She was cut off as Ash stood in front of the door, blocking their way once again.

Ash: Didn't I just say that I wanted to talk to you myself? I wasn't lying, you three...

Team Rocket was almost ready to jump out the window, they were so nervous.

Ash: We helped you, so now, we want you to help us. Assist us, if you please, any way you can.

Jessie (Losing it): WHAT, SPENDING ALL OF OUR TEAM'S FUNDS TO BUY YOU LUNCH WASN'T ENOUGH?! WHAT DO YOU WANT NOW, DESERT? WELL, FORGET IT!

Ash placed his arm on her shoulder, Brock and Pikachu doing the same to James and Meowth (Who had to contain the urge to steal him).

Ash: What do you say we treat you three to lunch--

James: But didn't you just eat?

Ash: Not the point.

They all face fault and Ash looks at them totally clueless. James and Jessie stand up at the same time, acting disturbingly nice.

Jessie (In gleeful, shaking voice): Who's to say we would pass up a free meal? Right James?

James: Yes, I could go for some--

He was interrupted by Meowth scratching him across the face.

Meowth: Listen, you bumbling idiots! We don't have time for this. We can't just forget about everything and start to relax! We've got a mission to complete! Although... (His stomach begins to growl) I am a bit malnourished for a feline... What's the price?

He turned to Ash with an expression of suppressed excitement over a whole meals' worth of food for himself. The smirk on Ash's face almost made him back off.

Ash (In a deadly calm voice): It's simple, really. We help you... But in return, you've got to assist us in some way...

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Jessie (Suppressed whisper): Boss? This is Rocket team 429-899 (A/N: Don't ask me, I had to give them something a little more official than Team Rocket alone...)

Jessie, James, and, Meowth are standing in a corner, their faces crushed into the video phone's screen so that Giovanni, the leader of their little band, could see all of them.

Giovanni (Mysterious, sharp voice): Who? Team what?

The three of them sweat dropped. It was only natural that he'd forget who they were after all of the failed attempts at catching one pokemon. It made them feel like they had hit the bottom of the food chain.

Jessie (In a forcibly calm voice): It-it's Jessie and James--

Meowth scratched her across her 'beautiful' face.

Jessie (Ready to scream from pain, glaring at Meowth): YEEOOW--- I mean... Jessie, James, and Meowth. Jessie, James, AND Meowth. (Saying it firmly while rubbing face.)

Giovanni (In a much less superior voice): Oh... What have you three bumbling block-heads done wrong this time?! What ever you called here for, it better be worth my time...

James: Hiya, Boss! We called to--

Jessie elbowed him in the face. His whimpers were heard across the waiting room. At least seven sets of eyes turned in their direction.

Jessie (To James): Let me do the talking. We don't have time for your stupid mockery conversations and something tells me that the Boss isn't in the mood. (Back to Giovanni) We actually just wanted to ask a question for... for research!

Giovanni (Snorting): Since, when have you three lunatics had the ability to even DEFINE research..? Anyway (Clears throat), what is it? What do you need, cause I have a very important Team Rocket executive board meeting in ten minutes. So hurry, because I haven't got the time for this.

James: We wanted to know--

He was cut off again as Jessie elbowed him somewhere (that I'd rather not mention). He stumbled backwards and fell to the ground.

Jessie (In a very loud, firm voice): WE wanted to know if there was a way-besides medical support-to wake up a gas Pokemons victim..?

Giovanni: WHAT have you three gotten yourselves into this time?! ...Ugh, whatever. I'll just let you know now. I detest you, I loathe you. I have no idea why I keep giving you second chances. There have been 308 of them!

Jessie: What?! (Murmurs) Please, tell me he didn't keep count...

Giovanni: I heard that! In answer to your exhaltingly out of light question, it depends on the techniques that were used. What are we talking about here?

Jessie (Quivering tone): Well, let's just say that-HYPOTHETICALLY-somebody we knew was hit by a Hypnosis and Nightmare attack? What could be done to speed up the process of healing?

Giovanni: Hmmm... It would depend on the mental deficiencies of the human, mostly...

Jessie (Thinking): Oh, great...

Giovanni: But I can't help thinking there was one plan that absolutely WOULD take an effect... AH! That's right. (Oh, great. Now I'm starting to sound like that mangy feline of yours...) You have to go back to the scene where the battle took place and you must defeat every Pokemon that was there and that took part in the assault. You have to get them all or it wouldn't work. As far as I know, that is the only way clinically proven. Team Rocket has tried other sorts (He smirked evilly and Jessie shivered), but so far none have had the simultaneous effect as that one.

Jessie somehow couldn't wait to get off the phone with him now. She definitely didn't want him to start on their résumé; the way things were going.

Jessie (Mockingly cheerful tone): Well, that’s all Boss. Just wanted to know. Guess we'll be going then!

She started to place the receiver back on the hook but Giovanni called her back.

Giovanni: Listen to me. This meeting is to discuss the status of Team Rockets recruits. If you continue to fail your assignments, don't doubt that you will be one of our main priorities. I don't want you to call me again unless you've got news that's worth my while. Next time, be sure that you have that Pikachu with you. I can't wait to hear its voice crying in despair. That trainer has caused me great grief. I want to hear that the next time you see him, he was crushed under the large influence of Team Rockets strength and will.

The screen went blank; he had hung up on them. Jessie laid the receiver down slowly. The next time they saw him... She turned back to Meowth and James. By the look on his face, it sounded like James had heard what their Boss had stated.

Jessie (Sighing): Let's go...

James (Worriedly): Jessie, we aren't really going to destroy the twerps body, are we? He just helped us out of one large scrape, let me remind you...

Jessie: I know, I know... But what choice do we have? We have to follow the Boss's laws in order to maintain a worthy status to our fellow Team... I don't know what we're going to do...

Meowth: We should at least wait until he buys us that meal...

They both turn and glare at him. They may have been the villains but they still had enough heart to know when not to mess with someone.

Meowth (Seeing their expressions): Meeowwth. I was just tryin'' to lighten up the mood...

They went back to the room where Misty and the others waited. Ash stood up as soon as they entered.

Ash (Excitedly): So-did your boss gives you any information?

Jessie (Uneasily): Oh, yeah. He gave us plenty of it...

Ash could hardly contain himself. He was finally going to be able to help Misty out of her condition. He had to admit, sitting there, all that time, was really getting to him. He was so obviously absorbed in his own thoughts about what he would tell Misty when she opened her Cerulean, blue-green eyes, that he was totally oblivious to Team Rockets unenthusiastic reply.

What was going to happen next? It was any ones guess...

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A/N: So, thats it. Not that eventful but hopefully I'll get some more feedback now.

Anyway, what do you think is going to happen? Ash and Team Rocket have made a short truce but with their career on the line, how long do you think Team Rocket's loyalty will last? Are they planning on striking Ash when he least expects it? Or will they throw away their life as criminals to help someone who has started to befriend them?

I'm actually still thinking. This last part has just knocked me for a loop, but don't worry because I'll continue the story soon. Review me your idea's about what will happen in the next chapter!