Bad Moon Rising

Chapter 12

Wendiga stopped as she neared the forests of Pallet Town, trying to catch her breathe while Jessie and Meowth began to set up a camp. Wendiga had been running to Kanto non-stop going along the paths and the route that led to the Indigo Plateau that intercepted in Johto. They had been spotted only once or twice by passing trainers, and, despite the hunger that was growing in Wendiga, she wouldn't kill anyone, she was starving herself until they reached the new Team Rocket Headquarters, where she silently vowed she would devour every ounce of flesh that was left of Giovanni after she was done mangling him.

It had taken a week just to get to Pallet Town, and it would take at least four days left before the next full moon, they would haf to hurry, so they limited their resting time. Wendiga would only transform back into her human form once in a while, but often refused to do so, wanting to get to the headquarters as quickly as possible, both for the urge to rip Gio apart and to help Jessie save James. Jessie liked that part about Wendiga - she was willing to push herself to help someone. Even for a fourteen year old, Wendiga had a temper to match Jessie's.

Wendiga had now transformed back into her human form, letting her limbs rest as she layed against the grass, eyes closed, although she didn't sleep. The fur disappeared into her skin, and her eyes remained the same, except the murderous look had left them, and her fangs and ears had left along with her transformation. Her clothes, which had melded into her skin when she changed into a Lycanthrope, were somewhat damp from all of the running, but she didn't care in the least.

Poochyena was also out, and, although Meowth was frightened of her at first, they became good friends. The Pokémon was new, so its appearance was probably shocking...Light gray fur for its body, dark gray fur for its face, neck, and paws, a red snout, red eyes, and a wolfish appearance. The wolf Pokémon was curled up beside Meowth, who, in a minute, bgena to search for firewood.

There was the sudden sound of a crackling fire, and the smell of something tastey filled the air. Wendiga's stomach rumbled, but she forced it away, opening her eyes to see Jessie leaning over a small pot that had been placed over the burning campfire she and Meowth had built. The yellow embers illuminated her face, and Wendiga could see all the emotions packed into Jessie's face clearly. Sadness, rage, anger, desperation...and love? The Werewolf forced a smile as she sat up, watching as Meowth, who was no longer extremely careful around her, scamper up to Jessie's side with a grin, then look over at Wendiga.

"We're makin' soup," he chided happily, and Wendiga could see hope and happiness packed into his feline face, knowing somehow that they would make it to James in time. "Ya want some?"

Wendiga shook her head, fiercely fighting off the dwelling hunger, but lost as her stomach rumbled. She was hungry for two things - flesh and normal food. But she didn't want to eat...she's have her fill when she killed Giovanni.

Jessie, in the meanwhile, shot a stern look at her, then filled a bowl and placed it in front of Wendiga, earning a scowl from the younger girl. Jessie simply frowned and shook her head. "I don't care if you want to eat Giovanni or not, you're not gonna starve yourself..."

Wendiga didn't move. "I won't eat...I'm not hungry..."

"And that's why your stomach growled? Eat."

"Jess-"

"Eat."

Poochyena gave a urging whine, nudging her trainer slightly and cocking her head to the side, ears twitching and eyes widened to look irresistable.

Wendiga gave a frustrated sigh, and picked up the spoon, blowing softly on the spoonful of soup that stood before her mouth. She placed it in her mouth, and her eyes widened. She swallowed quickly, than quickly began to wolf down the rest of the soup, wiping her mouth. Jessie smiled in victory and grabbed her own bowl of soup, as did Meowth, while Poochyena simply remained in her spot. All four sat together in a circle, stuffing their faces until they were done.

"Gods, Jessie, that was good!" she whispered hastily, a grin on her face. It was nice tasting something besides raw flesh for once.

Jessie cast a small grin. "Yeah? You sound like James..." She trailed off, her face downcast. Meowth looked grim, and lightly patted Jessie's knee in a gesture of comfort. Wendiga shook her head, a single eye gleaming with knowing, and the other with sadness.

"You love him, don't you?" she asked suddenly.

Jessie's face shot up to meet her, anger forming on her face, but dissapearing within a second. Her eyes were wet, and she looked down again, shaking her head. "I...yeah...yes, I do..."

Meowth grinned suddenly. "I knew it. Youse were mad about him ever since youse met up with him, huh?"

Jessie smiled softly, nodding. "Yeah..."

"He'll pull through, Jess," Wendiga whispered in a small voice. That was so sweet...to see someone caring about a loved one. Wendiga wouldn't know what love was, anymore. It died away when her parents committed suicide...

"I don't know...I don't know anymore..." Jessie was holding her head now, placing the empty bowl of soup in front of her and cradling her head. "I used to scream at him...hit him...put him down...He hates me...I know it..."

"Has Jim ever said anything like dat?" Meowth whispered firmly, earning a shake of the head from Jessie. "Exactly," the cat hissed again. "He never left ya, did he? He never fought back, he never said he hated youse."

"Meowth...," she whispered. Wendiga stood up suddenly, eyes narrowed, her lips curled in a snarl. Pochena looked up, and grinned, standing up and padding to her owner's side.

"Jessie," she whispered, staring at the woman until she looked up. Meowth blinked and stared at her, as well. "We'll save him before that dirty bastard does anything, and you'll be able to clear everything up with him, okay?"

A sudden look of doubt passed over Jessie's face, but it dissipated quickly, leaving a look of courage and strength. Jessie stood and nodded firmly. "Yeah...we will. We'll crush that asshole Giovanni...We'll save James, and I'll tell him..."

Meowth grinned and nodded as well. "We'll get ta Jimmy before Giovanni does, we'll rescue 'im."

Wendiga nodded to Pochena, and the wolf grinned, disappearing into a pokéball on Wendiga's belt. Within a second, Wendiga's human form melded into a Werewolf, legs bending, feet beginning to be tipped with claws, paws forming for hands and feet, ears growing off of her head, fur sprouting from her skin, tail forming...the works. Soon, a full-fledged Werewolf stood before them, nodding. Jessie gave a smile and grabbed a bucket of water that sat beside them, splashing it on the burning fire and letting the smoke of the dead blaze fill the air. Meowth climbed onto her shoulder, and Jessie climbed on top of the Werewolf's back. Within a second, they had shot off into the woods, which were now beginning to fill with the dawn's early light, signaling the beginning of the new day...giving only three days for the group to rescue the blue-haired boy.

**********

Three days had passed since Jessie revealed her true feelings about James to Wendiga and Meowth. During that time, Ash and Co. had gone to New Bark Town and retrieved the Monkshood, making sure they had enough of it before they took off to Goldenrod, where they met Mondo, who had his Ditto transform into a Pidgeot to transport them to Kanto. They were on their way to Mount Moon, where, as Mondo had said, the new Team Rocket Headquarters was located. Ash looked over at Mondo worriedly, his eyes wide. Pikachu was perched on his shoulder, chittering nervously to himself, afraid of what would happen when they would arrive at the headquarters. Brock was silent, and so was Misty, who was clutching a nervously quiet Togepi, who had his head tucked in its shell, scared to look out.

"Mondo...?" Ash asked, looking away nervously to face the path in front of them.

"Yeah...?" was the reply, and the younger Rocket looked over at him.

"Jessie, James, and Meowth...they were really your best friends...?"

Mondo nodded without even thinking, and a small smile appeared on his face. "Yeah...the only friends I ever had...I was made fun of all my life because I acted like a nerd...Jessie and James took me in...and when Meowth joined the team, he became the joker, was always able to cheer me up...They were there for me when I needed help, so I decided to do the same for them. I'd provide equipement and food for them, and we were still friends..."

Ash fell silent, and Brock spoke up. "So they aren't evil, like so many people in Team Rocket?"

"No...the only reason they were in Team Rocket was because they wanted to be different, they didn't want to be like everyone else. Besides, they liked the freedom...and were friendly, even if Giovanni did hate them..."

"Explains why they helped us so much," Misty whispered.

Ahead, the mountain came into view.

**********

Butch and Cassidy crawled silently into one of the openings in the built-in Team Rocket HQ in the lower portions of the cavern, each with a grin on their face. They jumped deftly onto the cavern floor and began to wander through the area they were in...a closet-like room with a door at one end. It was dark here, but they could make out the outlines of the items in the area. They nodded to each other, and softly began to make for the door.

**********

Jessie, Meowth, and Wendiga quickly made their way up to the built-in building...or cave, if you would call it that. It looked like a small building made completely of stone, but it was very long, and it was deep in the cave, in the lower portions, making it difficult to find. Water dripped off of the ceiling and onto the ground by their feet, and the trio looked at each other, nodding softly and walking towards the entrance with only one thought on their mind - find James before it was too late. Then they would get him cured and tear Giovanni apart.

They walked in through the main entrance, rather surprised that there was no one standing gaurd there. At the moment, they didn't care, they wanted to hurry...time was running out.

**********

Giovanni stood in the room of the building adorned by the screens that showed what was being spotted by the security cameras in the building. He watched as Butch and Cassidy entered through a makeshift window, as James paced nervously in his cell, trying to deal with his transformation, as Jessie and Meowth entered the building along with an all too familiar stranger.

Wendiga...

The fourteen year old bitch was there, too. He grinned softly, but not out of joy. The grin formed from the thought of the bloodshed that would follow. He could picture Jessie and James limp bodies...Wendiga's ripped form, Butch and Cassidy disemboweled, and Meowth would be a good meal...

"It's time," he whispered softly, and turned to walk out of the room. The Persian behind him mewled nervously, but so softly that his trainer wouldn't hear him. This wasn't right...none of this was...but, since there was no other Rocket in the building at the moment, as giovanni had ordered everyone to leave that day, Persian would have no one to turn to...

"Perrrrrrrrsian...," it hissed softly before following Giovanni.

**********

James retired from his pacing to sit along the floor, cradling his head in his arms. The end was near, he could feel it. His mind fought it, but his body didn't stand a chance. He changed too much...he couldn't control himself. The room was black, although it was nearing the night outside...there was still light out, and the moon didn't reveal itself yet, although he couldn't see it. He didn't need to, he could feel it.

I failed...I failed Jessie...Meowth...Mondo...everyone...I'm going to die alone...

A single tear rolled down his cheek, but he wiped it away quickly, cringing softly as another jolt of pain shot through his body. It blurred his vision, and he let out a soft groan of agony. It hurt...it always hurt...but it hurt more than ever. He was going to change for good...and he wouldn't be sane again. he wouldn't rmember Jessie, the first day they met, the years in Pokémon Tech, the years in Team Rocket, the meeting with Meowth...None of them...they wouldn't even be distant memories...

He sobbed softly, staring at the ground, and stiffened as he heard footsteps. They entered the room he was in, whispering softly, and one voice spoke above them. He shivered at the voice...it felt inhuman...it was another Werewolf...he could feel it.

"He's here...," a feminine voice whispered. "I-I feel it...He's here..."

A pause. A click.

The room flooded with light.

James winced from the sudden brightness. It hurt his eyes, as he was so used to the dark. He closed his eyes, whispering something softly that sounded like, "I won't go to him. Leave me alone...I'm not going to Giovanni..."

"James?! Oh my god...What happened to you?!"

That voice...

James' head shot up, and saw Jessie race to his cell. Meowth, who was with her, as always, but on her shoulder, jumped off with a mew of joy. The cat raced to him on all fours, grabbing onto the bars of the cell and grinning insanely. Jessie laughed tearfully, and quickly ran to the cell, grinning and looking over to James, her happiness almost blurring out the shock at his appearance.

His once sea-blue hair was now a bluish-gray, like a storm. His eyes were wide and pale, a crystaline green, almost like they were glazed over, and each was shimmering with a mixture of emotions. His scars were covered in fur, and his eyes were drawn together, sloping downwards like an animal's. His finger were now tipped with long, razor-sharp claws that could easily slice through skin like a warm knife through butter. The tail had grown so long that it now emerged from the back of his jeans, covered in fur in some spots. His mouth had rows of fangs in it, replacing his original teeth...and his normally cool, calm, and hyperactive appearance was replaced by a depressing, sad, and angry aura that radiated off of him.

Meowth quickly went to work on picking the lock, and, within a second, the lock was popped. Jessie shoved the door open and ran an James, who stood up and was now hugging Jessie tightly, crying softly. Meowth grinned and leapt onto the male's shoulder, hugging his head with a grin.

"J...ess...Me...owth...you came...," he whispered out, but it didn't sound like his voice. His voice was shaking, trembling with fear and sadness. He knew his death would come, but Jessie didn't. Meowth didn't.

"Of course we came!" Jessie cried out, squeezing James so tightly that he nearly lost his breath. "We would never be able to leave you!"

"Jim!" Meowth chimed in. "I'm so glad ta see ya again! We're gonna cure ya, Jimmy! Yer gonna be fine!"

No response, and Jessie felt James stiffen. She pulled away softly and looked at him, fighting back the tears as she saw the deep sadness that was in his eyes, that tore into her very soul. He gulped, then shook his head, and looked over to Wendiga, pulling back.

"An...another one...?" he whispered softly.

Jessie nodded. "James, this is Wendiga, a half-one...she helped us."

At that moment, Wendiga flashed a grin and the alien peace sign. "I come in peace," Wendiga whispered with wry amusement. "Take me to your leader."

James chuckled softly, but shot back. He was clutching his chest in pain, pain that rattled through his entire body, that brought him to his knees. His eyes widened and his face paled, and his teeth were gritted to prevent him from crying out.

Outside, the dusk sky began to darken, and a small silver of the shimmering white moon rose above the horizon.

"James?" Jessie whispered, running up to him and helping him back to his feet. Meowth grew panicked now, watching as Wendiga twitched, staring blankly at the wall.

"It is rising...," she whispered.

"Whadd'ya talking about?" Meowth asked hastily.

"There is a bad moon rising...right now...Halloween night...a Blood Moon..."

Silence.

"No...," Jessie hissed, hastily pulling James to the door. "We have to bring him back...there's still time..."

"Time...," James whispered weakly. "My time's...up..."

"James!" Jessie yelled, shaking him roughly. "C'mon! We didn't stick together for ten years to break apart like this!!"

"Go..."

Jessie ignored him, dragging him to the door with Meowth at her side, clambering up to the handle of the door and pulling it open. Wendiga ran out into a larger room quickly, holding the door open for Jessie and James, and the Scratch Cat stood up beside her, waiting for them to come. At the moment they did, James pulled away, pushing Jessie away and stumbling back into the room, slamming the door shut.

"JAMES!!" Jessie screamed, running at the door and trying to yank it open, only to find it locked. She began to pound on it. "James! PLEASE! We have TIME!"

"Go...please...it hurts...," came his voice, soft and muffled, tipped with a growl of pain. "I'm...changing. Go...leave me...please..."

"James..."

"G...Go!"

"Jim, we ain't leavin' youse!" Meowth hissed, clawing at the door. He tried to pick the lock, but his claw wouldn't fit. "We came here to rescue youse! Not to watch youse...Not to watch youse...d...die..."

There was no response. On the other side, James leaned against the door, clutching his chest in total pain. He could feel his body tearing apart, stretching, mutating...He slid down the door, weakening, eyes burning...

"Jess...?" came his weak, muffled voice. It strained him to speak now.

"...James...?" Jessie whispered back, leaning against the door. She had her head buried in her arms, she was crying freely. She hated to show her weak side...but it was because she was such a...such a...

Go on. Say it, she thought to herself. You know it's true. You were such a bitch to him...

"Jess..."

James was speaking again, his voice weakening severely. She could barely make out the words above the silence, for they almost blended in. James gulped. He would finall say what he always wanted to say...but this wasn't how he wanted to say it. He wanted to be out of this cave, to hold her, to be human again...

"I lo- GAAHHHH!!"

A scream of pain, his own. James doubled over, clutching his chest, eyes wide, fangs sharpened and longer. His claws sharpened and grew larger...

"JAMES!!"

Jessie was pounding on the door, trying to yell out louder than James' scream, trying to get him to hear her....but the scream died away...and there was no response...

It was silent enough for Jessie, Wendiga, and Meowth to hear a click and turn around to see a man standing in front of them, a Beretta in his hand, pointed straight at Jessie's heart. A man who, in his all too familiar bright orange suit and with slicked black-brown hair, and beady black eyes...was all too familiar.

"Giovanni," Wendiga hissed.