Disclaimer/Notes: See previous chapters

 

Chapter 3: Discoveries

 

            “We have to find the Hyper Stone quickly, before Francine does.” Ash was saying. “It’s urgent.”

            “I know, because if the secret is discovered, that would mean disaster for all the gym leaders.” Bugsy said.

            “It’s worse than that.” The third voice chimed in.

            “Why, Aneki?”

            “What do you think would happen to the balance?”

            Ash winced. “I see…”

            “The others don’t know about the balance, but…”

            “Yes, I know.”

 

            “Well, you two keep searching.” The third said. “Charizard, I choose you! Let’s Fly!” And she left.

            Bugsy and Ash looked at each other worriedly.

            “Do you think Team Rocket might have their hands on it?”

            “Don’t know…”

 

            “What are you talking about?” Misty asked.

            Ash jumped slightly. “Oh, nothing.”

            “Come on, spit it out. I know it’s important.”

            “We don’t need your help.” Bugsy said.           

            Sparks flew between the two girls as they glared at each other.

            “Are you implying that I’m not good enough?” Misty asked.

            “I beat you, didn’t I?” Bugsy asked.

 

            Ash retreated to the back of the room.

 

            Misty growled before she proceeded to mallet Bugsy…

            Or, she would have, if Bugsy hadn’t suddenly managed to avoid it. In a split second, Misty found herself pinned to a wall with sixteen needles.

            “Useless.” Bugsy said. “Your reflexes are terrible. Let’s go Ash.”

            Ash smiled and followed her off.

 

            It took Misty almost an hour to get free. Fortunately, nobody except the security camera had captured the incident.

            She headed back to Cerulean angrily, still vowing to get to the bottom of the problem.

 

            “I hate her.” Ash hissed as they hacked their way through thick underbrush.

            “Who? Misty?”

            “Yes.”

            “Why?”

            “I never told you about our relationship – oh no, it’s not like that!” Ash said, seeing the look on Bugsy’s face. “I was her personal punching bag.”

            “And you let her walk all over you?” Bugsy looked incredulous. “A Master?”

            “I didn’t get my master training until after I left her and Brock.” Ash explained.

            “That would make more sense…”

            “What I want to know is what she has against you.”

            Bugsy looked at Ash. ‘You know, Ash, in matters of the heart, you’re still pretty clueless.”

            “Nani?!”

            Bugsy laughed softly. “Anyways, let’s keep going.”

            Ash nodded as Scizor and Bugsy’s Scyther continued to remove the brambles in their path.

 

            “Pi, Pika?” Pikachu asked when Misty let her out of the poke ball. She was tired, and her eyes held a look of defeat.

            “No, I don’t want you to battle.”

            “Pi?”

            “There’s a group of people I need you to find for me.” Misty said. She handed Pikachu, or what remained of it, one of Bugsy’s handkerchiefs that she had dropped. “Find this person.”

            Pikachu grimaced and scampered away, now that the scent was identified.

 

            A long, grueling four hours later, the two had finally managed to make it out of the thorny maze.

            “The shrine is really well guarded.” Bugsy said.

            “I know.” Ash said, as he applied some antibiotic cream to the scratches on his arms. Fortunately, they were quite shallow.

            “Here, let me help.” Bugsy said, taking his arm. Ash obediently relaxed and let her take a look. “Not too bad…”

            “Does this sting?”

            “Ow!” Ash said.

            “Guess that answers my question.”

            “Hey! Aren’t you supposed to be gentle since I’m injured?” Ash protested.

 

            “It’s not that bad.” Bugsy said. After a while, the pain had been mostly alleviated, so they could continue on.

           

            Pikachu crawled through the brush tiredly. She stopped to lick at her scratches. “Pi…” She said sadly.

            Why did master have to leave me?

            But this would not get her mission done. She had to find the one Misty had commanded. Pikachu shook herself off and plodded after the elusive trail.

            Why are they crawling through all of this?

 

            Ash sighed in relief. “There’s the shrine.”

            “I don’t see any guards…” Bugsy said, putting down her binoculars. “But you never know.”

            “Maybe we should wait for backup.”

            “Yes, you’re right.” Ash said. He pulled out a blue cell phone and dialed. “Hi. Yes, we’ve found it, I think you can fly without attracting too much attention, okay, bye.”

 

            Soon, six trainers swooped down…Lance and Claire on his Dragonite, Charlotte on her Charizard, Falkner on his Pidgeot, Sabrina with her Alakazam, and Winona on her Swellow.

            “Found it?”

            “Yep.” Ash said, indicating the black shrine.

            “Maybe we ought to split up and search separately.” Winona suggested.

            “Good idea.” Falkner approved.

 

            Pikachu sniffed. She had finally found the one! She dashed out into the clearing. “PIKACHU!”

            Ash caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye and quickly flung himself in front of Bugsy.

            Bugsy gasped as electricity crackled over him and he fell. Her eyes took on a dark gleam. “Scyther, go!”

            “No!” Lance said. “First we have to figure out what’s going on.’

            Charlotte ran over to Ash. “Chansey, go!”

            Chansey quickly began checking Ash over. He’ll be fine, just needs some air and rest.

 

            Meanwhile, Claire’s Dragonair had restrained Pikachu.

            ‘Who sent you?” Lance asked.

            Pikachu refused to answer, afraid of what Misty might do if she told them.

            “I don’t think it’s going to answer.” Falkner said after a few minutes of stubborn silence.

            “Maybe…” Lance said. “And maybe not.” His blue eyes suddenly became a blazing, molten silver. “Who sent you.”

 

            Pikachu froze.

            Claire shrugged; her cousin could be intimidating if he wanted to be. She didn’t mind if they got the necessary information.

            Pikachu finally squeaked out the answer, more terrified than she had ever been.

            Misty…

 

End Chapter 3…