Chapter 25:XIII. Last Guardian: Good hearts
"See? I told you I was OK. Nothing to worry about." replied Cynthia reassuringly.
The walk to the doctor was... interesting to say the least. When they stepped outside, the marshmallow soft clouds started rolling in. Thankfully it was still warm. Cynthia's body didn't start glowing again when they were headed to the doctor. However, upon reaching the doctor, another blue line wisped across on her stomach, along with the one on the shoulder appearing again.
But the most interesting part was that every half minute something around her neck shined. The older female doctor examined her and she couldn't find anything wrong. She worked in the field of medicine for over 20 years but she has yet to see anything quite like it. She ran every test she could to determine what is happening but found nothing. For all intents and purposes, the blonde teen sitting on the hospital bed in front of her was a perfectly healthy woman.
The hospital room looked like a regular hospital room. There was a bed in the corner of the room, with some sort of metal stand next to it with dozens of medical equipment such as syringes, bandages, cotton swabs, a pair of tweezers etc. And in the middle of the room was a large white desk with a pretty new computer. Next to it was a printer and all around the table were papers and recipes. The room was decorated nicely overall.
"Nothing to worry about?! You are shining like a Christmas tree and there is nothing to worry about? There is definitely something wrong and I'm gonna do my utmost to figure out what exactly is going on with your body." asked concerned Caitlin.
"I'm sorry, but there is nothing wrong with lady Shirona. According to the results…" the older female doctor began, but was interrupted by Caitlin.
"According to results? You saw it with your very own eyes. Something is wrong!" said Caitlin a little angrily.
"Caitlin. Lance. Can I have a moment alone with Cynthia and Mrs. Amano?" asked Charles who was standing near the door with Lance who was leaning against the wall. They looked at Charles curiously, and it even seemed that Caitlin will be protesting but in the end, both of them nodded and left the room like he asked.
"Mrs. Amano. Have you ever heard about Aura?" asked Charles.
"Hmm... I believe so. Isn't that the power some Pokemon use? Lucario is one such Pokemon I believe." asked doctor Amano.
"You are right about that Mrs. Amano."said Charles. "Now, Aura is usually visibly blue and it resides in all creatures. Most can't use it however."
"Blue? Just like Cynthia's… tattoos?" asked the doctor. And after a small pause, she continued.
"Mr. Goodsnow. What are you implying?" asked doctor curiously.
"That not only Pokemon can use Aura." said Charles.
"Wait. Are you saying that I can use Aura?" asked confused Cynthia who was quiet through the whole exchange between them. Psychic would be one thing. But Aura? An ancient power that is limited to MEN only? That just doesn't make any sense. Weird thing is, Cynthia wasn't afraid of what was happening to her, but she was concerned about that voice she had heard.
The strong deep voice that could command the entire army with the level of authority that men can only dream of sounded so desperate in that moment. So helpless. And the pain. The pain in the voice was something that she just couldn't get from her head. The desperate pleas for help. And that cry at the end. Strong, yet weak. Confident, yet broken. Brave, yet afraid. It was unusual. And more importantly. It was real. She knew it was. Not one of her dreams or thoughts felt so real like this one.
"No. I don't think so." said Charles. Charles had a suspicion on who was the cause of this Aura phenomenon. However, he didn't intend to share it with anyone quite yet. He was wrong about Aura Guardians so many times before, that his little suspicion was probably best kept to himself in case it was wrong too.
"So what it is Mr. Goodsnow?" asked doctor Amano.
"I don't really know. Aura and it's power is a tricky thing to figure out. I saw it used once in my life, by a man that wasn't skilled enough to be able to use it afterwards. Today, no one knows how it works exactly. But one thing is certain, you are somehow connected to this ancient power." said Charles. Then the blue line around Cynthia's neck shined again.
"What are we going to do about this." said Doctor Amano pointing at Cynthia's neck.
"I believe that we can let Cynthia go. You said it yourself doctor, she is completely healthy and this is an ancient power that modern medicine can't solve." said Charles as he smiled at Cynthia.
"Are you sure we can't keep her here longer? I would like to study this Aura thing in greater detail." said doctor Amano.
"You can study it on the Pokemon like Lucario if you want. And yes I am sure. Worry not, I'll keep an eye on her. If something else should happen to her, you will be first one to know." Charles said in a reassuring tone.
Thank Arceus he had so much authority in the Pokemon world. Who knows how this might play out if he let Cynthia stay here. They would keep her here for Arceus knows how long just to be able to study this strange phenomenon. And Cynthia is still just a child. Barely 18 years old. It would do no good to keep her here. Besides, she would probably escape regardless of what they say. An adventurer like her isn't going to stay in a hospital bed for too long.
It took a little longer to convince the doctor to stay silent about the whole ordeal and let Cynthia go, but Charles eventually convinced her. You don't become the wealthiest person in the Pokemon world by not being able push your point across. One of the many talents of Charles Goodsnow.
"Thank you, Charles." said Cynthia happily when they exited the hospital room. Charles was always someone she could rely on. There's not many people like him in this world.
"It was nothing, dear. But should something like this arise again, let me know." said Charles. And again, Cynthia's neck shined in a bright blue light.
"Even this? Because I would be calling you every few seconds." said Cynthia said uneasily. To which Charles chuckled and answered.
"Okay. I will say it like this. If any of those blue lines, stains, cuts or whatever they are will feel differently, then call me. Okay?"
"Sure thing." replied Cynthia.
3 years ago
It was a warm sunny evening in the on the Lily of the Valley island. These sunny days were getting really annoying for the majority of the people there. One expects a cold environment, and it's a great weather for a nice swim by the lake. Or even at the seas, which should be cold in this kind of season.
But this kind of weather doesn't bother a three human beings at the Lily of the valley conference. Quite the opposite actually. They have the best time of their lives. One member of the group exclaimed loudly in their hot dog stand.
"Looks at all the money we've earned!" said the smallest one of them. And by smallest, the member wasn't much bigger than a Glemeow. To be quite fair, if you would look closely, you would find out that he had much more in common with Glemeow, than the other members
"I know right. It's great! With this we can finally buy something nice! I saw this great dress that were made just for me! And a perfume! I have to have it! They are like, especially done to fit me!" yelled the long red, gravity defying hair . Her voice high pitched voice could be irritating if raised a little higher.
"Or... We could buy this great, rare bottle cap. Just LOOK AT IT. Isn't she beautiful? It's from the limited edition from the Lily of the Valley conference that was held 15 years ago! They were serving this one-time potato flavoured soda that you can't buy anywhere now! It would be a great addition to my collection! And we have just enough money to buy it!" said the blue-haired man as he showed them a hologram of the bottle cap and the pricing on it.
All these three individuals wore usually Alolan style clothes with flowers on their shirts, sunglasses, and shorts. The woman of the group had a nice slim figure with curves at just the right places and was considered a very beautiful woman. Even by herself. Maybe even too much by herself. Then there was the blue-haired man. A slender figure with not much of muscles showing up, but decently strong nonetheless. The third member of this group was the brains of the group. They wouldn't get far without him. A nice bunch of people one would say.
"Bottlecap?! From a potato soda?! What are you even thinking about, James!" yelled the red-haired woman. She then picked the newspapers, rolled them up and hit the blue-haired man on the head with a powerful swing
"Ouch! Come on, Jessie! It was just a suggestion. It's not like I spent the money already!" said James as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Pretty stupid suggestion I might add." said Jessie.
"Not like dresses and perfume huh?" mumbled James and the Cat-like member
"What did you say!" the woman yelled angrily again at the duo next to her.
"Nothing!" yelled her companions.
Suddenly the screen that was above the entrance to the main stadium at the Lily of the Valley turned on. A familiar brown-haired lady appeared on the screen with a microphone in hand with a sea under the storm in the background.
"VIVIAN MERIDIAN COMING AT YOU LIVE FROM THE COAST OF A LILY OF THE VALLEY ISLAND. JUST A FEW KILOMETERS FROM HERE A HEAVY STORM CAME OUT OF NOWHERE AND START RAGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SEA BETWEEN LILY OF THE VALLEY ISLAND AND THE REST OF THE SINNOH REGION. SADLY, A HELICOPTER CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN UNEXPECTED STORM. THE HELICOPTER DIDN'T MAKE IT. A LIGHTNING STRUCK THE HELICOPTER ENGINE AND BEFORE THE HELICOPTER COULD CRASH INTO THE SEA, IT EXPLODED. KNOWN PEOPLE IN THE HELICOPTER WERE A PILOT LUCAS TAKASHI AND A PASSENGER ASH KETCHUM. SEARCH PARTY WAS SENT INTO THE SEAS, BUT IF THOSE TWO TEENAGERS SURVIVED THE EXPLOSION IS STILL UNKNOWN." finished the reporter on the screen and the screen then went black again.
"The twerp just can't help himself can he?" said disguised Meowth.
"Yeah. Always asking for troubles even without us there to cause them. How rude of him." said James.
"It's a good thing that we didn't follow him. I wouldn't want my hair get messed up in the explosion." said Jessie as she took an hairbrush out of nowhere and brushed her hair.
"Really? That's what would be bothering you during the explosion? Not your life or getting out of there? Just your hair?" asked James incredulously.
"Do you know how long it takes to get my hair into a condition which is even remotely presentable? And if I have to die, I want to die looking pretty." said Jessie with finality.
"..Guys... What if the twerp ACTUALLY died? What will we do then?" asked Jessie her two companions after a slight pause.
"Oh pwease. Da twerp has so much luck, it's unrealistic. Of course he survived. He always does." said Meowth confidently.
Present time
"Move you twos butts already!" said Meowth who was running with his two friends back at the Team Rocket HQ through the storm.
It was an interesting 3 years for the Team Rocket trio. When they found out that their twerp actually died, they didn't believe it at first. That twerp was unkillable. And then some storm puts him under the ground? No. Just NO. They refused to believe that. But then, When they couldn't find him, they had to accept the fact, their frienemy was gone. And they tried very hard to find him. It took a whole year before they finally gave up.
It was a weird relationship they had with him. Enemies who sometimes help each other. And sometimes even root for each other. That 'capture Pikachu gag' was getting funnier with each time they tried it. It brought some joy to their lives.
Their boss didn't care about them. Since the day they were recruited, he sent them out with a task to capture some strong Pokemon. And that was it. No further information, no requirements, no money support for their 'missions'. Nothing. Just capture some Pokemon and you get well paid enough to eat. They started to see that Giovanni didn't care about them shortly after they stopped searching for the twerp.
And then Meowth got a brilliant idea. Since they haven't captured a single Pokemon for Giovanni their whole criminal career, why not to try something different. They know how to sell stuff, that could work Meowth told his companions. And so they began. They were on the search for the events where they can finally earn some money for themselves. And it worked. With their ballon, they traveled from region to region, from an event to an event and they were selling snacks, souvenirs and build some attractions for tourists at places where the events last longer.
And it worked. They had success. They could finally buy the things they always wanted. Jessie was running from boutique to boutique, looking for fancy clothes that she always wanted, ever since she was a little girl. James had to go with her since she always had a ton of bags with her. Although he told her he hated it, deep down he didn't mind helping her carry her bags. He was the one to rate her outfits since she didn't have any other friends to do so. Not that it mattered really. She bought basically everything she tried. There was a plus side to this, even though he would never tell her, it was nice to see her in bathing suits and sexy clothing. On one occasion he had accidently seen her fully unclothed. These were small wins for him, especially if she was gonna use him like a pack mule for all her clothes
James, on the other hand, had only one interest with the money they made. He knew very well that money wasn't everything. If he wanted to, he had tons of money back home waiting for him. Having a decent amount of money to share with friends is much better than being a millionaire all by yourself without anyone to share it with. The only interest for him was his bottle cap collection. So when they saw some rare bottle cap, James bought it. The other two were complaining about how worthless it is, but hey. He was the cheapest one of the group, so they quickly shut up when he reminded them of that particular fact. Machines and clothes were expensive and that's all the other two purchased.
Meowth always loved to built robots, machines and anything that challenged his mind, so he gladly bought some tools and materials to build something from time to time. He upgraded their ballon so it wouldn't pop every time something hit it.
Life was finally great. And since Giovanni didn't expect them to do basically anything, they can do whatever they want and still get money as Team Rocket grunts. A win to win scenario.
Unfortunately, it didn't last forever. Their boss contacted them and required their immediate presence at the HQ. It's a shame. Because you can't just quit Team Rocket. If they could they would have done earlier. So, they had to go back. Even if they didn't want to.
"We are trying Meowth!" yelled Jessie through the rain and strong winds.
The weather they predicted for this week is disastrous. The biggest storm in 20 years is coming straight to the Kanto region. Even now, you can feel it's presence. It was raining non-stop, strong winds were blowing left and right. Rivers were overflowing. Electricity cut off already in a few small villages. Transportation is still manageable, but it will be cut off completely in a few days if the predictions are correct. And the storm hasn't even come to the region fully.
"How long before we get there?" asked James who was the last runner of the group.
"In a few minutes. Hurry up!" yelled Meowth.
And so Jessie, James, and Meowth fought through the storm with all their wills to finally reach their destination.
Tired, and soaked through and through, they finally reached their destination eventually. Guards let them in and they entered the secret hideout in the Kanto forest and were finally able to be in a dry space for once. They saw dozens of grunts going to do their duties in a silent and a little creepy manner.
Not much was said between the trio as they were making their way through the corridors of Team Rocket HQ meeting all kinds of people. Everything that could be said was already said. What does boss want from them? Are they in trouble for abandoning their path? Does Giovanni know they abandon their path? All of these topics were discussed on their way here with no results.
Meowth then stopped for a moment. Jessie and James were still going until they realised that their partner fell behind.
"Meowth. What are you waiting for?! Let's go!" said Jessie in the mixture of yell and whisper.
"I hear screams. Lots and lots of 'em." answered Meowth as his ear twitched a little.
"If we won't hurry up boss will be screaming on us! Move your legs and let's go!" yelled Jessie again as James was observing the whole situation. Meowth looked around for and then resumed the walk to the office of their boss for further instruction.
Once they reached the door, James nervously opened the door. Opened door revealed dark room lighted only by a small lamp on the stool. Giovanni was filling some papers up with his trusty, purring Persian by his side. Meowth would be filled with jealousy three years ago. But now? To Meowth's own surprise, he himself didn't care. He was even more surprised that he didn't want to be by Giovanni's side. Being out with real friends is much better than trying to snuggle to a man that doesn't care about you in a slightest.
"Jessie, James and Meowth. So you finally arrived." said the man as he put the papers down, leaned against his chair and just looked at the two of them. He sipped from a mug that was by his left side and looked at his grunts carefully. Jessie, James and Meowth then went to their knees and like they did hundreds of times through a video chat, they asked.
"What can we do for you, sir?" asked all three of them.
"You will be sent to rebuild the Hoenn base which was destroyed. The team that will build the base is still getting together so you will stay here for a couple of days till the rebuild team will be assembled." said Giovanni calmly and went back to his papers.
"Is that all?" asked James still on his knees.
"Do you have anything to report?" asked Giovanni lifting his head from the paper and raising an eyebrow slightly.
"No." replied Meowth trying to sound as sadly as he could. Giovanni just shook his head slightly in disbelief and said.
"Then that's all. Go to Domino and she will give you the keys to the room where you'll be staying. Now, out of my office." said Giovanni. And with that, the trio got up and left the office.
"I'm tired... so tired... why can't I fall asleep... Why... I want to rest... It's been three days...I want this whole thing over... Let me close my eyes for a little bit... Please... I can't take this... I want to die... please... let me die... just kill me already and let's have this thing over with." Ash thought weakly. He was still hanging from the chain they used him to shackle him up. The collar turned on again. By this time he had burn marks on his neck from the constant stream of electricity which he had withstood the whole day. The door of his room opened, and that evil bitch with some book came into the room. She opened the book and began reading.
"Aura Guardians bodies hide lots of secrets which can be discovered only by capturing one who possesses these powers. At long last, we finally got one whose heart is still beating. We learned so many things about them from him already. For example, their bodies force them awake when they sense danger nearby. When they can sense sick, disgusting and gruesome intentions in people around them, their brain simply won't allow them to ignore it. They have to fight. It's another interesting thing we found out about them during the Psychic torture. Also, no matter how much pain he recieves, he somehow endures it all. He has a freakish tolerance to pain torture. Whether it's because he's an Aura Gaurdian or he has some experience with torture before, matters not. Either way, as interesting as this all is, there's nothing we have learned that would help us win the war. We have to keep searching for their weakness...and blah, blah, blah..." finished the blonde haired she-devil as she closed the book and placed it on the stool with her other torture tools. By this time, the collar turned on again resulting in another cry from Ash.
"I'm sure that you are wondering how you're able to withstand all of this while still being visibly conscious. I was curious as well. So I went and looked it up. And it seems that you are just bred for this." said Domino sweet, over optimistic voice that shouldn't have been possible. She really did enjoy this.
"So tell me. You have 4 more days of this torture in front of you. Are you really able to withstand it much more? Will you break first or will the tools?" asked Domino as she came to his stomach and looked not at the stab wound she caused him in anger, but at the hole from the bullet under this cut. And as expected. It was beginning to heal quite nicely too. No infection, just a clean hole through his abdomen.
"Man. For a teenager you have some guts I have to hand that to you. Anyone else would be either dead, crazy or just begging me to kill them." said Domino to Ash. Ash's eyes widened slightly at this, but they were quickly closed when another round of electricity ran through his body.
"Yeah. We know. Your blood says that you are from 15-20 years old. And... if I imagine you without that ridiculously long hair and a thick beard, it would even make sense." said Domino.
"Well. Today I don't have any new tools for you. So we'll have to make the best out of what we have." Domino said to Ash. She looked at the bloody stool near Ash. She tried nearly everything. Cuts to his arms and legs, stabs to his shoulders and even burn marks near his groin. Electricity. Whips. Guns. But he still refused to give in. At least the scientist up in the lab are preparing something that will make him talk.
"So with which one do you want to start today?" asked Domino sweetly before her phone rang and interrupted her speech. She spoke into the recieving end quickly before frowning lightly and saying 'Yes Sir' and finally ending the call in about 20 seconds flat.
"Well. Looks like our play time will have to wait. We ha..." she started but was interrupted by the knock on the door. Domino then turned around and went to the door. She opened them and went outside.
"That was fast. So. You three finally decided to join the party?" said Domino when she noticed the trio in front of her.
"Yes. Da boss said you would have da keys to our room?" responded Meowth.
"I don't have them with me. They are back in my office. Watch the prisoner till I come back with them. And don't you dare touch anything in there or so help me I'll put you in one of those chairs myself!" Domino said, emphasizing the last sentence to them.
"We have prisoners here in HQ?"asked James surprisingly.
"You three are really clueless huh?" said Domino and paused for a moment.
"Go in there. Keep an eye on him, and don't touch anything. I'm sure that even you three idiots can't manage to fuck this up. Is that clear?" said Domino. The trio then nodded and Domino went to gather the keys. And so Jessie James and Meowth stood there for a second before they finally opened the door to the room.
The first thing they noticed was blood. A lot of blood. Bloody shoe prints as Domino was going in and out of the room lead to the very center where some person was hanging. If they didn't know he was alive, they would have guessed it was a corpse on which Domino unleashes her anger. Cuts and burn marks all around his torso, arms, and legs. His face except for one slash across his eye, his feet and his impressive member between his legs were intact it looked. But one can only assume. He was covered in so much blood that it was hard to see what was damaged and what was not.
"Oh Arcues, I think I'm gonna throw up." said James. He had to cover his mouth and pinch his nose when he saw the gruesome result of torture for the very first time in his life.
"What…" was the only word Jessie could form. Like James, she wasn't expecting this. They assumed there is a cell with a prisoner who they had to guard. Why would THIS need a guard?
Meowth, on the other hand, was silent from the moment he entered. His gears in his head start turning and he realized that those screams he heard on his way to Giovanni weren't imaginary. There are far more of guys like him here.
All of them jumped a little when the only thing on this guy turned on. The collar sent another round of electricity and the cries of pain from this man was heard. His voice was raspy that he barely managed to form something that resembled a scream.
"How is he alive…" said Jessie quietly. Is this what Team Rocket was doing? Not stealing Pokemon but torturing people? That's not how they imagined their work. They were criminals. Yes. But this is a monstrosity.
Curious Meowth then slowly approached the man in front of him. He was now right under him looking at his face which hanged low with no energy to be pulled up.
After another dose of electricity, Ash closed his eyes for a moment. He just wanted to fall asleep. At least for a single minute. At least one round of electricity could go past him. At least one. He then slowly opened his eyes again. At first, he saw a beige blur that looked like a blob. But as his eyes began to focus, the blob took a shape and it revealed Meowth. But not an ordinary Meowth. This Meowth stood on two legs. Not on four.
"What did ya do to deserve dis?" asked Meowth the man above him. And he could talk?! There is only one Meowth that runs around on two legs AND can talk.
"Meowth! Get back from him! You don't know what he'll do to you!" yelled Jessie.
To this, Ash put all his energy into lifting his head up. And he finally saw the woman who was the proud owner of that irritating voice. Red/pink gravity-defying hair and next to her blue-haired man.
"He won't try anything don't worry. He has barely the energy to lift his head up. I think I'm safe." said Meowth.
Ash then began thinking. But he was interrupted by another shock. Man, he can't catch a break from that infernal collar. After it electrocuted him for hundreth time, he pulled his head up and looked around the room. The gears in his head slowly began to roll. Those three can be his way back home if he approached this correctly. He can't afford to make a mistake here. It's probably his only way out of this place. One corner of the ceiling. Second corner. Third corner. And last one. Then another shock. He expected it this time but he made it. No cameras here. Giovanni probably doesn't like a footage from torture on his computer screen. Lucky him.
Ash then looked back at Meowth who stood below him with a sad look on its face. He then heard footsteps. Jessie and James came to him too.
"No. I can't. I see raw meat. I need a bucket." said James when he was close enough and he leaned to the bucket in which Ash's blood was and he puked in there.
Ash then had to ask himself. Can he trust them? They helped each other on a dozen occasions, but this time, it involves their job in Team Rocket. Will they risk everything for him? If he revealed himself to them, then there is the possibility they would tell Giovanni who he is and then his mom... He doesn't want to put his mom through this. And his friends. But it hurts. It hurts so badly. Everything hurt so badly. Just end the pain. I want the pain to end, he thought to himself. This is so damn hard. Can he truly put his faith in them? It could go either way.
But then Ash remembered something. It didn't matter if he got betrayed or not. Whether he's here being tortured or risks his family and friends. The only way he can ensure his mom and friends will be safe, is if he takes out Team Rocket himself. If he doesn't get out of here, his mom and friends will still be in danger when Team Rocket takes full control of Kanto. This was his chance to get out of here and fulfill the mission he was given. It's either he dies 4 days from now or today he survives. The world will be under control of Team Rocket if he dies, so he had to risk it. "Let's try it." thought Ash.
Ash tried to laugh at the irony of it all, but all that came out was a crippled groan. He decided the best way to get their attention was to say what they used to tell him every time they tried stealing his Pikachu. Maybe they would finally see who is hidden behind his long hair and bloody body
"Prepare ... for.. trouble…" said Ash slowly. He stopped for a moment. But he then pulled himself together and continued.
"And... make... it... double"
"To protect... the world... from... devastation."
"To unite... all... peoples... within.. our... nation."
"To denounce... the... evils... of... truth... and... love."
"To extend... our... reach... to... the... stars... above."
And then another electric shock came through the collar. Ash released a grunt at the shock. He then waited for a few seconds and looked at the shocked trio before him. He managed to make a smile for them. And with little energy left he said.
"Your turn…" said Ash to dumbfounded trio.
"Come on... You... don't want... THE TWERP... to... say... your... whole... motto... do you?" Ash finished. The look on their faces was priceless. Funny even. For a split second he forgot where he was and what was happening to him. Jessie and James then looked at each other.
"Jessie?" said confused James.
"James?" said confused Jessie.
"You... got it... a little... mixed up... But it's... fine... You haven't had... the pleasure... to say the motto... for three years…" said Ash to them. He has no idea where he had the energy to speak, but he was glad that he did.
"Team Rocket blasts off at da speed of light. Surrender now, or prepare ta fight." said Meowth quickly not even realizing why he was saying it. Another collar shock came after Meowth finished his part. Ash released yet another groan of pain and then looked at Meowth.
"That's right, Meowth." said Ash with a weird raspy chuckle in the end.
"It's: 'Meowth! Dats right! ' Not da other way around." said Meowth with a smile and tears in his Pokemon eyes.
"I know." said Ash with a smile. And after a few seconds of silence someone finally asked Ash something.
"Twerp?! Is that you?! What are you doing here! You should be dead! And where is you yellow pal?! And what the hell is happening!" yelled/whispered Jessie to him.
"Team Rocket... is... torturing people. I.. tried to.. stop it... but…" and Ash didn't finish because of another shock this time Ash couldn't hold it and screamed again. After it finally stopped, Ash looked at the trio weakly.
"It hurts... so much...Please... help me... I need... to get... out of... here... Please... I beg you... You are... my only hope...to survive." said Ash sincerely to the trio before him. This was it. His final plea for help. From now on, the fate of the world is in the hands of these three. Then the door opened and Domino came in. She was still not in the hearing distance so Ash said quietly one last sentence.
"Please... Nobody can know I am alive…" and then another shock ran through Ash's body.
"What did I say?! Don't touch anything!" said Domino angrily.
"We didn't." said Meowth after a slight pause. The trio was still recovering from what they learned right now.
"Then why are you so close?!" said Domino. She then examined the trio. They looked confused. Shocked. Like something had surprised them. After a slight pause she asked again. "Wait. Did he tell you something?!" asked Domino. And after a nerve-wracking pause, she received an answer.
"No." said the trio in union. But they saw Domino wasn't buying it. Domino was always suspicious of them and she didn't like them very much.
"Don't be so paranoid, Domino. Why would we keep anything from you? We were just curious to see how much you tortured him. And I have to say. You did a pretty good job. Even James couldn't handle it and left you a present in the bucket." said Jessie jokingly.
"Of course... So he didn't tell you anything?" asked Domino now in a normal tone.
"When those tools didn't get him talking, I doubt that anything will." said James as he looked at the bloody stool.
"That's what you think. Something truly special is being made just for him right now. I bet that will make him talk." said Domino and she looked at her prisoner with a sleazy grin.
"And what is dat exactly?" Meowth asked curiously
"That's above your pay grade. Here are your keys. Now, get out of here." said Domino as she threw the keys to James and he sloppily caught them. The Team Rocket trio then threw one last look at Ash before they left the room.
They knew that in every corner of the halls are cameras, so they just nervously walked to their room through different floors and halls until they reached their room. 102 is the number of the room. It was a simple room. Three beds and stools next to them. One desk with a computer and a table with 4 chairs around. Nothing more, nothing less. No windows too, since they were underground. Pretty small and underequipped room actually.
The first thing they did, they nodded to each other and start looking for cameras, microphones or anything else that could get them in troubles. And again, they found nothing. Seems like Giovanni at least values privacy of his grunts. Lucky them. After the search, Jessie was the first one to start speaking.
"What the actual fuck is happening! How is HE alive?! And is it even him?! Did you see him?! He looks completely different!" Jessie yelled in the room. And after her outburst, a moment of silence filled the room.
"We called only one kid twerp. It's him Jessie" said James reassuringly.
"But. But. He died! He shouldn't be here!" yelled Jessie again.
"I was right." said Meowth with a slight smile and a chuckle.
"What are you talking about?!" asked Jessie in a angry tone
"Of course he will survive. He ALWAYS does." said Meowth to his two human friends.
"But…" Jessie began again but was stopped by James.
"Jessie. He IS alive. And he is here. We don't want to believe it either but it's true." said James and he put his hand on Jessie's shoulder. They looked at each other and Jessie finally calmed down a little.
"So. What now?" asked Meowth.
"What do you mean 'What now?' We will help him of course." said Jessie to the other two which surprised the other two members of their little gang. "Why do you look so surprised?" asked Jessie.
"Well... how would I put it." said James as he scratched the back of his head. "Meowth?" asked James. And with a sigh, Meowth began talking.
"It's dangerous, and well you was always da one who hated da twerp da most. So... we didn't expect ya ta side with him so suddenly." said Meowth.
"Hey. I didn't like him very much but that doesn't change the fact that he doesn't deserve this. No one does! He would be stupid enough to help us if we would end up in the situation like this. Now it's our time to be stupid enough to help him!" said Jessie loudly.
"So I guess it's decided then." said James.
"Yes. We're gonna save da twerp." replied Meowth.
And they got to work. They were planning the whole day how to get Ash out of this Arceus-forsaken place. The debate came even to the fact that they will be hiding for the rest of their lives from Team Rocket. Because if they free him successfully, it will be clear who did it. But surprisingly, nobody cared about being hunted. It surprised the trio how much they cared about twerp's well being. But on the other hand, it wasn't so surprising. Besides. Dressing as someone else and pretend they are someone else is their specialty.
But it is very tricky getting the twerp out of here without attracting too much attention. The biggest problems are the cameras posted on every corner, scattered around the base. They know that if they turn off the cameras, all of HQ will be on their ass. They somehow have to sneak right under their noses without being noticed. And that's almost impossible.
"So we will have to be on the cameras. With the bloody twerp with us. That's impossible. We need to find another way around the cameras." said Jessie.
"There isn't. We need ta find a disguise an somehow sneak through da halls with da twerp with us." said Meowth.
"But the twerp can't even talk. Not to mention walk. Basically a corpse already. We would have to carry him outside ourselves." said James.
"Wait. That's it! We will carry him out like a corpse!" exclaimed a very excited Meowth.
"Problem is. He isn't a corpse. Guys at the exit check if the bodies are alive or if they are dead. It won't work." said James.
"I already thought dat through. We would be screwed. But what if we stop his heart?" said Meowth.
"WHAT?!" asked both James and Jessie.
"Guys, da science lab will have something dat can temporarily stop his heart. I guarantee it. We just need one single syringe of dat stuff and we are good ta go." said Meowth.
"We are playing a really dangerous game here." said Jessie.
"We don't have much of a choice." said Meowth sadly, even though they clearly had a choice. Just walk away. But none of them wanted the easy way out, with a twerps blood on their hands.
"Okay. Let's say that is taken care of. But then we still need a disguise and something on which we will carry him outside." said James.
"Exactly. So Jessie: You''ll take care of da disguise. James: You'll grab a gurney on which we can carry him outside. And I'll get da syringe from da lab. We don't have much time, so we must hurry. I don't know how long da twerp can withstand da torture." said Meowth.
"So. I guess that's it... May Mew be on our side for once." said James to the two friends in the room.
"May Mew be on our side for once." said the other two as they put their hand (and a paw) on top of each other.
3 days later
"Night sweetheart. I hope you had a great day even though I wasn't here for it. Don't worry, I have something that will make up for the time we were separated." said Domino as she approached her prisoner for the first time today. He didn't even lift his head up. Not in the slightest. She would have thought he was dead if it weren't for the collar to cause a twitch from him and a slight groan.
"Seems like he can't even scream now." thought Domino. "Or he got used to it."
"I have to say I am truly impressed. You lasted 6 days with this torture. Even the most elite guy managed to last 18 hours, that's without the collar." Domino said as she approached her tool desk and grabbed a pair of bloody pincers. She then pulled his chin up with them a little so he could saw her face.
"But before I go to bed, I say that we raise the torture bar since we only have one day left until I have to kill you." said Domino
"I have good news and bad news for you." said Domino. The man in front of her was just looking at her with his tired, magical blue eyes.
"The good news is that this." she said and brought the pincers to the collar around his neck. "is going away." She then grabbed the collar with the pincers and tore it off Ash. Hundreds of scars, riddled across around his neck, some in form of small lightning bolts revealed the damage the electric collar did to him.
"The bad news is, I got something better." said Domino. As she showed him a syringe full of some light green liquid.
"I don't know the full name of this stuff, but I am telling you right now. You will be begging for the collar to come back soon." Domino said in a menacing tone, and without any warning she injected the liquid to his left wrist, finding the right vein needed.
Ash couldn't even begin to describe what the pain felt like after it was injected. He remembers struggling to break free. The struggling became more and more apparent with each second. The prisoner that was once unable to move was now withering in his chains like a madman in a matter of seconds
"CUT IT OFF!" he yelled. Ash he was struggling more and more.
"So it works... Nice." said Domino as she was enjoying the show in front of her.
"CUT THE HAND OFF, PLEASE!" yelled the prisoner as he was struggling in his chains more and more.
"Wow. I may have overdone it." said Domino and she looked at the syringe. This was the first time he was pleading. He always yelled in pain or was quiet during their torture session. Not once he pleaded. She truly overdone it. Scientists told her to give him only half a syringe. But she thought that since he is an Aura Guardian, he will need much more to feel anything. Maybe a ¾ would be the right amount.
"Tell me what I want to know and I will grant you your request."said Domino to him.
"CUT IT OFF!" yelled the man in pain as he was struggling to break free.
"That's not what I want to hear." said Domino. Man, he was completely losing it right now. In the right dose, it should feel like your arm is burning. Is on fire. And the pain receptors in the arm should be much more sensitive with some adrenaline to make him aware of it. Or something like that. She didn't really listen what kind of pain it brings. The important thing was, it should last. And not just through those 2 days. Scientists told her that once it was injected into someone, the only way to get rid of it was an antidote, which they haven't even begun to make her yet.
"PLEASE!" yelled the man.
God, he had to be truly desperate to plead her, since he had to know that whatever he was doing before wasn't gonna get him anywhere.
"That won't work either. Say your name!" said Domino.
"NEVER!" yelled the man again with desperation.
"You are just incorrigible!" exclaimed Domino.
"DO IT! KILL ME! KILL ME! KILL ME!" yelled the man from the top of his lungs. It was like he wasn't even there anymore. The person that was now in front of her was completely different from the one she captured. Just how much pain is he withstanding right now? Does the stuff in the syringe have an influence on his behaviour?
"Well. I am going to bed and you better be screaming your name once I get back here in the morning." said Domino and she left the room. She was certain that no matter how much Aura Guardians could withstand, this will be the straw that breaks the camel's back. The water is truly near its boiling point.
Ash felt terrible. This had to be the torture they reserved for the worst people in hell. If he wasn't in so much pain, he'd laugh at how childish he was. He thought that training during those 3 years was hell. Compared to this, it was like riding a bike. His whole arm was literally in frenzy. It burned so much. Not even Charizards Flamethrowers came close to whatever was inflicting his arm right now. He got a lot of energy from the injection, but it was just to have him struggle and yell. He couldn't do anything to s too the pain. He nearly withstood it though. Just one day and it will be over. But the arm. That left arm pained him brutally. He couldn't do this the whole night. He took it long enough and already, he wanted to die and get rid of the pain.
Were those tears that were falling down? They made him cry. For the first time since he was here. Burning embers, guns and knives didn't create a single tear. All it took was one syringe full of some shit. How much he wants the hand to stop burning. Cutting the hand off is all Ash thinks about since it was injected into him. His mind screamed to get rid of that hand. And all he could do was scream about how much it hurt
Suddenly the door opened again and someone peaked in.
"Guys. The coast is clear. Let's go." said a red haired lady with a mask and nurse outfit folded on the hospital bed. She entered the room with a man who had a hospital bed on wheels and was pushing it forward. There was something under the blankets of the bed, and it ended up being Meowth. Finally Ash thought, thank Arcues they came.
"CUT MY LEFT HAND OFF!" Ash yelled to the trio as soon as they entered the room.
"What?!" asked the trio in a union. This wasn't what they were expecting upon their entrance.
"CUT IT OFF! PLEASE!" yelled Ash yet again.
"What the fuck is he talking about again?" asked Jessie as she looked at the two other members of their gang.
"Looks like the collar is gone... They gave him something else probably..." said Meowth.
"CUT IT OFF! PLEASE!" Ash begged.
"Uhmm... Do you really wa…" James started talking to Ash but was interrupted.
"YES! CUT IT OFF!" yelled Ash again.
The trio then looked at Ash once again. Looked at how he was struggling and how he was... crying? Did he really cry? They never saw him cry like this. Can they really do it? Chop his hand off? That's not something they planned to happen. And certainly not something any of them wanted to do.
"PLEASE!" yelled Ash again.
"So... is there something that I can chop his hand off with?" asked Jessie.
"Jessie?! Are you crazy?! You truly want to chop his hand off?" asked Meowth in disbelief. "And are you deaf? It's not what I want, but he does!" said Jessie.
"I can't watch this. This is too much. Can't we find something else to lessen the pain? Don't you think this is extreme?"
James turned around, away from Jessie and Meowth to face the doors of the room.
Jessie meanwhile looked at the stool. A lot of tools for torture. Thankfully there was a large machete too. She took a deep breath and picked it up. Meanwhile, Ash was still shouting that he wants to have his left arm cut off.
"Meowth! The chain! James, we don't have time to find a cure. We need to move quickly." said Jessie.
And after slight hesitation from Meowth, he jumped up and used Slash attack to separate the chain from the ceiling. Meowth was still not on board with the plan to chop Ash's hand off. Even if the twerp himself wants to. Seems really barbaric.
Ash dropped on the bloody floor and was twisting in pain and was thrashing his body everywhere once he fell down.
"James! I need you to hold him! Meowth cut the shackles so I can chop his hand off." yelled Jessie as she took on the role of a leader.
Meowth did as he was told, even though it wasn't easy. It was quite the challenge with Ash thrashing all about like a Gyrados. But he managed. Then it was James's turn. To say he wasn't pleased was clear, so after some commands from Jessie, he finally jumped on Ash and held his left arm in place so Jessie could do her thing.
"I hope the blade is sharp." said Jessie and she lifted the machete above her head and with a powerful swing, she lopped Ash's hand off. Almost immediately, Ash's screams stopped. His thrashing stopped. He was breathing heavily and wincing slightly, but he finally stopped.
"Guys. We need to patch it with something." said Meowth when he looked at Ash's missing hand warily.
"James. I have bandages in my nurse disguise on the hospital bed. Bring them to me." said Jessie. At least she will put that knowledge she learned at medical school to some use.
And James brought the bandages as quickly as he could. Man, this was not planned at all. Jessie then made sure that the place where his hand was cut off was bandaged properly so that blood wasn't spurting everywhere.
"I'm not sure dis will be enough" said Meowth when he looked at the bandaged wrist.
"It will. Trust me on this one." said Jessie.
"Thank you…" said Ash quietly. The trio just looked at him with concern. It had to be really bad if he was thanking them after the just dismembered him. They just forced a smile, nodded and continued.
"Great. Now that we have this out of the way how about we finally put our plan to motion?" asked James as he pulled out another syringe with some liquid in his hand.
"Okay twerp, we lost a lot of time with the hand removal and we are in a hurry. So, goodnight." said Jessie and she took the syringe and injected it to Ash's neck. And shortly after it, Ash, after six days of torture, he finally fell unconscious. He could finally sleep.