Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Nightmare Syndrome ❯ Snake Eyes ( Chapter 9 )

Nightmare Syndrome

By: Chibi-Suiko

A/N: I got this great idea while I was rereading KawaiiCherryBlossom's fic 'Tears of Life' (A great remake of MSB, you should go read it if you haven't all ready) when this came to me. If KCB happens to read this story at anytime, I'd like to inform her that I wasn't trying to steal her idea for continuation of my story. Anyway, I hope all who've read this one of mine enjoy and review to tell me what they think. There won't be more than two chapters after this one (Maybe only an epilogue) so keep checking for the final update, kay?

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Summary: Last chapter the two teams of Twerp and Rocket combined continued their excavation through Lavender Tower, trying to fight any and every Ghost Pokemon they came across. Brock, James, and Meowth have noted a possible solution to the seemingly way-too-long-and-strenuous task by the means of a Pokemon God statue demolishment. Ash, Jessie, and Pikachu are heading to the area to check it out but will they approve of ridding the Ghastly, Haunter, and Gengar of the only religion they've ever known? And just what will the effects have on Misty's condition?

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Chapter Nine: Snake Eyes

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Ash and Co. (Minus Misty, of course) stood in front of the towering monument, trying to find the best means of tearing it down. Brock offered them Geodude but they all knew that Onyx would be much too large to help them without blasting its head through the roof. Ash had only Heracross to use brute strength because he obviously couldn't send for Charizard or Snorlax. Jessie was more than willing to let them use Wobbufett and Arbok if it meant escaping Hell a bit sooner than planned. But, for something this huge, they'd probably need twice the amount of strength that they had. That was, until Meowth made a suggestion.

Meowth (Looking thoughtful): Jessie, could ya's use Wobbufett's Countoir to richocete da Ghost Pok-E-mon's attacks in da genoial direction of da effigy?

Ash (Grinning as the idea crosses his mind): Meowth, you're a genius!

Meowth (Smugly): Well of coise, Twoip. Who else is capable of runnin' da Team?

Jessie (Seething at Meowth's comment): ...Fine. I'll do it. But I want back up in case any of those things come after me.

James (Looking sorta determined): You got it, Jess. I won't let anyone near you or your Pokemon. Weezing can help out.

Jessie (Partly touched, partly doubtful): Uh... Thanks James but... I'd kinda prefer one of those two look out for me (points at Ash and Brock). No offense but they have a knack for, well, winning.

James (Facefaulting): HEY! I'm trying to stick up for you here and watch your back! The least you could do is be supportive of me! I'm not doing this only because of our Team ship Jess! C'mon, just let me act as your colleague and not your flea for once!

Jessie (New sense of guilt and acceptance): ...All right, James. I'm sorry. Just... You be careful too, all right? The last thing I wanna do is end up telling the Boss that I need a new male member. And I don't want you ending up the same as the Twerp's girlfriend so, you know, don't hesitate to protect yourself.

James (Looking around, seemingly absent-mindedly): You too... And Meowth! Meowth? (Pulls him from behind Gengar statue) Meowth!!! Why are you hiding now of all times?! Don't you wanna know what glory and victory taste like for once?!

Meowth (Paws over eyes, swipes James): Well, you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat... I'd rather not guess how this will most-likely end...

Jessie (Pissed): Why you cowardly, rotten, little kitten?! No wonder Giovanni kicked you from the Top Cat position!!!

James (Sighing): Jessie, are you saying that you're not the least bit scared of this situation..? Think about it, Meowth isn't exactly the best Pokemon for battle in this case. I think he has the right to be a little fearful. He has no defenses. Let him hang out here. We'll-We'll... Ugh! I almost had a brilliant idea!

Brock (Sweatdropping): Well... Let's build some sort of Trainer/Pokemon wall around the statue. We'll get Geodude, Heracross, Wobbufett, and Bayleef to push and/or pull. Geodude on one side to push, Beyleef and Heracross on the other to pull. Wobbufett can deflect the attacks into the stone on Geodude's end and, hopefully crack it well enough to rid it of some of the weight... Ash and I will go ahead and divert the Ghastly, Haunter, and Gengar's attention from whatever Vulpix and the others are doing right now. James, you stay here and hold up the support field for Jessie while the others start the battle. AND DON'T EVEN THINK OF STEALING THEM!

Ash and Brock disappear for a moment up ahead. There was some kind of sudden tremor as the whole battle gets turned in the direction of the Gengar monument. At that point in time, James and Jessie were left alone to themselves, besides Meowth, who had retreated as far from the open scenes as possible.

Jessie (Looking apprehensive about what she has to say): You know... James, you were right about this whole thing. It terrifies me. But it's these times where strength from at least one person can come in handy. I like being that person. I push my fears back for the Team. Not that it helps most of the time but... In any case, this time, I want you to be brave with me. All right?

James (Looking shocked that she opened up to him): ...Jessie... You do realize that you've almost admitted to imperfection, right? But I'd be honored to hold up the fort with you. Everyone needs a little support now and then... It's all I can do not to throw you out of here, you know that?

Jessie: WHAT?!

James: ...Jessie, you and Meowth, alongside allegiance with Team Rocket, are the best things that ever happened to me... I'd be damned if I let anything happen to you--or him--for whatever reason. Especially if I could prevent it. And I-I think I could really prevent blood shed if I tried. And... God, these are one of those last minute heroic moments we see the Twerps playing all the time! It's hard to say a thing when you've never played this role before..! (Laughing bitterly.)

Jessie (Appalled expression softening): You...You'd throw me out a window, just to protect me--?

James (Nodding): Just like the Twerp would've done for his girlfriend if he'd been there on time... We're becoming more like them every day. Every time I turn around, we're either helping them or they're helping us. Like when the red-headed Twerpette gave us that plant to cure your allergic reaction to that Vileplume's Stun Spore. Maybe this hero thing isn't so bad...

Jessie (Scoffing): It'd be much better if it involved a lot less death and a lot more cash...

James (Smirking): Agreed. I take it, then, that you aren't currently looking for a new position in the world of truth and heroism?

***

Ash and Brock were now up front, hoping to lure away a few of the ghost members to the back, where their attacks would be most-likely able to hit the statue head-on.

Brock: Ash, I know I haven't said it before now but I'm very proud of you.

Ash (Confused): What for? I didn't do anything.

Brock: This is the type of hero to be. You're risking your life for Misty, not knowing how close to death you are, and holding hope and prayer in your hand, as if it's enough. Don't try telling me that you don't care for her now, genius, because doing something this big has given it away completely. Still, do you plan on telling her?!

Ash (sweatdropping nervously): Uh... Brock... This isn't really the time for... WATCH OUT!

A Nightshade attack flew right at Brock but Ash pulled him out of the way.

Ash: Now, c'mon! We're going to drag a few in the direction we need them in! (Holds up arms, shakes them around, speaks in a LOUD voice) Yoohoo! Ghoul-kids! Bet you can't catch me! Nya nya! (sticks out tongue, antagonizing) Come and get me, you idiot--

Brock (angry at the sight of the obviously angered Pokemon): ASH! I think that you've gotten their attention!

The whole battle had stopped. The lead Gengar seemed to look seriously affronted and was shouting 'commands' for his army to go after Ash, and Ash alone. Brock had to jump out of the way as a stampede rushed him, making Ash had to gallop down the hall again. Back with Brock, Pikachu had walked up to him, hoping to come to understanding with everything that was going on.

Pikachu: Pika Pikapi Pichu?! (Where's Pikapi going?!)

Brock: Well, hopefully, he's luring the Ghastly, Haunter, and Gengar into our trap. Now, let's hurry and see what he's really gotten himself into, Pikachu!

And they rushed off together to find Ash, who was huddling behind an immobile Jessie and James, watching as the ghost Pokemon combined their single attacks into one massive Night Shade. Brock didn't really know what he could do so he called on Jessie.

Brock: Jessie! Use Wobbufett to redirect the attacks at the monument! Hurry, this in itself could be enough to send it falling to the ground!

Jessie (regaining control of her shuddering limbs): Uh... Right! Go, Wobbufett! Use your Counter attack and aim it right at the base of that statue! (points at giant Gengar)

Wobbufett stepped forward and began to glow red. The colossal Night Shade technique rammed into Wobbufett's chest, almost sending him reeling, though he used all of his might to hold up his ground. Jessie watched as Geodude stepped up behind him and held out his arms, helping him by holding up his bending back. Finally, after much effort, the attack seemed to deflect a bit and was sent in another direction... Right into the statue.

Immediately afterward, Geodude crushed its stone hands into one side of the wall and shoved, while Beyleef wrapped its vines around from the other and tugged, making the base shatter under their strength. Pikachu used a Thunderbolt on the mass of ghosts, causing them to attack again. Wobbufett caught it and, using Counter, sent it into the base again. Arbok then appeared and slammed into the rock with his tail, making the giant monument fall to pieces.

Rock crumbled and the debris fell, naked, to the floor. The group stood back as the horde of Pokemon gave a shriek, reeling back before seemingly growing into one large mass of darkness and then fading out. It was like one of those horror monster movies with no certain end, they all decided, as the giant wave of ghost Pokemon continued to twist, turn, scream, magnify, shrink; the whole load.

After about two minutes, the horror seemed to die out. The group sighed, relieved, before Ash made his statement.

Ash: Let's get back. Misty should, hopefully, be awake by now. Or at least soon.

***

Ash stepped cautiously through the same hospital room door as before. He heard the beeping of the machines, saw the peachy white color of the walls. The lack of lamplight made the room seem to give it a faint eerie glow. And in the center of it all lay Misty, pale, pasty, unmoving. The sight made Ash want to break down but he stepped forward. almost a little too expectantly.

He had been told that this would wake her... He had been told that there was no other proven way... He had been told wrong. Ash realized, as he gripped Misty's hand, her condition not looking any better, that there was nothing else he could do. The one plan that was thought to be flawless, no matter how dangerous alongside the other factors, hadn't worked. Was Misty doomed to death?

Jessie (stepping through door, looking solemn): ...It doesn't look like anything's changed. I-I'm sorry, twerp. We tried... You may think that we were only helping you because you helped us but, strangely enough, we kinda regret what's happened to the Twerpette. Probably almost as much as you. I know you cared for her and she felt the same way and all that but... When you've tried everything in your knowledge to help, what else are you supposed to count on other than faith alone?

Ash (eyes dim, tears beginning to fall): So... You're just giving up? How can you just... Let it go as if it never mattered to you? I know you guys are... A part of Team Rocket but I never thought that you'd be that cruel... Don't you know of anything else we could do to help her?

Jessie (now looking skeptical): What else is there to do? We did what we could. The only method known to solve such a case as this didn't work. Obviously, either we missed something or this case just happens to be different. Perhaps her emotions are so powerful that any normal way to get her to snap out of it isn't working! Maybe it IS her lo-her... Just... Twerp, the girl is trying to tell you something; she has been for years. I'm thinking it's about time you tried to listen to the words that never really made it out of her mouth... Faith, Twerp. You never know how far it'll get you... (Walks out of the room, muttering) It's exactly like my favorite soap opera! I need to go read a nice novel... Sleeping Beauty perhaps...

Sleeping Beauty? There was something about that title that seemed very familiar... Wasn't that the one with the mermaid and the evil Tentecruel lady? No, that one was something like... The mermaid with legs... (Brock: The mermaid with GREAT legs.) Sleeping Beauty, Sleeping Beauty... Ash was remembering small pixie-like creatures, a dragon, a Prince Charming, a kiss... THAT was it. Sleeping Beauty just happened to be Misty's favorite classic. She had told him once, while they had been resting by the seashore one afternoon. He hadn't really thought anything of it but... Was that comment about her favorite fairytale one of those 'something's' she had been trying to say to him?

He looked down at her. Misty's pale face was propped up on her pillow, her long lashes just reaching under her closed lids, her red hair restrained still with that band, her expression of an innocent child having a sweet dream. Her face was a mere six inches from his and, for some reason, Ash couldn't stand that horribly long distance. Slowly, he started forward, hardly even noticing the closeness between them. For once, there were not disturbances, no Pikachu to shock him out of it, no Brock to comment on his 'smoothness', and no Team Rocket to attempt capture of his Pokemon... It was all working out so perfectly.

Ash decided, with much conviction, that it had been too perfect; especially once he gained the feeling back in his arms after his lips had touched hers. For once, he was able to enjoy something fully, besides Pokemon training or eating, and he was loving every minute of it. As he felt himself removing his lips from atop hers and leaning back in his chair, suddenly feeling slightly tired, he realized for the first time what he'd just done.

Ash (shocked, bemused, shameful): I've just kissed my best friend behind her back... It's like I was using her... And after all that I've done to her all ready...

He stood up and walked over to the window, leaning his forehead against the calm, cool glass. There was nothing about it he hadn't liked but... It felt so wrong and right at the same time... And Misty obviously didn't know anything if she was out cold... Which made him feel like he was... Playing dirty... In the game of love...

He had just rolled Snake Eyes.

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A/N: Only one more chapter, I've decided! I'm still wondering about the whole Team Rocket thing. I think I'll write the sequel once I finish the last couple chapters of Miss Discovery!, Unknown, and write a possible two or three new shorties. Not meaning that they'll be one-shots because one of them is all ready planned to be two parts long. Still, what did you all think? Nice? Not? Worth continuing? Thanks to the few who actually thought this fic was good. I wasn't giving up on it; it was just on hold for a bit. One thing you'll never have to worry about when it comes to me is that, if I post a fic and happen not to update for awhile, it doesn't mean that I've quit. I've all ready set my own personal standards and have told myself that, no matter how much time/how many years it takes, I'll never stop writing on a certain idea. That means every fic I post will eventually be finished. It just might take a bit of time.

And now that I've finished writing that long authors note, you can leave, review, and tell me of all the great things I'm doing with this!

--Chibi ending transmission.