Ages ~

Ash ~ 21

Misty ~ 22

Brock ~ 26

Proposal

~Part 3; Loose someone? ~

Misty heard Ash's cry alright, but she didn't need him to tell her to run! As soon as she saw the rough rocket, she bolted towards were she thought was the nearest store. Ignoring all the other rockets, she threw open the doors and ran for all she was worth, aware of the rocket right on her tail. Still running, she tore off her heels and threw as hard as she could at the oncoming rocket. 'Maybe these stupid heels can be useful after all!' Well… it stopped him for a few seconds. Misty didn't stop. She kept running for all she was worth. "Where's the stupid shopping area?!" She cried out desperately.

Finally, she saw more lights indicating a mall nearby. She could tell the rocket was gaining on her. With a burst of energy, she ran by the nearest store and cried out, "BROCK! PIKACHU! HEEEEEELP!"

~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Ash's wide, chocolate eyes were filled with worry. Would she be able to make it? Was this even a good idea? He closed his eyes for a moment, praying that no harm would come to Misty. He opened his eyes and he could see the rockets seething at him, especially Butch. "We have to leave soon, sir!" A rocket by him noted nervously. "If the brat actually gets somewhere, she could alert the police of what we're doing!"

Ash smiled proudly. That brat was Misty! Even if she didn't get anywhere, he knew at least her big mouth would alert someone.

Butch growled angrily. Ash noticed and tried to climb off the table unnoticed. "YOU!" He heard. He cringed. He could almost feel the ground beneath him shake as Butch stomped angrily towards him. "YOU! IT'S ALAWAYS YOU RUINING MY PLANS!" Butch ran up to him and punched Ash in the face. Ash reeled back in surprise and clutched his sore jaw. "I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!" Butch raged. He threw another punch, but Ash managed to dodge. "STAND STILL!" Butch's whole body shook with so much rage he had stored up for Ash and his friends.

"BUTCH!" Butch stopped and turned to the woman walking more calmly towards them. "Why don't we take him to the boss instead?" She grinned evilly at him. "I'm sure he would LOVE to deal with the thorn in Team Rocket's side!"

Ash cringed again. Either way, this wasn't going to be good. Maybe he could stall them and give Misty enough time to get to them…

"No!" Butch growled. "I want to deal with him myself! I've lost promotions because of him, I've had to suffer in jail because of him and it's all because of him and those bratty friends of his!"

"Butch! Get a hold of yourself! What would the boss think - "

"Oh stuff the boss!"

Cassidy's eyes widened in surprise. Some of the rocket's behind her stepped back in fear. Not only had they never seen Butch so angry before, but no one had dissed the boss as Butch had just done. Butch still stood there, his fists shaking with rage. He looked at Cassidy with determination shining in his eyes.

"I -WE should be the boss after all we've done!"

A timid, scared voice broke the silence, "Uh sir -"

Cassidy spoke as calmly and collectively as she could, ignoring the nervous rocket behind her. "You and I both know we would love to kill him, but think of our jobs, Butch, we could very well loose then if the boss found out." She took a step towards Butch and put a hand on his shaking shoulder. "Please, calm down!" A malicious grin spread on her face. "Who says we have to deliver him to the boss unharmed?"

Butch grinned at his partner. He swiveled around to face Ash. "Alri - HEY!" He turned left and right. "WHERE'D HE GO?!" Angrily, he turned back to the rest of the room who stared in awe at the scene. "WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME HE LEFT?!"

The rocket that had spoken earlier finally found enough courage to speak again, "We tried to, sir, but you didn't listen."

Cassidy spun around and glared at the room. "ANYONE WHO TELLS ME WERE KETCHUM IS HIDING WON'T HAVE TO GIVE US ANYTHING!"

A few murmurs were heard around the room. Some shook their head defiantly, some shrugged, but both Cassidy and Butch noted with rage, some pointed to the kitchen which led to the back door.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~

Ash didn't stop after he reached the back door. He could hear the rockets finally noticing that he was missing, so he didn't waste any time getting out of there as quick as possible. He ran up the ally way followed by three rockets. Two ran to catch up with him while the other stood by the door and reached behind him and pulled out a gun. He held it up and aimed it.

The shot from the echoed in the ally way like the rush of doom. A cry soon followed the gunshot and one man crumpled to the cold, hard ground.

~_~_~_~_~_~_~

"Look, Pikachu!"

Pikachu turned its head to see what Brock was pointed out. He squealed in delight. "PIKA!"

Brock laughed. "Tell you what, if you help me get a girl's number, I'll buy you that nice, big, bottle of ketchup."

"PI!" Pikachu agreed immediately. "Chu Pikachu!"

Suddenly Pikachu's head shot up. His ears twitched and he sat stone still on Brock's shoulder, concentrating on something.

Brock remained quiet and looked at Pikachu with a curious stare. "Pikachu…?" He ventured.

"PIKA!" Pikachu jumped from his perch on Brock's shoulder and ran from his precious ketchup bottle in the malls window.

Brock quickly ran after him. "What is it Pika - oh, excuse me, sorry, pardon me! Pikachu wait up!"

Brock was quickly loosing site of the small pokemon in the crowded mall area. Finally he lost him and stopped. His eyes scanned the entire mall around him. He didn't see the small pokemon anywhere! Finally, he saw brief flash of yellow fur disappear behind a corner that led to the outside.

Brock began to run again, trying his best not to loose Pikachu.

Did you like? I think this is one of my better action fics, which is rather ironic because I didn't mean for it to be so much action.