Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Sin City ❯ Chapter 6

“What happens if you get arrested again?” is Misty's question.

“Why would I?” I respond. Meowth seems to think it's a good move because he doesn't reprimand me for talking.

“You've been irresponsible once so you might be again. It might even happen by accident. You'll probably get a parking ticket or something. With a prior conviction you'll get a longer sentence. Then your Pokemon will have to wait for you on the outside, all alone. You shouldn't let that happen.”

Misty was interesting. She could use her words as a weapon if she wanted. They were fierce and spiteful enough considering how small the matter in hand was. However her anger was genuine not calculated. She was just looking out for Vulcan in a way I can't. She was too nice to use her power. Under other circumstances I would ask her out. Meowth looks like he's about to reply, then he changes his mind. He seems to realize that Vulcan can be an asset in this argument.

“Pix Vulpix Vulpix Vul.”

“He says he'll wait. You've seen how dis Pokemon feels about his master, or should I say his friend? However it don't matter no how. He ain't gonna do dat stuff again. If ya most know he's try'en ta quit. Now there's nothing more likely to motivate ya than your best friend's feelings for ya is there?”

Misty's eyes seemed to soften for a moment, as if this remark had touched her a little.

“Ok. I agree.”

Another one done but Misty won't leave my mind. I begin to vaguely search for a plan that will allow me to meet her. Her looks are unusual too. She doesn't hide her attractiveness or show it off. She just doesn't seem to realize that she's actually pretty but it's recognisable to everyone else.

“I'm Lewis Surge, sir to you, and I'd love to talk about what you've done wrong but I know it won't change anything. So here it is: do you deserve another chance? All these practical concerns are small details to be sorted out later compared to this question.”

“I know Meowth doesn't want me to answer that. I'm like a witness who counsel knows will get unnecessarily angry on the stand and say something I shouldn't. I hope he gives me a chance though because I think when he hears what I have to say he'll understand my reasons. Maybe it's better for you to say something damaging because you have to admit the truth to yourself sometimes. I've done things I regret. Sometimes, when I have nothing else to think about, I ask my self how I could have done so many painfully stupid things. Even if it's just cynicism I never seem to find peace with myself. I always second-guess my motives. I complain too much, there isn't much of my body to save, I'm weird, I'm angry, I'm not clever enough, I can't have a fully functioning relationship with people. In many ways I'm pathetic. Don't I deserve to compliment myself sometimes? Don't I deserve the chance to occasionally say I've done good things to? Dimmitt, don't I deserve some peace? Forgive me! I certainly won't.”

“I didn't know you felt so strongly. None the less this speech isn't going to get you off completely. I know…”

“Please Lewis. He clearly feels remorse for what he did. Even if he still has a problem he's evidently trying to solve it,” Erika says, interrupting him.

“He shouldn't…”

“Just give him a chance. Keep watch over him. If he gets into trouble I'm sure I won't object to whatever punishment you see fit to impose upon him.”

“I'm entitled to my vote. I don't like irresponsible trainers.”

“Adam, please forgive Lewis. He's stubborn and I can't change him. It doesn't really matter anyway. You only need five votes. I don't really have any objections. After listening to what you and your Pokemon are saying I believe in you. You've already won my vote.”

“Thank you Erika. Meowth, can we take a break now? We're half way through and this is tense.”

“If you guys have no objections?”

They didn't.

 

 

“Getting all of your faults pointed out to you at once isn't fun” I say to Meowth once we're in the corridor outside the videoconference room and I've checked to see if anyone's around to overhear.

“At least Vulcan did a good job.”

“Pix Vulpix.”

“Thanks Vulcan. I really appreciate what you said. I'm just not in a good mood.”

“Ok. So let's look at dis ding objectively. Number one we seem ta already have three votes outta four. We're more dan half way dere.”

“Your accent is getting worse.”

“Sorry. Stress, as you said. I'll try to filter it out. Is this better?”

A more upper class accent but the old one was still visible a little. Still a good attempt. I tell him that, and that it's particularly important in front of the gym leaders so he'll make a good impression. He shouldn't sound like he just walked in from the streets.

“Ok. Not only have we already gotten votes but this is the perfect chance to meet your future opponents and guess the chosen strategy of each based on his or her personality. We'll have to spend a long time work'en on that later anyway.”

“Don't take this managerial thing too far. I'm suppose to be gaining freedom if you recall.”

“Fine. We'll discuss dat later. For now, you ready ta go back in?”

“Yeah, I'm calm. Remember the accent.”

 

 

“Hey, are you that Meowth who used to belong to Team Rocket?” Sabrina asks.

“Yes, and I'm that man who used to belong to Team Rocket. I hardly think this is relative” I say.

“So smoking dope isn't your only crime. In fact that's true of both of you.”

“Yes. It's in my file so I might as well admit it.”

“I guess it's like you turning people into dolls if they lose. We all have something we don`t want to think about. Don't you agree?” Meowth asks with an edge of threat in his voice. I have to hand it to him. He can see what will work as a method of persuading someone, then change that method when the next person comes along. He uses the power Misty could have if she wanted.

“Ok. You're a sharp one. Make sure you don't cut your self.”

“Is that a vote or not?”

“You'll see.”

_________________________________________________________________ ____

 

Now it's Koga's turn.

“I will remain natural in this argument.”

“What?” Meowth exclaims. Clearly he wasn't expecting such a position on this matter.

“I agree equally with both sides of the debate heard so far, and I think there are equally important considerations that neither side has suggested. Therefore my stand is that I don't have any.”

“But you must see that…”

I put a restraining hand of Meowth's arm, tell him that we have to let this one go. After all we may have Sabrina's vote despite her deliberate mysteriousness, and there are two people left.

“So it falls to me to voice the greatest concern that our collective group has. Let's not play make believe here. We know you still have the habit. Please don't protest Meowth. I know that look well by this juncture. Now, Mr. Kails, are you capable of looking after Pokemon considering your brain altering addiction?” Blaine asks. Meowth's eyes betray his view that this will be the hardest and most important case he will have to make. The one he knew would come up at the same time he hoped it wouldn't. Instead of IQ, Meowth had EQ; emotional intelligence. He knew how to use the gym leader's own weaknesses against them. He'd known Brock and Misty a long time, due to his pursuit over several years of the Pikachu belonging to their long term friend Ash Ketchum. He knew he could get Brock's vote by plying on his attitude to abandonment, caused by the way his father suddenly left him to cope with his little brothers and sisters on his own. He used Misty's buried romantic feelings for Ash to gain her vote. Lt. Surge clearly only knew one language, anger, and Meowth would probably have used that, except I ruined it and maybe cost another vote. Meowth didn't tell me off though. He was a gentleman in that respect and I was grateful. He didn't have to get Erika on his side, she did that her self. He perceived that Sabrina was using the situation as an excuse to be a brat, so he subtly let her know he too could play at that game. Koga surprised him but there was nothing he could really do. Now he was responding to Blaine's logical arguments with the cold reasoning.

“Firstly Adam is trying to quit but if he goes into rehab he'll have ta leave his Pokemon on the outside like Misty suggested. So I'll help him instead. Secondly Vulcan has lived wid him for years with no adverse side affects.”

“Your very good at manipulating these people I'll grant you that but I'm not sure if it worked with me. I'm sorry to say I won't tell you my answer yet. This needs further consideration.”

Ok, the pressure is mounting now. One “No” vote and two maybes, Meowth's expression seems to say. Everything hinged on Alex Staunton.

“I think all of this is irrelevant. Meowth would naturally be on Mr. Kails side no matter what. He's biased. My fellow gym leaders can not see what will happen. Any of the things they've suggested could be in their own futures, or the future of any man on earth. The only real considerations is whether we can forgive the past actions of a person or not. Does what you did before mean that you will continue in the same vein forever? Personally I think people can change. So I will vote in this trainer's favour” Alex says. Everyone has said his peace. Now it's time for the vote.

“We must converse amongst our selves” Alex says, then vanishes from the screen. The wait is frightening and boring but it's soon time for the votes to be counted. Alex is doing the honours.

“Brock votes “Yes”, Misty votes “Yes”, Lt. Surge votes “No”, Erika votes “Yes”, Sabrina votes “Yes”, Koga casts no vote, Blaine votes “No”, and I vote yes. Congratulations, you get to be a Pokemon trainer.”