The Cerulean Kingdom had a checkpoint at the northern Mount Moon entrance. To prevent smuggling of weapons and aid for the resistance, armed guards checked all people and cargo going in and out of the country.
Inside the tunnel, far enough from the exit to be out of sight and earshot of the guards, Rothby's convoy stopped. Two of the carts were unloaded.
"Those two carts have got false bottoms," said Rothby. "Two of you will go in each, and we'll load them up again. There's a few small holes for you to breathe, but when the guards are checking the carts, keep still and don't make a sound."
Timmy, Ash and Pikachu lay themselves prone onto the first cart. Gary and Brock took the second. They replaced the false bottoms, giving them a foot's clearance. Then they began to load up the carts again.
"Hurry," he heard one of the men say, "someone's coming behind us."
Very soon the loading noises stopped and Ash felt the cart move off. To say Ash felt closed in was an understatement. He had never felt worse in his life. Ash shut his eyes and stopped thinking about where he was. He reached his hand out and petted Pikachu for comfort. It helped. He could hear Timmy breathing softly. He gained some reassurance from knowing he was not in it alone.
The cart jolted to a halt. There were muffled voices talking.
"Name?" he heard a gruff voice say.
"You've had a long day, I gather," retorted Rothby.
"State your name and your business, sir."
"Rothby. General trader."
"Check all the carts!" Ash heard the gruff voice shout. It was followed by footsteps and then noises of his cart being searched.
Pikachu prodded Ash.
"Ssh, Pikachu," Ash whispered.
Pikachu kept prodding. Ash figured it might be hungry or something. Not getting any help from its trainer, it started scratching at the wall.
"Stop it, Pikachu."
"Sir," said a voice outside, "there's a noise in there."
Footsteps.
"Unpack it completely."
More footsteps.
"Is there a problem?" That was Rothby's voice.
"One of my men heard a noise."
"Probably a rattata looking for food," said Rothby. "We'll get rid of it when we unpack."
"We have orders to investigate irregularities."
"Please," said Rothby, "we've been delayed enough by a Zubat panic in the tunnel. I have deliveries to make before dark."
"Likely story. Men, check thoroughly."
"Excuse me, what's the hold up?" It was a new voice, but not entirely unfamiliar.
"Who are you?" said the gruff voice.
"I am Kosaburo, on official business for the Lord of Viridian. I'm riding on the following convoy and I am in a hurry to visit your king."
Kosaburo? Ash recognised him as the young Viridian official that he had met before.
"Wait your turn. I'm following the king's orders."
"And the king will be displeased if he knows you've delayed me."
"Show me your papers, sir, and you can go on ahead."
"On foot? My matter can't wait. I require a ride. I have been delayed enough by the Zubat panic."
"Zubat, you say? Alright... Men, pack up, we'll let them through."
"Thank you. I'm sure the king will reward you accordingly," said Kosaburo.
Soon the carts were loaded and they were moving again. Pikachu had settled down.
"What's that smell?" asked Timmy.
"Smells like Pikachu pee," replied Ash.
♦
It was late by the time Rothby made his first delivery stop. Ash heard a new voice.
"Thank You for waiting," said Rothby.
"It's past closing time. I was getting worried."
"Sorry Philip, someone got lost in the tunnels. The first two carts have your goods. Can we unload them at the back?"
Ash felt his cart move again, more slowly. A few minutes later, it stopped and the cart started being unpacked.
"What's the story?" said the man addressed as Philip.
"There's four men. Can you hide them?"
"They can stay in the shop while it's closed. But my apprentice will be back in the morning."
"Oh and there's a monster, a... pikachu I think it's called."
Philip paused for a moment. "We'll have to be careful with that one. Now I better pay you for the goods."
"You won't check them first?"
"It's late—I'll have to trust you anyway, Rothby."
"Thanks. If there's any problem, send me a pidgey and I'll make good next time."
At last, Ash felt a rush of cool, fresh air as the cover over his compartment was lifted. It was night time and there weren't any lamps lit, which he reasoned was deliberate.
"Easy lads," said Rothby as he and two of his men helped Ash and Timmy out. They had been lying there for hours and were very stiff.
"Quickly," said a voice he recognised as Philip. "Inside."
"Come on, Pikachu," said Ash.
"Ssh!" said Philip. "Anyone notices that monster and we're done for."
Once all of them were inside, Rothby's men carried in the boxes of goods. Rothby received his payment, shook Philip's hand, then put his hand on Ash's shoulder.
"Good luck to all of you," he said, and left.
Philip closed the back door and locked it. Ash looked around. It was a storeroom for a workshop. It looked like Philip made tools of various kinds. There were benches and shelves lining the walls. All of them were old, worn and gashed, but functional and tidy.
"Welcome," said Philip. "Prince Brock I recognise. You must be..."
"Prince Timmy at your service, sir."
"I never expected such high-profile guests. And the two of you?"
"Prince Gary of Pallet, and this is Ash. And his Pikachu."
"This was not a sort of help I was expecting," said Philip. "Please, pull up a box and sit down. I hid some food for you. Please tell me— how do you plan to help us?"
The group sat down on the boxes Rothby brought in while Philip rummaged for the food.
"Tomorrow we'll familiarize ourselves with the city and formulate a plan," replied Brock. "Tomorrow night we rescue the Princess and hide her. The following night we take her out through Mount Moon."
"The city is large. Hiding her may be possible," said Philip. "Taking her into Mount Moon will not."
"We'll have military support," said Brock. "Pewter forces will be stationed in the tunnel. They'll come out and attack the guards. I'm also supposed to let you know that we'll supply you with weapons. At midnight two nights from now, when the Pewter soldiers attack, make sure you have as many men as possible hidden in the area to receive the weapons."
"I can't believe it," said Philip. "It's finally happening. We've dreamt for freedom for so long."
"Is there anywhere where we can hide Misty—and ourselves—after we escape from the palace?" asked Gary.
Philip considered. "You're a large group—better separate. Two of you can bring Misty here. You'll have to force that window open—if you're caught, I don't want to be implicated. Misty has a cousin, Rose—she's on our side. She can hide the other two and the pikachu."
"What happens the next day if we're here?" asked Brock. "Wouldn't it be better to hide Misty at her cousin's?"
"The day after tomorrow is our day off. Most shops apart from food shops are closed, but her cousin would be one of the first places they'd search. Ash and Timmy they wouldn't recognise. The crown princes are better known so they should hide here. One more thing: apparently Misty has fallen ill. Rumours says she's getting worse."
The four exchanged glances.
"Do you think she's well enough to move?" asked Gary.
"I think we take the chance and hope for the best," said Brock. "If we bring her here and they come looking, is there anywhere to hide?"
"Look around and decide for yourselves. There's furniture and boxes. Now I must leave. Please make sure you leave no evidence of having been here. And make sure no-one sees that pikachu."
Everyone nodded and offered their thanks.
"We may not meet again," said Philip, "so I bid you good-bye and good luck."
Philip shook each of their hands. Ash had never seen such an expression of pained hope. He silently resolved to make their mission succeed. Philip left through the front door and locked it behind him.
