The Misdreavus Menace

Chapter Twenty-Nine — An Idea

"Misty's taking too long." Ash tried to pace, but found the low ceiling awkward.

Dan had been sitting down, deep in thought. "You know, Ash, something you said gave me an idea about getting the other transporter back. It's a long shot, though."

Ash couldn't concentrate.

"Piikaa!" shouted Pikachu, pointing out the window.

Skirting the edge of the clearing, two Team Rocket members dressed in black, a teenage girl and a boy were to be seen accompanied by a bunch of Misdreavus. One of the Rockets was carrying another boy over his shoulder.

"Team Rocket!" cried Ash. "They've caught them!"

The rest of the party looked on. They saw Travis try to wrestle away from his captor's grip, but the latter prevailed.

"Let us out," said Ash. "We've got to save them."

"Clefairy!" replied the pilot with an anxious look on its face.

"Please," Ash insisted. "There's enough of us here to take them on."

"Fairy, fairy!" explained the Clefairy, sounding frantic.

"Take it easy," said Dan. "Kadabra, can you tell us what's going on?"

We cannot open the door and risk infiltration by the menace.

"But that's Misty out there," cried Ash, "and the two young boys!"

For all we know this transporter may be the only viable resistance against Team Rocket and the menace. We cannot afford such a risk.

Outside, Butch paused to look at the transporter, but only momentarily. A minute later the Rocket party was lost among the trees in the dimming light of dusk.

"Pikachu," said Pikachu, looking perplexed.

"If you're wondering why they're ignoring us," replied Dan, "either they know they can't take this transporter, or maybe they've got something more urgent to attend to."

"Please," urged Ash again," can't you let me out? I've got to try to save them."

The Clefairy and Kadabra conferred.

Ash, the coast seems clear. You can go, but we need the Pikachu to stay with us.

"No way! I won't stand a chance."

We need the numbers in case we are attacked.

"Clefairy!" insisted the pilot.

"How about my other Pokémon? I can give you Wartortle and Bellsprout."

Kadabra turned to the two Clefairy. They nodded.

"Ash," said Dan, "I feel worse about the boys than you do. I was responsible for them. But what makes you think you'll achieve anything by going after them like that?"

"I've got to try. I can't let Team Rocket get away with this."

Ash's stubbornness prevailed. He let the two Pokémon out, gave appropriate orders, and left with Pikachu.

"Clefairy?" said the co-pilot. It sounded like a suggestion.

"What's it saying?" asked Dan.

We look for the other transporter.

"I doubt it'd be left unguarded. I've got a better idea. Take me back to my lab."

The two Clefairy and Kadabra looked at each other doubtfully.

"I think my idea's the only way to get the other transporter back, but there's some issues I need to figure out. You can all come and get something to eat."

Dan's last statement convinced the others to go along with his plan.