Disclaimer: I own nothing. Doesn’t that suck?

Author’s Note: I don’t seem to have much to say. There’s a first. Someone mark their calendar. (To all you Tower readers: This isn’t the first time I’ve posted this fic, but I’m too lazy to go back and edit the Notes accordingly. Hey, I used an SAT word. Bonus points for me. But anyway, if something mentions it took however long to post…ignore it. I just didn’t feel like going back and deleting it.)

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Ash punched in a code for the security lock, and waited. The earth wall in front of him opened to reveal a steel door. A moment later, that too opened and Ash drove through, entering the Sentry base located underground about twenty miles from Pallet. Four years ago, this had been a secret training facility for the Elite Four and through their connections to many former gym leaders and powers, the Sentries had turned it into a secure base where they trained with pokemon, weapons, and close contact fighting. They also lived there and so half of the facility was used for the living area.

“Cutting it a little close, bro,” Gary said when he reached the garage. “Sun’s been up for twenty minutes.”

Ash removed his helmet and shrugged. “Did you let Pikachu out?” he asked, walking up to where his friend was waiting for him.

“No, he does it himself. I have no idea how, this place is sealed tight. Ask him?”

Ash just shook his head. “He just gives me one of those ‘do I look stupid to you?’ looks.” He looked at his yellow friend. “Unless you want to tell me now?”

“Pika, Chuu, Pikapi.”

“I didn’t think so.” He turned back to Gary, “Any calls?”

Gary nodded. “One from Vermillion. Jenny says a ‘gang’ is being cornered. She gave it about an hour before the Rockets caught them. I sent a team about forty minutes ago. They should be able to handle it.”

The Rockets had never figured out how the Sentries always knew when to show up. They suspected some type of tracking or advanced electronic equipment was involved and had spent millions upgrading their systems. They never thought something as simple as pokemon might be the secret. In every city and town, a psychic pokemon had been placed with a Jenny, Joy, former gym leader, or other trusted person. When help was needed, the pokemon contacted one of the psychics that made up the small group at Sentry. The only problem came when an enemy psychic used a powerful attack that sometimes interfered with the connection.

“Sabrina left a few hours ago,” Gary continued. “The Rockets have stopped looking for her again, so she went to a close friend’s in the Orange Islands.” Every once in awhile Sentry brought in people being pursued by Team Rocket and kept them protected until it was safe for them to go. These people were only those who were completely trusted to keep Sentry’s location secret and posed no threat to its operation and members. Sabrina was getting to be common sight for the Sentries. “And Kyle, Audrey, Laura, Chase, and Joey are waiting in Training Room Three.” Ash always handled the new members.

“I’ll be there in an hour,” Ash responded.

Gary smirked. “They’re in the same room as ten different types of guns. Is that a good idea?”

Ash shrugged. “They have to learn patience and self-control sometime. Now’s as good a time as any.”

“Whatever. I’m gonna dive, I’ve been up for thirty-two hours and counting,” Gary said, using the Sentry term for catching the standard eight hours of sleep. “If someone needs me...well, too bad.”

Ash gave him a small half-smile. “See you in eight then.”

Gary turned down a hall that led to the rooms and Ash continued down the current one. He stopped at a door that said Training Room 00 - Obtain authorization before entering. Before opening the door, Ash looked down at Pikachu. “Want some sleep or are you coming with?”

In response Pikachu struck a muscle pose. “Pika!” Another not-quite-smile appeared briefly on Ash’s face and he turned the knob.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The silence pressed down on him, making the darkness seem absolute. Which it was. Even the sounds of breathing (Pikachu’s, Bulbasaur’s, Wartortle’s, and his own) weren’t heard. Just silence.

But Ash could feel them, sense them near him. They had been together for so long the absence of sight and sound didn’t hinder their connection.

Through the silence, Ash heard the small sound of something slicing through the air. He remained still, it wouldn’t hit him. Bulbasaur would need to move, but Ash didn’t give a warning. That was the purpose of this training; to be able to function without all of the senses.

Bulbasaur had no problem getting out of the way; it simply used its vines to propel itself up. The next time there were two and Ash was forced to twist and duck to avoid both. Behind him, Pikachu dodged the projectiles that missed its trainer.

The buzz that signaled the end of the session seemed to ring through the air. The lights flickered on, causing Ash to blink rapidly for a moment. He looked at his watch. The others had been waiting for forty-five minutes.

“Good job,” he congratulated his pokemon. They were all beaded with sweat. It might not look physically trying, but the exercise spent a lot of energy. “You go rest,” he told them. “Pikachu, you too. There’s no point in coming with me.” Wiping his face with a towel, he left for Training Room Three.

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“Come on,” Misty Waterflower pleaded. “Please, just a little more.” She was juggling three large bags of groceries and was on the verge of dropping all three in the street. She was only half a block away from her apartment, but at the moment that was about half a block too far. She stumbled along, barely able to see where she was going. “Yes!” she murmured. She could see the door to her building.

“The fugitive has been found running east on Coral Street!” a voice shouted behind her.

“What?” Misty muttered, looking over her shoulder. She barely had time to notice the guns and red R’s before she was mowed down.

She waited for them to pass before getting up. She knew better than to protest being knocked down. Misty looked down at the mess that was her groceries on the street and sighed. Fixing the hat she was wearing over her hair, she put everything that wasn’t splattered back in the bags and tossed them in a nearby trashcan. “I guess I’m making another trip to the store,” she told herself.

Looking at her watch Misty swore under her breath. She would have to run there and back or she would be late for work. The store would be closed when she got off, nothing stayed open after five anymore, so she would have to go now. She was in such a hurry she didn’t hear the voice coming from the radio of a Rocket stationed at the corner:

“We are in pursuit of Suspect One. Units Two and Nine be on the lookout for the second suspect. Female, age 19, 5 foot 6 inches, blue eyes, shoulder-length red hair, goes by the name of Misty Waterflower.”

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Ash was demonstrating how to reload a 9mm pistol when Gary burst into the room. “They found Sabrina,” he said.

“Dammit.” Ash quickly reloaded the gun in his hand and turned to his pupils. “Stay out of this room,” he ordered and followed Gary out.

“She’s on the run in Cerulean. They’re slowly boxing her in.”

“Where’s Jamie?” he asked as they ran down the hall.

“She’s telling everyone in Teams One, Two, and Four. This is gonna be big. I told her to meet us in the garage.”

“Wonderful,” Ash muttered.

They slammed open the door that held all the pokemon, weapons, and anything else that might be needed. Ash and Gary grabbed some firearms, making sure they were loaded and strapped them to their ankles and waists. Gary scooped up some of his pokeballs; Ash already had his with him. Picking up some extra ammunition just in case, Ash looked at his friend.

“Ready?”

Gary gave him his classic smirk. “Always.”

The garage was filled with movement when they arrived. Jamie, their second in command, was helping to pack up and send off the jeeps. Ash hurried over. “Both Gary and I are going, so you stay here and hold down the fort,” he said.

Jamie nodded. “Who’s left?”

Jamie pointed to the last jeep. “One,” she answered.

“Perfect,” Ash said. The teams were numbered according to their experience and skill. One was the best.

“Hold up!” Jamie called. The driver looked over and Jamie pointed to Ash.

“We’re going inside,” Ash informed the team. “When you’re at the edge of the city, hide the jeep, go in and spread out. I want to get Team Rocket from the inside and then Two and Four can hit them from the back. Hopefully they won’t be suspecting it.” He hit the side of the jeep, signaling for them to go.

Next to him, Gary pulled up. Ash hopped in and found Pikachu sitting next to him. “Pika, Chuu, Chuu, Pikachu, Pikapi,” he began to scold Ash.

“I’d never leave without you, buddy,” Ash said. Gary handed him sunglasses and a hat, similar to the ones he had donned himself. It wouldn’t be good if Team Rocket recognized them before they had a chance to make a move. Ash slipped them on. “Let’s go.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Everyone on the ground!” a voice ordered. The people in the store whirled in the direction of the command. At the door stood five Rockets, all holding guns and wearing pokeballs on their belts. The shoppers dropped to the floor, Misty included. The Rockets positioned themselves around them, one staying to guard the door.

“Now,” one began with false politeness. “We are putting this area under lockdown. No one even think of moving, we will shoot you before your brain can even tell your muscles to twitch.” The Rocket who seemed to be the leader of the group smiled sweetly. “Everyone remove all hats, glasses and scarves.”

Misty and the others complied, Misty’s hair falling free from its previous confinement. She was against the wall and partly hidden by a magazine rack and she hoped to stay that way. The Rockets were known to get bored and sometimes needed something for amusement. Misty just hoped that this was over before that happened.

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Ash was across the street from a grocery store being guarded by at least five Rockets. From what he could see, there were at least twenty people being held inside. Gary’s voice spoke in his ear from the earpiece he wore to connect them.

“Ash, we found Sabrina. We’re taking her out of town, the Rockets haven’t noticed her yet. Hopefully we can sneak by, but if not, I’m positive we can take the few at the city limits.”

“Good,” Ash replied. “But I need you at Horsea and Main. Team Rocket is holding a grocery store with about twenty people.”

“Be there in two. Do we need back up?”

“No. As far as I can tell, there are only five Rockets, we should be able to take them. If you bring more, it’ll be harder to get away.”

“Alright, I’m on my way.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Misty was starting to get anxious. The Rockets kept shooting her looks, like they recognized her from somewhere. She saw one speak over his radio and listen to the reply. Whatever that reply was, it didn’t speak good for Misty. The Rocket pushed his way to Misty and lifted her forcefully by her shoulders.

“What’s your name girl?” he demanded.

“M...Misty,” she stammered. “Misty Waterflower.”

Her captor grinned evilly. “Well, M...Misty. There are a few people who want to talk to you.” Suddenly the door burst open. Misty was thrown down and the Rocket above her aimed his gun at the door. A guy who looked to be in his late teens slowly entered the store with his hands in the air. He was wearing sunglasses and a hat.

“Don’t shoot, I’m unarmed,” he said.

Ash kept his arms raised. This had to be timed just right. He knew they would probably shoot anyway. He watched one of them signal to the others to raise their guns. “Now,” he whispered.

Pikachu popped out from behind him. The sight of a Pikachu caused Team Rocket to swiftly bring up their guns and shoot at Ash. But before they could take a shot, Pikachu, already charged up, let off a strong electric shock, aiming at all of the Rockets. The metal of the guns acted as a conduit to increase Pikachu’s accuracy and force of the attack. The guns fell to the ground, twisted into unrecognizable blobs. The Rockets themselves weren’t as fazed by the attack. Long experience with the rodent pokemon had forced them to line their uniforms with a thin rubber. Luckily Ash and Gary had been prepared for that.

Gary came into the store and stood next to Ash. “Flareon, Fire Storm!”

The fire evolution that had once been Gary’s Evee let loose its most powerful attack. Team Rocket fell to the ground, charred.

“That was easy,” Gary commented.

Ash cocked his head to the side. “I’m a little disappointed.”

“Let’s drag them outside.”

Ash and Gary each pulled one out by the collar. Outside they were greeted by the sight of half a dozen members of Team Rocket training their guns on them. “Oh, shit,” Gary and Ash said together and dove inside.

A barrage of gunfire followed them and they rolled out of the direct line of fire, using the wall for cover. “Stop!” a voice outside yelled. “The girl is inside. The one the boss wants.”

“Which one?” another voice asked.

“The redhead,” was the answer. Ash and Gary looked at the only girl with red hair in the building. She was against the far wall, looking terrified.

“Here’s the deal,” someone said. “You give us the girl and we’ll let everyone else go.”

Ash and Gary looked at each other. “The rest of them first, then the girl,” Gary shouted.

There was silence for a moment.

“Fine.”

Ash motioned for the people nearest him to start walking. “Go,” he whispered. “You’ll be fine.” Slowly, they obeyed.

“Pikachu, one more and then run,” Ash said. Pikachu nodded. As their friend charged up and went to the door, Ash and Gary ran to the other side of the building.

“Come on, let there be a back door,” Gary prayed. “Yes!”

Ash grabbed the arm of the girl who was causing all the trouble and they ran out. Seconds later, Pikachu followed them.

The group found themselves in an alley that led to a dead end on one side and Team Rocket on the other. Then Ash noticed a fire escape.

“Go.”

Gary jumped up, grabbing the first rung of the ladder. When he had pulled himself up, he reached down to help the girl. When she hesitated Ash said, “Unless you want to die, lets go.”

The girl grasped Gary’s hand and he pulled her up. Pikachu jumped up after her and then Ash it was Ash’s turn to start climbing. He had almost reached the platform when he heard, “There they are. Shoot ‘em.”

Quickly Ash pulled himself up and shouted for the others to hurry. Sparks flew from the bullets striking the metal of the ladder. Ash returned the fire with a few rounds of his own. Above him he heard Gary do the same. Suddenly, Ash felt a sharp, burning pain tear through his arm. He had been hit. Blood flowed down his arm and he clambered up the ladder as best he could.

They reached the roof and began running. “Where’s the jeep?” he yelled at Gary.

“Half a block down,” he answered. His glasses and hat had fallen off. Ash pulled off his broken glasses. His hat had fallen back at the store.

“There!” Gary pointed.

Ash pulled out two pokeballs. “Bulbasaur, Bayleaf, I choose you. Use your vines to bring us down.”

When they reached the ground, Ash recalled his pokemon. He noticed the girl they had rescued was looking at him oddly. Ash realized she seemed a little familiar.

“Ash?” the girl questioned.

“Yeah, how did you...Misty?” Ash said in disbelief.

“We’ll do the reunion later,” Gary said. “Right now we have to go.” They jumped in the jeep and tore off.

When they were a few miles away, Ash looked at Misty. “What the hell does Team Rocket want with you?” he demanded.

Misty glared at him. “How should I know? I didn’t do anything.” Ash didn’t bother to hide his disbelief of that statement and Misty scowled. Then she noticed his arm and her expression softened. “You’re bleeding.”

Ash looked back to the front. “Yeah, bullets tend to do that to you.” Next to him Gary gave a snort of laughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is not actually happening, Misty thought. She had just found out she was wanted by Team Rocket, God only knew why. Now she’d just learned that one of her saviors was Ash Ketchum, someone she had never expected to see again.

When she looked at him closely, though, Misty realized that this wasn’t Ash, at least, not the Ash that she knew. His eyes were cold and hard, even before he had realized who she was. He had just been shot and he was barely acknowledging it. Her Ash used to complain when his stomach hurt, but he was playing this off as a scratch. And the old Ash would never have been friends with Gary.

“You need to do something about that,” Gary said, gesturing to the wound, “or you’ll be the one getting the stain out of the seat.” Ash obeyed and looked around for something to use. His own sleeves wouldn’t work; they were short and one was soaked with blood. His eyes fell on Gary’s shirt. With his good arm, Ash reached over and ripped off one of Gary’s sleeves.

“Hey!” Gary protested. Ash shrugged, then winced. Moving his arm probably wasn’t the best idea. He wrapped it tightly around his arm and struggled to tie it one-handed.

“Here, let me,” Misty offered. Ash gave her such a cold stare, she would have stepped back if she weren’t in a car. As it was, she noticeably cringed and drew back to the farthest corner of the seat.

“I’ve got it,” was his reply.

The three of them sat in silence until Misty’s fear and curiosity about what would be happening to her got the better of her. “Where are you guys taking me?” she asked. She had no idea where she could go and she didn’t think she was welcome with them.

“You’re coming with us,” Gary told her.

“With you? Where?” Gary glanced at Ash to see how he was taking this. He was staring at the road, no emotion on his face to betray what he was thinking.

“To the Sentry base.”