The small crowd outside the helicopter window froze when Team Rockets boss looked straight at them. With a snarl on his lips, he quickly said something to Nikki before storming towards the door.

"What the hell do they think they are doing!"

They heard a loud angry yell, sending a pair of Spearow into flight. Somehow, they all got their jelly-like legs to move and scramble into the thick bushes. Peering through the leaves, they saw the boss swiftly come round the corner and the look of surprise on his face when he saw nothing. An evil smile crossed his lips when he stared to stride across to the dense thicket where Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Team Rocket were hiding. He reached out a hand to pull the surface branches away.

Ash shrank back but froze when he heard a twig snap loudly under his weight. Everyone held their breath, hoping that he would not hear the pounding of their hearts.

The hand was an inch away from the bush. They were going to be caught.

WHOOSH!

As his hand was about to pull back the first branch when four Pidgey quickly fluttered past his ear. His head snapped away to watch them fly away and he growled loudly before striding back to the helicopter in humiliated rage.

As soon as he was gone, everyone let out their held breath with sheer relief.

"That...was...close," Ash gasped, holding Pikachu tightly.

"Too close," Brock groaned, Misty nodding behind him.

"Pika. Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked, pointing behind them.

Turning, the group was surprised to see a vacant space behind them. Team Rocket had long run away.

"No big loss," Ash smiled at Pikachu and was glad to finally see his Pokemon smile back.

"Hey Ash!" Misty snapped. "Come on, I want to see what's happening!"

Without a word, Ash joined Misty and Brock back at the window.

Nikki rose when her father stormed back in, obviously having not found whatever was out there. She and Dark Shade remained quiet and still as he scratched his Persian behind the ear before turning back to her.

"Let me inspect your Pokemon," he ordered sharply.

Nikki remained silent but motioned for her Bulbasaur to step forward as she grabbed five other Pokeballs and released the Pokemon that occupied them. The team of six Pokemon were made up of a Bulbasaur, a Charizard, a Geodude, a Hypno, a Machop and a Lapras.

Giovanni took his time going from Pokemon to Pokemon, inspecting every square foot of each monster. When he finished, he turned to his daughter to issue his report.

"Your Bulbasaur has developed good leg muscle from the absence of its Pokeball," he began. "The Charizard will be of a great use to you on your assignment with its flight powers. I would like to see further evolution in your Geodude and Machop if you are to overcome the many obstacles that will be in your way. Continue to develop your Hypnos psychic abilities. I am, however, disappointed that your Lapras does not display as much power as the others in physical appearance."

"Ocean Song was caught only last week," Nikki said, meaning her Lapras. "It is going through a much tougher training programme and should be caught up with the other Pokemon in less then a week. Rock Hard and Frank are very close to their next evolutionary stage and should reach their Graveler and Machoke levels within three or four days."

"Good," Giovanni smiled as the Pokemon were recalled back inside their Pokeballs. "There is one thing that concerns me. How long have you been travelling now?"

"Nearly two years now," Nikki answered, showing no emotion in her eyes or voice.

"And why is it I have no results?" Giovanni questioned, danger rising in his voice. "You should have been able to locate at least one of the birds by now!"

"Im sorry," Nikki said quickly. "I just need a little more time."

"How do you expect Team Rocket to succeed when you are having trouble tracking down a few Pokemon!" Giovanni angrily snapped. "They are needed if we are to dominate the Pokemon world."

"I thought it would be wise to train my Pokemon before going after such powerful creatures," Nikki argued. "I am sure that they are nearly ready."

"For your sake, I hope so," Giovanni said, snapping his fingers.

Hearing the snap, his Persian leapt up and before Nikki could react, the Persian had inflicted a long deep scratch into her right arm which would certainly remain as a twisted scar. Nikki winced in pain and tried to stop the bleeding with her hand but the blood dribble through. It took all her will power not to cry out in pain. If she did, more would come.

"Bulbasaur!" Dark Shade cried angrily, shooting a Vine Whip attack at the catlike Pokemon.

"No Dark Shade!" Nikki screamed, in time to stop the attack from hitting her fathers prized Pokemon. "Im fine."

"Saur," Dark Shade frowned as it withdrew its attack and went to help its master, who was on her knees. It tried to help by licking the blood that was dripping off her hand.

"Your Bulbasaur certainly shows a certain fire in its heart," Giovanni smiled. "A fire that you can control. Use it. It will come in handy."

Nikki kept her gaze fixed to the floor.

"You may leave," Giovanni ordered.

Nikki stood and turned to leave, growling softly to herself.

"Remember," she heard her father call after her. "You know the price of your failure."

In the next chapter: What is Nikkis assignment and what about this cost. Surely someone with a wound on their arm would accept some friendly help so why wont she?