Stand by You part 2 of 4

Chapter 51: Family is Family

"Hey, we were just about to come get you two", Drew said to Ash and Misty as they headed towards camp with Rumika.

"Who are you?" Max asked the mystery girl.

"Her name is Rumika", Misty answered for her.

"Are you a Pokémon trainer?" May asked.

"Well.....sort of. I do have a few Pokémon, but that is not why I am here", she told the group.

"Rumika is Jessie's cousin", Ash explained.

"I thought Jessie didn't have any family", Serena responded. "I think she would have mentioned a cousin".

"You don't understand. My identity has been kept from Jessie, and hers from mine", said Rumika.

"You're right, we don't understand", said Clement.

"I am Jessiebelle's younger sister. After my parents and Jessiebelle were arrested, I started doing some investigation. I figured out that Jessie is my cousin. Her mother and my mother were identical twin sisters" she explained.

"That....explains a lot", said Drew. He had always been freaked out by their similar appearance

"So does this mean that you are one our side?" Bonnie asked.

"Yes. I have reason to believe that Team Firestar agents are going to go after Jessie and her family", Rumika replied.

"Why?" asked May.

"Jessie really screwed them over by winning that lawsuit. If she lives, the chances are she will get to keep both mansions. Anything left over after all their debt is paid to Team Rocket will go to her", Rumika continued. "Some of it will go to the other victims as well, but her case was by far the largest".

"But Jessie didn't know that would happen if she won the case. No one did", said Serena. "Its not her fault. Team Firestar abused her! Of course she wasn't just going to let them get away with it. And their poor baby..."

"I agree with you. I came to warn Jessie and James", Rumika interrupted. "I just talked to them. I will go to Silverville to see them in person. I have some more information to give them too. They might find it useful".

" What should we do?" asked Bonnie.

"Dedenne ne na", said Dedenne.

"I don't think we can do anything", said Max.

"That's not entirely true. You can be on the lookout. Don't go near anyone who looks suspicious and stick together at all times. Don't wonder off alone, even for a few moments. Anyone can be an agent in disguise", she warned them.

"Including you", said Clement.

"You don't have to trust me, but why else would I come out here alone? I have no backup and only three Pokémon, none of which are that powerful. You can search these parts all you want to more backup, but you will find that it is just me here", Rumika explained.

"Right", said May. "I really don't see a reason as to why we shouldn't trust you. We should tell everyone about this so that they know what is going on".

"I'll call my mom and Giovanni", said Ash as he took out his phone

"And I will call Brock", said Misty.

"I got Paul and Linda", said Serena.

"Thank you", said Rumika. "Now if you don't mind, I would like to take a nap. I haven't slept a full night in weeks".

"Go ahead. You can take our tent", Bonnie offered as she opened the tent flap. "We wont disturb you".

"I am very grateful to you. Thank you all for your kindness and understanding", she responded as she entered the tent.