Hey, everyone, I'm back! And for those of you who opened this story with trepidation, well, trust me, this is nothing, let me say that louder, NOTHING like the D.C. story. So read on without fear!
I'm thinking this should be a twoshot, but hey, we'll have to just see. Anyways, this story is dedicated to PikaForce, who in what was one of the most inspirational messages I've ever gotten mentioned she'd like to see some 'serious' PokeShipping. What, like Ash screaming about ghosts all over the Capitol Building isn't serious? Well, reading that back, you may have a point... hope this does this for you and everyone else!
DISCLAIMER: Satoshi Tajiri is the owner of Pokemon, and try as I might, the letters of my name just don't match. Bummer.
The _____ Birthday Ever
Misty panted as she reached the crest of the hill. Pausing to catch her breath, she ran her fingers nervously through her ponytail. She wondered why she felt this way. After all, he was just her friend, always had been. Never mind that every time he grinned at her, it was like falling, both the good kind where you have a parachute, and the kind where you pull the cord and nothing happens…
The redhead straightened. "Okay, if metaphors say anything about you, then I need some serious help," she muttered, surveying the land beneath her, specifically at one house. Taking a deep, calming breath, she began to run down the hill, pondering her feelings as the wind rushed past her.
It was ridiculous, she decided, to deny her feelings much longer. Though he was admittedly idiotic at times, and yes, they did have their conflicts, but even so, Misty was mature enough to see that Ash Ketchum meant much more to her than a friend. But therein lay the problem, she reflected, reaching the base of the hill and pausing once more for a breather. She and Ash had been friends for so long, six whole years, that it could very well be considered too long.
She brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face and sighed. Ash was practically certified in stupidity and obliviousness, and a whole host of other unpleasantries, things which had helped her lie to herself, tell herself that he was just the obnoxious brother she'd never had. But underneath all of that was a person who seemed to truly care, and it was that person who Misty usually thought about, the charming knight in shining armor type who would always be there for her.
Having gotten her breath back again, she jogged over to his house. Outside stood Mimey, who was industriously sweeping the front walkway. When the Pokemon spotted Misty, he dropped his broom in excitement. Misty chuckled.
"Hey, Mimey, good to see you! Can you let Ash know I'm here, please?"
The Mr. Mime nodded, scurrying back into the house leaving the broom behind. Misty leaned the broom gently against a fence, then stood waiting. It had been awhile, she realized, since she had visited Ash. But then again, she had been busy, and so had he. But today was special, and she had specifically scheduled herself a free afternoon in honor of it.
Soon enough, a familiar head poked itself out of the door, followed by the rest of Ash. Misty was slightly disconcerted to see that he had grown taller, taller than her, even. That's not allowed, she thought to herself. But that was drowned out by the simple happiness that crashed over her, just at seeing her friend's face again.
"ASH!" she screamed, charging at him and tackling him with a hug. She grinned, savoring the moment.
A moment which, sadly, was shattered by a sharp, questioning voice.
"Ash, who is that?" Misty stiffened, loosening her hold on Ash and turning to the source, standing in the doorway and scowling. It was a girl, a bit shorter than Misty, dressed in a fashionable -- not to mention form-fitting -- black-and-pink outfit. Her hair seemed to be a dark blue, matching her eyes. Eyes which were staring down at Misty, despite the height difference.
Still with her arms around Ash, Misty raised her eyebrows. "I'm sorry, but who are you?"
The blue-haired girl flicked her hair back expertly. "The name's Dawn, D-A-W-N, and I'll have you know you're hanging all over my boyfriend. Now, Ash, be a darling and tell me who this… person is!"
Misty was falling, and no matter how hard she pulled, her parachute simply refused to come free.
She concealed this, though, and answered for Ash, letting go of him and stepping back a bit. "Oh, don't worry, Dawn, right? No, I'm just an old friend, sister, more like, I'm sure he'd tell you." She began backing down the path back to the road. "So, um, I'm clearly interrupting something, and I wouldn't want to do that, or else I'd have to hunt up a girlfriend for Ash, and trust me, that is definitely not on my to-do list. So, yeah, happy sweet sixteenth, Ash, many happy returns!" And with that, she turned and shot off, back towards the hill, leaving the two behind.
She managed to keep her emotions in check until reaching the summit of the hill. Then, as she ran down the hill, towards her house at the foot, the tears flowed seemingly out of nowhere and wouldn't stop.
It was bad enough that he had a girlfriend, Misty decided as she ran like the wind down, down, down the hill. It was bad enough that she dressed like a cheerleader and acted like one to boot. It was bad enough that she was admittedly pretty, and that's probably how she'd managed to snag Ash. But the worst of it all, she realized, was that he had said nothing. Nothing at all.
Ash watched as the redhead disappeared over the top of the hill. He then turned to Dawn. "Um, she seems kind of upset."
Dawn stared at him. "That's seriously all you can say? 'Oh, um, gee, she seems kid of upset'?"
"Now, Dawn, that's not an exact quote," Ash objected, but Dawn was not to be put off.
"Ash Ketchum, you're an idiot! I only agreed to this to try and get you two together, not rip you two apart! Speaking of which, can I PLEASE put some pants on? I feel really uncomfortable dressed like this!"
"Wait, what?" Ash asked confusedly.
Dawn looked ready to strangle him. "Ash. This stupid, appallingly stupid scheme of yours has pretty much blown any chance you're ever going to have with her! I did exactly as you said, because you described her as someone who needs to attack people with words. But you know what? You know what Ash? You don't understand girls at all! You just broke her heart, and I have no clue how you intend to rectify this situation. Now, if you will excuse me, Mr. 'Hey Dawn, will you be my fake nasty girlfriend so I can get my crush jealous', I am going to go change into sweats. This skirt makes me feel slutty."
With that, she turned, slamming the door behind her. Ash stared, perplexed, at the wooden door. "This has to be one of the worst birthdays ever," he mumbled, sinking to his knees in the middle of the walkway, wondering how in one day, he had managed to break the only girl he'd ever loved.
End of Chapter One: The Worst Birthday Ever
So I hope this story balances the scales for the D.C. fic which all you serious PokeShippers seem to be less-than-fond-of. I think it does, but I can't read your minds. Thus, you need to review! Please and thank you!
So long for now,
Carp