"Seriously, why can't I just leave this place, you lazy b*tches?" Almost a year after being forced to come back to the Cerulean City Gym to fill in for her sisters who went on a holiday, Misty Waterflower was still struggling with her new life. On their holiday, the Sensational Sisters decided to quit doing their duty, forcing Misty to sacrifice her dream so they could just do nothing all day long. This made the current Cerulean City Gym Leader extremely unhappy. She hated her job. She hated her life. She missed Ash. She missed Togetic. And she missed being able to work on her dream. After all, battling weak rookies and doing chores wasn't going to contribute to her goal. And there was no way out, her sisters simply wouldn't allow it. And even though Daisy was nicer to her than Lily and Violet, even the blonde-haired Sensational Sister wasn't willing to consider how her little sister felt. Misty tried to make the best of it, but repressing a depression didn't prevent her from suffering. Since the moment the three came back from their drinking and partying holiday, there were heavy arguments between them and Misty at least two times per week. And today, on this sunny Monday evening, things went wrong again.
"Misty, really, we can't do it! Our nails can get broken when we're rubbing the floor!" Lily countered, while looking at the Pokemon in Cerulean City Gym's pool.
"Yeah, and so could mine," Misty said. "When I was traveling with Ash and Brock, you three did just fine at the Gym! And now you're suddenly 'incapable'? Come on, you three are the most lazy living beings on this planet! Running this Gym is not my responsibility, it's yours! But no, instead of doing what you're supposed to do, you just have to ruin my life! What about my dreams? What about my love life?" When Misty snapped, almost everyone was scared. Because of her anger problem, she sometimes resorted to violence, even though this problem has gotten progressively less bad. Even her Gyarados looked shocked when hearing his trainer fulminate.
"So? We don't feel like running the Gym anymore, so why do it ourselves if we can keep you here?" Violet teased.
"Your love life, really?" Daisy said. "You mean Ash, right? Misty, come on, he sucks! Everyone knows my darling Tracey is the hottest guy in this region!"
"Ash is NOT my boyfriend!" Misty snapped, while raising her right fist. "And if I'm not traveling again at the end of this week, I'm going to beat the crap out of you!"
"Relax, Misty! It just so happens that you will leave this place tomorrow," Daisy spoke calmly.
"So I can go? You three will take your jobs back? Really?" Misty asked. The smile on her face was amazing, the feeling she had was the most happy feeling she had since she arrived at the Gym.
"No," Daisy said, changing Misty's smile into a sad face. "Tracey is going to the Orange Islands for some research. Kurt couldn't figure out what to do with the GS Ball, so he brought it back to Professor Oak. He asked Tracey to bring it to Professor Ivy again, who found an ancient book about how to control the GS Ball. Tracey is also going to visit his parents, who he hasn't seen in a long time. And because I'm his girlfriend, I get to go with him, it'll be like a vacation! That's why we decided to just visit all the islands in the entire archipelago. That way, he can also draw some rare Pokemon and go back to his roots as a Pokemon Watcher."
"And what do I have to do with that? I haven't been in touch with society for a long time, because you started giving Badges away when I went outside for five minutes for a walk! And besides, it sounds like you and Tracey are going together, so what do you need me for? Do you just want me to do grocery shopping to buy stuff for your holiday, is that what you mean?" Misty asked.
"No, you're coming with us. Tracey and I both don't have a Water Pokemon we can ride to travel between the islands, and taking the boat is very expensive. That's where you come in handy, we can all ride on your Gyarados's back," Daisy explained. "And any kind of labour you can do is useful for us two."
"So I'll just be there to give you a means of transport? And I can't do anything I wanna do? Really, if you think I'm going there to be your personal slave, you've got it wrong!" Misty snapped.
"No, that's not it at all," Daisy said. "I talked about this to Tracey, and he was only okay with you joining us if we'd allow you to do some stupid Water Pokemon Master stuff, whatever that may be. Because I don't want to argue with my boyfriend, I've decided to accept that. In fact, he's the one who wanted you to come with us, I would've never done that."
"Are you sure? No fooling? This is awesome! I've barely been in touch with society for a long time, because I couldn't leave the Gym for ten minutes without you giving away Badges for free!" Misty screamed, while her Pokemon also had a cheerful look in their eyes. After all, if their trainer would travel, some of them would get a chance to join her.
"So... Where will we go first?" Daisy asked, while frowning her eyebrows. "I barely know those islands and I suck at topography."
"We need to go to Pallet Town, where we can take the blimp to Valencia Island, the island where Professor Ivy lives," Misty answered. "But if you don't know anything about this archipelago, why did you agree to come?"
"Because Tracey is going there, and I want to have a nice vacation with him. When he told me about this on the phone, I immediately said yes. I don't know anything about these islands!" Daisy admitted.
"Well, I've been there with Ash and Tracey, so I can tell you about it. It's an archipelago, which means there are multiple islands. The climate is tropical, every island has a beautiful beach. Four of the islands have a Gym, while the Orange League Trophy can be won on Pummelo Island by beating Drake. And Prima, an Elite Four member I idolize lives on Mandarin Island South. Anyways, some islands are mostly natural, while others have at least one big city. Anyways, if you're there, what are you going to do? I don't think you're interested in helping Tracey with his research..."
"I don't care about stupid Pokemon science! I recently got a one-piece swimsuit from a famous fashion designer, he designed it for me only, it's the only copy of that swimsuit on this planet! I'm going to wear it at the beaches to show other beachgoers what a special person I am!" Daisy laughed.
"Beaches can be fun, but I'd rather wear a bikini, so my body can actually get some sunlight," Misty countered.
"I'm wearing the swimsuit, it's more prestigious," Daisy said. "Then all the women at the beach can see I'm a fashion model and they'll be so jealous! I'm a model, they're just Pokemon trainers, or maybe even people with a boring, regular job!"
"Alright then, are you going to do more than just sunbathing?" Misty asked.
"Yeah, shopping!" her big sister said. "Tracey told me they sell great summer dresses in some stores on some of the islands, I'd love to buy some!"
"Well, we're also going to visit all sorts of places, learn about Pokemon, maybe I'll battle some trainers, and travel through different areas. Are you sure you're fine with that?" the Gym Leader asked.
"If it gets me a tropical vacation with Tracey, why not?" Daisy said. "Anyways, what's your goal on the journey?"
"Well, I'd love to see Prima again and challenge her to a battle! I haven't developed much at the Gym, but in Johto, my Pokemon and I learned a lot and got much better, so it would be great to challenge my idol! And I'd like to visit some other people Ash, Tracey and I met a long time ago. And I'd love to catch one or two new Pokemon as well, I haven't caught any since the moment you made me come to the Gym," Misty answered.
"Sounds fine, as long as I don't have to work," Daisy said. "If you keep the map with you, you can make sure Gyarados goes the right direction. And you can also cook and do the dishes, so Tracey and I can make out while you're working. And I suppose you could also make breakfast, keep the Orange Islands guidebook with you and carry my and Tracey's backpack!"
"If you're going to even try to stop me from calling Tracey, I'm going to do something I should've done a long time ago and call Officer Jenny!" Misty screamed.
"Misty, remember that I'm the one allowing you to go on a journey," Daisy tried.
"No, Tracey is the one who wanted me to come!" Misty snapped. Then, she grabbed the phone and dialled Professor Oak's phone number. "Hello, Tracey Sketchit here, Professor Oak's assistant!"
"Hi, it's me, Misty. Thanks for inviting me on your journey, thank you so much!" the Cerulean City Gym Leader said.
"You're welcome, I know how much you need this," the lab assistant said.
Then, Misty got to the point she wanted to ask her friend about. "Hey, Tracey, Daisy said I have to carry the map, cook, do the dishes, make breakfast, keep the guidebook and carry your and her backpack! Do I really have to do all the chores?"
"What?" he screamed. "You're not going to do all the chores, that wouldn't be fair! Everyone will carry their own backpack, and we're going to divide the chores fair and square! Misty, what chore would you like to do? And is there something you really can't do?"
"I could carry the map to make sure Gyarados goes in the right direction... And I'm the worst cook on the planet, I really can't do that," Misty answered.
Then, Tracey had an idea. "How about this? I'll keep the guidebook, cook and make breakfast, you'll keep the map and make sure we won't get lost, and we'll do the dishes together."
"I'd be fine with my chores that way, but how come Daisy doesn't have to do anything?" Misty asked.
"She's lazy and wants this to be a vacation, and I don't want to upset her," Tracey said. "I know it's unfair, but we don't have a choice."
"Thanks for at least making sure I don't have to do everything. Bye, Tracey, we'll see you tomorrow when going in the blimp!" Misty said, ending the conversation.
"Real nice, Misty! Thanks to you, Tracey has less time to spend with me because he's doing some Arceus damn chores now!" Daisy snapped.
"You could spend more time if you just join him when he's doing chores," Misty suggested?
"Doing chores? With her new nail polish on? I don't think she's going to do that," Lily said.
"Yeah! Maybe she could break a nail!" Violet added.
"They're right," Daisy said. "Then so be it, I won't do chores!"
"Alright then, that's settled," Misty said. "By the way, who will take care of the Gym while I'm gone?"
"Dorian from the unofficial Coastline Gym in Johto will fill in for you," Violet answered.
"He's much more motivated than you, he actually enjoys his job! You could learn something from him, Misty!" Lily snapped.
"How am I supposed to enjoy a job which I hate, which I never wanted to do and which I'm only doing because you three are keeping me here like a prisoner?" Misty snapped, ready to beat the crap out of her sisters. "Why don't you just hire him permanently, so I can leave?"
"Oh, no! We know you do everything we tell you to. You being the Gym Leader makes our lives so much easier, we're not going to give that up!" Violet explained.
Politoed was able to pull Misty away just far enough to prevent her right fist from striking Lily's face. After that, his trainer went upstairs to pack her backpack. Some clothes, enough underwear to prevent Ash-like issues, her bikini, the Orange Islands map and more, including the Poke Balls of the Pokemon she decided to take with her. "I'll take four Pokemon with me, in case I catch some new Pokemon, I want to have room for them," she thought. "I'll take Gyarados for transport, Horsea because he really needs to get stronger, Psyduck because I just can't miss my mentally handicapped ducky, and Azurill because I don't think she can miss me for that long." Her Azurill was just a baby, she received it as an egg, which was laid by Tracey's Marill. The mouse-like creature grew really close to Misty during the past few months, and only recently started going into a Poke Ball.
Then, the youngest of the Waterflower sisters decided to go to bed, she didn't want to be around her sisters anymore for the rest of the evening. Five minutes later, after brushing her teeth, undressing and putting her pyjamas on, she lay in the small bed in the small room upstairs in the Gym building. "I'm so glad I can finally smell some fresh air again! It's sad, though... When Daisy said I could go, I hoped to be free again, but now I'm stuck with her for about six months, and she'll be even lazier than usual! I bet I'll have to do all the work anyways when she and Tracey make out on the beach... Oh well, it's my only chance to get in touch with society again after not having been able to leave the Gym for so long... But I'll have to do my labour again when I come back, sadly... And I'll never get the freedom to visit Ash again... I miss him so much... Why didn't I tell him how I feel back when I had to go to the Gym? If he loves me back, he could've rescued me..." Then, she fell asleep.
The next morning, after her daily morning routine of taking her pyjamas off, showering, brushing her teeth and putting her clothes on, she stood in front of her mirror. "Misty, it's time to stop being a victim! What Violet said yesterday is true, I'm being way too easy for my sisters! Don't let them play with you anymore, girl!" She took off her suspenders and rubber band, trading her ponytail for a hairdo in which she had her hair down, giving her a more wild and less innocent look. "Yeah, that looks better," she said to herself.
Then, she came downstairs and said goodbye to Lily, Violet and to the Pokemon she wasn't taking with her on this journey and hopped in Daisy's car for a drive to Pallet Town, where Tracey was waiting for them.
"Hey, Misty, did you change your look?" Daisy asked.
"Yeah, I took off the suspenders and decided to ditch the rubber band, I have my hair down now, what do you think of it?" Misty asked, while she saw how the two just crossed the border of Cerulean City.
"Hmm... A bit less ugly than your old look, but still way worse than my look," Daisy said. "There's a reason why I'm a model and you're not."
"Daisy, what's so nice about being a model? You're getting judged for how you act or for your looks, but for how you look!"
"Meh, I don't mind," Daisy replied. "I like my looks, lots of men like my looks, and I make tons of money! Isn't it awesome?"
Some hours later, the two sisters finally arrived. There, someone was ready to surprise Misty. "Hi Misty, how are you? It's nice to see you again!" a woman wearing a pink shirt asked, while Tracey gave Daisy a hug.
"Hi, Mrs. Ketchum, it's nice to see you again too! And I'm doing nicely, I'm glad I can finally get some fresh air after being locked up at the Gym for so long!" Misty responded, while looking around the blimp airport of Pallet Town. The vehicle she was going to travel along with her sister and future brother-in-law was ready for departure in ten minutes.
"Locked up? Yeah, it's sad that your sisters ruined your dream... Anyways, I just came here to wish you a nice journey!" Delia said.
The Cerulean Gym Leader looked a little sad, realizing that this journey wasn't going to save her from being at the Gym as long as her sisters demanded it. "Um... Thanks." Then, she looked at Daisy's boyfriend. "Hey, did you catch a new Pokemon?" Misty asked, referring to the blue Grass-type sitting on Tracey's left shoulder.
"Yeah, that's my new Jumpluff, I caught him while I was researching in Johto months ago," Tracey answered. Then, the Pokemon shook hands with Misty. "Jumpluff!"
"Nice to meet you, little fellow!" the Gym Leader said. "Tracey, he's so cute!"
"Thanks! He's indeed cute, and he's awesome!" Tracey said, while putting his Pokemon back in a Poke Ball. "I had him out of his Poke Ball, so I could show him to you."
"By the way, Mrs. Ketchum, do you know how Ash is doing?" Misty asked.
"He's still in Kalos, he's fine," Delia said. "Now have a good time, future daughter-in-law!" Then, the fellowship consisting of the aspiring Water Master, the model and the Pokemon Watcher entered the blimp. "I am NOT in love with Ash!" Misty snapped, knowing that she was just trying to hide that what everyone already knew. And so, the doors closed and the blimp went upwards.
The trio sat on a comfortable couch, things were much better than the blimp ride Misty went through with Ash and Brock when she went to the Orange Islands for the first time. Back then, a crash landing on Valencia Island was needed to save their lives. However, this time, everything seemed to go smoothly.
"Tracey, what are we going to do when we arrive on Valencia Island?" Daisy asked.
"First, we're going to Professor Ivy's laboratory to hand over the GS Ball and see where that goes. Then, we can spent the rest of the day on the island, and go onwards to Tangelo Island after that. My parents live there, I haven't seen them in more than a year, and I'd love to introduce you to them," Tracey explained.
Meanwhile, Misty noticed that Tracey's backpack was open and saw a blatantly visible item. "Hey, Tracey, what's that white thing in your backpack?" she asked.
"Um... What white thing?" Tracey asked, while quickly closing his backpack.
"That white thing with a green dot!" she said.
"Um... That's a surprise..." he answered. "You'll find out later."
"Misty, what do you think it could be?" Daisy asked.
"I don't know... Your birthday is coming up soon, but he could easily shop on the islands for that," Misty guessed.
And so, our heroes are on their way to Valencia Island. What would be awaiting them, what mysteries surrounding the GS Bal would Professor Ivy be able to solve?