Wow, its been too long since I posted in this story. I'd given up on it, then just stumbled across the story while browsing, and got inspired to get going with it again. I hope you enjoy!
First, my review replying things:
Nami-San625 and HeartAngel – thank you for your feedback, I'll be sure to keep you guessing ;)
Farla – Thanks a lot for giving me a full overview, it's much appreciated. Thanks for pointing out the dialogue errors especially, they occasionally confuse me. I only have to disagree about capitalization, most things I've seen have capitalized the first letters, including on the official Pokemon website. Also, I'm aware that the first episode in particular of the anime is fairly dark, but I am starting at the beginning and it will gradually get further from the original canon.
Anyway, I've rattled on too long already – time for the actual fic!
The boy, Ash, swallowed nervously. Misty stood up, her brow furrowed. Nobody moved. Finally, the Nurse spoke again:
"There's no easy way to say this but…your Pikachu has…gone." Misty watched sadly as Ash slowly fell apart in front of her. Not even bothering to look for a seat, he sat down heavily, wrapping his arms across his face as sobs spasmed through his throat. Sighing gently, she squatted down beside him, rubbing him gently on the back. In normal circumstances, it would have been strange for someone he barely knew to act so intimately, but Misty and Ash had been temporarily bonded by tragedy and for the moment, he was glad of the comfort. Eventually, the wracking sobs subsided and his breathing slowed.
"Why don't you go and see him?" Misty whispered to Ash, "I know it will be hard, but it might give you…closure." Ash didn't respond for a moment, then nodded slightly, before climbing to his feet.
"Can you take me to him, Nurse?" he whispered, his voice barely more than a faint croak. His gaze was fixed on his feet. Strangely, though, the Nurse shook her head.
"Well, no, I can't, that's the problem. He's gone." Ash furrowed his brow for a minute, then something happened that Misty had never expected. He smiled.
"You mean he's gone…missing?" Misty gasped as the nurse nodded, looking thoroughly confused. Grinning like a maniac, Ash grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the door.
"Come on, he's alive, we have to find him!" he shouted, drawing more than a few strange glances. Misty, however, pulled away.
"Look…Ash, I'm happy that your Pikachu isn't dead, okay, but my Pokemon need resting too and to be honest, I don't even know you. All you've told me is your name." Ash froze for a minute, a bemused look on his face. Then he stopped and shook his head.
"Of course. I have no right to get you involved. If Pikachu's run off, it might be angry and I couldn't have you getting hurt while helping me." Misty smiled gratefully, then wandered back to the desk to check in her Pokemon. Behind her, she heard the swishing sound of the automatic doors and the clattering of Ash's shoes as he began his 'search'. In spite of herself, she smiled a little. If Pikachu didn't want to come back, Ash might have some trouble catching it with stealth like that.
After dropping off her Pokémon, Misty wandered outside, sitting down on the bench outside the centre. Summer was gradually turning to autumn, but there was still enough warmth to make the outdoors comfortable. In fact, Misty felt so…comfortable…she never wanted…to get…up…
"Hey, um, Misty? Are you okay?"
What? Where am I?
"I saw you just lying on this bench and I was worried you might have passed out or something."
Oh…right…so who's that? Finally summoning enough energy to look up, Misty was greeted by a tired but happy looking face, surrounded by thick black hair. Ash.
"I got him!" he cried happily and held out his arms. Pikachu was cradled in them, sleeping quietly. Misty smiled.
"I guess he must have just got freaked out when he woke up surrounded by nurses and needles. You should probably take him inside, so that they can actually heal him up this time?" Ash grinned nervously and nodded.
"Um, this might sound a bit weird," he began, "But which way would you be heading once you leave Viridian?" Misty frowned.
"I'm heading to Cerulean. Why?"
"So you'll be going through Pewter City?"
"That's the only route available, isn't it? Look, Ash, where are you going with this?" The boy shook his head and ruffled his hair.
"Well, I'm heading to Pewter next, for a gym battle. I was wondering if, maybe, you wanted to travel together?" Misty frowned. Was he blushing? No, it was probably just the heat. Even though it had cooled rapidly since Misty had dozed off.
"Well," she began cautiously, "I, personally, don't have any problem with it…" she trailed off momentarily as she saw Ash's delighted face then forced herself to continue, "But what are people going to think if they see a teenage boy and girl travelling alone together?" Ash just looked confused.
"Ummm…I dunno. What will they think?" Misty had to laugh at Ash's naïveté.
"It doesn't matter. I'll be happy to come along with you." Ash grinned, then gestured towards the sleeping Pokémon in his arms.
"I'd better, er, go in." Misty smiled again as Ash rushed inside. Seconds later, her smile disappeared as she heard a whistle just behind her, followed by a loud bang and seconds later, the air was filled with smoke, choking the light and life out of everything. Coughing, Misty stumbled into the centre, but not before she caught a glimpse of some long, red, hair…
A/N: well, you can probably guess who it is and yes, they are in this fan fiction, but I can assure you, they will not be anything like how you know them ;)