Chapter Three - Seven Years Later
Goldenrod in the day was bright, almost too bright, and bustling with life. People were on their way to work, on their way to the store, shopping, walking their dogs, walking to the train station. People were on their phones constantly talking, creating an incessant buzz that never went away. The streets bustled with traffic, car horns blaring constantly and the whooshing sound of tires against pavement as the cars sped by, the people behind the wheel always in a hurry. The city surges with life and energy. But Goldenrod during the night is a completely different story.
Nightlife in Goldenrod is infamous. Its parties, the blasting club music, even the bars are full and energy filled. During the night, police are on high alert due to so many drunken people wandering the streets, magnets for trouble. Every night was the same; the city never slept.
On a night like any other in Goldenrod City, a teenager, barely nineteen, was walking in the sweet night air of summer. Like so many others, he was on his way to a party at someone's house who he didn't even know. He did, however, know the person who had invited him.
As the boy walked he had his hands shoved in his pockets, and his face set in a grim line. He'd had a tiresome day, with his sleep plagued by nightmares as it so constantly was and his boss a pompous douche, he needed a drink; more than one. Luckily he was headed in the right direction. The streets hummed with life, and the black-haired teenager crossed the street, taking in the energy as he walked and his mood improved.
This particular teenager had changed a lot since his younger years. His unruly, black hair was still unruly, but it was longer and nicer to look at; no longer sticking out at weird angles. He was much taller, but still short for a teenage boy, measuring at about 5'8". He had gained some muscle, his limbs were no longer awkward and his stomach was drool worthy. Although he wouldn't be considered bulky, he was fit. His voice had deepened considerably, but it still held that gorgeous huskiness.
After humming deeply, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed a number on speed dial, "Hey Misty, what was the address of that chick's house again?" He spoke into the phone to his best friend, scanning the house numbers as he walked. He had entered a rather wealthy neighbourhood, and the million dollar properties put his own apartment to shame.
He heard loud music and a buzz of shouting people on the other line and could barely hear his friend when she answered him, "17 Cedar Road, I think. Will you be here soon Ash?" He could tell she had to practically scream over the background noise. Ash stopped in front of a huge house, impressive even in this neighbourhood. He had never been to a place like this before, the usual places he went for parties were middle class houses. He had been to a few "rich bitch" parties as he called them, but even those places couldn't compare with this one. It was all white, very geometrical in shape as it looked like some cubes and rectangles stuck together. The windows were full length and one side wall was completely made of glass. It looked to be about three stories high. Even the landscaping was impressive with an array of flowers, and bushes in shapes of Pokémon.
He realized Misty was still waiting for his answer, "I think I'm here, now." He told her, making sure to keep his voice loud so she could hear him. He heard a click and the line went dead, but before he could wonder why Misty had hung up on him he saw the red head come out through the front door and start walking towards him with another girl at her side. Ash's eyes widened at the sight of the girl with Misty, and with good reason.
The girl looked about sixteen, if her height said anything anyways. She had sleek black hair down to her middle, in loose curls. Daring straight bangs, cut just above her eyebrows made her ice blue eyes stand out in sharp contrast. She had a perfect oval shaped face, full lips painted in striking pink, long, sexy legs, even for her size; and most noticeable to any straight male or gay female was her ample bosom, which she had on full display tonight. In a strapped, v-neck top that cut off just above her belly button, showing off a flat stomach with a crystal jewel in her piercing belly button, straight leg blue jeans, and pumps studded in skulls that showed off her amazing legs, she still managed to not look like a low class tramp. Instead, somehow, she looked sleek, sexy and full of attitude. Overall, once you considered anything other than her height, she looked at least twenty. Ash wasn't sure how she pulled off the look, considering the girls he could see from the windows and the few socializing outside, definitely didn't.
He must have been staring with his mouth wide open, if Misty's impatient cough said anything. Ash snapped his mouth closed and stuttered a greeting. Misty rolled her eyes. The redhead had certainly changed over the years that they had known each other. The tom-boy Ash had met when he was ten was nowhere in sight, except for maybe the rips in her jeans; even those were fashionable however. Tonight she sported a black halter top that hugged her hips and showed off her tanned middle, black jeans with rips in the knees, and pink stilettos. How anyone could walk in those things, Ash didn't know. Her hair was out of that tuft enduring ponytail and now settled in pretty locks on her shoulders. Her nose was pierced in the crook with a sparkly jewel, and her lips too were decorated with pink lipstick.
Ash cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly, "Uh, hey Misty. Sorry I'm late." Misty raised one perfect eyebrow and the other girl blinked as if she hadn't noticed Ash staring at her. Misty rolled her eyes again, something Ash was overly familiar with, "Don't worry about it Ash." She placed a hand on the shoulder of the other girl, "This is Chevy Luna, but I'm sure you knew that. Chevy this is Ash Ketchum." Actually, Ash hadn't known that, the identity of the girl had been unknown to him. "Nice to meetcha Ash." She said. Her voice was pleasantly husky in a feminine way, almost sexy, if Ash swung that way.
Indeed, the teenage boy had been staring, but for reasons other than enjoying the view. Yes, Chevy was very attractive, Ash had to admit that, but honestly any person, male or female, straight, gay, or otherwise would have stared had they seen her walk by. She stood out, her beauty unmistakable, but in such a different way, it seemed foreign, eliciting many stares.
Again, Ash was staring, and again, Misty cleared her throat impatiently. "Actually I didn't know. Why, are you famous or something?" He said bluntly, shoving a hand in a pocket and removing a pack of cigarettes. As he waited for an answer he lit a cigarette and sucked in deeply, blowing a cloud of smoke in the opposite direction of the girls.
Misty smiled and shook her head, amused that Ash had no idea who was standing in front of him. "Actually Chevy is famous. She's the newest Johto champion; Ash I thought you kept up on these things. You know, wanting to be a Pokémon master and all." She said. Ash's eyebrows rose. This girl was the champion? Who'd have guessed? That must mean this girl owned the big house they were all standing in front of. Of course her fame just gave another reason for people to stare. He shrugged, "Misty you know I'm not really into that anymore, I mean maybe later on but right now I don't pay attention to that shit." He looked at Chevy, who had been quiet since she'd been introduced, now had her eyebrows risen, "I mean, no disrespect or anything. I'm just not into that right now." He shrugged again, apologetically this time.
Chevy smirked, "Well that's too bad. And here I was looking forward to maybe challenging the infamous Ash Ketchum from Pallet." This girl knew exactly which buttons to push with Ash. Not one to turn down a challenge, the boy tilted his head, taking another draw on his cigarette before answering, "Well hey now, that doesn't mean we can't battle. But first I need a drink, actually more than a few."
Misty threw an arm around Ash, now very enthusiastic to change the subject and get going, "Well let's go then! Chevy's got her own bar in that mansion of hers. I'm ready for another drink anyways." The redhead was smiling from ear to ear, and for the first time Ash realized she had already been drinking before he had arrived.
Five years living in Johto and Ash Ketchum was no stranger to a party.