Pokeshipping Week - Day 4

If Ash replaced Misty's bike in the original season - As a token of thanks, Joy lets the kids keep one of the bikes they used to cross the cycling bridge.

oOo

"Misty, what are you gonna do?"

Misty looked up at Brock with big, fearful eyes, wringing her hands together and biting her lip. Clearly, she had been wondering the same thing.

"I…" she began, "I don't know."

Honestly, neither of them really expected this day to come. Who would? Ash was a bit of a spaz, a kind-hearted spaz, but a spaz nonetheless. Not to mention the fact that they all knew exactly how much money he didn't have. How was he supposed to come into a bike to give to Misty as a replacement?

A thank you gift, Joy had called it, for riding through the storm and saving the sick little shelder so badly in need of medicine. Ash was welcome to keep one of the bikes they used.

For his part, Ash didn't appear to think much about the implications of being given a free bike when he chirped an excited "Wow, thank you, ma'am!" and ran off with the other Joy to grab the it from the parking lot.

But Brock and Misty had. And knowing her and the situation well enough, Brock had followed the shocked girl out to the front of the center, where he had found her pacing and muttering to herself, looking a mixture of absolutely heartbroken and totally anxious, where they now stood, waiting for the inevitable.

Soon enough the doors opened, and Misty tensed up beside him. He sighed sympathetically, offering up the only advice he could think to give.

"Maybe you should tell him."

"Are you crazy?!" she snapped back, her cheeks red. "I can't just…"

But Ash was moving closer, pushing the offending bicycle towards them, a skip in his step.

"I… I'm not ready," she almost whined. "I need more time."

Brock pursed his lips. "I don't think you have much choice."

Misty bit her lip, her eyes pleading with Brock to do the impossible and stop this whole mess from happening. She spared Ash and the bike a glance, and-

She blinked, did a double-take, and blinked again, her eyes narrowing dangerously. Curiously, Brock looked over at Ash as well.

"Well Misty, here you are!" Ash said with a grin, gesturing to the bike excitedly. "My debt has been repaid!"

He was met with very heavy, dangerous silence.

"What?"

"Is this some kind of a joke?" Misty seethed after a beat.

Ash blinked innocently. "What do you mean, some kind of joke? It's your new bike, just like I promised."

"Ash," Misty growled, and Brock tried not to snort as Misty pointed to the verytandem bicycle sitting in front of her. "What on earth am I supposed to do with this?!"

"I dunno, ride it?" Ash offered with a shrug, finally sending Brock over the edge, his stoic exterior melting away into a fit of laughter, much to Ash's confusion and Misty's irritation. "What?" he cried. "It's the one you were on all day, I thought you'd like it better!"

"It's a two person bike, Ash!" she exclaimed, exasperated. "It takes two people to ride it! What good would this do me in Cerulean? I wouldn't even be able to ride it there myself!"

Turning to the bike, they could practically see the gears in his head turning as the dots connected. "Oh yeah," he mumbled, "I didn't think about that."

"You didn't think about that?!"

Brock watched the exchange in amusement. He had to admit, Misty was quite the actress. It was almost hard to believe that just minutes before, she was practically having a meltdown about having to leave.

Just for fun, he decided to stir the pot a little. "Maybe you should go back and ask Joy to switch the bikes?" he suggested. He couldn't help but notice Misty shooting him a glare out of the corner of his eye, but he chose to pretend like he hadn't seen it.

Luckily, Ash didn't seem to notice. "Joy already sent the other bike back with another trainer. It's probably a half mile down the bridge by now," he said sadly, wincing as Misty let out a shriek and yanked at her ponytail.

"I can't believe this!" she groaned. "A bike practically falls into your lap, and you still manage to mess it up!"

"How was I supposed to know you wouldn't want it?!"

Rubbing her temples, Misty took a few calming breaths. She straightened her shoulders. "Grab the bike and come with me," she said with a scowl, marching back toward the bridge.

"Where are you going?" Brock asked lightheartedly. "You aren't going to try to catch up with that other trainer, are you?"

"Of course not," she replied bluntly, as Ash grabbed the bike and followed tentatively behind her. "We're going to go stand by the bridge and try to sell this thing so Ash can use the money to help him buy me a useful bike."

"We're going to what?!" Ash exclaimed. "Misty, that could take all day! I need to get my next badge!"

She glared at him over her shoulder. "You should have thought about that before you decided to be an idiot."

"Aw man…"

Brock chuckled as the kids made their way to the bridge, shaking his head in amusement. Neither of them noticed, but they both had a small, self-satisfied smile on their faces.

They would figure it out someday, he decided. But for now, he would just enjoy the free entertainment.

oOo

Next Time: Maiden's Peak revisited