Evolution
By Jaxxon
Part Four – Union
I sighed as I stared at the night sky. After a week surround by fire, thunder, water, leaf, and solar stones, I was enjoying surrounded by the normal rocks of Pewter.
"Peace at last," I commented to my companion.
"I give it two days," Misty sighed in return.
I frowned at the reply but knew how likely it was. Team Rocket hadn't been around for over a week, which normally meant they were bringing some large equipment for their attempt at Pikachu.
"But let's enjoy it while it lasts," Misty continued.
I looked over at her. I wanted to get in some training before it got late, but she insisted on coming. Instead of my own training, we concentrated on Togepi. She was progressing nicely since Misty had used some Gen2 TMs on the egg. Togepi loved to brag about her attacks to Pikachu and the others but always shied away from Charizard. I guess even she could be scared off by the fully evolved pokémon.
"Shouldn't we be heading back?" I asked Misty. The sun had set over two hours ago, and we had hiked about a mile away from the Pewter Gym.
"You're right," Misty replied disappointedly. "Brock's probably wondering where we are."
"I doubt that," I laughed as jumped up and brushed the dust from jeans. "He was cooking dinner for Suzie before I left."
"I guess that's why he told me to follow you," Misty sweatdropped.
"He sent you after me," I glared at here.
"Hey," she yelled back. "You make it sound like it's a bad thing!"
"I was going to do some intense training with my pokémon, that's all!" I shouted back at her. "I really didn't want you around."
"So why don't you just go ahead?" Misty demanded. Her facial expression went from angry to caustic. "I bet what you really wanted was not be embarrassed by your under trained pokémon."
"Pika!" Pikachu yelled at being insulted.
"I didn't mean you," Misty said sweetly to the pokémon. Her face frowned when she looked back up at me.
I gritted my teeth in anger. Part of me wanted to change into Scyther and chase her all the way to Viridian, straight through a Beedrill nest. Fortunately, the growing wiser part won out.
"What I meant was," I said while gritting my teeth. "I caught a new pokémon and was hoping on training it without being distracted."
"And how would I distract you?" she asked with a smirk.
I thought about that for a second. Her hair, her eyes, and her smile were what I thought, but "Your whiny voice" is what came out.
For the comment, I was rewarded with a swift blow to the head. "Rather a whiny voice than an empty head," she shouted.
Not wanting to continue the argument to midnight, I suggested we head back to gym. It seemed to slip Misty's mind exactly why were arguing, but I couldn't actually remember either. I think it had something to do with dinner.
~§~
"Wake-ie, wake-ie," a sickeningly cheerful voice called in my sleep. "Time for you to get up, Ash."
"Five more minutes," I groaned.
"Breakfast is ready," the voice replied. "You better hurry before Pikachu and Togepi eat it all."
A rumble in my stomach voiced my opinion. I found myself in a huge dilemma, sleep or food.
"I'm getting up," I sighed as I threw off the blanket.
"Good," Misty giggled. "I knew that would work."
I glared at Misty as she left. Once she was out the door, I collapsed back on the bed. After lying there, staring up at the ceiling, I convinced my legs to swing off the bed.
"Ash," Misty called from behind the closed door. "Your food is getting cold."
"Coming," I replied as I pulled on my jeans and walked out the door.
When I arrived at the kitchen, Misty had almost finished her plate of pancakes while Pikachu and Togepi were licking the syrup off their empty plates. Brock was still at the stove, making another stack of pancakes.
"About time, sleepy head," Misty chided. "I was about to give your pancakes to Pikachu and Togepi."
"Go ahead," Brock told her. "I got plenty of batter left."
I smiled back at Misty. She frowned at losing that little argument.
"Here you go," Brock said as he placed a plate of pancakes in front of my seat.
"Thanks, Brock-o," I replied as I stuffed a whole pancake in my mouth.
Misty frowned at me. "I see you haven't learned in manners in the past three years," she scolded.
"I seem to remember a redhead," I commented as I gulped down the food, "who almost emptied the entire stock of ice cream parlor in less than ten minutes."
"That was different," Misty yelled back at me. "That was ice cream, not pancakes."
"And how is that different?" I snapped back.
"Cut it out you two," Brock interrupted. "I guess Ash's manners ain't the only thing that hasn't changed."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" both Misty and I demanded.
"You two still can't go five minutes without arguing," he sighed as he sat down next to Pikachu.
"Well, if Ash wasn't so immature…" Misty began before Pikachu shocked her.
"Ha ha, that's exactly what she deser…" I laughed before Pikachu shocked me too.
Brock stared at both Misty and me lying paralyzed on floor.
"I think they're more married now than Suzie and me will ever be," he sighed as he ate his breakfast.
~§~
As soon as I recovered from the shock, I ran outside to a nearby park with a large lake. I checked to see if Misty had followed me before releasing Squirtle.
"Mind if we get in some training?" I asked.
*About time,* Squirtle said he leapt into the lake. *We really should've done some underwater battling while we were with Cerulean Sisters. All those different water pokémon would have given you a ton of experience.*
"But they would've told Misty and her sisters I'm pokémon," I replied as I transformed into Tentacruel.
*Whatever,* Squirtle said as we submerged beneath the water's surface. *Let's start with the basic normal attacks.*
He started swimming at me ready to tackle me. I made a quick push with my tentacles to avoid him.
*Don't be so defensive,* Squirtle instructed. *When I try that again, counter-strike instead of dodging me.*
"All right," I replied as I prepared for his next attack.
This time it was a skull bash. I again swam above him as he approached but grabbed him when he was directly beneath me. Wrapped in my tentacles, he began to flinch as I constricted them tighter.
*Good job,* he congratulated. *Now deal with this.*
He began kicking his legs, send both of use straight to the bottom of the lake. I quickly let go as he crashed into the lake bottom.
I quickly scanned the dust cloud that had formed. I knew he come charging out of there any second. I wasn't disappointed. He came out at full speed and managed to knock me back up to the surface.
"A Tentacruel here?" a surprised voice said. I glance over and saw Brock with Suzie sitting on a park bench by the lake.
"I thought there wasn't any pokémon in the lake," Suzie commented.
"There not supposed to be," Brock replied. "I better catch it to make sure it doesn't hurt anybody."
I immediately back under to avoid the pokéball Brock threw at me.
"Suzie, do you have anything that can battle that thing?"
I looked at Squirtle for help. He shrugged and motioned to some large clumps of seaweed. I followed him down as a Seaking appeared at the water's edge.
"How are we going to get of this one?" I asked Squirtle.
*Let me handle this,* he replied as he swam up to the other pokémon. He started to explain the situation to it. The Seaking nodded in agreement. It swam back up to the surface.
"What did you tell it?" I asked Squirtle when I saw Brock and Suzie leaving.
*Just that our trainer had left us while he went he went shopping for supplies,* he replied. *Now, let's move on to special attacks.*
We trained all day using my water and poison attacks underwater. I even experiment with doing them while in human form. I soon found that when I was Tentacruel I could breath underwater, but when I was human, I couldn't. Squirtle laughed when I desperately swam to the surface to get some air. About four in the afternoon, Squirtle said I really need to get to the Pokémon Center. I could hardly disagree since I was almost too tired to transform back into a human. I managed to sneak into the rejuvenator while Pikachu kept Nurse Joy distracted with a fake stomachache.
*You owe me,* he snarled as we walked away. *Do you know how bad that medicine tasted?*
"Not really," I replied. "But thanks."
*I expect at least two bottles of ketchup,* Pikachu demanded. *It will take at least half of one to the flavor out of my mouth.*
"Sure thing," I laughed as I made a quick stop at a grocer.
~§~
When Pikachu and I walked into the den of the gym, a familiar face greeted us.
"How's it going, Tracey?" I said to the boy on the couch.
"Pretty good," I replied. "I heard you were working for Prof. Oak."
"That's right," I said as I sat down in the chair across the room.
"Then maybe you can clear of some of the rumors coming out of the BPR," Tracey said as he pulled out a notepad.
"What kind of rumors?" I asked nervously.
"I heard that Prof. Oak and Bill just registered a new breed of pokémon," he replied. "I don't know its name, maybe you could clarify the information I have."
"Sorry," I told him, "but I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're a terrible liar," Tracey replied. "I know that's its registration number is 252, and 253 was set aside for its evolved form."
"Nope," I lied, "doesn't ring a bell."
Tracey sighed in disappointment.
"I have a phone to make," I said to him as I headed to Brock's office. Prof. Oak had to know about the leak.
I stared at the door as I dialed the number.
"Prof. Oak, here," he greeted. "Oh, it's you, Ash."
"Professor, has the BPR changed its mind about releasing information on me?" I asked cutting to the point of the call.
"Not that I'm aware of," Prof. Oak answered, "but if you're referring to any rumors you might have heard, that's normal."
"Excuse me if I sound paranoid," I replied, "but this is my life we're talking about."
"Calm down," Prof. Oak chided. "I've heard most of the rumors floating around. Some say we have a Mewthree while others have it that we made some mutant Ditto and released in Vermilion."
"I wonder where they got a silly notion like that," I nervously laughed.
"Just be grateful you're little slip up is taking eyes off the truth," Prof. Oak warned.
"Well, I figured that you should know that I heard it from Tracey," I replied.
"Then you have even less to be concerned about," Prof. Oak continued. "He probably hears all the rumors coming out the Board."
"Thanks," I sighed. "I feel a lot better now."
"No problem, Ash," Prof. Oak smiled. "I'm glad you called. These stunt stones are quite remarkable."
"You think they could be a cure?" I asked.
"I'll have to do some more research," he replied. "They don't devolve pokémon, just absorb the energy used for evolution."
I heard Misty and Suzie in den with Tracey. "I better go," I told Prof. Oak.
"Good luck with your training," he replied as I hung up.
I walked back into the den where all three were staring at me.
"What?" I asked.
"What's this about a new pokémon?" Misty demanded.
"You mean the Espeon I caught a few weeks ago," I answered. "Well, I was on an errand to get a SudoWoodo leaf when I saw a swarm of Scizor. I thought I might catch one, but they were attacking a pokémon…"
"That's not the pokémon I'm talking about," Misty interrupted. "What is a 252?"
"I dunno," I replied. "Last I heard, 251 was reserved for something called a Selebi."
"Come on, Ash," Tracey said as the three surrounded me. "Tell us about it."
"I wish I could," Ash replied. "I asked Prof. Oak about, and all he said was just to ignore the rumors."
"So you're saying there's not some Dittotwos running around Vermilion?" Suzie asked.
"Dittotwo?" Misty asked. "I though it was just a mutated Ditto that some banned trainer had."
"I heard it was a new Mew clone," Tracey replied. "Like that one talked about in the Mew report."
"You actually believe in Mewtwo," Suzie laughed. "Next you'll say Mews are not extinct."
"That was an official paper released by the Board of Pokémon Research," Tracey defended. "If it wasn't for that report, most pokémon researchers and watchers would have thought Mews to be a legend."
"Quiet, you two," Misty snapped. "We're not here to discuss about Mews and clones."
"Right," both agreed as they noticed I was trying to slip away in the confusion.
"Hold it right there," Misty yelled at me. "You haven't answered our question."
As luck would have it, my old friend Brock came to my rescue.
"Dinner's ready," he called from the dining room.
"Better get to the table," I told the three of them. "Wouldn't want to keep Brock waiting."
"You're not getting out this that easy," Misty huffed. "You're hiding something."
"What makes you say that?" I nervously asked.
"You don't lie unless you covering something," she replied, "and it's pretty obvious when you're lying."
"I lie all the time," I snapped back. Wait, did I say that right?
"Sure, Ash," Misty smirked. "That'll always impress the ladies. 'Hi, I'm the biggest liar on the planet.'"
"Better a liar than a scrawny twerp," I laughed.
"Why you…" she shouted as she pulled out her mallet and brought it down on my skull.
~§~
Dinner was kinda quiet. Misty, Tracey, and Suzie told Brock about the rumors of Pokémon 252, and he laughed.
"I don't see Prof. Oak and Ash doing any gene-splicing," I laughed.
"Hey, you know me," I agreed. "Densest trainer in the league. What would I know about the double helix structure of pokémon DNA and the eighth chromosome pair variable."
All four of them blinked at me.
"I wonder about you sometimes," Misty finally spoke.
I laughed nervously as we finished the meal in silence. I was so tired from the day's training, I told the other I was just going to have a shower and head to bed.
The hot shower felt good on my sore muscles. All that training was quite a work out. I just let the water beat down on my back while I breathed in the steam.
"Ash, hurry up in there," Misty yelled as she pounded on the door.
I sighed as stepped out of the shower and started to towel off. I slipped on my pajamas and brushed my teeth. Misty began pounding on the door again.
"I'll be out in a minute!" I snapped back.
I opened the door to see a very angry redhead glaring at me. If looks could kill…
"'Bout time," she hissed as she slammed the door.
I shook my head as went into my room. Will she ever grow up?
I slipped into bed and quickly feel asleep.
~§~
I was woken by the sound of broken glass.
"Careful next time," a voice whispered.
"But Jess, if we do this right there won't be a next time," another replied.
"Quiet, youse two," a third voice hissed. "You might wake the twerp."
I slowly opened my eyes and saw the three faces of Team Rocket staring at me.
"Can't you do this in the morning," I whined. "It's two a.m."
"Ha, you're night owls," Jessie laughed.
"Speak for yourself," Meowth sighed. "I really need a catnap."
"Just hand over Pikachu," James continued, "and we all will get some rest."
"Fat chance," I laughed. "Pikachu, thundershock."
Nothing happened.
"Pikachu," I cried as I looked at his bed on the floor. It was empty.
"Guess Pikachu went to kitchen for a midnight snack," I laughed.
"To the kitchen," James yelled. "For Pikachu and breakfast!"
"Not if I get there first," I replied as I pushed all three of them out of the way.
Soon, we were all struggling to fit down the hallway.
"Out of my way twerp," Jessie snarled.
"I was here first," I snapped back.
Soon, we collapsed as someone opened a door we were squeezed next two.
"What's going on here?" Brock sleepily asked.
"Team Rocket's after Pikachu," I replied.
"Well, keep it down," he said as he pushed back into the hall. "There are people trying to sleep."
After we were shoved back into the narrow hallway, we were racing to kitchen. As we headed to kitchen, Pikachu walked out with a red mustache.
"Pika?" he questioned as he saw Team Rocket and me make a dive for him. "PIKACHU!"
He thundershocked all four of us.
"Thanks a lot," I sighed as we collapsed on the ground in a burnt mass.
"Keep it down!" Misty, Brock, and Tracey shouted.
"Enough of this," Jessie snapped. "Arbok, go!"
When she threw the pokéball, it refused to open.
"Grr, Lickitung!" she cried. Again, the pokémon refused to appear.
"They must want to sleep," I guessed.
"Don't think you've won," Jessie snarled. "We'll be back."
"Looks like Team Rockets running off again," they shouted as they ran out the front door.
"QUIET!!"
I sighed as went back to bed.
~§~
The next week was pretty calm. As for the upcoming wedding, all that was needed was the tuxedo fitting for Tracey and me and Misty's dress fitting. I found out that Suzie didn't have much of a family so the other bridesmaids were Brock's sisters. Brock had the oldest of his younger brothers to act as a groomsman; so, we rounded the numbers of two groomsmen plus me as best man and two bridesmaids plus Misty as the maid of honor.
All this wedding business was seriously getting to Misty. She constantly kept getting dreamy eyed when Suzie went into detail about the ceremony. While she was in this state, Brock and Tracey kept elbowing me. I also rolled my eyes but couldn't help sighing. If only Team Rocket had left me alone that day, I would still be a normal human. Okay, maybe not exactly normal but still a human.
~§~
"So what are we doing about Brock's bachelor party?" Tracey asked when we picking up our tuxes about a week before the wedding.
"We're throwing one?" I replied.
"Why not?" Tracey demanded. "One last night out with the boys."
"'Cause legally that's what we are," I answered. "Even Brock is under twenty-one."
Tracey gave a funny look. "I was thinking of a few pokémon battles and some food," Tracey replied. "What were you thinking about?"
"Ah, something totally different," I replied as I rubbed the back of my neck, "but I like your idea better."
"Come on," Tracey said as he grabbed my arm. "We need to plan this thing."
As he led me back to the gym, I could swear I heard some talking in the bushes.
~§~
"Here's to the man of the hour," Snap yelled above the noise. Brock kept shaking his lower head to hide his laughter. Tracey and I had tricked him to coming into the gym while Misty took Suzie out to dinner.
"Come on, son," Flint laughed. "Your friends used a lot of effort to plan this."
I looked over the small crowd. Snap, AJ, and Gary had arrived earlier today for the wedding in two days. Richie was just passing through on his was to Saffron to head to the Johto League. When he heard about the wedding, he said he stick around for a few days. A couple of the gym leaders, Lt. Surge and Koga, had arrived as well, but we had expected Bruno and Lance with Blaine to show up soon. I never knew Lance to turn down free food. I was kinda upset Prof. Oak said he couldn't make. Seemed he had a business dinner with someone in Viridian.
"So, who wants the first challenge?" Tracey asked.
"A masters battle," Koga shouted. "Gary and AJ."
"No, I saw we show the soon not-to-be bachelor what he'll be missing," Surge roared. "I challenge Brock."
We all cheered at the suggestion.
"An one-on-one match," Koga said as Surge and Brock took their places. "Five minute time limit."
"Graveler, go!" Brock cried as he released his pokémon.
Lt. Surge squinted his eyes to the point that they were almost as small as Brock's. He had forgotten Brock's principle type was rock pokémon. This would be a short match.
"Raichu, let's show this baby what I real pokémon can do," he shouted. "Dig!"
I couldn't help but laugh at the command. Surge should've let Tracey, Gary, or me take on Brock since we we're the only ones with water pokémon. It wasn't long before Graveler stood triumphant over the fallen Raichu.
"Next time," Koga told his fellow gym leader, "think before you open your big mouth."
"Who's next?" Gary asked.
Suddenly, the doors of the gym swung open. He all stared at the three figures in the doorway. The one in front wore a black suit and a black cape with red lining. The look on his face could probably put the fear of God into, well, God.
"The party," he solemnly began but broke into a smile and a shout, "has just arrived."
Lance saw the table with food and made a mad dash towards it. He was the reason most league champions only lasted a year. It wasn't that they actually lost to their challengers. I would still be league champion if I wanted it, but having to deal with Lance three days a week would get on anybody's nerves. So I turned my title over to Gary, who turned it over to Richie in six months, who turned it over to AJ in three. All them were amazed I lasted a year with the nutball. If only Prima was here. She always kept him in line.
"I think if we want some food," I suggested, "we better get some before Lance cleans us out."
"I couldn't agree more," Blaine sighed.
For the next hour, we spent most of the time having pokémon battles. I managed to defeat Richie and Gary but lost to Lance and Blaine. Gary had better luck with Koga and AJ. These were friendly matches since most of us had our master badges and didn't need to prove anything. Still, I got a chance to show Gary who the true pride of Pallet is.
"Now, it's time for the ceremony," Lance announced in a stone cold tone.
We all took our placed and formed a horseshoe around him except for Brock, Tracey and me. We stood before them with Brock in the center.
"Bring forth the accused," Lance instructed.
Tracey grabbed Brock's left arm while I grabbed his right. We dragged him before the 'judge.'
"Brock Slate," Lance monotony spoke, "son of Flint Slate, leader of the Pewter City Gym, master of the boulderbadge, and expert pokémon breeder. You have been convicted of love in the highest order. How do you plea?"
"Guilty, your honor," Brock replied. I tried my best not to ruin the moment by smirking.
"It is the opinion of this court," Lance continued in the same dry tone, "that you be sentenced to no less than fifty years in the charge of Suzie Glenwood, soon to be Slate."
As we were about to drag Brock off, Lance motioned us to stop.
"Furthermore," Lance said, this time with a smile, "it's also the opinion of this court that everyone of us be as lucky as you."
"Here, here," Gary, Richie, and AJ cheered.
"You may take him away," Lance said to end the night.
As we were about to take Brock were we had stashed the presents, the doors once again opened with three figures in the doorway.
"I really need to get new locks for that things," Brock sighed.
"To protect the world from devastation,"
"To unite all peoples within our, hey cake!" James shouted.
"Hands off, creep," Lance said as he jumped in James's path. "That's mine!"
I shook my head, but before I could say anything, AJ broke in.
"Are you three that arrogant, or that stupid," he jeered. "Who in their right mind would attack a gym full of Pokémon Masters, gym leaders, and two members of the Elite Four?"
"Aw, he gots a point, Jessie," Meowth commented.
Jessie growled at Meowth as she whacked him with her fan. She pulled out a pokéball, as AJ and Gary pulled out one of their own.
"11 to 2," she laughed. "I hate those odds. Get over here, James!"
"Huh?" he asked as Lance tackled away from the buffet.
"Looks like Team Rocket's run…"
"Wait!" Brock interrupted.
"What is it?" Jessie demanded.
"I just thought you would like to come to my wedding," he replied.
"You're inviting us?" James questioned. "After all we've done to you?"
"What exactly have done anyway?" Brock replied. "Work out my pokémon, gave me lots of battling experience, help me get closer to Suzie six years ago. If anything, I should be thanking you?"
"I wouldn't go that far," I whispered to him.
"Anyway," Brock continued, "it's in the two days."
He handed each an invitation.
"Look, Jess," James cheered. "We're going to a wedding."
"Cut it out, numskull," she snapped as she slapped him with her fan.
Jessie picked up her two unconscious team members and said goodnight.
"That was different," I commented as we watched her drag them off into the night.
~§~
Two hours to go, and Brock's a nervous wreck. After Tracey and I convinced him Suzie would stand him up, we had to spend another hour trying to get him to stop pacing around.
"I got to see her," he told us as we blocked the door.
"No, it's bad luck," Tracey replied. "Beside, after two hours, you have a lifetime with her."
Brock seemed to calm down after that. The minister came to door soon and told us it was time.
"Now begins the rest of your life," I laughed as we walked to the side door of the chapel.
He gave me a weak smile at the comment.
The ceremony went smoothly. Misty looked great, and Suzie didn't look that bad either. Brock's nervousness seemed to go down as the minister began.
Throughout the service, I kept stealing glance over at my counterpart. Misty looked terrific in the fuchsia dress, but then, she looked great in just about anything. Wait, what am I thinking here? Find a cure, then get the girl. Right?
My train of thought was broken when the minister called for the rings.
"The ring is a symbol of the love between you," he said as he held them up. "With neither a beginning nor an ending, let them always show the bond between you."
Brock carefully slipped the ring on Suzie's finger, and she place one on Brock.
"By the power invested in me by the state of Indigo Island," the minister beamed, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Brock didn't need to be told twice. I have to admit, I thought both of them would turn blue before they broke it up.
The minister tried not to chuckle as he finished the ceremony. "I now present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Brock Slate."
I heard loud crying and looked in the crowd for the source. Jessie and James were both sobbing in the audience.
I smiled as the recession began. I took Misty's arm and lead her up the aisle. Maybe someday, she'll be the one in white, I thought as we followed the happy couple.
~§~
Now came the part I've always hated. The garter/boutique toss. First came the pointless gaiter toss. What exactly it meant for mean was beyond me. AJ, Richie, Gary, Todd, Surge, Lance, Bruno, and Koga crowded close to the front while Blaine, James, Tracey, and me hung out in the back. Brock had an evil glare in his eye as he sent it straight for me. I caught it but quickly tossed it to a surprised James. It took him a minute to realize what happened and quickly blushed.
Next came the moment of dread for some of the men, the boutique toss. Prima, Misty, Jessie, and Erika were at the front. I noticed Sabrina had chosen to sit this out. When Suzie tossed those flowers in the air, the talons came out. Prima and Erika had height over Misty and Jessie, but they had power. When the dust settled, Jessie was holding the tattered boutique like a trophy.
"Finally got one," she cried.
"Very, good," Todd said as he brought James over. "Now I just need to take your picture with James."
Both of them blushed when they saw what each was holding. Personally, I hear wedding bells in a year, two tops.
I saw Misty pouting at one of tables. I walked over to talk to her.
"I never get the boutique," she sighed.
"It's just a bundle of flowers," I replied.
"That shows what you know," she sighed again. "It's more than that."
"Maybe you'll get one at the next wedding," I tried to comfort her. "I thought Daisy said she and her boyfriend were getting serious."
"You're right," she replied. "By the way, why did you throw away the garter?"
"It was something I just didn't want," I shrugged.
"Oh," she replied.
"Misty, I was wondering," I said awkwardly, "what are you doing after this?"
"I was planning on going back to Cerulean," she answered. "School starts in a month, and I have the gym to look after."
"Well, maybe we should get together again," I suggested.
"I like that," she smiled. "Let's try to make it shorter than a year this time."
"Sure thing," I replied.
"Hey, guys," Tracey called, "we're about to throw the rice."
"We're coming," Misty shouted back. "Shall we?"
"Let's," I replied as I took her hand.
~§~
Brock and Suzie ran threw the barrage of rice but stopped when they saw Brock's car. Various designs in white whipped cream were made up and down the sides with several cans tied to the back. Pikachu was sitting on the hood holding a can of whipped cream and an evil grin.
"Pikachu," Brock sighed as Suzie giggled at the pokémon.
"It's tradition," Gary smirked. "You should've seen what they did to Gramp's car when he got married."
Prof. Oak groaned at ever showing his grandson that picture.
After the couple had left, Tracey, Misty, and I finished our packing. Tracey said he go with Richie to Johto to study the pokémon there. We all said our good-byes. That was the last time I saw Misty. I hope to keep my word.
Prof. Oak and Gary offered me a ride back to Pallet, which I happily agreed to. While on the way back, Prof. Oak mentioned that his business deal in Viridian had been a success and that we would be getting some new funding. I was happy at the idea of more money. Maybe we'll get enough to isolate a cure.
To be continued…
