Author's Note: Hey, guys! I just have a few things to say:
Tatewaki: Sorry about the spoiler. It was by popular demand. :) I won't put spoilers anymore, just for the heck of it. But if you've read some of the spoilers, well, I might change some of them I don't really like. Oh and P.S: I adore your stories! :)
Well, that's the only review I think I should reply to. And to all my reviewers, I love you guys so much! :D
P.S. To everyone who read the spoilers: Okay guys, I decided to move a little quicker and I rearranged the events. Yes, you will still find all those events in the story along with some new ones I didn't mention. But some of the events in Chapter 5 will be moved to Chapter 4 and vice-versa. If you would like, you guys could send me some ideas. I have the ending planned out, but I need more events. I plan to make 7 chapters. Either less or more, but it will not exceed ten. :)
Disclaimer: I'm owning Pokemon...wait, welcome to my dream. I still don't own Pokemon.
The kiss was beyond intoxicating, reeling Ash away from his past Pokemon thoughts. When Misty had kissed him, he wanted to retract and tell her it was all a big misunderstanding. But now, he felt remorse even thinking that. Heck, he was a teenager! Guys at his age have probably kissed a dozen girls – except Brock, he still hasn't managed to escape from his hormones – and in three years tops, he'd be 18! His mom would probably be ecstatic, and everyone else he knew waited for this moment. They had teased him and Misty endlessly and he had just about enough of blushing and stuttering in front of her.
For a moment, he felt her move an inch back, still he had cupped her cheek and brought her closer. He really wasn't to blame, since his hormones are acting up. Dawn and May were giggling uncontrollably in the background, each whispering to each other quietly. Brock watched with a very much amused eye, his eyebrows etched in a way that practically screamed 'Finally.' Pikachu was nothing of Ash's concern at the moment, since he knew Pikachu favored Misty among all the girls he'd known. Pikachu even had a Pika-name for Misty and has waited and consulted Ash all the years Misty was gone – as he was sulking down, missing her. Everyone was supporting him, what could possibly go wrong?
By the time he had thought of that, Misty had leaned away, her face as red as a tomato. Ash too was feeling quite light headed and dizzy as his heart quickened an impossible pace.
Everyone stayed silent, waiting for Ash and Misty's uncomfortable silence to wash away.
"So," Ash started, clearing his throat with awkwardness, "how's the weather?"
Practically everyone face-faulted at the obviousness in the reaction coming from him.
|*|*|*|
With the kiss behind everyone's mind, they all continued wearily walking towards the next city. Florate City. The city was known for the endless streams of flowers freely hanging around the massive skyscrapers. It was like most cities except on rare occasions, wherein a sudden earthquake would shake the ground. All the citizens had just ignored the casualty, while the tourists gathered around in panic. Sometimes, flowers would fall right out of the sky - cherry blossoms to be exact. Rain would turn into snow right before their eyes and even once, Ho-oh's shadow cast over the city - illuminating it with its colorful beams of light.
But the majesty of the city didn't matter to a tiresome pack of trainers. Most specifically the girls.
"Brock," May whined for the hundredth time that hour, "how long until we get there?" Brock's answer was just not something you'd want to hear, after one of the most tiresome and stressful day. "About an hour or two. If you see fireworks then we're 10 minutes away."
The word fireworks repeated in Misty's head, before she processed it. "Fireworks?" she gasped. Brock nodded his head, flummoxed at her sudden reaction to one of the cities most famous traditions.
"Yeah. You see, during Autumn, the Florate's light up a bunch of fireworks and set up a festival 2 days after to show their welcoming. They only do it on the fifteenth day of the month." Brock said, with much wisdom and knowledge you could expect from a 19-year-old.
"They do?" Ash said, finally interested in something about cities, gyms and badges. A couple of conversations about Ash's Pokemon came up, and he did nothing but ignore them, the feeling of Misty's lips still lingering on his. But as soon as the topic about Florate City came up, somehow he felt a spark that indicated bad things were going to happen. But the talk had changed course and somehow he was getting interested.
"Yes, Ash. It was an old tradition that started over a few hundred years ago. On the fifth of October, the Pokemon Master started his tour in this city. They all welcomed him with a blast. The Florates were so honored in having him in their city, that they decided to impress him by doing it every October 15. And yes, he was very much impressed. They decided to continue doing the tradition even up to date. Everyone comes there on October 15 - but only a handful number of people get to enter."
"What do you mean?" Dawn piped up, as all of them walked close by rather than a few feet away from each other. May walked up, slightly embarrassed about the stain in her shorts that was caused by Azurill's Watergun. She had just been tickling little Azurill, but somehow she didn't like it and shot a mass of watergun to her. May, with the help of Misty and Dawn, managed to remove the stain that was on her clothes except for the piece of mud - shaped and sized like a coin.
"They only let a number of people come? Shouldn't they welcome everyone?"
Brock shook his head solemnly. "In the first year they started the festival of honoring October 15, there was an accident where people rampaged over each other. A lot of people died that same day. I was actually surprised that the mayor hadn't canceled the event."
Misty, who was already going nuts over the fireworks the squinty-eyed guy mentioned, had been ecstatic over the festival. Festival means dresses! Dresses means dates!
"So um..." she waited for a response. Brock looked at her and instantly got the message - sending Ash a disdainful look. "Brock. Brock Slate. That's May and Dawn."
"Okay. So, Brock, when does this festival happen?" Brock could swear he saw a little flash of light in her eyes at that moment. He didn't really like that glint in Misty's eyes - it made her looked almost like a...a girl.
"Err...On the night of October 17. They're holding the Princess Festival on the same night as well!"
May, Dawn and Misty practically squealed all their hearts out, clutching onto each other as their eyes glistened. Princess Day was something every female in the whole Pokemon world yearned for. It is when women, all ages alike, are spoiled throughout the entire day. Whatever wish, it must be granted. Men absolutely hated this event.
"The Princess Festival? Oh! It's my favorite day of the year! How exciting!" Misty moaned in satisfaction. May and Dawn followed her actions, and they dashed towards the city faster than anything Ash has ever seen.
"I knew girls were ecstatic about Princess Day, but I never knew that they were that excited." Ash merely rolled his eyes in annoyance, as Pikachu and Brock chuckled behind him.
|*|*|*|
The scene they were currently gazing at looked like it was designed from a fairytale. Another booming sound arose from the fireworks, the colorful lights showering the sky. People wore kimonos of sorts, and the whole town was just as Brock described it. Magnificent.
"Welcome, welcome!" greeted an old, chubby man wearing a top hat. He wore a black suit, and had a long, white mustache. Beside him firmly stood a girl with long, curly light brown hair that ended just 5 inches above her hips. She had sky blue eyes, a diamond-studded tiara adorning her head and a puffy, light pink dress that reached below her ankles - covering her feet from the world. She looked just like a princess.
"Hi!" she said in a cherry-sweet voice, "Welcome to the ever breathtaking Florate City, I'm Giza. You're just in time for the fireworks! Please, enjoy your -"
But much to her confusion, Brock had instantly knelt before her, with a rose in his mouth. "My dear sweet Giza, are you a Pokemon?"
Giza though seemed mildly offended, as she placed her gloved hand on her chest and gasped, taking a small step back. She didn't seem to understand the concept of Brock's pick-up lines.
"N-no! And you sir should be ashamed of calling me that! I am the mayor's daughter. Don't speak to me that way." But Giza's statement had even been ignored by Brock and his googly eyes.
"Because I choose you!"
Then everyone fell down in shock. Out of Brock's pick-up lines, that one was the worst one yet. Brock held out the rose that was in his mouth and placed it on her hair.
"Excuse me?" was the only remark Giza could produce out of her shock state.
"Such grace, beauty and politeness coming from the same woman! Pinch me, I must be dreaming!" Brock said, stubbornly wrapping his arms around himself as his eyes grew larger. (?)
Ash - after taking a quick glance at the wide-eyed Misty - decided to step up and pinch Brock on his ear. "Brock, you have got to be kidding me with that line."
Brock showed off a fake-hurt look, that Misty instantly chuckled at. "I didn't think you'd take up Misty's place." but then he whispered under his breath, "I actually thought your wish was good."
Ignoring Brock's sneer, Ash turned to the much confused Giza.
"Hey. We're just passing by. Do you know any places we could sleep in?" Ash politely asked, trying not to sound desperate. He was beyond embarrassed at the spectators around them - most especially the people whom the top hat guy was speaking to. Brock was never much to care what other people say about him. All he wanted to do was get a girl - after over 7 years or so of rejection - and ask her instantly for a date. That was Brock for you.
Giza shook out of her daze and looked roughly at Brock's face. She really wasn't used to this kind of treatment, nor was she ever like that. "Yes." she gritted through her teeth. But before any of them could respond, she walked slowly to the man who was recently beside her, tapping on his shoulder.
"Daddy," she indicated the chubby man, "you think you can find a hotel for these lovely trainers? They need a place to stay and I don't think that there are any more places around here."
After a quick bid to his friends, the chubby man talked. "Well nice to see a few trainers come by. I understand you're new here?"
"Yes sir." they all replied much quickly. But the man chuckled lightly - his voice croaky.
"I see. A fine introduction would suit this moment. I'm Mark. Mayor of Florate City." he said, proudly grinning and showing off pearl-white teeth. Misty, after smashing Brock with her mallet - as instructed by Dawn - had held a hand out to shake.
"I'm Misty. Youngest of the Waterflower sisters. Nice to meet you Mr. Mark. What a beautiful place you have here."
"Why thank you, Miss Misty. It's lovely having you here." Mark smiled for a moment, before turning around and looking at everyone else.
"I'm Ash Ketchum and I'm destined to be the world's greatest Pokemon Trainer. I've finished all the leagues - except the Diamond - and won first at the Sinnoh League. This is my pal, Pikachu." Pikachu gave an affirmative smile, before jumping down to stand alongside Azurill. Somehow, Ash had noticed that the two have been quite close - and he could definitely see a connection between the two. He didn't know if the sparks were love or of were friendship, but nonetheless he was quite happy about it.
"My name's Brock. I've accompanied these kids to their journeys for over 7 years. It's hard, but it's my job." Brock stroke a pose, grinning madly in Giza's direction.
"I'm Dawn," she said, jumping up and pushing Brock aside, "and I'm one of Sinnoh's top coordinators! That's May, she's my duet partner and she's the best female coordinator in all of Hoenn!" May gave a wave, grinning.
"Nice to meet a strong, lovely pack of trainers. I'm sure you'd all like to sleep in a hotel? Well, I have the perfect place."
|*|*|*|
It was regal, ever so breathtaking. May didn't know if it was the chandeliers or the diamonds that made her eyes sparkle, but certainly it was elegant. If words couldn't describe how the humongous lobby looked like, then May didn't know what could.
"It's wonderful!" she was the first to speak among everyone that stood awe-struck. Dawn was still having the same dreamy-eyed look on her face that indicated she wasn't going to shake out of it for a long, long time.
"Azu Azurill!" bounced the little Pokemon, trying to return everyone to the real world. Mark was currently speaking to the manager over at the front desk, Ash by his side, while all of them stood pampered on the center of the room. Every hotel guest surrounding them were wearing expensive clothing and unaffordable jewelry that caught May's eyes. Misty blinked a few times, processing her vision in her brain. Finally, she grinned.
"I feel like a princess."
"Well then you must be looking for a prince."
Everyone turned their attention to the brown-haired teenager, who stood behind Misty with a rose in his hands. Gary Oak. Somehow - Misty didn't know why - he knew her. And knew her well. She had a feeling they've met before, but she couldn't put her finger to it.
"Good morning, Ms. Misty. It's such a coincidence you're in the same town as I am. Oh and my, my. What lovely friends you have here." Gary turned his attention towards Dawn, May and Giza, who blushed simultaneously at the wink they received from the popular researcher.
"Hey guys, I'm back. So we - Gary?" Ash stood mildly shock for a second, before clapping Gary on his back and giving him a grin. "Gary! It's so nice to see you here. How you doing, pal?"
"Pika Pikachu!" greeted the electric mouse, waving a paw in his direction. Gary flipped a strand of brown hair that covered his eyes, before diverting his attention to Ash - instead of the wordless Misty, who clutched the rose she received from him - and smiled. "Ashy-boy!" he said, despite the wince Ash gave him, "nice to see you and your friends here!."
"I thought you were in Sinnoh? What are you doing here?"
"Well, Ashy-boy. I'm on a research trip. Gramps is over there talking with some of the reporters," Gary pointed to the somewhat young-looking man who wore a red sweater with khaki pants. "I was in Sinnoh, but old man said he needed help with a new project he needs to finish ASAP. I don't really need to hear your stories to know what you're doing next, huh, Ash?"
Ash shook his head in disbelief. When they were little kiddies, playing safely in a playpen, he and Gary were such good buddies they could tell each others emotions. Delia and Samuel had introduced them the day after Ash was a year old and then they became good friends. For over 6 years they were inseparable, but when they entered the 3rd grade, things started to change. Gary had been noticed by girls at such a young age, while Ash was struggling to get a finer body. Gary had also become one of the most popular students in their school - considering the famous Professor Oak had been his grandfather. So for more years, they were rivals trying to get the better of each other. But after the Johto Silver Conference, the two had become good friends again.
"Ash," Misty said from behind him, her eyes focused directly on Gary, "who's he?"
Gary's jaw fell in complete shock. Although he knew Misty practically hated him for what he did to her last year; he positively knew that she won't forget him throughout that short period of time. They've known each other since they were 10! Five years ago to be exact. He really didn't know what he had done to make her forget him. It was tragic.
Ash was finally panicking. He swore to himself that he would only tell Brock, Dawn and May. He didn't know that Gary would ever come along - he wasn't a fortune teller, was he?
"Er...uh, uh...y-you see." Ash stuttered, unable to compose himself. Dawn and May looked at him with torturing eyes. Brock wasn't any of help, just speaking with Giza and Mark, with a plain smirk plastered on his tanned face.
"Pika Pikachu Pikapi." resolved the little Pokemon, not even ridden of guilt as his trainer dropped his head.
"Hi," Misty ignored the tension between the two, letting her arm out and smiling angelically, "I'm Misty. Misty Waterflower. Who may you be?"
Gary then uncomfortably reached out and shook her hand, his brows scrunched up, "I'm Gary Oak, famous professor extraordinaire. Why do you ask?"
And that's when Misty's temper got the better of her, despite his attempt in friendliness for an introduction that was clearly unneeded.
"Why? Is it wrong to ask?" she snapped, her eyes blazing and narrowing at the same time. Gary Oak seemed less than amused, finally concluding that she was indeed the real Misty. With a fiery temper like that, who would be able to forget her?
"No. Just wonderin' why you would forget such a hotshot professor you dated." he coolly said.
Dated. Dated? Dated! DATED?! It took long before the thought finally processed in Ash's mind. His old nemesis had been dating her? Misty? Why didn't he know that? Misty had never mentioned - in their video-calls or e-mails - dating Gary Oak. She once said that she despised him so much, and when Ash asked her why, she just ignored him and changed the topic immediately. Ash would never have expected something so bizarre. No, he wasn't being unreasonable, but ever since he found out the little 'crush' he had on Misty, he was suddenly changing into the jealous, overprotective, selfish jerk he never knew he could turn into.
"Wow. I never knew you guys dated. Congrats." Dawn said, jealousy dripping in her tone. She had liked Gary Oak for quite some time now, but it was nothing compared to what she felt for Paul.
"Dated, Dawn, dated. I broke up with Misty when she left to see you guys again. Well, let's just say she hated me then."
"D-d-d-dated?" Misty spluttered, eyes growing ten times larger. Dating such a hot, famous professor like him never crossed her mind.
"Yes. Dated. Is that so hard to believe?"
That's when May's mind crossed the subject. "Technically, yes. You see, Oak, Misty and Ash are meant to be. So why are you in the picture?"
Ash was embarrassed, blushing a deep shade of scarlet. Misty was left temporarily speechless and before Gary could retort, an old man's voice interrupted their conversation.
"There you are Gary. Why, Ash! You're here? Goodness, is that you, Misty? My, have you grown. Well, hello May and Dawn. Where's Brock?"
They turned towards the drooling Brock, knelt before Giza who was stuttering and sweat dropping like an idiot. Professor Oak sighed, rubbing his temples and thanking God he chose Tracey instead of Brock as his apprentice. But then he noticed the wide, aqua blue eyes Misty was giving him at the moment. Her eyes were glazed in a manner that indicated she was daydreaming, her hands clasped to her chest.
Then she gasped loudly.
"Professor Oak? The famous Professor Oak? Pinch me, I must be dreaming!"
He then looked at her curiously. "Well, yes. Who else may I be?" but Misty was too busy wondering how her sisters' jealous faces would appear. He looked knowingly at Gary, who just looked equally confused, turning his gaze towards Ash.
Then Ash felt all eyes at him.
Author's Note: Finally! I've been trying to finish this all week. You can read some of the meaningless facts I wrote with boredom below.
Facts:
1. This is the longest chapter I've ever written. Ever.
2. This is one of the few chapters I decided to mention 'Princess Day.'
3. This is probably the only fic I will and ever wrote wherein Professor Oak might have a big role. Just might.
4. The only chapter I used the only Pokemon pick-up line I know. I thought it might be typical to use.
Well thanks for letting me waste a minute of your time making you read this. Until then, stay tuned to the next chapter of Wishes!