Hello everybody and welcome to chapter 6. Okay so my plans changed last minute with this chapter after I came up with a really good idea while writing this. So this chapter is mostly character development on Misty's part. This chapter is going to be a little on the serious side nothing to bad just a little heads up. So I hope you enjoy!

I awoke as the sun's bright rays penetrated the clear glass window. I groggily rubbed my eyes while snuggling my blanket close to me and in hailing its soothing scent. Azurill was curled up in a little ball at the edge of the bed. I couldn't help but smile. I got up carefully so I didn't disturb it. I tiptoed downstairs and out onto the balcony, I closed my eyes as the soft breeze flowed through my messy red strains. "Good morning Mist" Ash said as he walked up behind me, patting my shoulder. How the fuck did he find me? More importantly that nickname…"How did you know I was out here? Don't you see I'm trying clear my mind?!" I questioned him while poking one of his toned abs. He stood there smiling goofily while I continued to shoot him an intimidating glare. "Am I speaking Japanese? Answer me Ketchum!" I shouted more forcefully. He responded by putting his hand over my mouth. "Keep your voice down." He whispered. I swat his hand away. "Seriously why do you keep insisting on following me? I said a bit softer. "Sorry can't help myself" he said while blushing. "Since when did you turn into such a creep, you remind me of Brock" I said with my hands on my hips. "Only a matter of time before you kidnap me, take me to your hotel and try to get your way with me." I said with my back turned to him. He turned me back around to face him. "Why would you even think I would do such a horrible thing to you? I would never take advantage of you, let alone let anyone else try that with you!" His voice was calm but firm. I saw the hurt it in his huge amber eyes, I struck a nerve and I felt guilty. "Ash I'm sorry, I was just joking" I said embracing him in a hug. I saw the longing in his eyes, like he wanted more. But knew he couldn't. Not yet. He finally pulled away and took a shaky in hail, and walked into the house without another word.

I resumed closing my eyes and thinking about the past couple of days. So far ten out of the twenty-five girls went home not including Juliet. I knew Ash had no interest in her but I wouldn't be surprised if the producers made Ash keep her here as long as possible since her "Daddy Warbucks" bribed them. I continued to wonder how my sisters were doing. I haven't talked to them since I left. I began to ponder if I did the right thing by leaving them in charge in the first place. Were they taking good care of the Pokemon? Did they remember to go to the badge artisan in Rifure Village to get more Cascade badges? Did they remember to clean the pool area? Were they keeping a close eye on Psyduck? They know how clumsy he can be, but still they can be a bit unreliable at times...Misty bit her bottom lip, pondering whether she should call and get the bad news that the Gym has been destroyed. Misty shook her head trying to stop thinking of the negative thoughts present in her head. "Stop Misty, this is nonsense!" Misty thought aloud. I left multiple reminders around the Gym of all the chores they had to do. Plus I told Tracey to stop by every day to check on them and help out. They should be fine. Still it wouldn't hurt to call…

I took a deep breath before heading back inside. Upon entering I looked around. No sign of Ash. "Must've went back to his hotel" I whispered to myself. I bit my lip again as I remembered the events that happened earlier. I still felt bad about what I said to Ash, I wish I never said that. I walked up the staircase and down the long hall until I reached my room. I gave a light knock. No response. Guess Amy's still sleeping. I twisted the silver doorknob and opened the door. The door creaked slightly as I tiptoed over to my bed and saw Azurill sleeping in the same spot from when I left. I rummaged through my bags to find my light blue cell sitting on top of a book that I had been reading last night. I flicked open the lock screen and then proceeded to flick through the many pages of apps to find my contacts list. I pressed on the icon that looked like an address book and searched through the many numbers on my list. I finally came across the contact that read "Home" and tapped the call button. I bit my lip as the phone started to ring. First ring, second ring, third ring. I bit my lip harder. "C'mon someone pick up!" As if someone read my thoughts I heard a voice at the on the other end of the phone. "Hello, Cerulean Gym Tracey speaking." Tracey said in a lighthearted tone. "Hey Tracey, Its Misty!" I said with a sigh of relief. "Oh, Misty how is everything. You doing okay!" He said enthusiastically. "Yeah, Yeah I'm doing fine I just called to see how everybody back home is doing." I said smiling as if he could actually see me. "Oh everyone here is great! You're sisters have been doing a good job of taking care of the Gym, with my help of course." Tracey said sheepishly. "So, have you been on a date with Daisy yet." I questioned deviously. "U-um n-no not y-yet." Tracey responded, stammering with every word. I pictured his face turning bright red, I chucked at the thought. "You have to tell her sometime how you feel. Plus I think she likes you to!"

"R-really?" Tracey stuttered loudly. "Yep, so she'll definitely say yes!" I giggled silently, knowing that if Daisy was here she'd be turning beat red, trying to kill me for sharing such valuable information, while trying to badly deny everything. "G-good to k-know" Tracey said while laughing nervously. "Speaking of Daisy, where're my sisters?" Misty asked. "Your sisters had a photo shoot for the Pokemon Trainer Couture magazine so I told them I'd look after the Gym until they got back. They left about two hours ago so they should be back soon." Tracey concluded. As Tracey was just about to speak again he soon heard some of the Pokemon behind him. "Tracey is that the Pokemon I'm hearing in the back-round." Misty chuckled out. "Yeah do ya want to talk to them?"

"Do I ever!" Misty giggled. "Hey guys, Misty's on the phone say hello!" Tracey yelled at them from behind his shoulder. The Pokemon stopped in their tracks and started making various cheerful noises to say hello to their dear Misty. "Hello everyone, I miss you guys to but I'll be home real soon!" Misty said just as cheerful as the Pokemon. "P-Psyduck!" Psyduck cried as he tripped over some pool cleaning equipment. "Hey Psyduck watch out!" Tracey said shouting at the yellow duck. Soon Misty heard a loud splash followed by Psyduck's frantic cries to be saved from the evil pool. "Gotta go Misty!" Tracey said before disconnecting the phone call. Misty just sighed and smiled to herself. Even though Psyduck's antics could be annoying at times she still found it amusing and even charming at times. There was never a dull moment with Psyduck around that was for sure.

It was around 1:30 p.m. and May was just about to announce who would be going on the first one-on-one date with Ash. May shakily held the small white card in hand as she flipped the top open ready to read. "Okay everyone, no hard feelings to the one who gets this date. We all know it's going to be me but I promise to tell everything once I get back. May said while giving me a look so sharp I swear it could've stabbed me. Any quiet chatter ended when May started to read. "Misty, lets enjoy the simple things in life, like tea from the heart. Yours Truly, Ash." May growled under her breath as she concluded reading. Amy nudged my arm. "Misty what are you waiting for you should go get dressed. Ash is waiting and you know how impatient he can be." She said with a sly look and a smile. I nudged her back and smiled as I walked up the steps while I ignored the quiet disappointed grumbles from the girls below.

I rummaged through my suitcase wondering what to wear. "Simple things…tea from the heart…" Misty thought hard, what could Ash planning this time? Suddenly a light bulb went off in Misty's head. "Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony? That has to be it!" Soon Misty started rummaging through her bag again. Smiling when she found the article of clothing she was looking for. A light pink kimono with silver outlining. Small light blue bubbles covered the formal robe which was one of the reasons why Misty was quite fond of this kimono. The other reasons being that it had a particularly silky feel, and that it was a gift from her dearly departed mother. Her mother was a well-known marine biologist who researched and studied water Pokemon on the outskirts of Cerulean City. Sometimes she even traveled all the way to the Orange Archipelago on important business. Misty's mother also was the proud founder of the "Save the Wailord Foundation" a charity started because of the large incline in Wailord poaching. Misty and her sisters make their mother's legacy live on by donating money from their yearly underwater plays to their mother's foundation. Misty traced a finger against the smooth silky material. Memories of her younger years at the Gym when her mother was still alive started to resurface. Tears started to accumulate in her ocean blue eyes as she remembered the darkest day in her whole life. She was only seven at the time of her mother's untimely death.

Flashback

It was 11:00 p.m. and a young seven-year old Misty was sleeping soundly in her bed. Pictures of water Pokemon that her father painted were plastered around her sky blue walls. Misty's young chest rose and fell as she snuggled her favorite Vaporeon blankie. Her wild red mop getting even more tangled as she thrashed around in her sleep. Misty sat up with a gasp. Beads of sweat apparent on her face as she finally managed to escaped her horrible nightmare. She was just about to go and get a cup of water from her kitchen when she heard her sister Daisy talking on the phone. "W-what it can't be true, she can't be dead!" Misty's stomach twisted at the word. Who was dead? Was it someone she knew? Misty continued to listen to the conversation. Misty also heard the cries of Lily and Violet as the conversation carried on. "I hate drunk drivers!" Daisy spat out as she wailed even harder. Misty was shocked she'd never seen her sisters so upset before. This person must be important. Misty was now afraid to find out who. Her stomach churned in suspense. "God, this can't be true!" Daisy sputtered in disbelief. "Thank you for calling us, and thank you for contacting our father. I don't think I'd have the heart to tell him." Daisy sniffled as she disconnected the phone call. Misty winced as she heard her sisters bawl their eyes out. That was it, Misty had enough she had to find out what was going on! Quiet as a mouse Misty tiptoed over to her door and slowly opened the door.

Upon entering the living room Daisy wiped her eyes and rose from her seat on the sofa. "Misty" Daisy said in the quietest voice Misty had ever heard. "Daisy where's mommy? Shouldn't she be back from work by now?" Misty asked, shakiness evident in her voice. "Misty sit down there's something we need to talk about." Daisy stated, another tear running down her seemingly pale face. Misty silently walked over and sat between her three sisters on the soft tan sofa. "Misty" Daisy started, taking a shaking breath before continuing. "There's no easy way to say this. Especially since you're so young but mom." Misty didn't like where this was going, but she prayed to Arceus it wasn't true! Daisy took another shaky in hail before talking again. "Misty mom died tonight." Lily finished for Daisy, who was unable to continue speaking. Misty just stayed silent no way this is reality, she was certain this was still part of her nightmare, she never woke up. This was a dream. Misty started to pinch herself "WAKE UP WAKE UP MISTY THIS IS'NT REAL THIS IS FAKE!" Misty screamed, pinching herself so hard she started to draw blood. "Misty stop, you're going to really hurt yourself!" Violet wailed grabbing Misty's hand, getting blood on her own hand in the process. "I WANT MOMMY, WHY DID SHE HAVE TO DIE!" Misty wailed, thrashing around in Daisy's warm but firm grip. Daisy just cried silently, letting Misty let out her frustrations while keeping her close in her hold. A few minutes later Misty started to calm down and fall limp in Daisy's arms. Misty tried to catch her breath after crying so hard her eyes were so puffy and red, her beautiful blue eyes clouded with grief and despair.

Daisy continued to rock Misty in her arms, the three sisters not saying a single word. Daisy started combing her fingers through Misty's tear soaked hair. "I want daddy" Misty said so quietly her sisters almost missed it. "I know you do sweetie but you know he's overseas on important business." Daisy said soothingly. "I mean just think about how dad must feel. He's in Sinnoh all alone with no family dealing with this." Lily choked up again. Misty just closed her eyes hoping for sleep to take her away from this. It was weird yet soothing. It was rare for Misty and her sisters to have moments like this, but why did it have to be like this? Is the death of a loved one really the only way they could be brought together? Misty knew her sisters loved her but sometimes she wished they could have more moments like this…The three sisters just held together waiting for sleep to take them into tranquility. This was a true nightmare.

Flashback End

Another tear rolled down my cheek fourteen years later and it still seemed so vivid. My love for water Pokemon came from my mother. The only person who really understood me was my mother. My sisters were always into modeling and acting. My father was always traveling, working for the international police. My mother was different. Even though my personality was very much strayed from my sisters, my mother always told me to embrace who I am and that being different is a good thing. I got her feistiness and red hair from my mother that was for sure. Also that compassionate side that was only used to expose the real girly girl side of me. My mother also taught me how to fish, and how to care for various water Pokemon. Yes and even my mother was a great Pokemon battler to! People always told me that I was a spitting image of my mother. It wasn't until years later that I found out what happened to her. Turns out that on her way home from work there was some drunk driver on the road that smacked right into her car causing the car to spin off the road, off of a cliff and into the water. When the police found her she was already dead. Her head was split open and her neck and back were broken. They didn't find who caused the initial crash until days later since it was a hit and run. After the day that the police found her we planned a funeral. My father even flew in from Sinnoh to attend. We decided not to have a burial due to her condition, so we decided to cremate her instead. One day I knew that I would become a strong Pokemon trainer and make her proud. It was a horrible way to die. She didn't deserve it. Why is it always the innocent?

So originally I planned to focus more on the relationship between Ash and Misty but then I got a really good idea about the back story about Misty and her parents and how the death of a loved one can bring a family together. So sorry that this was a little dark but next chapter will be more lighthearted. As always I thank everyone who has been supporting me with your feedback! It's really the only reason why I continue to write so I always look forward to what you guys have to say! Anyways thank you, this is Chloe Sapphire signing off! ^-^