Chapter Seven:A Pika-Promise

Kris clenched his fists tightly as he cried out, "That hurts!"

"It's not like this is fun for me," Fark retaliated, applying more burn cream to Kris's back as the younger boy lie on his stomach on his bed. "Just sit still and take your medicine like a man." He shook his head as he continued, "I told you to stay away from the Underground. It's your own fault you ended up like this. Too bad you brought Quilava down with you."

Not knowing what to say, Kris remained silent, watching Jule on the floor as she patched up his Pokemon who was in and out of consciousness. He couldn't believe what had happened to him. Quilava had every limb bandaged from burns, with his shoulder having been stitched together after the Slash attack he suffered.

"Go easy on him," Jule said with a soft smile in Kris's direction. "These two worked hard and almost won the gauntlet tournament. You should be proud of them."

"For putting their lives at risk? There's no way I'd encourage such recklessness!" Fark stood from the bed as Kris sat up. He handed Kris the bandage wrap and walked to the door. "Maybe now you'll realize just how dangerous and messed up Pokemon battles are and quit."

Fark left the room, slamming the door shut behind him. Kris began wrapping the bandage around his torso to cover his damaged back. Jule watched as he struggled with getting himself patched up. "Let me do that," she offered, taking the bandage from her childhood friend.

"Thanks," Kris said.

The two of them sat in silence as Jule finished wrapping Kris up. She made sure to be careful as he kept flinching even to the lightest of her touch.

"So," Jule finally said as she finished, "what are your plans now?"

"I'm not sure," Kris said simply. He pulled a shirt over his head that wasn't burnt up and pulled it carefully over his torso. He leaned forward, propping his chin on his open palm. "I think I just need some time to myself right now, okay?"

Jule nodded as she stood and walked to the door. She turned back to Kris with a sweet smile as she said, "If you need anything give me a holler. You'll need to change your and Quilava's bandages every few hours so I'll come in and help."

"Thanks."

The door closed much more softly than when Fark had left. He let out a sigh as he looked upon his companion. Quilava's breathing was heavy as he rested, still thriving in pain. Images suddenly flashed through the trainer's brain, images of the battle that day, every blow Quilava took and every bit of blood he loss. Of course Quilava held his own, but seeing him go through so much abuse weighed heavier on Kris's mind now.

Kris lied down on his side so not to aggravate the burn, and to hang his arm from the side of the bed and gently place a hand on Quilava's head. He stroked the Fire Pokemon underneath his jaw with his fingertips as he scratched him behind the ears with his thumb. He had never seen his Pokemon so beat up before, and he could only imagine how Quilava felt on the inside, his pride as a Pokemon shattered.

It wasn't long before exhaustion had hit the young boy, his eyelids growing heavy. The dreams that encased him were full of horror as he relived the events of that day over and over, what seemed like a million times in just a few minutes. At the back of his mind he kept seeing the same image of Ash overlooking him as his Charizard gave a Dragon Tail to Quilava again and again. It had to stop, it had to! But not until he was finally stirred from his slumber in a cold sweat.


Misty gave a light sigh of depression. All of her hopes drained from her as she stared long at the picture in the frame she held between both hands. There was Ash, holding up his victory sign like he used to do back then, just like a little kid, she thought. Of course, she was right next to him in the photo, mimicking him with the opposite hand. Their long-time friend, Brock, was there as well, with his long arms draped over both friends and giving a thumbs up. The picture had been taken at Professor Oak's house party, just after Ash entered the Indigo League and before they set off for the Orange Islands.

Things were so much simpler back then, she thought. Not a care in the world. Just the three of them on an amazing journey that taught them so much and brought them so close together. If only it had never ended.

A knock on the front door brought Misty from the depths of her wishful imagination. She looked up at the door. Pikachu, who snoozed next to her on the sofa, also looked up in wonderment. Who could that be? She wasn't expecting anyone this early in the morning. She set the picture frame gently in a box of newspaper and stood, petting Pikachu on the head, then started across the living room to the door.

"Kris?" she said curiously as she opened the door and looked into the eyes of the younger boy standing before her.

"Hey Misty," he said. Misty noticed the weakness in his voice, and he looked out of breath with beads of sweat dripping down the sides of his face.

"Come on in," Misty said as she stepped out of the way to allow her guest in. She closed the door and started toward the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink? I've got some Mt. Moon Spring Water. It's good stuff if you never had it before."

"Sure," Kris replied. He hadn't moved in far to the apartment. He had stopped to gaze around, looking at all of the boxes lying about and stacked. The pictures that once hung on the wall were gone, along with much of the decorative items that reminded Kris so much of aquatic life that he knew Misty loved. "Hey, um, what's going on?"

Misty came from the kitchen and handed Kris a bottle of water that had a picture of Mt. Moon on the label. "You mean the mess? Sorry about that. You caught me in the middle of moving."

"Moving? To where?" Kris was bewildered at the mention of her even leaving.

"I'm going back home to Cerulean City. My sisters need me there to help take care of the Gym, and I feel there's nothing left for me here in Celadon."

"What about Ash?"

Misty simply shrugged, but she knew the expression that crossed her face would let Kris in on her true feelings of the situation. "He has a dream that he's determined to follow. I should have known that not even I can keep him from that. And dragging you into all of this was a bad idea." She gently touched Kris's shoulder. "I'm sorry you and Quilava got hurt because of me."

Kris shook his head vigorously. "I'm not worried about that. Sure, the summer heat doesn't make my burns feel any better, but I'll be fine. I should be saying sorry for being so weak."

"No, Ash is just too strong. He's been at it for years, and his Charizard has gone through special training. Don't beat yourself up over it. Anyway,"—she crossed the living room and began packing more things into boxes—"I have to get done packing. The Machoke Movers will be here this afternoon."

His head hanging low, Kris fiddled with the cap of his bottled water. "Does that mean you won't train me anymore?"

Misty paused what she was doing and turned to look at Kris. "After what happened are you even willing to get back into the arena? You and Quilava could've gotten killed in that fight. You should really think about if you want to continue. And listen to what Quilava has to say as well. He's the one taking the most beatings, after all."

She was right, and Kris knew it. Even Fark and Jule begged him to give up the Underground. Even he knew it was dumb to continue after what he and Quilava endured yesterday.

"I suppose you're right. Even though we did really good, there could be a lot more trainers like Ash who just don't care about Pokemon, and next time—"

A sharp pain came across Kris's left cheek suddenly as his head was jerked sideways. He stared at Misty who was only an arm's length away now, looking at him with stern eyes.

"Don't ever say that about Ash!" she cried, tears starting to bead up on his bottom eyelids. "Ash has always cared for his and every other Pokemon. I know that will never change, no matter what happens, even if he's part of Team Rocket now."

Both stood in silence after Misty's rant. Kris placed a hand on his sore cheek, still in disbelief that Misty struck him. He never thought that this girl, as sweet as she was, could ever get this worked up, enough to slap him as hard as she did.

Pikachu was sitting upright, ears perked, ready to end whatever confrontation may occur now. Luckily for him he didn't have to. His ears drooped in relief as Misty went back to packing the boxes, still no more words exchanged between the humans.

Taping a box closed, Misty finally turned back to Kris. "I'm sorry," she said, watching as her friend merely shrugged it off. "I know what you saw from Ash yesterday, but you can't judge him by that. He's different, and you'd see that if you got to know him."

"When's the last time you actually saw him? He could've changed in all that time."

"No," Misty said, shaking her head. The statement sounded firm, but something about it made Kris feel she was trying to make herself believe it as much as him. "He wouldn't change. He—" She stopped, choking back tears.

Kris felt an awkwardness pass over him, not knowing what to say as his newest friend was overcome with emotion, and knowing full well that whatever he did say might earn him another slap.

Finally he said, "Tell me about him." The words made Misty's eyes widen. "Tell me who he is then, from your eyes, so that maybe I can understand more. And why did he leave all those years ago and become like this?"

It took a moment for Misty to make any movements as she contemplated the request. When she did, she turned to the couch and took a seat, motioning for Kris to do the same in the recliner chair next to her. Pikachu came to Misty and cuddled in her lap.

As Misty began to remember Ash, a smile came across her face. "You know, it's pretty stupid how we became friends." She glanced from Pikachu, who she scratched gently behind the ears, to Kris who watched with great interest. "He was running from a bunch of Spearow. After I fished him up from a lake, Pikachu unconscious in his arms, he stole my bike and raced off to Virdian City.

"I never got the full story of how he managed to destroy my bike, but it didn't matter at the time. I hated him so much because of it, and followed him all across Kanto, reminding him every step of the way that he had to repay me for it. Up until I forgot, that is," she added with a sheepish grin. "We got so caught up in our adventures that I grew to like him, and nothing else really mattered anymore. And seeing him with his Pokemon, how he was, especially when his Caterpie evolved into Metapod, I started to like him even more. No one could ever love Pokemon as much as he did, so much so that he even ignored the feelings I had for him."

Quick the change the subject of how she felt for Ash, Kris suggested, "What about when he left? Had he seemed different?"

"He seemed the same, before the Leagues were shut down and after. I didn't travel with him to Sinnoh because I had my duties as a Gym Leader in Cerulean. But I closed the Gym just so I could watch him in the Lily of the Valley Conference on TV. He had done remarkable, but at the same time some things were going on here in Kanto that most people were unaware of."

"Like what?"

"An uprising of Pokemon activists fighting for their rights, and wanting to stop all battles. The movement became so big in just a couple days that it even moved to different regions, including Sinnoh. The Conference was put on hold during the final rounds, and eventually cancelled all together. The protest happened in the middle of Ash's battle with some guy named Tobias who was using a Darkrai, so it got televised and everything.

"When I heard the Conference was cancelled I called Ash's mom immediately and asked her to let me know if and when Ash would be coming back so I could see how he was doing."


Wind swept through Misty's hair as she rode her bike into the small town of Pallet. Her ponytail flopped around and the hem of her jacket allowed the swift air to pass by. She passed Professor Oak's laboratory that was a large observatory-looking building, and turned down a road. The Ketchum residence came into view. It may have taken her a few days to get from Cerulean City, but her time on the road was about to pay off.

She hopped off her bike and entered through the fence in front of the modest-sized house. Mrs. Ketchum wasn't in the yard tending to her flowers like usual. That could only mean that Ash had already arrived.

Setting her bike aside, careful not to let it fall onto Mrs. Ketchum's garden, she reached the front door and turned the knob to head inside. As she stepped in she knocked loudly on the door and called, "Hello! Mrs. Ketchum, are you home?"

An excited cry of, "Pika!" came through the house as the small yellow mouse rushed from the living room and leapt into Misty's arms.

"Hi, Pikachu," Misty said excitedly as she hugged the Electric Pokemon. "Since you're here, I guess that means—" She was caught short as her gaze rose to see Ash standing in the foyer. He wasn't in his usual attire of a cap, jacket and jeans. Now he didn't wear his hat, and wore a white T-shirt with blue jeans.

Misty felt her cheeks turn red as she looked upon her longtime friend. He had a soft smile on his face that showed his depression of not finishing his competition but at the same time joy of seeing her. "Hey, Misty."

The redhead lowered her head to hide her blushing cheeks but kept her eyes on Ash. "Hey, Ash. How are you?"

Ash shook his head. "Just upset."

Still holding Pikachu in her arms Misty approached Ash. "I saw it all on TV. It's too bad what happened. But maybe there are other Leagues that haven't closed down! You could—"

"There's not," Ash said, cutting Misty off. "I went to Professor Oak's first thing when I got back today, and he already had the new waiting for me. It seems that the journey has ended, for me and everyone else."

Pikachu gave a low coo, showing his sadness just as much as Ash's.

"I knew I heard a familiar voice down here."

Both Ash and Misty looked up the stairs at Mrs. Ketchum as she came down. She wore her usual dress and her hair pulled back.

"Sorry, I just got out of the shower," Mrs. Ketchum said apologetically. "I didn't want to be a mess for my son and his friend after being in the garden this morning. Has Mimey come back from shopping?"

"Not yet," Ash replied.

"Well when he does I'll start dinner. It'll be a great meal for your return home and a reunion between friends."

"Sounds great," Misty said cheerfully, just realizing how hungry she was.

"Yeah," Ash said, without the enthusiasm that Misty had expected. He just turned back to the living room to go sit on the sofa. Pikachu hopped from Misty's arms to join his trainer.

"He's really upset over the whole ordeal," Mrs. Ketchum informed Misty. She gave the younger girl a wink as she said, "But I'm sure if anyone can bring him from his stupor it's you."

"Er, thanks," Misty said hesitantly, blushing even more than before.


"I stayed with him for a few days, maybe a bit more than a week now I think about it," Misty explained to Kris. "With me there he definitely started acting like himself again. We spent a lot of time at Professor Oak's where his Pokemon were. I knew he already missed being a trainer, I could tell by his eyes, but he did his best to put on his biggest smile every time he looked at me. I think he just didn't want to worry me anymore.

"It was great to laugh with him again, though, and stay up all night watching the stars, wondering if every stray light we saw was a Legendary Pokemon coming down to cause us more problems like in the past."

Kris leaned forward on the recliner. "So, what happened? Why did he leave?"

The reminiscent smile on Misty's face turned to a frown. "I had offered for him to come to Cerulean for a little while, and maybe help us with some shows since I was technically no longer a Gym Leader. The day before we were going to leave, however, he got a letter in the mail."


Misty walked alongside Mrs. Ketchum and Mimey the Mr. Mime, helping by carrying groceries in paper bags in her arms. Mrs. Ketchum was telling Misty of a time when Ash was younger, before his Pokemon journey, and how he was reckless and careless even back then.

"No way," Misty giggled. "I can't believe he's been that way his whole life."

"Yeah, he doesn't change," Mrs. Ketchum agreed.

As they approached the Ketchum house the front door flew open. Ash rushed out with Pikachu right on his heels. He wore his hat from the Sinnoh League along with the same outfit of the black vest with a yellow nearly V-shape stripe across his chest. He had a full backpack hung over his shoulders.

"Ash, what's the rush?" Mrs. Ketchum asked her son as they approached.

"This is it!" Ash said cheerfully. "It's what I've been waiting for. I just got this amazing letter in the mail! I'm going to be a Pokemon Master!"

"What are you talking about?" Misty asked. "The Leagues are all shut down."

Ash shook his head. "Not this one." He held up a letter in his hand. "A private League has invited me to participate. They're inviting trainers from all over the world. I have to enter."

"But Pokemon battles are illegal now," Misty said, trying her hardest to talk Ash out of his madness. "If you get caught battling, they'll lock you up for years."

Ash tipped his hat up to get a better look at Misty underneath the brim. "Being a Trainer has always been a risk. You know that, Misty. This is no different."

"It's very different," Mrs. Ketchum interjected, Mimey chiming in with a quick yap of, "Mime!" The mother shook her head as she continued, "No son of mine is becoming a delinquent, not even for his own dreams."

"I have to Mom," Ash said as he backed away. "I love you, and it's been great seeing you again, Misty. I have to do this, though."

"Wait!" Misty called after Ash before he could run off. Ash stopped and turned back around. Nervousness rushed through Misty as she slowly approached, unable to control the shaking that overtook her legs and arms. "Ash, it's been so hard for me to say all this, but I feel I maybe not have a chance if you take off now."

A curious look appeared over Ash's face as he asked, "What is it?"

Misty closed her eyes tight, mustering up all the courage she had within her. This was nothing like taming a wild Pokemon. It was even more terrifying than a Gyarados's Dragon Rage, but she had to say it, once and for all!

"Ash, I love you!"

A bewildered look crossed both Ash's and Pikachu's faces. Mrs. Ketchum merely smiled, with a look on her face that seemed to say, "If this doesn't stop him, nothing will."

Ash scratched the back of his head awkwardly. His face was flush, he knew, and quickly tried to hide it by lowering his head, the brim of his hat coming down over his eyes.

Now that it was out, a wave of relief swept over Misty. She held it in for so long and finally told him how she felt. It was the greatest feeling in the world, like she was swept up into the skies atop Ho-oh and flying right over all the rainbows.

But a response from Ash seemed too delayed. Horror started to creep inside of Misty as quickly as the joy, which now started to dissipate. Was Ash going to share the same feelings, or turn her down because they're "just friends"?

"Misty," Ash finally said, his voice dry, "I—I never knew."

"Well, now you do," Misty said. "We're older now, and I felt it was time. Please, don't go. What if I never see you again?"

Ash raised his head, revealing a look of hurt. "Why would you think that? We're friends, and always will be."

"This journey will be different, though. If you're caught, you might go to prison, and who knows what will happen to your Pokemon."

Thoughts ran through Ash's mind, Misty could tell. After a brief moment he nodded and looked down at the mouse beside him. "Pikachu, I want you to stay with Misty, okay?" Pikachu returned with a question of certainty. "It'll be for the best. If something were to happen, I couldn't bear to lose you as well."

"So you're still going?" Misty said in disbelief. "How can you?"

Ash gave Misty the biggest smile he could as he said, "I've got to follow my dream, no matter the dangers. That's what it means to be a Pokemon Master."

"But—"

"It's okay." He quickly cut Misty off. He looked back at Pikachu who still couldn't believe he was told to stay behind. "I'm leaving Pikachu to you as a promise that I'll be back. You can count on it." He gave Misty another smile, this time giving a victory sign of assurance with his index and middle finger in the shape of a V, like he used to do so long ago.

With that, Ash gave a way to him other and turned on his heels, walking away from the two most important women in his life. Misty, overcome with emotion, dropped to her knees. The bag she held hit the ground and its contents scattered. Tears streamed down her face as she let out loud sobs. Mrs. Ketchum rushed piled her bags on top of Mimey's and rushed to the teenage girl's side, wrapping an arm around her.

Pikachu raced toward his trainer a few hops and cried out, "Pika-Pika!" However, Ash didn't look back and only continued on toward his next step in life.


Misty dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue. "Sorry," she told Kris. "I didn't mean to get emotional like this."

"It's fine," Kris assured her. "I can't believe that, though. You told him you love him but he still walked away?"

Misty nodded slowly. "Yeah. It was stupid of me to say that anyway."

"No way! It was stupid of him to walk away from that! I don't care how much he wants to be a Pokemon Master!"

A smile came across Misty's lips. "Well thanks for that, Kris." She wiped away the rest of the tears and looked down at her watch. "Oh no, I have to finish packing. The movers will be here in less than an hour."

Misty hurried from the sofa to continue packing. Kris stood as well as he said, "Will I ever see you again?"

"I'm not heartless like some people we know." She walked to the bar of the kitchen and grabbed a sticky note and wrote something on it before handing the note to Kris. "It shouldn't be hard to get hold of me since I'll be at the gym, but here's the number. I'd definitely be interested to know what you decide to do from here. And maybe you could come by and visit, with Jule. I'll provide free tickets to our shows, even."

Kris studied the note a moment before pocketing it. "Sounds great," he said. "I guess I better get back as well. Have a safe travel."

The boy stepped outside of the apartment and walked down the hallway. He reached for the phone number in his pocket and looked at it more. She even invited him to come to Cerulean sometime. It made him feel great that she still wanted to keep in touch, and it would be even better once they see each other in person again.