Chapter 8.
Ash.

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Ergh… I see circles, lights, different shapes and colours. My head began pounding; I couldn't see anything. What is this? Why do I hear faint cries?

"Urgh…" I managed to groan out loud.

"A-Ash?"

…Misty.

It was Misty; her voice sent a wave of relief through my body. I've never felt more at peace from hearing her voice. I tried opening my mouth, tried saying her name, tried to say anything to get out of this weird trance I was in but all that I could do was moan.

"ASH!" She shouted.

I felt like I was being shaken by her grip. "M-Misty… Ergh…" I grabbed my head with one hand, raking my hair and held her hand with the other.

"Oh God! O-Oh GOD!" Her screams were beginning to ring through my ears.

I felt arms wrap around me tightly and sobbing on my shoulders. What was she even crying about? What happened? I don't remember… I finally opened my eyes slowly which was hard enough to do and I see bright lights.

"Am I dead?" I mumbled.

WHACK!

"JESUS, MISTY! WHAT THE HELL?" I burst, falling off the bed and grabbing my head as I sat on the floor, cringing.

"WHY'RE YOU SO STUPID? WHY'D YOU SAVE ME?" She screamed, whacking more.

I bit my lip in pain, what was she going on about? "Misty! GOD, CALM DOWN! OW!" I grabbed her wrist and stopped her from whacking me again.

She glared at me as I tried to get up but ended up falling on my bed so I just remained seated.

"W-What? What'd I do wrong?" I asked nervously, she looked extremely worried but yet angry.

"Do you even remember what happened?" She sighed, pulling her hand away from my grasp.

I tried to look around; maybe something would refresh my memory. It looked like a medical bay and I was in white clothes. I gulped, was I… was I ill or something? Wait… no…. I remember flashing lights, screams, screeching, and car tires.

"M-Misty, what happened to me?" I looked at myself, there were no injuries. I can see a few stitches here and there but I don't feel like I have any broken bones.

I tried getting up but my legs felt wobbly and I couldn't move. "Oh God, why can't I walk?" I whined, looking at Misty for an answer but she remained silent the entire time.

"I'm not disabled am I?" I asked with a worried expression, I hope I'm not.

She smiled softly and shook her head. I smiled back, seeing her smile made me feel less worried. Medics suddenly burst through the door. The head medic of the group dropped his pen.

"Well… I'll be…" He smiled.

"Erm… Dude, why can't I walk?" I asked him instead.

"You were in a coma for a few months; your legs aren't used to walking anymore so it'll take some time getting used to."

I stared at him. A coma? Impossible, I don't even feel like I've been gone, it felt like a long, nice nap. Suddenly, his words struck me.

"Wait, wait… How long will it take for me to be able to walk again?" I asked carefully.

He smiled nervously. "Not too long… A week?"

"A WEEK? Of not walking?" My face fell as I plopped down onto the bed, staring at the ceiling in shock. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"Ms. Waterflower will stay with you and help you out; she never left your side since you fell into that coma so I'm sure she wouldn't mind not leaving now either." He chuckled, receiving glares from Misty.

"Who said I agreed to that?" She scoffed.

"If you don't want to, we'll get one of the nurses to help him." The doctor pointed to an eager looking nurse while I sat up, giving her an uninterested glance.

"Don't bother; I'll be on my feet in no time." I rolled my eyes, trying to get up but falling on the bed again.

I kept trying but to no avail, I couldn't even stand. Misty laughed at me and wiped her tear as I glared.

"I-I'll help you, hah." She chuckled, grabbing hold of my arm.

I smiled slightly but… something didn't feel right. Months… I was dead for months. I stumbled while Misty held me up with all her strength. I felt so lifeless; I didn't feel as motivated as I always was months ago, I couldn't smile.

"Ash…?"

I looked up at Misty with darkness. "Misty…"

Misty furrowed her eyebrows at me. "It'll take a while, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it!"

I shook my head. "It's not that."

"Well… what is it?" She smiled, helping me up on my feet.

"What was going on while I was… gone?" I bit my lip.

Misty stared at me and gave it some thought. "A-Ash… I honestly don't know. Everyone stopped visiting you after a month…"

"And what about you?"

"…I never even left." She sighed, holding onto me tighter as my legs wanted to give way to the weight of my body.

I saw her cheeks tint red slightly. I smiled a little at that, she was adorable, it can't be helped. I fell down onto the bed and she was dragged along, landing on top of me. She blushed more and so did I. I looked into her cerulean eyes, they glowed its way into my throat, catching my breath and taking it away.

"Gee, Mists… You have pretty eyes." I chuckled, stroking her hair behind her ear.

She blushed furiously and looked away. "S-Shut up, you idiot." She rushed off of me, dusting herself off.

"Am I that horrible to be close to?" I laughed, holding onto her waist and bringing her back down.

Her back faced me while she was on my lap. I tickled her furiously as she squirmed and laughed out loud. She squirmed to the point where she was on the bed and I was standing over her.

"H-Hey… I'm standing! Look, Mists!" I laughed before getting a little wobbly and tipsy, but I managed to stay up.

"Greeeeat, now we have to teach baby Ash how to walk again." She rolled her eyes before whacking me hard on the head. "That was for tickling me."

"OH yea, where's Pikachu? Did you take care of him?" I panicked.

"Chill, Ash, I fed him and all. He's here too." She pointed to the cage containing my little cute mouse.

I rushed to the cage, taking out Pikachu and cuddling him.

"Careful now, any tighter and you might crush the poor thing." Misty chuckled.

"I missed you so-"

Wait… Did I just… walk here?

"MISTY I'M WALKING! LOOK! AH!" I shouted in happiness, jumping but then falling.

"Haah, guess I shouldn't go straight to jumping around." Me and Misty both sweatdropped while Pikachu scurried around to my shoulder.

"You klutz." She shook her head, offering me her hand and I took it.

She pulled me up and I thanked her. This was such a great day, screw me being so depressed earlier! She smiled at me.

"You really are cheerful all the time."

"Is that bad?" I looked at her, waiting for her answer but she just shook her head.

"I'll go tell the others, you stay here and rest."

"Misty, I've had months of rest, let me come!" I whined, clinging onto her.

"Alright, alright! Let's go!" She blushed and forcefully escaped my grip.

I chuckled at her and followed her out the door. I wonder how everyone is...

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End of Chapter 8.