Chapter 10: Home Sweet Home Party!
Wearing a party outfit similar to his travelling clothes, along with his usual hairstyle plus some hairwax to keep it the way it is, Ash was surprised to see Misty, not expecting to see her, slightly embarrassed that she saw his clothes before he was all ready to go down to the others. She then asked how he was feeling.
- I´m alright, Nurse Joy said I just need to take it abit slow for the rest of the day... you don´t need to worry about me, I was more worried about you when I found out that Team Rocket got you too...
- You have no idea how much more worried I was about you, seeing you like that nearly unconscious, I wasn't sure what do to... but I´m glad everything turned out alright in the end... you sure you´re alright?
- Misty, I´m fine... but what about you... I know you meet up with Giovanni at the airport... Misty...
- The sooner I forget about all this the better... let Officer Jenny handle it... Brock told me something, and he´s right... so let´s do the best of what remains of today, alright, make everything alright again?
Ash nodded, as he was just about to ask what she though of his outfit, as suddenly Daisy came upstairs and called out for Misty. Misty left the room to let Ash finish, as Daisy took her to the other room, carrying a dress package on her back. Both entered the room, as Daily carefully took forth the dress.
Misty could not believe her eyes, as Daisy knew that it indeed would be the perfect dress for her to wear. Before Misty changed, Daisy took forth a jewellery case and put it onto the table. Asking from who it was, Daisy told her that she would knew once she opened it, as Daisy left the room.
Misty took a shower and afterwards put on the new dress, as she then opened up the case. A letter was inside. Having her suspicious, Misty took out the letter and opened it, beginning to read what it said:
´´ My deepest apologises to not be able to be present at your day Misty. I just hope that this gift still can keep you and your smile as beautiful as always, and keep your heart in good company instead of me.´´
With no name or any clue to who it was, Misty already figured out that it must be from no one other that Rudy. Having mixed feelings about him not being there, Misty removed the protective cover, only to mere milliseconds later cover her mouth, having a mild shriek of what gift Rudy had got for her.
What could only be described as a flaming, united heart in a golden seastorm linked to arms bracing out to each other, an inscription on the back with the words ´´ Hopefully Forever Yours ´´, Misty couldn´t bear to think about how much Rudy must have payed to order the custom-made jewellery for her.
Slightly pressing the inscription, suddenly a click was heard, as she noticed that the heart got divided. Opening it, she saw a picture of herself on one end, hand-drawn in black and white, as she then saw Rudy on the other end, also handdrawn in black and white. Noticing that his side was abit larger, Misty tried out something, as suddenly another click was heard. Rudy´s photo then popped out onto a table.
Misty was speechless, as she saw what was hidden behind his photo. It was Ash. Also hand-drawn and in black and white, Misty then knew that Rudy knew. She quickly put back Rudy onto Ash´s and closed the heart firmly, as someone knocked at door. It was Delia, ready to take her downstairs to everybody.
Everyone was waiting, as they then heard footsteps coming down the stairs. First came Delia, as she got everyone´s attention. Ash was beside Brock and Ritchie, as May and Max where beside Tracey and Oak.
- Thank you all for having me as your host for the final gathering we will be having later, once Misty comes down we´ll all go to Professor Oak for the grand dinner. Before Misty comes down, I have here a poem from Professor Oak that he have written especially for her birthday, so let´s begin:
´´ In the beginning a fleeing, lost star, with nowhere to go, today a guiding, burning light in our lives. May you never flee from your obstacles again and lose your way. May you from that day and now always be a beacon to everyone around you, public and private, and never lose faith and doubt in yourself. May your future be just as bright as you are today, with or without a lucky star by your side.´´
Receiving a grand applause from everyone, Oak thanked Delia for reading it, slightly embarrassed to read it himself despite all the poems he has read live on the radio. Misty then came down the stairs.
Everyone was left speechless, as even Oak got new ideas for a poem just by looking at her. Intense sapphire-blue cloth of the finest fabric, with delicate silver lines going through the entire dress like veins on a body, with matching silver shoes. Ash was even more speechless, as Misty had changed her hair.
Using a special shampoo that Daisy gave her, Misty´s nearly-golden hair reflected light that mirrored from the blue dress like a sun reflection on water, as her hair was swaying for each step she took.
With a big smile, she greeted everyone, thanking them for their kind presence, and also thanked Delia and Oak for being so kind to host the event at their place. A motorcade of cars were waiting to take the guests to the Oak Corral as well as Misty and her friends, as everyone got in and continued onward.
Everyone arrived just in time, as the food from the catering service was ready to serve the guests with, while Misty and her closest were given a separate table to enjoy Delia´s homemade cooking delicacy.
Having finally finished a meal that even Misty would never forget, suddenly someone went to Oak, as Oak looked puzzled to what he was hearing. Further away was a giant gift box, almost the size of a small cabin, as it was pushed forward towards the middle for all the guests to see as well.
Oak then got everyone´s attention, as he said that it was a gift that clearly could not be opened back at Delia´s house, as he asked Misty to open up her gift. Receiving a small gift letter, Misty read it:
´´ May this gift inspire you to fight on and become the best at what you do, just like Ash has his inspiration to become the world´s best Pokemon trainer, may you become the best gymleader. Ritchie´´
Receiving a scissor from Oak, Misty cut the first wrappage, as the rest came falling down. The guests cheered, as Misty got abit tearful, really understanding how it could inspire her to fight for her dreams.
It was a giant sculpture of her closest friends, standing ontop of waves as they cheered out towards Misty´s direction. Abit confused, Tracey now remembered that Oak wanted him to pose for a project, but had no idea that it was all Ritchie´s idea to get everyone perfectly positioned for the sculpture.
Having captured a perfect pose on Ash and Brock, with arms around each other and waving towards Misty, she turned around towards the table, only to see them make the exact same pose to tease her.
She went to Ritchie as she thanked and hugged him for the amazing gift. Ritchie then went with her to the sculpture, as he pointed out to her that under each person was a small message for her. Wanting to give the guests a little example, Ritchie began to read the message Brock wanted to give to her:
´´ Though we´re miles apart, your stomach should never too far away from a kitchen´´
Misty and everyone else laughed, as she smiled towards Brock, giving her a slight nod. Ritchie then went back to the table, but suddenly the guests wanted to hear one more, specifically Ash´s. Misty looked back at Ash, as he gave her a wink, signalling to her that he wouldn´t be the least embarrassed.
´´ Though we´re miles apart, nothing changed except your presence. You'll always be my best friend´´
Oak and Delia looked at each other, giving slight implications that they might know what Ash wants to say but kept it to themselves, as they and the others applauded Misty and Ash. Misty then went to him.
- Thank you... for giving me those words. I have heard it many times before from everyone else... but with it coming from you really makes all the difference... and I feel the same. Thank you Ash...
She hugged him, as he gave her a pat on the back. But what Misty wanted to say was something more, something else, but with everyone else there she choked on what she wanted to truly say to him.
With the last event finished, the guests wished Misty again a happy birthday and thanked both Oak and Delia, as they entered the cars and left. The catering service cleaned up while Misty and the others left.
Back at Delia´s house, the gang prepared to give their gifts to her. First was May, as she first gave Misty the golden cloth to tease her abit. Seeing, Misty got as pale as a ghost, unable to believe that May actually got it for her. Telling Misty it´s upstairs, Misty hugged May and thanked her for the mirror.
Oak took a picture for each one to put later in a photo album for Misty. Oak was next, as he went to her.
- From my part, here is something that perhaps you can use whenever you need to. Happy Birthday.
He gave her a sheet of paper, as Misty looked at what it was. It was a list made by him and several other professors, with advice on Pokemon training and everything else you could possibly think of, as well as their number in all regions in cities incase she would want to in person meet and ask for some help.
Misty thanked Oak and hugged him, this time with Delia taking a picture. Next was Brock, as he joked by carrying a backpack identical to his own and put it in front of her, as he opened it up for her.
- My message was aimed to you, while this is more to help you out in the kitchen. Inside are canisters for Pokemon food and an annual subscription to personalized Pokemon food, directly coming from Ivy.
Hugging and thanking Brock, Misty pushed it aside to make room as another picture was taken. Max was next, as his gift wasn´t so obvious, wrapped in gift paper. Misty opened it, as Max started it for her.
- Me and May have missed you, just like Ash and Brock always have, ever since you left us. I know that you can´t do much with your old Pokegear, so I decided to give you this, the newest PokeNavi.
It has built-in video conversations and a free service for a full year... with this, it will be as you never left, you just need to call whenever you feel like, and you´ll both hear and see us all through mine.
Realising just how wonderful Max´s gift was for her, Misty kneeled down and hugged him, as she thanked him by giving him a kiss on the cheek, whispering thank you to him. Max blushed and left.
Ritchie came forth as Misty hugged him, thanking him for the marvellous sculpture, as he backed away to give Tracey room. Holding a pencil and a paint brush, Misty asked him what he needed them for.
- Well my gift isn´t really done yet... because I was waiting for you. I´m going to make you a portrait, along with a portrait of you and everyone, so that you can carry the perfect picture with you everywhere.
Hugging and thanking Tracey, he then told her that he would like to begin after everyone has given her their gift. Last one was Ash. Misty looked calm, but was nervous about what gift Ash would give her.
- Well, here I am. I´m sorry things didn´t go as we all originally thought Misty... luckily Daisy recorded the introduction to the show, it´s the only way I really can show you what my gift to you really is.
Daisy started the TV and played a DVD, as the introduction began. Getting happy tears after Daisy´s, Brock´s as well as May and Max´s speech about her, finally she got to Ash´s part. Sitting next to Ash on the sofa, Misty took hold of his hand, not taking notice since she was so focused on what was going to happen that she though that Brock was sitting next to her, but he was really on the other side of the sofa.
Ash´s speech ended, as Ash waited for Misty to say something, as everyone else waited for her to hug him before applauding. But seconds past by as Misty did not say anything. Not a single word. She looked down and saw that she was holding Ash and not Brock, as she saw him smile back at her, telling her that he has taken time off to spend with her, practically do whatever her heart desires to do together.
She looked at him without saying a word, as Ash was close enough to hear her strong heartbeat. Asking if she liked his gift, Misty unexpectedly let go of him and hugged him, burying her face into his shoulder, concealing her tearful eyes and happy face on how much his gift truly meant to her.
Daisy then took Misty upstairs to fix her makeup abit, as Tracey took forth the paint frame and asked the rest to gather. Knowing he warned Misty about it, Brock went upstairs, as he passed by Daisy in the hallway. Asking for a few minutes alone with her, Daisy nodded and went downstairs meanwhile.
Brock knocked and entered, as Misty sat down on the bed, waiting for Daisy to come back soon.
- It´s me, I asked Daisy to give us a few minutes alone... to talk abit. About what I warned you about.
- You´re right, despite all the other gifts, I wasn´t prepared... for what Ash gave me... Brock... he´s...
Suddenly Brock saw something shiny on the bed, as he snatched it before Misty could stop him. It was the heart necklace. Looking at it both front and back, Brock asked who gave it to her as a birthday gift.
Misty didn´t want to say and asked him to give it back to her immediately, but once Brock noticed that it was hollow he managed to push the button to open it, revealing the two pictures of Misty and Rudy.
- Tracey, and Ash, told me about this guy, the Trobida Gym leader Rudy... this is from him isn´t it?
Not sure what to say, Misty panicked and lunged towards Brock, not wanting him to find the hidden picture with Ash. But Brock anticipated that she would do such a thing, as he moved away from her.
- Yes it´s him, he gave it to me Brock... now please, can I have it back now? Or do you want to keep it?
- I´ll give it back to you... as soon as you answer me a question honestly... what do you feel about him?
- Brock, incase Tracey or Ash forgot to tell you, I answered no to him, and left the island with them...
- Tracey told me everything about that time at Trobida... and I´m not referring to Rudy... but to ´´him´´.
Pretending like she doesn´t have a clue to what Brock was trying to say, Daisy knocked and entered. Seeing Brock next to Misty, Daisy asked what was going on. Brock gave back the necklace to Misty and left, as Daisy asked Misty if something happened. Shrugging it off, Misty told Daisy it was nothing.
Back downstairs, Misty saw everyone lined up, as Tracey told her that he would first draw them and later draw her portrait. Tracey then began, as everyone stood perfectly still for around 25 minutes.