Chapter 10
Misty walked down the stairs. It was morning. Ash was already down stairs with the kids. They were all eating cereal, since Ash wasn't really a perfect cook.
"Morning mom!" Said Mike and Julia at the same time.
"Morning rebels." Misty sat down at the table. She and Ash didn't even look at each other. "Now, about yesterday..."
"Mum, really, I'm sorry for bringing her into danger." Said Mike.
"I know you are. But you can't just run off. Especially with that kind of weather. You broke the rules and brought your sister in a life threatening situation. Now, I don't know about Hunter, but you two are definitely grounded."
"But that's no fair-"
Misty stood up. She glared down at the kids. Mike and Julia both looked saddened at their father.
"What?" Ash stood up with a heavy sigh. "Your mother is right. You two shouldn't wander off like that. You get a two day detention."
Mike and Julia both groaned and complained.
"Ash..." Misty walked towards him, but Ash pushed her out of the way. Misty wouldn't have it and grabbed his sleeve, stopping him in his tracks. "We need to talk. Right now."
"Not now. I don't have time for you." Ash pulled his sleeve back and walked further, leaving Misty behind.
"Whoa..." Said Mike. "Is dad mad at you?"
Misty ignored it. She picked up little Julia. "We just got into another argument."
Mike frowned. This didn't look like another argument. It seemed more like something was going on between his parents. What exactly happened between the two?
The phone of the house went.
"Mike can you get that?" Asked Misty.
Mike ran to the videophone on the counter in the hallway. He didn't recognize the number. Weird...He picked it up and the screen clicked on.
A man with brown, scruffy hair and marine blue eyes popped onto the screen.
"Uhm...hello?" Asked Mike.
"Is this the Cerulean gym?" Asked the man.
"Y-yeah. My name is Mike Waterflower. Who are you?"
"Waterflower? Well , boy, my name is William Waterflower. Looks like we're family."
Mike gasped. "Family? B-but..."
"Mike, who is it?" Yelled Misty. She walked towards him with Julia in her arms. She almost dropped Julia when she saw who it was on the screen.
William Waterflower grinned at her.
"Mom?" Asked Mike.
"Mike, take your sister to the living room." Misty handed him Julia. She stood in front of the screen as Mike walked off with Julia.
She looked at the man for a second before speaking up.
"Misty." Said William.
"Dad."
Ash was standing outside with Pikachu. He grabbed a stick and threw it up in the air. Pikachu needed to electrify it as quick as it needed. It was a bit of a 'reaction'-training. Pikachu didn't really need it. Actually, Pikachu was his quickest pokemon on his team.
"Pikapi?" Pikachu looked up at his trainer as Ash was lost in his own thoughts.
"Never mind. Pikachu we're done." Said Ash. "This is a bit of a time killer, huh?"
"Pikapi, pikachu!" Yelled Pikachu. It looked a bit angry with Ash.
"Pikachu, I know, but this is between me and Misty."
"Pi..." Pikachu started to spark dangerously.
"Don't you dare!" Ash held his hands up.
"Ka..."
"Hey dad."
Ash turned around to see Mike and Julia. Mike was holding Julia on his back. The small girl was looking around with big eyes.
"Aren't you two grounded?" Said Ash.
"Do you hate mom?" Asked Mike.
"Hate her?" Ash kneeled down to his son's eye-level. "Mike, I could never hate her."
"Then why don't you talk?"
"Sometimes...look...this is something between your mother and I...I need to figure some stuff out on my own."
"I see." Said Mike. "Anyway, there was some man on the videophone...his last name was Waterflower."
Ash his eyes widened.
"Yeah, I wanted to ask more, but mom just went pale and took the phone from me. Maybe he was an uncle?"
Ash grunted. "Mike, how about you put Julia in the living room? Then you can play with her and look after her. I'm going to see what your mother is doing..."
"Mistyc." Said William. "How is my girl doing?"
"I'm fine, dad. How is your research coming along?" Misty wasn't actually interested in his research. She and her father used to be close. But after her mother died...he wasn't here like before. He left her and her sisters at the gym when her sisters were just 13 and she was a little girl. He didn't contacted them for a long time back then. But a year later, he started to contact them again. He would send gifts, but never came home. Okay, he did come a few times, but it was always really awkward.
"My research is going great. I just found out more about the water-pokemon called Palpitoad."
"I don't know what that is, dad."
"It's a Pokemon from Unova. It can live on water and on land! Don't you know-"
"Dad, I only train Kanto and Johto Pokemon." Said Misty.
"Right, right. Well, just wanted to say that I'm coming over."
"You're coming over?!" Yelled Misty. "How?! When?!"
William looked down on his watch. "Let's see...tonight."
"T-tonight?!"
"Yes, I'm at the bus station right now. I'll come over to see how you're doing. And your kids. You do have a husband, don't you?"
Misty nodded. She was still quite in shock.
"Great!" Said William. "Then I'll see you tonight!"
The phone went out. Misty was staring in shock at the tv. With a shaking hand she put the phone down. She couldn't believe this. Was her father seriously coming? She stood up and took a deep breath.
"Misty!"
She turned around to see Ash. Mike and Julia were walking past them to the living room.
Ash noticed how pale she looked. "Are you okay?"
Misty slowly nodded. "Y-yeah..."
"Really? Who was that on the phone?" Asked Ash curious.
"My father. He is coming this evening."
"Your dad? Huh?! Why?"
"He..." Misty sighed. "He is just coming, cause he feels like it, Ash...god, I hope he likes you."
"Oh, don't worry, he will like me. Like father, like daughter, am I right?"
"Oh, shut it. I'm going to check in the recipe book what I can make." Said Misty. "We can't deliver pizza again."
She walked off. Ash looked down at Pikachu.
"Pi?"
"Are you hungry?" Asked Ash.
Pikachu nodded with a cute smile on it's face.
That evening Misty was busy with cooking something that was...good.
The recipe book was laying on the counter. She was trying to make pasta with some sauce and vegetables. The pasta looked good, but the cutting of the vegetables...
She groaned as she carefully cut a eggplant in half. The pasta was already in a pan of boiling water with the lid on the pan.
"Misty?" Ash walked into the kitchen.
The kids were setting the table and Pikachu was licking from a ketchup bottle.
Misty took a deep breath out of frustration.
"Hey Ash..." She cut the eggplant further. "I still think we need to talk."
"We've talked." Said Ash nonchalant.
"No, I mean really talk..." Whispered Misty.
Ash put his hands into his pockets and nervously looked away.
Misty put the knife down. She leaned a bit over the counter table. "Ash, we really need to-"
A sissing sound interrupted her. Misty shrieked when she saw the pan overflow with water. She ran and quickly put the pan into the sink.
"Shit, shit, shit!" Cursed Misty.
"Should I order pizza...?"
Misty turned around with a glare that could kill. Ash shivered a bit.
"Don't you dare. Just go help the kids, I'll be ready in half an hour."
Ash sighed and turned around.
"If we survive it..." Whispered Ash.
"What was that?!"
"Nothing dear..." Ash walked over to Mike and Julia, who were actually already done. The two were arguing about something.
Misty sighed and looked down at the pan. She really was trying. It could be kind of embarrassing that Ash could make better dishes than her.
She groaned in annoyance. Why did she never learn how to cook? It was something that every mother of the elementary school in their neighborhood could do...but she...
Misty grabbed the pan out of the sink. She needed to let the water out of the pan...okay, the kitchen sieve. Where was that...oh, yeah, up in the cabinet.
She grabbed a bucket from the lower cabinet and pulled it close to the counter. She stepped onto it and opened the higher cabinet.
There it was. She pulled the sieve out of the cabinet.
But the bucket under her gave in.
Shit! Thought Misty in panic.
She closed her eyes and waited for the pain...but...instead of the cold hard ground, she felt something soft.
Ash just caught her in time. He was holding her up in bridal-style.
"Mist, you okay?!" Said Ash.
Misty became red. He looked down at her with a serious look.
"Y-yeah..." Stuttered Misty with a soft voice. "I-I-I'm okay..."
Ash sighed. He carefully put her down. "Good. Let me help with cooking, Mist."
Misty shook her head. She turned back to being angry.
"No! Go help the kids!" Yelled Misty.
"But we're done!"
"Then...geez, just help me!"
"I just said that I would help you!"
"You said that? Oh, when did I hear you say that?!"
"10 seconds ago!" Said Ash. He slowly got annoyed by her. And so did Misty.
"Oh yeah?! A second has passed , so it is 11!"
"No it isn't!"
"Yes, it is!"
"No, it isn't!"
"Yes it-"
"Mom." Interrupted Mike. "Is dinner almost ready?"
"Shut it!" Yelled Misty to Mike.
Mike quickly stepped away from them.
"Don't yell against my son!" Yelled Ash.
"Your son?! It's mine too!" Yelled Misty.
Ash laughed mockingly. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot that you pushed him out of you when you were what? 16?"
"You were the one who made me have him!"
"I made you?! What about..."
Mike grabbed the phone and looked at Julia.
"Let's get some pizza, okay, Julia?" Asked Mike.
Julia nodded with a big and happy smile.
Mike was about to dial the usual number when the bell suddenly rang.
Since his parents were fighting over the most idiotic things, Mike decided to open it up.
A man with scruffy brown hair and blue eyes in a azure blue t-shirt, dark blue pants and a lab coat on stood in front of him. He was holding a pizza box.
"Mom, dad!" Yelled Mike. It was the man who spoke with him on the videophone.
William looked down on him with a smile. He calmly walked past him. "Don't worry, Misty must be expecting me."
He walked into the kitchen where Ash and Misty were bickering.
"Misty?" Said William.
Misty looked at him. Her look changed from anger into a surprised one.
"Dad!" Said Misty.
"Hey there."
Misty walked over to him. She grabbed his hand and shook it up and down. Ash raised his eyebrows. Wasn't she going to give him a hug?
"And who is this boy?" Asked William.
Ash stepped forward and reached out with his hand. "The name is Ash Ketchum."
"Ketchum? So, you're the son of...I see..." William shook his hand with a grin. "Nice to meet ya, boy!"
"Dad, did you bring pizza?" Asked Misty.
William released his hand. "Yes! I figured that you would try to cook, but who am I kidding, this is you who we're talking about. So I brought pizza."
"R-right..." Misty pushed her a stray of her hair behind her ear. "Let's just sit down at the table...kids!"
Mike walked in with Julia on his back. He gave his younger sister to Ash, who put her in her toddler seat. They all sat down.
"Pizza!" Said Julia giggling.
They all put a slice of the Hawaiian pizza on their plates. Misty cut the pizza for Julia in little pieces.
"So Ash..." Said William. Ash looked up with a piece of pizza in his mouth. "What is your relationship with my daughter?"
Ash almost choked on his piece of pizza. Misty stopped cutting the pizza for Julia and narrowed her eyes at her father.
"I..." Ash grabbed a napkin and cleaned his mouth off. "I...uh...we...we are together..."
"Can you be more specific?"
"We're dating..." Said Ash nervously.
"Dating, huh? So you just had some kids and never decided to tie the knot?"
"Dad!" Said Misty embarrassed.
"What? Just making small talk." William put a slice of pizza in his mouth.
Misty looked down at her pizza and ate it up.
Mike looked at William. "Mister, what is your job?"
William chuckled. "Kid, I am a researcher. I research Pokemon for a living."
"Oh, just like professor Oak!" Said Mike.
"Not really. I don't hand out poke balls or send trainers out of their way. You need a special license for that. No, I just research up on Water Pokemon in Kanto, Sinnoh, Hoenn, Johto etcetera. But enough about me. Ash, why haven't you married her yet?"
Misty sighed. "Dad..."
Ash grinned. "I uh...I haven't thought about it."
"Are you cheating on her?"
"Whoa!" Said Ash with a red face. "I would never do that!"
"Dad is just making jokes...right, dad?!"
William nodded. "Yeah, yeah, sure. Anyway, Mist, how is the gym doing?"
"Fine, I guess..."
"You guess? Geez, your mother was a bit better than..."
Misty stood up. The kids stopped eating and everyone stared at her. Her chair clattered onto the ground.
"Mist?" Asked Ash.
"Dad, living room. Now."
William stood up with a heavy sigh. He walked after Misty to the living room.
Mike looked at Ash.
"So, dad...should we clean up?"
"I think so..." Ash muttered and stood up. "I think mommy needs to talk with him..."
They walked into the living room. Misty turned around to face her father.
"Dad, you can't say those things in front of my family!" Said Misty.
William chuckled. "I always say those things in front of Daisy, Lilly and Violet...by the way, where are they?"
"Lilly and Violet are on some stupid cruise and Daisy is in Viridian city this week for an interview. But I was-"
"Oh good. You know, I really think that you should take better care of the gym."
"Take better care?! Dad, I am the gymleader...ever since you left..."
"Say how about you show me how good you are?"
"Huh?"
"In a battle, tomorrow. I have some of my Pokemon with me. You can show me if you are a true gymleader."
Misty nodded. "Okay! But if I win you have to apologize!"
"Good. If I win, then you are taking those kids and leave Ketchum."
Misty became red. "W-what?! D-dad! I can't..."
William turned around. "A bet is bet. I'm going to sleep in the guest room for now." He walked out of the living room, leaving Misty bewildered.
Misty pushed her hand against the wall. Fuck! What was he thinking?! Leaving Ash? And why was he saying that she was not good at her job?
"Mist?" Ash walked into the living room. Misty pulled her hand away from the wall and looked at him.
"Ash, aren't you supposed to clean up?"
"We're done. Mist, I heard you talking..."
Misty ran with her hand through her hair and chuckled dryly. "You did? I see...sorry, I gotta go to bed."
She wanted to walk away, but Ash grabbed her wrist to stop her.
"Misty, I...I..."
"Just sleep down stairs for tonight, I need to be alone." Said Misty.
Misty pulled her wrist back and walked upstairs, leaving Ash behind.
The next morning Ash walked into the kitchen. Mike and Julia were eating breakfast with their grandfather. William was just telling the kids about his newest discoveries and adventures.
"...So then the Greninja stared me right into my eyes when I approached it with my poke ball in my hand..."
Julia and Mike leaned over to table with big eyes and interest.
"Did you caught it?" Asked Mike.
William laughed. "I did!"
Ash grabbed a bowl of cereal and sat down at the table. "Morning guys."
"Morning dad." Said the kids.
"Kids, how about you go help your mother with cleaning?" Asked Ash. "She asked me for help, but I told her that you two were gonna help her."
Mike sighed. He picked up Julia and left the table. When they were gone a silence followed. Ash looked down at his cereal. He didn't knew what to say. William didn't seem to be fond of him. But he had to know one thing...
"Why are you so hard on your daughter?"
William raised his eyebrows. "What?"
Ash took a deep breath before speaking up again.
"Why are you so hard on Misty?"
"Oh, our little father-daughter back and forth? That's normal." Said William.
Ash furrowed his eyebrows and leaned onto his elbows. "That little back and forth is really hurting her. But who am I kidding..." He stood up. His chair clattered onto the ground. "You don't care, do you? ...Never mind. I'll be seeing you at the battle, mr Waterflower."
He walked away to help the others. William sighed and folded his arms.
The pool was filled and ready. Misty stretched her arms out. She was wearing three poke balls on her belt and standing on one of the floating platforms.
Her father was on the other side of the pool. Ash and the kids were sitting on the side, looking on.
"Okay, so it's three on three!" Said Ash. The announcer wasn't there today. The gym was actually closed for today.
Misty looked confident. She grabbed on of her poke balls. "You ready, dad?!"
William grinned. "Ready!" He yelled back.
"Okay! Go, Staryu!"
Misty threw her poke ball out in the field. Staryu appeared onto one of the platform.
"Hyaa!" Cried Staryu.
"Okay, let's go, Samurott!" Yelled William.
He threw his poke ball and Samurott appeared on the stage. It was a big water Pokemon with a horn on it's head from Unova.
"Whoa, a Samurott." Ash grabbed his pokedex.
Mike sweat dropped. "Dad...you don't need to look it up, you know this."
Ash sighed and he closed his pokedex. "Sorry...force of habit." He looked back at the battle between daughter and father.
"Samurott, use slash!" Yelled William.
Samurott jumped towards Staryu.
"Staryu, dodge and dive!"
Staryu jumped into the water and thus avoided the attack. Misty looked at her father. He didn't looked impressed or anything.
"Staryu, use..."
"Samurott, ice beam!" Interrupted William.
Samurott fired and ice beam and the water froze.
"Staryu!" Yelled Misty. Her Pokemon was trapped under the ice. She had to think of a strategy or Staryu would...wait, of course! "Staryu, if you can hear me, then use rapid spin to break out!"
It was quiet for a few minutes. Misty looked nervously down at the ice. If this wouldn't work...
Suddenly the ice in front of her broke. Misty held her arms in front of her to shield her eyes from the splintering ice shards.
Staryu flew up and then landed on the platform again. It immediately stroke a fighting pose.
Misty didn't hesitate a second and threw her arm forward. "Staryu, psychic!"
Staryu's jewel started to glow pink and a beam was shot towards Samurott.
"Samurott, secret power."
The water around the pool started to move and swirled around. It came up and flew towards Staryu. It dissolved the psychic beam and hit Staryu so hard that the water pokemon flew against the wall.
"Staryu!" Yelled Misty. She looked at Staryu who slid down against the wall. It's jewel turned back to red and started to blink off and on again.
"W-William wins!" Yelled Ash.
William raised his fist and triumph and his Pokemon cried out a victory scream.
"Staryu return..." Muttered Misty as she called her Pokemon back in it's poke ball. She looked angry at her dad. "Dad, how could you hurt Staryu?!"
"How do you know how it feels? It doesn't has a face!" Said William.
Ash snickered a little. He remembered when he first said that. He was always fighting with her back then...okay, now they were fighting too. But that was love, right? He couldn't think of a future without her in it.
"It does have feelings!" Yelled Misty. She shook her head. "Never mind, let's not talk about it. Go, Gyarados!"
Gyarados popped into the water. It let out a loud roar. Julia and Mike shrieked and grabbed their father's arms.
"Guys, don't be afraid..."
"Dad, you know how scary that Pokemon is right?" Said Mike. "Mom told me that you once that you teased her when you were kids and then she used her Gyarados to punish you..."
Ash shivered. He didn't want to think about it. He hurt his arm pretty bad that day.
William grinned. "I knew that you would use your pre fair as a weapon...well, my Misty, I have the evolved version!"
A Mega Gyarados appeared in the water. It roared even louder than Gyarados.
"Meet Gyara, my sweet pet." Said William. "The Gyarados that almost swallowed you when you were a baby."
Misty her eyes widened. Her hand started to tremble.
"Misty, come on..." Whispered Ash as he looked at her. "Get your fear under control."
Misty took a deep breath. She had to toughen up to win this battle. She narrowed her eyes. "Okay...Gyarados use aquatail!"
"Aquatail? Seriously?" Said William.
Gyarados's tail lit up and water swirled around it. He flew it towards the Mega Gyarados.
"Gyara!" Yelled William. "Protect!"
A light screen popped in front of the the Mega Gyarados and blocked the attack.
William put his hand forward. "Ice fang!"
The Mega Gyarados launched forward and bit into Gyarados. Ice sprawled out of it's mouth. Gyarados roared in pain and fell down into the water.
"Gyarados!" Yelled Misty. She clenched her fists. "Come on, stand up!"
William laughed. "Misty, please, give it up! When a Pokemon is evolved it's better than it's pre evolved version! How many times did I..."
"Shut up!"
Everyone looked to the side. Ash was standing up. Pikachu was on his shoulder.
"An evolved version is better?!" Yelled Ash. He clenched his fist. "And you call yourself a professor...do you even know that it isn't important if a Pokemon is evolved?! It's about the bond between trainer and Pokemon and how about the Pokemon is devoted to the trainer! Now Gyarados, get up!"
"Pikapipikachupika!" Yelled Pikachu.
Gyarados slowly stood up again. It had scratches all over it's body.
"You guys..." Misty smiled with a blush. She didn't need anyone to stand up for her, but it was sweet of them. The two sat back down. Misty looked back at her father. He had wide eyes for a second before hardening his look and staring back at her with his usual cold stare. Usually Misty would back down, but this time she had it. All those times he missed her and her sister's birthdays. He only send gifts, but she longed for his arms, just like when she was little. Then he would always play with her...but ever since her mother died he treated her like she wasn't good at anything.
"Okay, Gyarados, use dragon rage!" Yelled Misty.
Gyarados roared and a raging fire flew against Gyara. Gyara stumbled a bit back, but held his ground.
Misty put her arm up. She lowered her arm and shouted; "Hyper beam!"
Gyarados fired a hyper beam towards Gyara. Water splattered everywhere as Gyara was hit and fell down into the water.
Misty grinned widely. She won the second round! Her father called his Pokemon back. He grabbed another poke ball from his belt. Misty called her Pokemon back and grabbed another poke ball as well. She was going to take him down with her strong Corsola.
But when she called her pokemon out, Psyduck appeared.
Misty went red. "Psyduck!"
"Psy?" Psyduck cocked his head.
"Ash!" Misty turned her head towards him. "Didn't I tell you to stash the poke balls?!"
"Pokeballs?" Asked Ash. He scratched his head. "Did you tell me that?"
Misty raised her arms. "I tell you everyday!"
"Well, all I hear is your moaning!" Yelled Ash.
"Moaning?!"
"Was the dishes, clean the table, don't forget to stash the poke balls!"
"Those are normal things!"
"Will you two shut up!" Yelled William. Everyone immediately went silent and looked at him. "Geez! Come on, let's start this thing!"
"B-but Psyduck!"
"Psyducks can be pretty smart, Mistyc." Said William. "It all depends on the trainer!"
He threw his poke ball and a Dragonite appeared.
"Daddy, was...what is that?" Asked Julia. She grabbed Ash's arm in fear.
"A Dragonite." Said Ash. "A dragon flying type, sweetie."
Julia nuzzled against him. "Scary..."
"Ready for our last round?" Yelled William.
"Ready! Psyduck...scratch!"
Psyduck clumsily waved with his arms. He got dizzy and spun around.
William rolled his eyes. "Right...Dragonite, use ice beam!"
Dragonite fired an ice beam at Psyduck. Psyduck tried to avoid it and fell down into the water.
"Psyduck!" Yelled Misty. She immediately jumped into the water. Psyduck was a bad swimmer. She grabbed the duck and pulled him onto one of the platforms. She sat down next to her pokemon, who slowly calmed down.
Misty put her hand onto it's head. "Psyduck, are you okay?"
"Psy?"
"Thank god..." Misty looked angrily at her father.
"It looks like I've won..." Said William.
"That's it!" Misty stood up. "You show up here, crush me and want to decide my life! Just go away and get out of my life forever!"
William was silent for a second. His Dragonite looked confused at him. Misty realized her words and gasped.
"Dad...I-"
"No, I understand...I...I gotta go." William quickly recalled. He jumped off his platform onto the ground. He quickly walked away, out of the door to the outside.
Misty sighed. What just happened?
William stayed away for a very long time. Slowly it became dark outside.
Misty was looking at the clock. She was sitting in the living room. Psyduck, Azurill and Togetic were next to her. The kids were in front of the tv. It was on but Misty wasn't paying attention. Ash walked in with Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Hey guys..." Ash plopped down onto the couch next to Misty. "So, how are you doing?"
Misty sighed. "Why did I have to say that? Why did I have to say that he should get out of my life?" Misty jumped up. "I have to find him."
Ash jumped up as well. "Hold it; do you even know where he is?"
"Hm..." Misty her finger against her chin and looked up. "Either he is at my mom's grave or he is sulking at the bar. Okay! I'm gonna take a look at the bar and you are going to look at the cemetery!"
"What about us?" Asked Mike.
Misty grabbed her coat and bike keys. "You two...uh...Togetic, look after them!"
"Togetic?" (what?)
"I don't know, make sure they get in bed by nine!" Yelled Misty. She slammed the door and left.
Mike and Julia glanced at each other. Ash sighed. He pulled his hat from the indigo league deeper over his eyes.
"Guys, listen to Togetic. I'm taking a walk to the cemetery."
"Okay daddy!" Yelled Julia.
"Good girl." Ash quickly left the house.
Outside it was dark and a bit cold. Ash was lucky that he had his jacket on. He ran all the way to the cemetery. Hopefully the man would be there.
And he was. Sitting in front of a grave with a bouquet of flowers.
Ash calmly walked towards him and sat next to him. He read the letters on the grave: Kazumi Francis Wiliams Waterflower.
"Hello Ash." Said William. He didn't look at him. "You probably think that I'm a really lazy father, hm?"
Ash chuckled. "You're making the top 5."
"Top 5?"
"Yeah..." Ash put his fingers up and started to count. "My grandfather, Brock's dad...oh no, wait, Brock's dad is less worse...uhm, Brock's dad, grandpa, Norman...he is May's dad...uhm...dad and you."
"Ah, so Red is in the top 5. Did you ever made up with him?"
"Yep, but that doesn't mean that he is out of the list..." Ash sighed. "You can never get out of the list...anyhow, what are you doing here? Misty went looking for you at the bar..."
"She did? Geez, I really don't deserve a daughter like her." Said William.
Ash looked at the grave and then back at William. "You are surely right about that...say, how did you two meet?"
"Who, me and Misty? Plus that is my line."
Ash chuckled again. "No, you and your wife..."
"My wife..." William sighed. He looked at the grave stone. "I've met her 32 years ago. I was 20 years old and a trainer. She was 19 and hated me from the start...I've met her through Red. First I became friends with him and then he introduced me to all his friends...Kazumi was a girl with brown hair that stopped by her shoulders...I remember how she always wore a grey jacket with a yellow t-shirt and shorts..."
"Did she look a lot like Misty?"
William nodded. "Yeah...They had the same eyes and she looked the same when she got mad...look, the reason why I abandoned them is because of her...Misty looks so much like Kazumi. Every time I see her, I get reminded of her...maybe that is also why I didn't want you two together. You remind me of her father. Kazumi used to have a crush on Red..."
"But I'm not Red." Said Ash. "And Misty is not Kazumi."
William sighed. "I know. I should go over there and apologize. But...she is never going to forgive me. I abandoned her for years. I had my change to make it up with Misty or her sisters...the sad thing is that I am just realizing it now...Dear mew, I'm such a screw-up!"
"You're not."
A voice came from behind. It was Misty. She looked at him with a frown and planted her hands on her hips.
"Where have you've been?! I was worried!"
The guys jumped up. William took a step closer to her. "Misty, I-"
"No, I don't wanna hear it! First you call me out on my relationship with Ash, then you challenge me to a battle and call me out on my Pokemon and now you're sulking about not having enough changes and..."
William suddenly wrapped her into a hug. Misty immediately went quiet.
"I'm sorry." Said William. "I really love you."
"Wait, what?" Said Misty. She couldn't believe her ears. He never told her that he loved...okay, he did a few times, but only when she was little and when her mother was still alive.
"And I approve of Ketchum." Said William.
Ash sweat dropped. "Now you just approve of me?!"
Misty and William turned to Ash and both laughed. Pikachu started to laugh too. Ash sighed in defeat.
The next day
Misty looked at William.
"So, you're going back to the lab?"
William was just done loading his bag into the car. Ash, Misty and the kids were saying him goodbye. William leaned against the front door.
"Yes." Said William. "I need to do some research on Popplio. A new pokemon from Alola."
"Alola?" Asked Misty confused.
"Oh, I've been there a few times!" Said Ash. "I've met..." He stopped talking when he saw Misty's confused stare. "Never mind. It was nice to meet you, William."
"Likewise...just don't forget to make your choice about her."
Ash cocked his head in confusion. "Eh?"
"So, little kids!" William looked down at Mike and Julia. He grabbed a small stone from his pocket. "I have a small little present for you two."
"Oh, what is it?" Asked Mike as he took the stone over. The stone was blue from color and see through. Julia leaned onto his shoulder and looked at the stone.
"It's an evolution stone for water types. When you going on your journey one day you'll need to collect as many of these as possible. Your water Pokemon can evolve with this."
"Cool!" Said Mike.
"Well, I gotta go kids!"
"Bye grandfather William!" Said the kids in unison.
William nodded at Misty. "Bye daughter. Send my regards to your sisters."
Misty sweat-dropped. "They're not dead."
William laughed and jumped into the car. He waved while he drove off into the distance.
Misty sighed and stared at the disappearing car. After all these years he finally told her he loved her...yet, he was right when he questioned her about her relationship with Ash. They weren't married while they had two kids. It was weird. Very weird.
She suddenly felt Ash grab her hand. He looked at her with a smile and worried eyes.
"Ash..." Muttered Misty.
"Mist, you okay?" Asked Ash.
"Ash...we're weird, right?"
"What do you mean?"
"We're not married, have kids...do you ever feel like we should have gotten married by this time?"
Ash stared at her with a frown. His lips slowly formed into a small smile. His eyebrows went up into a surprised look. Mike and Julia stared confused at him. Pikachu looked up with a confused look as well. Misty stared into his warm brown eyes.
He took a deep breath before speaking up.
"Do you wanna get married?"
TO BE CONTINUED