Chapter 11: Dedicated Love!
With the painting done, Tracey asked Misty if she wanted to do it in the living room like everyone else or somewhere else. Misty asked everyone to go outside, but whispered to Ash to go to his room.
Not sure what for, Ash silently nodded and went to his room. With no one in the livingroom, Misty walked to Tracey and kneeled down, as she asked him about something very private and personal.
- I´d rather not have a portrait of myself alone... instead, I would like you to do something in secret for me Tracey... I´d want a portrait together with Ash. I told him to go to his room, he´s waiting there.
- Yeah sure, I understand, you didn´t make to big deal out of it Misty, you´re both the best of friends.
- Tracey... Once the portrait is done... I want you to afterwards add this into the final piece...
Misty showed him the heart necklace, as Tracey said that it must have come from Rudy, and misunderstood that Misty didn´t want to have it on with Ash next to her for personal reasons. Knowing she has to make Tracey understand what she really means, Misty opened it all, revealing Ash´s picture.
Not sure what she wanted to say, seconds later Tracey finally put the pieces together. Telling her it´ll be their secret and that he will do his best, Misty hugged and thanked him, as they left to Ash´s room.
Misty entered the room, as she saw Ash sitting on his bed. He then asked Misty why she asked him to go there. Tracey entered, as he told Ash that she wanted to make a portrait together with him as thanks for the wonderful gift he gave her. Oblivious as Ash mostly is, he accepted Tracey´s explanation.
Suddenly Misty stopped Tracey, as she asked where Pikachu was. As Ash told her it was in the garden with the other Pokemon, Misty asked for Ash if Pikachu could join the portrait. Not having a problem with that, Ash opened up a window and called out for Pikachu, as it seconds later jumped inside.
Telling Pikachu everything, it gladly joined them, as Misty nodded towards Tracey, showing him that she´s ready. Several minutes past by, but for Misty and Ash it was like an eternity, nervous about how the portrait would turn out. The portrait finally finished, as Tracey gathered the pencils and colours.
- I´ll let it dry beside the sculpture at Oak, once it´s dry it should look even better than it does now.
- Thank you Tracey... it means a lot to me that you did this for me, and for my request I made...
- Hey Tracey, if it´s not too much work, I´d like to have a copy of it to keep here. Hope it´s ok Misty?
Giving him a nod and a smile, Misty didn´t mind, as Tracey told him it shouldn´t be a problem at all. Beginning to pack his things, Tracey went outside to make a portrait of everyone else. Pikachu jumped out the window to go on and play with the other Pokemon, as Ash and Misty stayed behind in his room.
- Come to think of it, it´s been a long time since I´ve been in my room... everything is just as I remember it, mom kept it the way I left it ever since I left her and started my journey... that was a long time ago...
- My sisters kept my room the same, thinking I´d come back just as fast as I left them that day... but things changed. But wait, shouldn´t all your trophies you have gathered be here in your room Ash?
- Oh no, mom likes to keep then at display in the living room, they´re all in a bookcase over there.
Going out of Ash´s room, both went to the living room, as Ash opened the sliding doors to reveal a bookcase with all his trophies that he has gathered. Suddenly Misty noticed that her badge wasn´t there.
- Don´t worry... I haven´t lost it, it´s in my pocket. I took it once I got home before you arrived her.
- Oh... was worried for a second there... well otherwise you can always ask me for a new one whenever you lose it my accident... by the way, how come you´re not keeping it along with the other badges?
- Can´t tell you just yet... it´s something that I want to say to you when you wake up tomorrow ok?
Misty then looked out the window and noticed that it had already got darker. Everyone began to leave for the day, as Misty was about to go as well when suddenly Ash stopped her by standing in front of her.
- Ash, it´s been a great day, it really has, but since everyone is leaving I should go back to the gym and...
Misty reached out for the doorknob to get out when Ash then took her hand instead, as he locked the door. Asking what he was doing, Misty was led back to the living room, as Ash asked her to sit down.
- For everything I have planned for tomorrow, it would be a lot easier if you spend the night here Misty...
Taken by surprise, Misty was about to turn down his proposal when suddenly Delia got back in.
- I´m glad you´re staying here for the night Misty, Daisy already prepared the guestroom for you!
- Of course Misty is gonna stay, since it being her birthday, no way she would say no to me!
Thanking Delia for her kind hospitality, Misty didn´t have much of a choice but to stay, as Delia told Ash that all his Pokemon are at Oak´s lab, and that she has prepared everything he asked her about.
- Well then... it´s been a great yet long day, so I´m gonna go upstairs for the night... goodnight Ash...
Misty went upstairs, as Ash couldn´t take his eyes of her until she got inside the guestroom and out of sight. Going back to his room, Ash saw that Pikachu was already there and had fallen asleep.
- Both you had a good time pal... sweet dreams, tomorrow will be another great day for us both...
Morning came, as a Dodrio was signalling the sun rising over Pallet Town. Misty opened her eyes, as the guestroom was dark since the window was covered. She remained in bed, having slept like a baby, not only since the bed was comfortable and soft, but that she dreamt one of the best dreams she ever had.
Minutes passed by, as Misty began to smell breakfast, but was quite surprised that the smell was so strong since she was on the second floor. The door then knocked, as Misty told that it´s alright to get in.
The door opened, as Ash entered. Already dressed in his usual outfit, he had come with breakfast on a board for Misty to eat in bed. Slightly embarrassed and blushing that Ash brought it for her, Misty insisted that she´d go downstairs and eat in the kitchen along with him and Delia like she always have.
Telling Misty that he and Delia already ate, Ash told her to remain in bed and put the board down. A light but satisfying breakfast, Misty devoured each piece and drank up the morning juice with pleasure.
- I hope you had a good night sleep Misty, you´re gonna need it! Hope the breakfast was alright?
- This was delicious Ash... just as I wanted it... I´ll go down soon and thank Delia for the breakfast.
- I'm glad you liked it... and no need to thank mom yet, she was nowhere near the kitchen this morning.
Misty then saw Delia and Mr Mime out in the garden, when she usually would be cleaning the dishes. Realising that Ash made her breakfast and brought it to her, Misty began to get butterflies in her stomach. Not by the breakfast, but that she never would have believed that Ash really went that far.
Ash told her to get dressed and ready, as he went downstairs. Hearing him whistle as if it was the best day of his life, Misty nearly pinched herself, not sure if she really had woken up or was still dreaming.
- I´ve never heard him whistle like that before... and he brought me breakfast... he actually did it...
Not wanting to let Ash down, Misty got up and took a shower, as she afterwards put on her travelling outfit. Leaving the room and bed just as she found it, Misty went downstairs and then went outside.
Seeing Misty, Delia wished her a good morning and asked how she slept, as Misty greeted her and told Delia that she had slept wonderfully. Curious to see if Ash actually succeeded, Delia asked if Misty had eaten breakfast yet. Embarrassed to tell Delia that Ash brought her breakfast, Misty just nodded instead.
Not seeing Ash anywhere, Misty asked where he had went. Delia told Misty that he should return soon, as she continued her business in the garden, sending out signals that she can´t tell Misty anything more.
Greeting Mr Mime, Misty asked Delia if she could help out with anything. Delia responded by saying that Misty needs to be in top shape to have a chance of enduring what Ash has planned for the day.
A few minutes passed by, as suddenly Misty saw something in the distance. Hearing a bell, Misty thought the sound was very familiar. It was Ash, coming from Oak´s lab, and riding a bike for two with the same bell as her bike has. He was coming closer and closer, as Misty began to walk towards him.
Gently parking in front of her, Ash told her to get on. Misty got on, as she noticed that it was indeed the same bell that her bike had. Asking how he got the bike and the bell, Ash instead just smiled back at her.
- With all your curiosity Misty I could dedicate the whole day and I still wouldn´t satisfy your need of answers! Besides, once we get to our destination, we´ll have some time to talk about things for awhile.
Misty shrieked, holding her arms around Ash´s waist, as he took off without warning. Biking for several minutes, they got onto a road that Ash seemed to know well, but even for Misty it seemed abit familiar.
Suddenly Ash began to slow down and then stopped. Taking her face out of Ash´s shoulder, Misty looked where he took her, as she couldn´t believe it. He took her to the lake. The place they first meet.
Ash got off and helped Misty off too, as she saw that there already was a picnic prepared on the grass plain, topped off with two fishing rods and an sun cover incase the sun would get abit too strong.
Ash jumped onto the picnic blanket in an instant and invited Misty to sit down, as she joined him.
- Ash, this is wonderful... I don´t know what to say... you shouldn´t have strained yourself just for this...
- This is nothing, a small dessert to compliment the breakfast and once you´re done we can stay and try our luck abit, maybe there still is a big fish to catch here. So let´s not waste anymore time, now dig in!
Ash took off the food cover, revealing a multitude of various cookies, biscuits and anything else suited for a day at a lake. Misty took a bite and enjoyed it, as she took the opportunity to ask Ash about nearly everything. From how his trip through Hoenn was to what he plans to do after the Hoenn League.
Time passed as they had a good talk coupled with endless laughter from both of them, hearing what they had missed since they got apart. Knowing she can´t eat anymore or she´ll end up like a Snorlax the next day, Misty grabbed Ash´s hand as she took the initiative. She grabbed a fishing rod and gave Ash his.
- I´m surprised that you remember which kind I usually use for these kind of lakes, but you are no match for me! How about a little friendly competition Ash, the one who catches the most fish wins! Alright?
Taken by surprise, Misty immediately threw her lure into the water, not anticipating that what she said was exactly was Ash had planned, already having his lure in the water way before Misty even began.
Believing she was light-years ahead of Ash when it comes to fishing skills, Misty´s jaw dropped as he caught two Magikarp, put up two fingers and threw them back in while Misty hadn´t even caught one!
Believing it was just sheer luck, Misty waited patiently but caught nothing. She recalled the lure to check if Ash had cheated by doing anything to it in advance, but saw that the lure, which was the one she gave him previously, was in excellent shape. Ash made a grimace, taunting if she´s ready to give up.
Misty grinned, as she took forth her secret weapon: Gyarados. Once Ash looked the other way, Misty threw the Pokeball into the water, and with the bond she and Gyarados has, it practically knew what it was supposed to do as if it could read her thoughts. Ash´s rod once again began to move around.
- Don´t think I didn´t come prepared for this Misty! And oh my! Another one! And it must be a big one!
Ash pulled but the catch still wouldn´t move, while Misty´s rod got a bite, getting a Magikarp. Still abit behind Ash, Misty´s devilish plan worked perfectly, with Gyarados pinning Ash´s lure at the bottom of the lake among the seaweed. Misty then caught another one, as Ash was beginning to lose momentum.
Without warning, Ash undressed, as he jumped into the lake in a swimsuit, thinking the lure must have been caught at the bottom. Misty quickly reacted, as she saw Gyarados and recalled it, not wanting Ash to find out that she cheated abit to catch up. But as time passed by Ash didn´t come up to the surface.
Worried that Ash might be stuck at the bottom, Misty was about to dive after him when suddenly her rod moved. Misty grabbed it and pulled as hard as she could, and with one last pull it happened. Deja vu.
Ash came flying through the air, but this time landed right next to her and holding a Magikarp in his arms. With it in his arms, Ash proclaimed that he won. Misty couldn´t hold herself, as she laughed.
- I thought you got stuck, but instead you caught it and tricked me into pulling you up, didn´t you Ash?!
- All is permitted in love and war, and with your love for fishing and my rivalry against you it´s fair!
- That´s true... but hey wait a sec! Since it was my lure, my rod and my pull... then I actually caught it!
- That´s true, but I only used you to get back faster, otherwise I would have just swimmed back myself with the Magikarp in my arms! And even if it was yours, I still won by a landslide, and you still lost!
Accepting a dire defeat she never though would happen, Misty stretched out her hand to Ash, but to counter her, Ash put out Magikarp´s fin, making Misty shake hands with it. Both laughed, as Ash threw it back in. But Misty had an ace up her sleeve. Pulling her rod, the lure seemed to be stuck at the bottom.
- I may have lost, but since you´re already wet Ash, would you mind going out to get my lure for me?
Not refusing her puppy face, Ash had no objections, as he dived in again. Misty quickly changed from puppy to demon, as she called for Gyarados, wanting to payback Ash for his fair yet unexpected victory.
Telling Gyarados to go to the bottom and give Ash a good scare, Misty patiently waited. Remembering the PokeNavi, Misty took it out from her purse, as she saw that Max had put an easy interface. A video lens came out, as Misty waited for the golden opportunity to catch it all on tape to have with her forever.
Bubbles came to the surface, as two figures then appeared and were moving towards the lake shore.
- HEY! MISTY! HELP! PULL ME OUTTA HERE! A GYARADOS IS CHASING ME! HURRY UP!
Teasing Ash abit, Misty was just rolling him in, at the same time recording through the PokeNavi. Gyarados roared behind Ash, looking menacing and angry while really trying to hold itself from laughter, seeing Ash trying to get away, swimming as fast as he has never done before in his life.
Knowing enough is enough, Gyarados grabbed Ash into his mouth, as it got to the shore and put him down. Seeing Ash scared like a ghost, Misty couldn´t help but feel sorry for him but at the same time laughed. Thinking she´s gone insane, Ash look back and saw Gyarados, smiling back at him and Misty.
- Oh my I´m sorry Ash if I went too far, but you should have seen yourself! I´ll never forget this victory!
Realising she actually managed to trick him, Ash then saw the PokeNavi in her hand. Fearing the worst, Ash lunged out towards it to erase the recording, but Misty quickly backed away, as she then undressed into her swimsuit and jumped into the water, taunting Ash to come get it if he really wants to have it.
Making sure Gyarados was at the shore, Ash swam after her, but with the PokeNavi being able to be used in water Misty recorded his attempts to come after her. But to her surprise Ash caught up with her.
- I´ve also been swimming in Hoenn, don´t think you´re the only one that can move freely in water!
- I could see that clearly when Gyarados chased you, but when it comes to diving, I still beat you Ash!
Giving Ash a grimace face, Misty dived down, and used the seaweed as cover from him. Desperately, Ash looked for her, fearing that she might get away and show off that embarrassing moment to everyone.
Ash passed by Misty without noticing her, as she got out of cover and got to the surface. She asked Gyarados to stay hidden with the PokeNavi and record Ash chasing her. Gyarados nodded and went to the bottom, as Misty looked down but couldn´t see Ash anywhere. He had vanished without a trace.
Like a Sharpedo hunting Dewgong, Ash came from an angle in which Misty could not see him, slowly approaching her, wanting to take her by surprise and snatch the PokeNavi without her even knowing it.
The time had come, as Ash resurfaced and leaped into the air towards Misty. With a perfect timing, Ash landed right onto Misty and thought he had grabbed it... but he had accidently grabbed something else.
Her swimsuit top. With a swift grab he had by accident taken it, as he laughed victoriously, but seconds later was embarrassed to death as he saw Misty cowering up herself with her arms, yelling out to him.
- Guess I need to improve my leaping skills... well sorry about that, here ya go Misty... wait a minute.
Misty kindly asked Ash to give her top back, but from the look on his face she knew he had something else in mind. With a big grin on his face, Ash knew he had the biggest advantage this time over her.
- Ash come on, this is starting to get embarrassing, I am a girl after all, so please give it back now ok?
- I will... once you give me the PokeNavi! A fair trade I must say, and we both win from it right?
- No way! Ash this isn´t funny, you don´t see me going after your underwear as a way of payback!
- I was actually after the PokeNavi, but this indeed is a much better catch, now that I have you cornered!
- Ash! Give it to me now, don´t make me go that far by coming after you! I´m serious, give it back!
Knowing she´ll risk exposing herself if she tried to come after him, Ash giggled at her disadvantage.
- You´re not serious, you´re embarrassed! You think I didn´t notice you don´t have it with you now! It´s so obvious that you hid it somewhere when you hid yourself from me. But where... wait. No way...
Having kept Misty under nearly constant watch, Ash looked down for a second towards Misty´s underwear, but as he realised that would be way too extreme, even for her, their eyes suddenly meet.
Misty froze in place, having seen Ash actually considering the idea that she hid it in her underwear. About to blush like a tomato, Misty instead turned the tables and turned it into her supreme victory.
- Yes Ash... that´s the only place it could be... so will you accept total defeat and let me keep your embarrassing little show, of do you want me to tell Delia that you actually checked my underwear for it?
Ash froze in place, knowing even he wouldn´t go that far, and that his mom would far surpass Misty´s usual rage and fury if Misty tells a little lie that Ash snatched her underwear without saying the truth.
Knowing when he has to accept defeat, Ash still wanted to play one last trick on Misty. Just for fun.
- Oh really... I guess you don´t know me well enough Misty... if it´s there, then look out, here I come!
Ash began to swim towards Misty, totally paralyzed, believing he was serious about going after the PokeNavi, even if it ends with her being totally bare. As he got closer, Misty had no other choice.
With a shriek that must have echoed all the way back to Delia´s house, Misty screamed her lungs out for Gyarados to stop Ash. Gyarados came to the surface and grabbed Misty before Ash could get to her, as it took her to the shore. Misty quickly put on a backup top and took the PokeNavi from Gyarados´s head.
Ash got back onto the shore, seeing Misty red with fury, as he quickly proclaimed that he was just joking around. Giving her back the top, he sat down next to her only to get a small slap on the face.
- I´ll never forget this Ash! Mark my words, one day I´ll get you for this! I promise and swear I will!
- I´ll never forget it either, hearing you shriek like that, it´s going to be in my dreams for ever and ever!
Ash quickly ran off, as Misty took off like a rocket after him, wanting to slap him silly until even Delia wouldn´t recognise his face anymore. Gyarados remained at the shore, bursting out into pure laughter.
With both having their share of competition, revenge and embarrassing moments, they cooled down and layed in the grass, as Misty gave Gyarados a fury stare, seeing it´s wide smile, knowing it saw it all.
Recalling it, Misty saw that Ash was deep in thought, as she asked him what was on his mind. Giving her a little smile and wink, Misty was about to explode again as Ash told her he was only kidding.
- I was thinking about how much fun we´ve had so far today, yet when we first meet here it was a short and different situation... now I can have a new, and better memory of you and this place than before.
- I kinda feel the same... even if it could have been worse, seeing you flee in the distance with my bike, Pikachu and the flock of Spearrow only made me feel more unlucky since I had been away from home for a few days. I was alone back then, fishing alone... but now, I have a new memory together with you.
Exchanging smiles, Ash told Misty to change, as he packed everything. Putting it onto the bike, Ash also went behind a tree to change from his swimsuit to his normal clothing. With both done and on the bike, Ash suddenly took a road that would take them from Pallet Town to a very specific forest. Viridian Forest.