Chapter 14:

May stared at Misty, oblivious to Pikachu still cradled in her arms.

Is she nuts?

Was she trying to get herself and Ash killed?

Where is her love now?

She glanced at Delia who seemed to enjoy the match more than anyone. Delia was waving her arms, cheering, calling out their names.

Ash's mom is sure weird.

"Nice seeing you after a long time, Butterfree!" Misty called out, waving, giving it a flying kiss. "How's everyone back home?"

Butterfree flew over to her, rubbed its cheek against hers, and danced before her.

(Great to see you too, Misty! Everyone's fine back home. I missed you a lot!)

"I missed you a lot too," Misty spoke to it. "But that doesn't mean this match is going to be easy. You ready for it, Butterfree?"

(Of course.) it flew back to Ash.

"Butterfree – sleeping powder!" May heard Ash yell. Now that's a good attack, she thought. If Horsea sleeps, then Ash will win this round…

No sooner had she thought this, that Misty countered the attack.

"Under water now!" she called to her Horsea.

Horsea obliged and slipped underwater, Butterfree's sleeping powder fell harmlessly. Both trainers pinched their noses, not wanting to fall asleep.

"Horsea – dirt throw!" Misty wasted no time in attacking again.

"Butterfree – dodge!"

"Watergun!"

"Windscar!" Ash countered.

Butterfree flapped its wings hard, creating a strong gust of wind. The sea waves began to dance, flaring out around Ash and Misty and Horsea. The force of the continuous wind gusts created a kind of crater in the water, forcing Horsea to come out.

"Now stunspore!" Ash attacked.

"Agility," Misty calmly countered.

Ash gritted his teeth. Darn. Missed again!

His eyes frantically scanned the water swirling around him for some kind of idea. Horsea is quickest when in water… So as long as its in water, there's no way to catch it. It was something that Misty had been talking about long years ago. So that means –

Suddenly, he had it. He knew what he had to do.

"Butterfree – Razor wing!" he commanded. "On the water! We need to get Horsea out!"

Misty saw it coming, but it was too fast to counter. She had never seen a bug Pokemon – much less a Butterfree perform a Razor wing with such quickness. She didn't have the time to counter.

Ash watched, tensed, as Butterfree's wing made contact with the water and clearly cut through it. A spray of water rained down on him and Misty as the water thrown upwards by Butterfree's attack was pulled downwards by gravity.

Horsea was stuck mid-air without any chance to defend itself.

"And now – SLEEP POWDER!" Ash called.

Butterfree came at Horsea with amazing swiftness ready to attack –

"Dirt throw!" Misty countered finding the opening she had been looking for.

Butterfree was too close to Horsea to dodge the attack.

They collided in mid air –

The sleep powder fell on Horsea –

Horsea's dirt throw hit Butterfree square on the chest –

Time seemed to stop still as both Ash and Misty watched their Pokemon fall through air –

Ash shocked –

Misty grim –

And then both Pokemon hit the water.

SPLASH!!!

May saw what happened and leaving Pikachu with Delia, rushed over to the shore carrying the first aid kit with her.

Misty and Ash reacted impulsively. Though the shock hadn't worn off, they dived underwater.

A moment's searching later, she surfaced with Butterfree. She half swum, half dragged herself over to the shore. May was already there with a first aid kit.

While Misty administered first aid to Butterfree, May assisting her in the task, Ash surfaced with Horsea. Coughing, he waded through the water to Misty and lay Horsea next to her.

"You all right, Ash?" Misty asked not looking at him.

"I'm fine," Ash replied coldly. "Is Butterfree okay?" his voice broke.

"It'll be fine," Misty assured. Still not looking at Ash, she started attending to her Horsea.

"Perhaps you should let Nurse Joy take a look at it," May suggested.

Misty shook her head. "There's no need," she said. "It'll be fine after it has rested for a few hours. But if you still want take a second opinion, you can always go to Nurse Joy."

Ash gave Misty a searching look. "Look at me, Misty."

Misty didn't look up. "What is it, Ash?"

"I said, look at me, Misty," he repeated a little roughly. "when you talk to me, I want you to look into my eyes."

He had expected her to make another excuse for not looking directly into his eyes, so it came as a surprise when she looked up and met his gaze with her own fierce eyes.

She's kinda…scary today… thought Ash. How did she change so much?

"Are you just going to play 'stare' with me or is there something you want to say?" Misty broke into his thoughts.

He scowled.

"Horsea needs my attention."

His scowl faded at once. "Oh! Sorry 'bout that."

Misty returned to her Horsea. "Its okay, don't sweat it."

"Mist?"

"Yeah?" did he really call me that again?

Ash was gazing at his Butterfree's Pokeball. "Are you really sure, Butterfree is going to be safe?"

"I promise, Ash," Misty replied quietly. "Butterfree is going to be just fine. Trust me. This thing works wonders. I wouldn't let something happen to the Butterfree that loved me since it was a Caterpie, now, would I?"

May stared from Misty to Ash. I don't understand… Why are they battling in such an environment and hurting their Pokemon if this is meant to be a friendly exercise match? Is Misty trying to seek revenge for last night by crushing Ash in this match?

Within a few minutes, Misty had called her Horsea back into its Pokeball.

"What stuff did you give Pikachu, Horsea and Butterfree?" May inquired suddenly, as she watched Misty screw the phial back into her chain. "Is it a Pokemon Center certified medication?"

Misty shook her head. "This is homemade medication," she told them. "I prepared it myself. So you're looking for a Joy stamp on it, you're not going to find it."

"But how do you know its really safe?" May pressed. Something about this just didn't feel right to her.

"I-"

Ash intervened. "-If she says its effective, I don't care what it is. I just want Pikachu and Butterfree to be okay…"

He still trusts me… Misty's heart leaped, her pulse quickened. But her face revealed nothing except for a faint blush, which could've easily been caused by the the sun.

"SO, do you wanna continue the match?" Misty asked, getting up and brushing the sand from her body. Her wet hair slipped from her ponytail, hanging lopsided from her head. She pulled the elastic band from her hair and let it fall open over her shoulders. Her bathing suit and her skirt, now soaked in water, clung to her body, defining her curves that usually remained hidden under layers of tom-boyish clothing.

Ash rarely saw her like this – wearing something that made her look so beautiful… so much more like a woman… thought Ash. If only I could touch her face… hold her hand… like I used to…

"Ash?" Misty was tapping her foot impatiently. "Do you wanna continue or not?"

If only I hadn't been dumb to not to have seen all this four years ago… Ash was still lost in his own thoughts. And now its too late… I cant even hold her close to me like I used to. I cant even call myself her closest friend… But if I'm still hurting her, why is she here battling me now? Why is she looking after my Pokemon? Why does she want to train me so I could win the League? She is too damn confusing… She reads me like a book. I wish I could read her like that…. Now to think of it, why cant I?

"ASH!" Misty raised her voice now, her patience not fading the least bit, though.

May elbowed Ash. "Ash? she's talking to you."

Ash blinked, suddenly remembering where he was.

"Misty, Ash," May repeated patiently. "She's asking you something."

"Do you wanna continue the battle?" Misty repeated with a sigh. "I won round one, round two was a tie. Are you sure you're ready for the third round?"

Ash let the words sink in. "You wouldn't want me to give up, would you?"

"Though for now, that would be the wise thing to do…" said Misty her hands on her hips. "I wouldn't like you to turn chicken. The Ash I know wouldn't ever think of giving up or forfeiting a battle just because his opponent was a little better than him."

Ash took a step into the water again. "ALL RIGHT, MIST! Lets start!"

May grabbed his wrist. "Don't do it, Ash," she implored. "Don't. two of your Pokemon are already hurt. Do you want to hurt another Pokemon as well? Leave it be, Ash. MISTY!" may called to her. "Please, stop this senseless match. Why should you just hurt your Pokemon for no reason?"

Misty didn't reply. She instead stared right at Ash. "Tell me, Ash. do you think you can win the third round?"

"I'm not going to beg you to stop if that's what you mean," Ash called out to her. "Pick your Pokemon, Mist – I'm fighting this battle!"

A wide smile spread on Misty's lips.

"But-" May protested. "Think of your Pokemon, Ash! they need you-"

"This match may not be an official one, May," Ash said giving her a determined look, "but its important to me. I'm not running away."

May glared at him in anguish. "Would you rather your Pokemon got injured than walk out of a match?"

Ash glared back at her. "My Pokemon aren't weaklings!" he snapped. "And if I cant even battle Misty, how can expect to win the next tournament? You don't participate in Pokemon battles, so keep out of this. I-"

Misty stepped in between. "Ash – its enough," she said in a calm, firm voice. She turned to May. "I know you are worried about Ash and his Pokemon, but at times, its good to let them face tougher opponents. And Ash is really making progress – he lost the first round, but he managed to end the second one in a tie." Misty playfully slapped Ash's upper arm. It looked kind of funny because Ash was a good head and shoulders taller than Misty. "Who knows, he might just win the third round?"

May still looked doubtful.

Misty laughed. "Don't worry. I'll return your Ash and his POkemon to you in one piece. Ash wont regret this battle." She turned and dragged Ash away. "Okay, now that's solved, so just hurry up and choose your next Pokemon. I'm choosing Seel."

They waded into the waves till they were chest deep in water again and only then did Misty leave Ash's hand. She took her position and called out her Seel.

Ash thought for a moment. "Fine, go Haunter!"

"How'd ya doing Haunter?" Misty waved. "I didn't know I'd get to see you again after Lavender Town!"

Haunter hovered around her, making funny faces, making her laugh.

May stared. These are Ash's old Pokemon and they treat Misty as if she were their trainer!? She saw Haunter tickling Misty before returning to Ash. so it is not just Ash who she's close to? She's also close to his Pokemon?

"Nice Pick, Ash!" Misty called cheerfully to him. "this match is going to be interesting."

Ash nodded. "And you picked Seel… Lets show them we're better, Haunter!"

Misty couldn't help grinning affectionately at him. I guess he's still the same old Ash I know… she thought. Except that he's a lot more taller than he was back then and… he's grown up enough to have a girlfriend. But in his heart… I know he's the same. So what if he had broken her heart? So what if he had ignored her for four years? She still loved him more than her own life and him not loving her didn't make her love him less. How could she hate someone she loved so much?

There was no hate, no anger (okay, perhaps just a little disappointment- but she could handle that) and there was certainly no malice. She was proud of him, and prouder still that she had the opportunity to help him learn a few things.

"Seel – watergun!" Misty charged, tossing her hair away from her eyes.

"Haunter, dodge!"

Haunter cleanly dodged the water gun attack.

"Scary face!" Ash called.

"Underwater!" Misty countered.

"After Seel!" Ash called again, ducking underneath to check where seel was. "Get going, Haunter!"

Misty dived underwater following Ash's example and then surfaced again. "Seel – Horn Drill forty-eight degrees to your right!"

"Haunter – counter with your NIGHT SHADOW!"

"GO ON SEEL! HORN DRILL!" Misty called, showing faint signs of battle-excitement.

May gasped. Is she nuts? She couldn't see what was happening underwater, but from hearing Ash and Misty, she had a good idea of the scene. Horn drill vs. Night Shadow? Why didn't she ask Seel to dodge?

Ash was thinking on the same lines. Is this a trap? Misty knows Seel doesn't stand a chance using that attack.

Haunter attacked –

Seel closed on Haunter –

And Misty shouted – "NOW!"

Haunter's Night Shadow was suddenly countered by Seel's Ice Beam.

Seel backed, its Ice Beam keeping Haunter's Night Shadow at bay.

Ash surfaced again, running out of air. "DARN! Haunter – surface now!"

"Bubble Beam!" Misty called, not bothering to go underneath again. "Ninety five degrees left above you!"

Ash gritted his teeth. "Dodge!" if Seel doesn't come out, then there's no way we can win this match.

Misty seemed to read his very thoughts because she called Seel to surface again. "Seel – ice -"

"- Misty dear!" Delia interrupted, shouting out her name. "You have a call!"

Misty looked at her with slight irritation. Ash looked from his mother to Misty in confusion.

"Cant it wait?" Misty asked, frowning. "We're in the middle of a battle."

"I already told him that, but he said - 'Its urgent! More important than that dammed battle of hers.' He sounded quiet serious Misty."

"Who is it?" she asked, wading towards the shore.

"He wouldn't tell me," said Delia pouting. "He told me its none of my damn business."

Misty shook her head wondering who on earth would want to talk to her so urgently. She answered, "Misty here, who's this?"

"'bout time, Misty," said a soft patient voice.

Her eyes widened.

"Now, look casual. Pretend I'm Lily's boyfriend," the caller told her. "You've battled enough. I've seen what I wanted to see."

Misty smiled. "that's great, Lan!"

"And you were right, he has enough potential to get through this."

"I told you so."

"With a little intense training with you, he should be ready for the world's best and toughest Pokemon League."

Misty smiled. "I am sure of it," she said.

"I received more news."

"You did?"

"Just before your match started. There're a few things I need to sort out with you. go back home, I'll be waiting in your bedroom."

Misty sighed. "Fine. I'm not at home. it'll take me some time to get there."

"Now that's a good way of letting them know you have to go. I'll have lunch ready by the time you get there."

"Okay, okay," Misty said in an exasperated tone. "I'm coming. Quit whining."

The called laughed at the other end.

Misty ended the call, looking around at others. "Sorry, Ash," she apologized, seeing him standing close to her. while she had been talking, he had waded through the water with his Pokemon. "I gotta go – leave right now."

"Why?" Ash asked in anguish. "we aren't done with our match yet."

"I know that," she said a little frustrated. "You hear me – I said I gotta go – not that I want to go."

"Who's Lan?" asked May, ever curious. She had been close enough to Misty like Delia to hear what she had spoken.

Misty tapped her foot impatiently. "Lily's boyfriend," she said with a careless shrug. "It seems Lily wants to break up with him and he wants me to help him out." Misty crossed her fingers mentally. How I hate lying… "So that means, I have to go now."

Misty pulled out her Pokeball and called her Seel back. She walked over to the mat where Pikachu still lay sleeping beside her bag. She bent down, kissed Pikachu gently and then toweled herself dry.

"Hey! You cant go like this-" Ash yelled at her. "You promised me this match, Misty, don't walk out of it!"

"I told you I have to go, idiot!" Misty shot back, pushing him away. "Leave my clothes alone."

He was tugging her clothes away from her hand.

"No!" he said firmly. "Why is it always that we never get to finish out battle? Something always happens when we start with round three."

Misty jerked her clothes away from his grip. "Probably, its just jinxed for us!" she shot at him, as she started pulling her clothes over her dry bathing suit.

Delia and May were still watching from near the shore – Delia in amusement and May in disappointment and confusion.

"Misty – please-" Ash said quietly.

"we'll have enough time to battle from tomorrow," Misty whispered to him tying her shoe-lace. Her wet hair falling over her face like a curtain. "I'll meet you tonight at Glow. I'll be there at midnight. I'll confirm things later, probably give you a call in a couple of hours, so make sure you carry your cell phone with you."

May wondered what Misty was saying, because she couldn't see Misty's face through her curtain of orange hair and she was talking too quietly to hear.

Misty straightened up, slung her bag over her shoulder and waved to Delia and May. "Bye, Delia! Bye May! See ya later!" She sprinted across the beach before anyone could say anything.

Ash stared after her. So I'm going to be training with her…? it isn't like she left me with any choice, though, did she? He sighed as Delia and May walked back to him. I wonder what reason I'm going to give them…

TO BE CONTINUED…