Pokemon: TRKL
Chapter 21
The Hopeful and the Departed!
Ash's POV
So onward we went from Celadon City, hoping to stop and rest in a city or town at our next stop. It was a cold morning, only a week away from March, and it was set for rain. I was under stress. Misty was supposed to receive a call from her sisters soon, so I wanted to stop us somewhere on the road, far enough from Celadon and the next city. We were fairly close to Celadon, but I tried not to act suspicious. I hadn't talked much, since I was in a hurry. I knew what was coming and I didn't want it to happen. "Ash! Wait up! You're walking too fast and I'm tired!" Max whined. I ignored him. "Ash? Didn't you hear him? He said to stop!" Tracey yelled, considering I was a distance away. I wanted to yell. I wanted to scream. I wanted Misty. I still ignored them and walked on. "Ash! What's your problem?" May yelled. I turned, with an irritated mood. "Maybe I just wanna get somewhere! Is that my problem?!" I yelled back. May looked shocked for a second, then looked a little angry.
Misty looked as if she felt bad, and she knew what was going to happen too. Serena and Brock I guess heard too as they stood in the back and kept looking at each other when I yelled at May, Max, and Tracey. I moved forward like the anger and angsty person I was then. They soon gave up or something because they ran to catch up with me. Pikachu was even panting. It didn't help that a storm started to brew right then, which meant we had to stop at the nearest Pokemon Center for the day and maybe even the night. I went inside, all of us wet and most of us tired. Max passed out on the couch while May and Tracey talked. Brock and Serena just looked at me in concern, and Misty stood, looking at me, giving me a nervous smile. Even if I was that stubborn, I couldn't resist feeling bad for her or smiling back. I walked toward her, and the other two walked away. "I'm sorry, it's just hard I guess," I said. "It's my fault. I'm the one who has sisters who have responsibilities they can't take care of," She replied.
She looked at me funny, and then she looked at everyone else. "What is it?" I asked. "You look different today, you're taller too," she answered. "What do you mean?" I asked back. "Well, do you remember when we were in that dimension for 1 day but it was actually 1 month? Do you think there are side effects?" She asked. For a second, I looked closer at Misty; she looked pretty much the same. But then I started to notice change. She looked closer to my height, even though I also grew. Then it hit me. "Misty, I don't think we've grown in the past four months," I stated. "That might explain it. Your hair is getting long and your clothes are getting small," She explained. "I wouldn't be talking," I retorted. "Do you want me to change?" She asked. "No!" I immediately replied. We grew silent for a second, and Misty finally spoke. "How did this all happen overnight?" She asked. "Better interrogate Giovanni when we get the chance," I answered. Silence grew once more, but a ringing noise was heard. It was Misty's watch, and I knew what was going on.
Misty's POV
"I'll be right back," I told Ash, walking off to answer the call. "Hey Daisy. What did you want to talk about?" I asked. "You need to come home, but not for that long, well not as long as last time. Not even close," Daisy responded. "What for?" I asked. "It's a surprise about you and Ash, but it goes far back to when you were young," she responded. "It's not my birthday, is it so urgent I have to come home now?" I asked, groaning. "Yes! It's important!" Daisy yelled. "How long do I have to be there for?" I asked. "At least a couple days," She responded. "No way! One day is enough!" I yelled. "Well, we have to prepare you to surprise him!" She pointed out. "Hot dog," I said sarcastically. "All righty! See you tomorrow, sis! Bye!" she said. Just great, I thought .
I walked back into the room where the others were, and they all came up to me. I was upset. I thought they were gonna keep me there forever. "When you leaving, Mist?" Ash asked. "I don't know," I replied, "She said a couple days, but the last time she said that she told me to come back for good, I hope she's truthful this time." "When are you leaving?" Ash asked. "Tomorrow," I replied.
Ash's POV
Great. She's leaving tomorrow. I thought. I was too late. "We better make the most of tonight then," I said. "Ash, you know I'll be back no matter what the gym needs. We don't need to do anything. Just relax," she cooed, sitting at one of the tables. I sat as I sighed. "What am I going to do without you there to support me?" I asked, in a happy, joking way. She smirked and replied, "You don't need to do anything, it may as well be a vacation." "From you?" I asked, concerned. "No, I meant if you feel uncomfortable without me," She replied. "Whatever," I said. I yawned. "Well, I stayed up too late last night and it's 9:00 o'clock. Time for bed," I said, not wanting for Misty to leave, but wanting to get it over with. I walked into the room we were staying in, and passed out on the spot.
I was in a dream again. I could only see myself in pitch black, as I was falling nonstop as my hair was blowing upward. I was only in my t-shirt, jeans, and shoes. I had no Pokemon, no hat, and no other gear. I turn over to face down. There was still nothing, and there was no end, no bottom. I look left, the side I couldn't look at as I turned. I saw Misty, in her usual clothes, but no Pokemon. I called out to her, but she was unresponsive. I made my way over there by jerking my legs forward and backward. Her eyes were closed, and I kept shaking her until she woke. I thought to myself, 'Is she dead?' My eyes started to close as I struggled to wake her, and I eventually grew unconscious.
I awoke to silence, as everyone was either out of the room or sleeping, in which only two people were sleeping. Misty was one of them, and I was about to get up, sitting up as she wrapped her arms around me. "Wake up sleepyhead," I whispered. She moaned. "Why? Do you want me to leave?" Misty asked. "You know I don't," I responded, lying back down. She kissed me on the cheek, and smiled at me. "I do know. I'm going to miss you for the next few days," she lightly spoke. She was happy here, with me and our friends. "I love you," I whispered. "I love you too," she replied. I snapped out of it, realizing she has to leave soon. "We got to hurry, your flight is leave in a few hours and the airport is 2 hours away. I'll call a taxi, you get ready," I planned, getting up and glancing toward the door. "Okay," she responded, in a soft voice.
Tracey's POV
I saw Ash walk out of the room and walk into the phone room. I turned back to Brock and May, and Brock said, "Looks like Misty's leaving soon." "Well, family's family. There's nothing we can do," I pointed out. "That's exactly why she left us in the first place, you know. I understand what Ash is going through," Brock responded.
Misty's POV
I didn't want to leave but when it comes to family, I can't do anything, especially when it is a "surprise" like this. I wondered what it was. Was it another boy scheme? Or was it that I needed to teach them to battle, again?
Ever since I was almost 9 and my parents died, I was dragged around more than I was used to. I could barely remember anything before the car crash. All I could remember after I woke from a short coma was the time I almost got killed by Gyarados, my first show with my sisters, and a special trip my family had to Cinnabar Island. I could remember more by the time I met Ash when I was 10, but not that much, after all. It just feels as if I always was that way, though. It's as if these memories I have left are my entire childhood, and it's hard for someone to get by when people you knew want to talk to you and you don't know who they are. I rarely had this case, but it is still hard.
I got ready, and finished packing my bag, before heading out the door. I sat and waited for Ash come back from the phone room to tell me that my taxi was near. I chatted with Brock and the others for a bit, still anxious about leaving. I felt bad for Ash, but considering this is also about him, so I figured this wouldn't be too bad and before I knew it, Ash had come to inform me it was here. "Time to go," he said. "Well, I guess I better get out there," I replied. I said my goodbyes, and walked outside with Ash. We shut the door behind us, and looked at each other once more. "This could be it," he pointed out. "It won't be, trust me. I'll see you real soon, and before you know it, we'll be back on the road," I replied. He smiled, and he hugged me. I hugged back, and the taxi honked, signaling me that I had to go soon. I began to back up, as I waved and yelled, "I love you, good bye!" Ash waved and yelled back, "I love you too! See you soon!" I got into the car, and looked out the window at him as it drove away.
A/N: Hey! It's been a while and I'd like you to know I'm already working and planning out the next chapter. This seems like a fitting end for a shorter story, but this is just the ending of a piece (most likely a third) of the story. There is a TON more to come. Thank you for the support!