I have listened to and read the first chapter so many times. I have been tempted to take it in directions that have been too similar to my other big stories. They aren't bad ideas but I don't want to write the same story twice ya know? Anyway, I know the general direction I'm going with this, but it will take some thinking through.
Enjoy!
Chapter 2
"Misty! Misty!" paparazzi shout as they rush into the road and surround the car that stops at the curb. "Tell us more about your sisters' new fashion line!" "What do you think about the retirement of Lorelei from the Elite Four?" "Can we get a comment on the agenda for the league meeting today?"
Bulbs flash blindingly as the gym leader of Cerulean City steps out of the town car. Misty is dressed in a yellow sundress with blue sandals. Her hair flows down her back no longer constrained by any hair ties. She does not seem surprised by the many cameras invading her space nor does she respond to any of them.
"Misty," a new voice sounds from the lobby of the hotel, "it's good to see you."
Misty looks up in surprise at the familiar man as she enters the hotel leaving the paparazzi behind.
"Hey, Brock! What are you doing here?" she asks as she recognizes one of her best friends from her traveling days.
"Well, Forrest left on his own journey to become stronger. I am helping train our sister to take over while he's gone, but I'm technically the interim leader until she is ready and approved by the league."
"Why didn't you tell me that sooner!" Misty smacks him lightly on the arm and he laughs.
"It's a new development - trust me!" Brock shrugs his shoulders. "I just graduated as a doctor and I'm dragged back to the family business.
"It's great to work with you again though," she smiles warmly.
"Yeah it's been a long time since our traveling days with Ash," Brock reminisces.
"Hmm," Misty hums uncomfortably remembering her run-in with Ash just weeks ago. She has been trying to forget it ever happened, but she is cursed to think about him 24/7.
"What is it?" Brock asks, surprised at her sudden change in demeanor.
"Oh no-nothing," she stammers, trying to shake off her thoughts.
Brock hums in disbelief, but he doesn't push it.
He checks his watch and says, "we better get to the meeting."
Misty agrees and the pair starts to head through the lobby towards the ballroom where the Pokemon League meeting is about to begin.
The secured hotel ballroom is filled with members of the Indigo Pokemon League. When they enter they choose a table far from the head table and sit near Erica and Sabrina who chat casually. They wait patiently for the meeting to begin.
"What have you been up to lately, Misty?" Brock asks coolly.
"Mostly just normal leader duties, you know?" Misty shrugs.
"Same old same old, then?" Brock laughs. "Nothing new?"
"I did find a mysterious egg on the beach a few weeks ago," Misty discloses.
"Did it hatch yet?" Brock asks excitedly. He has always had a passion for breeding.
"I'm not sure actually," she falters, "I brought it to Professor Oak."
Brock hums in thought, "so you know."
"Know what?" she asks in confusion.
"You know Ash is back," he claims knowingly.
"Well, I-" but she is cut off as the meeting is called to order.
As usual, the meeting proceeds with the president of the Pokemon League, Mr. Goodshow, giving an update on the standing of the league. He begins by reading off the numbers of new and returning registered trainers this year. Then a duo dressed in suits take the mic and discuss the logistics and expectations of the gym leaders.
As Misty tries to listen she finds that nothing has really changed since the previous year. She eventually tunes them out and loses herself in her thoughts.
It has been three weeks since she dropped the egg off at Professor Oak - three weeks since she saw Ash. But three weeks was nothing compared to four years. She should be used to being away. It's been even longer since they traveled today regularly. So why is this so hard again?
"It is always a pleasure when our paths cross. Please welcome Ash Ketchum." The announcement of his name woke her from her thoughts. Her eyes flash towards the stage as Ash enters from the stairs on the left.
"Good afternoon," he clears his throat, "ahem."
As charismatic as Ash has always been, he lacks stage presence unless in a Pokemon battle.
"Anyway, I'm here representing Professor Oak today," he explains, "and we have an unusual situation at the lab. We are requesting the dates of new trainer starter Pokemon pick ups to be delayed. We have been expecting new clutches of starter Pokemon eggs to hatch, but for some reason none of them have been hatching. I assure you that it is Professor Oak's highest priority to hatch these eggs and send new trainers into the league. We are trying everything we can think of."
"No new starter Pokemon?" the Elite Four member Bruno speaks up, "Why not just catch them a wild Pokemon?"
"While it is true that some young trainers choose to start with a different starter, the league is obligated to provide a choice between Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur in a reasonable timeline if requested by the new trainer."
"Or a little Pikachu?" Lieutenant Surge jests good naturedly.
Ash grins at his joke, "not usually."
"Thank you, Ash, for the update," the Elite Four member, Lance, nods seriously, "this doesn't bode well for the beginning of the league year."
Misty watches with intrigue. No eggs will hatch? She wonders about the egg she found.
"We will find a way to honor your request Ash - how could we not if there are no Pokemon to give out?" President Goodshow agrees.
"Thank you, Mr. Goodshow," Ash says graciously.
As Ash is walking off the stage, his eyes scan the room. She knows immediately that he is looking for her. She turns away just as their eyes connect. Moments later, she feels his presence approach. His aura has always been so strong. He pulls out the chair next to Brock across from her and greets him quietly as he sits down. She feels his eyes bore into her as she now looks back up to the stage.
A few more Elite members and gym members take the stage to give updates on their statuses and gyms. All of her focus is spent on trying not to look at him. It's like smelling and resisting a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.
"This concludes today's meeting. We will be meeting again on the third Monday of next month." The meeting is closed and Misty no longer has an excuse not to look at him.
"Misty," Ash's quiet voice draws her back, "I'm glad you made it home safe."
"Huh?" it takes her a moment to remember her bike ride home after she left him in a huff, "oh yeah. It was fine."
"No bug Pokemon?" he inquires softly.
She remembers the relief she felt as Noivern flew above her path home until she was safely at the entrance of her gym.
"No," she shakes her head, "no bug Pokemon."
He grins. At first she wonders if he is being smug. He has always made fun of her fear of bug Pokemon. However, she sees only pure relief shining in his eyes.
"Hey Brock, how are you?" Brock interjects, irritated that he has been so far forgotten.
Ash chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his neck, "I was getting there!"
"Sure," Brock rolls his eyes good naturedly.
"What do you say the three of us head out for a bite to eat?" Ash asks hopefully.
"Misty can't," a new voice interrupts.
All three watch in shock as a man around Brock's age slinks into the seat next to Misty. The intruder, Reggie Tate, places his arm around Misty's shoulder.
"Misty was just about to take me up on my offer to take her for a night out on the town she'll never forget," he winks slyly at her.
"Who do you think you are!" Ash's temper rages. "Misty can make her own decisions!"
"Ash," Misty chews her lip hesitantly, "it's fine really. Reggie and I are friends. He's only kidding."
"Cool it, kid," Reggie baits, "Misty can make her own decisions. I'm Reggie, the new Viridian City Gym Leader. Who are you anyway, errand boy?"
Ash's jaw drops aghast.
"Who am I?" Ash asks in bewilderment. "I am Misty's best friend!"
"Ash, just calm down," Brock urges coolly in Ash's ear, "this is what Reggie wants."
"Best friend?" Reggie acts like he is trying to remember something. "Never heard of you."
"Reggie," Misty begs in annoyance," don't do this right now."
"Best friend of fourteen years actually," Ash stands up heatedly and leans over the table.
As soon as he stands, he can feel heat rise from the back of his neck knowing that everyone in the room is now staring at him.
Rather than creating a scene, Ash turns on his heels in frustration and marches out of the room.
"What a loser," Reggie rolls his eyes and pulls Misty closer to his side.
"Reggie," she snaps firmly pushing him away, "You can't just come up and be rude to my friends!"
"Kid can't take a joke," he shrugs as she pushes herself up and away from her seat.
"Brock, I'll see you later," Misty touches Brock's shoulder gently as she walks away.
"Of course," he nods back, "see you Misty."
As Misty leaves she swings around to the side of the building outside. That had been awkward. She feels frustrated that Ash had been so quick to anger. She feels light at the thought he might have been jealous. She feels a pang of happiness that Ash still thinks of them as best friends even though so long has passed.
"Mist," Ash interrupts as she dissects her emotions.
"Ash," she swings back around towards him, wrapping her arms around herself.
"I'm sorry," he hangs his head.
"It's fine," she shakes her head, "Reggie has a big ego, but he really does love and care about his Pokemon and friends."
She can tell that he is struggling not to argue with her. Reggie is a big personality, but so is Ash.
"I'm sure he does," Ash finally sighs in defeat, not wanting to fight with her.
"We don't have to talk about him though," she waves it off.
"But we can talk?" he asks hopefully.
As she hesitates to answer they are interrupted by flashing lights.
"Oh no," she sighs, "paparazzi."
"Paparazzi?" Ash asks in confusion, "what do they want?"
"Come on," Misty grabs his hand and drags him away.
They wind up in an alleyway that is a dead end.
"Do you have a ride Pokemon?" she asks urgently.
"Charizard," he nods as he pulls the ball out.
Ash's large, orange lizard Pokemon, Charizard, emerges from the ball and flexes his wings.
"Charizard!" Misty greets warmly. Charizard chirps happily back, nuzzling her affectionately. Misty had been one of the three humans that saved his life as a Charmander.
"Think you can carry both of us out of here?" Ash asks him.
Charizard nods; the ever present fire in his eyes blazing.
They mount Charizard and he takes off without hesitation. She barely thinks about how her arms wrap tightly around Ash's waist to keep herself from falling off, but it remains in the back of her mind.
Misty forgot how beautiful the earth was from such a height. She has always been so focused on the ocean that she forgets about the land and skies. She always had Ash to thank for reminding her. She holds tighter to his jacket as Charizard sores through the clouds. The water vapor splashes her cheeks.
The ride ends all too soon when Charizard descends into a familiar clearing.
"Ash!" Misty complains as they jump off Charizard, "why are we in Pallet?"
"Because we're starting a journey, Mist," he responds simply, "and all journeys start in Pallet."
She looks around at the river flowing and notices a familiar bank.
"Is this?" she whispers to herself.
"Where we met?" he fills in her thought, "Yes."
Misty is quiet as she remembers the day that she pulled him from the river with her special lucky Misty lure.
"You still owe me a bike," she smirks at him jokingly.
"You got your bike back!" he reminds her.
"But you didn't pay for it," she points out.
"Will you stop following if I pay you back?" he jests.
"Yes," she folds her arms playfully.
Ash gently reaches out and grasps her elbow. She feels herself being drawn into him.
"Then no," he chuckles softly, "I guess I will just have to be in debt to you for the rest of my life."
Misty can feel her face flush at the implication. She wonders just what he meant. If it had been any other man she might have assumed, but Ash had a habit of being very literal and far from romantic. He couldn't have changed so much in four years. Then again, she thinks, there were moments before he left that she started to wonder. She shyly pulls away from his embrace trying to hide her rosy cheeks.
Her actions do not dissuade him. He wraps an arm around her shoulder and pulls her close in a side hug. They watch the river together in silence for a few minutes.
"Ash I still don't know-" she tries to start.
"I just wanted you to come back with me to the lab to see the egg you brought in, but I can take you home if you want." Ash explains innocently. She is grateful for the change in subject, but annoyed that he didn't let her finish. She sighs begrudgingly.
"Yeah I will come with you," she finally agrees.
Love, Alert, Review!
Furny