By: Adrienne and Christine (Salt*N*Pepper)
Summery: Misty has a frightning dream and wakes up screaming. However, she ignores her fears, and reluctantly lets Rudy bring her and Ash back to Trovita Island for dinner, but she just can't shake the feeling Rudy wants something more... Meanwhile Brock and Team Rocket are making steady progress through the Orange Islands, but they better hurry! There isn't much time...
Ash and Misty walked along the dark beach to the pokemon center, their path lit by moonlight.
"Ash, I can't believe you said yes to Rudy!" Misty said angrily. "Don't you remember what happened the last time we were there?!"
"Yea, Misty, you spent a lot of time with him and I won a great battle. So what?" Ash replied.
"Your impossible!" Misty yelled, throwing her white rose in the sand. With Ash following her, Misty stormed through the pokemon center and into the back to where all the trainers slept. She was happy to be in a bed after such a stressful day. "Maybe it won't be so bad after all." Misty said to herself, thinking about Rudy. She closed her eyes, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep. Suddenly she was running in a field of beautiful flowers, occasionally jumping into the air, full of joy. Misty knew she had been here before. It felt so…familiar. Misty ran further down the field and came upon a small bubbling stream, where Goldeen where jumping in and out of the sparkling crystal water. She giggled as she took her sneakers off and placed her feet into the cool water. Suddenly a dark shape seemed to come up out of the water, forming into a strange, yet familiar shape.
"Who are you?" Misty asked dreamily. The figure grabbed her wrist and began pulling her down into the water she had loved so much before. She tried to resist, but the figure was joined by a smaller demon, pulling her, dragging her down into the abyss. The landscape gradually changed into a watery cemetery. The two unknown dragged her deeper down. She couldn't breath. Misty desperately gasped for air, her chest heaving up and down. But the two kept pulling her down, anything she tried to gain freedom was useless against their strong grip. Misty struggled one last time, then gave herself up and the two now pulled her down with ease. Suddenly another strong arm, wrapped around her waist, and began pulling her upward. Misty opened her eyes, and lifted her head. She felt the being around her waist, giving her strength to fight back. Misty felt suddenly comfortable and relaxed, placing her trust totally into her savior. She knew him, he would protect her, Misty could count on him to save her from the evils below. Gradually she was lifted up, onto the shore, still embraced in the strong arms that saved her, rocking her slowly on his knee, wiping the frightened tears from her eyes. His hands pulled her hair off her forehead and gently stroked her face. Misty felt two lips brush across her own, a breath so soft and sweet, breathing new life into her. Suddenly, he let go and slunk back away from her, almost as if he were afraid. Misty looked up at him questionably with her eyes. He slowly backed away, step by step, before he broke out into a run.
"Wait, come back!" Misty yelled. "Come back!" She saw something moving out of the corner of her eye, and whipped around to face it. Sure enough the two evils that had tried to kill her before returned, emerging out of the water once again. They wrapped their slimy hands around her throat, cutting off her oxygen, then began dragging her down again. "COME BACK!!!" she screamed in a horse voice. "Come back!!! Please come back!!! COME BACK!!!"
Ash woke up to screaming. "What the…Misty!" Ash leaped off the bunk bed, and climbed the ladder up to Misty, who was screaming in her sleep. "Misty wake up! Wake up Misty!" Ash cried nervously shaking her.
"Come back!" Misty screamed one last time. She looked wildly around the room, remembering where she really was.
"Misty are you okay?!" Ash asked, still holding her shoulder. Misty rubbed her eyes, and blinked many times before answering.
"Yes, Ash, I'm fine…it was just a dream, that's all, just a nightmare." She replied shaking her head. "What time is it?"
"It's only eight." Ash answered. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yea, why don't we get something to eat?" Misty said changing the subject. She quickly climbed down the ladder.
"Great I'm starving!" shouted Ash. Misty picked up Togepi, who squealed happily and the two headed out of the center.
"Well you certainly slept a long time!' Jesse said angrily as Brock yawned.
"Hey, peddling a sub is hard work!" He said.
"Tell me about it, Jesse and I peddled all night long!" James whined. "And on top of that your stupid Vulpix burned my hands!" James held his hands up revealing burnt holes straight through his leather gloves.
"Awe, good job, Vulpix!" Brock said petting its fur. "Vulpix, return!" Brock was silent for a moment. "Well looks like we missed the funeral." He said beginning to stretch. "What!?!" Team Rocket said together. "The funeral was yesterday?!?" Brock sighed. "Yea, it was…where are we now?" Jesse looked through the periscope.
"We're just past Kumquat Island, so we'll be at you're precious Tangelo Island before dark…happy?" Jesse replied, becoming very annoyed.
"Very!" Brock said happily. James leaned in closer to Jesse, and whispered in her ear. "Jess, how are we going to steal Pikachu now?" Jesse tingled at James being so close to her.
"I don't know James, maybe after the twerp gets reunited with his friends we can strike then." She replied.
"James!" Meowth started with an amused smile on his face. "Don't you know it's rude to steal a kiss from someone?" James turned around and kicked Meowth.
"Meowth, the only thing I'd steal is Pikachu!!" Brock laughed.
"I like your style, James, but I prefer getting a girl with out a pokemon's help." James turned a little red.
"I am incapable of loving anyone but my self!" He stated defensively.
"Sure…" Meowth replied rolling his eyes.
"Hey guys, Misty you look great!" Said Rudy.
"I don't see what's so great about her, she wears the same out fit every day." Ash said. "Yes, but her eyes glisten like sapphires." Misty blushed slightly.
"I can't wait for dinner with you, Misty! I can pretend you're my big sister tonight!" Mari said. Misty smiled.
"Uh, you have a very nice boat, Rudy." She said nervously.
"Thanks Misty!" Rudy replied. "We'll be at the Gym shortly." Minutes later, they were entering Trovita Island.
"This is such a mistake…" Misty thought to herself as she climbed out of the boat.
"I told my boys you were coming over, so they made a special dinner just for you!" Rudy said as he led the two trainers into his gym.
"I can't wait!" shouted Ash. Misty and Ash gasped at the sparkling dinning room table, the beautiful silver wear, and the most delicious looking food Ash has ever seen. "Wow! This is great Rudy!" Ash cried sitting down. Rudy held the chair out for Misty.
"Well I'm glad you like it." He replied smiling. Through out the whole dinner, Misty slowly began to relax.
"It'll be okay...." She told herself.
"So, Rudy have any other trainers beat you?" Ash asked, his mouth full of food..
"Nope, just you!" Rudy laughed. Mari yawned.
"I'm tired, big brother!" She pouted. "This is boring, can't you have a battle with Ash again to see if Misty will stay with us this time?" Rudy got up out of his chair.
"Mari! It's time for bed, why don't you go upstairs, and maybe we'll have a battle tomorrow!" He said nervously looking back at Ash and Misty.
"Oh, okay, I hope you win this time!" Mari said as she headed up the stairs. Rudy returned to the table.
"You're welcome to spend the night you know…" He said sitting down.
"Thanks a lot Rudy, but I gotta get home, that Johto league is just waiting for me!" Misty breathed a sigh of relief when Ash said this.
"Well all right…" Rudy said sounding disappointed. "Come on Ash, do you want to come on down to the Gym? I'll show you my new techniques, like I promised."
"Yea, sure!" Ash said excitingly.
"Let's go then! Coming Misty?" Rudy asked, his eyes filled with love for her.
"Uh, that's okay you two go ahead I'll just use the bathroom…" Misty quickly replied. "Okay, come on Ash!" Rudy and Ash went down to the Gym, while Misty quickly ducked into the bathroom. She slammed the door behind her. " The way he just looked at me..." Misty thought nervously. "I've got to get outta here!"