Thanks for tuning in! I have been watching Johto on amazon prime. I've never been able to watch it all the way through. I just love Pokemon. The themes are so good for kids - kindness, loyalty, teamwork, friendship. I have some solid plans for this story now, but it's going to take some building. Enjoy!
Chapter 4
The walk back towards Cerulean City is filled with awkward side glances and a couple of, "did you say something?"
Ash, aware that Misty is still sensitive about the topic of their healing friendship, tries too hard to not say anything wrong and instead opts to remain completely silent most of the way. Misty, still reeling with feelings of anger, hurt, and love, can't seem to remember how to hold a normal conversation with Ash. While they finally seemed to be getting along the night before, upon waking up that morning the pair slipped backwards into awkward silence
It only took an hour to have a quick breakfast with Delia, pack Ash's traveling bag, and pick up the egg from the laboratory. Now, Ash, Misty, and Raichu make their way towards Cerulean City.
Ash had insisted that walking would be just like old times as opposed to asking Ash's various flying Pokemon for rides. Misty, annoyed that they wouldn't be back to the gym by noon, just huffed. She is not excited to face the wrath of her sisters.
"Hey I think we're almost to Viridian City," Misty comments.
Ash notices her excitement and his thoughts turn green with envy.
"Don't tell me you're hoping to stop to see that Reggie guy," he murmurs jealously.
Misty's face immediately blazes red at the accusation.
"I TOLD YOU ALREADY THAT REGGIE IS JUST A FRIEND!" she screeches in his face.
"He didn't seem to think so," Ash points out immaturely.
"He's just a flirt!" she argues back hotly.
"I think he wants to be more than flirty with you," he suggests sourly.
"Even if he does it doesn't matter, I'm not interested!" she fumes.
Ash pauses to think momentarily before asking, "why not?"
Misty's eyebrows furrow in confusion and she repeats his question, "why not?"
"Why aren't you interested? He's a gym leader so he must be a strong trainer. He wasn't completely ugly. You're friends. He obviously wants you to go on a date. Why not?" Ash asks curiously.
Misty, feeling much cooler by now, starts to heat up for a different reason.
"You don't just fall in love with someone because they are good looking, a strong trainer, and available."
"How do you know?"
"I-" Misty tries to explain, "I just know."
Ash wonders if he is treading in dangerous waters, but decides to continue.
"I thought people fall in love by going on dates and spending time together. Why wouldn't you want to go out with him?"
"Yes," she chews her bottom lip, "but if you don't feel any chemistry as friends there's no point."
"Chemistry?" Ash asks, not understanding the word.
"Yeah, like how well two personalities work together." Misty tries to explain.
"I understand," he nods seriously, "like how we've always been best friends and work together really well."
Misty watches him turn to smile at her which causes her to blush harder and look away. What game is he playing with my heart? She wonders.
"I guess," she mumbles, refusing to look back at him.
"Misty I-" He reaches to grab the back of her arm.
As he is about to continue, a ring sounds from Ash's pocket.
"Excuse me," he mutters as he pulls the phone from his pocket.
"Hello, professor?" Ash asks into the receiver.
Misty can hear the professor speaking on the other end of the line, but cannot make out his words.
"We've just made it to Viridian City. We can see it from the top of this hill."
Ash pauses again to listen.
"Professor, what does it mean?"
He pauses longer this time and nods as he listens.
"I understand. Thanks, Professor."
Ash hangs up the phone and then looks curiously at the purple egg that Misty has been carrying just as she carried her beloved Togepi.
"All of the eggs back at the gym hatched." Ash explains what Professor Oak had just explained to him.
"That's good news!" She says excitedly.
"Yes," he agrees, "but the question is why did they all hatch as soon as we left with your egg? We've been gone for maybe 30 minutes."
"The Professor thinks that this egg has something to do with it?" she asks in surprise as she stares down at the small egg in her arms.
"He mentioned the signal that it was emitting could have been preventing the eggs from hatching." Ash explains.
"I wonder what Pokemon is inside." Misty says softly.
"Me too." Ash agrees, "must be pretty unique."
As the pair is filled with curiosity and wonder over the egg, their previous conversation is lost, but not necessarily forgotten.
It is not until late afternoon that Ash and Misty arrive at the entrance of Cerulean gym. After Professor Oak called, they argued about what route to take to Cerulean. Of course they could take the Viridian Forest which would lead them to Pewter and Mt. Moon; however, Misty argued they could avoid the bug infested forest by taking the Diglett Tunnel to Vermillion and then take a bus from Vermillion to Cerulean. She would often take the bus to Vermillion when she visited the Cerise Laboratory. Ash wanted to go the way that he was familiar with, but eventually gave in when they both received a thundershock from Raichu. She had obviously traveled between Pallet and Cerulean many more times that he had and was more experienced.
When they finally entered the building they were immediately met with the three older Waterflower sisters' disapproving glares.
"Like Misty, we had to run the gym all day," Violet complains, "and we only won one match!"
"I missed a spa appointment because a battle went longer than I expected!" Lily almost cries.
"Wait who's this?" Daisy asks looking passed Misty at Ash, "Ash Ketchum?"
"So it is true!" Violet squeals.
"Like we thought it was just the media making up rumors!" Lily giggles.
"I can't say we didn't expect it, Misty," Daisy comments, "but did you have to leave without warning just to spend time with your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" Misty asks, completely confused.
"All the tabloids are saying that you up and left the league meeting with your boyfriend on a Charizard," Daisy explains, "we thought there was no way that was true, the media says wild things, but now that we know you were with Ash it makes sense."
Misty growls feeling unhinged over her sisters' accusations.
"I DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND!" Misty screeches.
Her sisters simply giggle and shake their heads.
"Yet," Lily winks at Ash which causes him to chuckle nervously.
Misty is about to explode again when Ash decides to place his hand on the small of her back. The simple action is enough to stun her and immediately forget to put her older sisters in their place. Raichu leaps from Ash's shoulder onto hers and nuzzles her cheek. She calms down at their touches.
At the sight of Ash's intimate touch, Misty's sisters soften and exchange knowing looks.
"We'll put all the Pokemon to bed tonight," Daisy suddenly offers kindly, "is Ash staying?"
Misty's attention snaps back to her sisters, "yes, he is going to be in charge of the egg I found a few weeks ago."
"Then go ahead and get him set up in your room," Daisy suggests.
"My room?" she asks in surprise, "why can't he sleep on the couch?"
"He can't just stay in the living room for an indefinite amount of time." Violet says. "That's public space. What if I want to make out with a boy on the couch?"
Ash looks horrified at the comment.
"Okay okay!" Misty agrees with an eye roll. "Come on, Ash."
Ash, grateful not to be set up on the couch with Misty's flirty sisters around, follows quickly.
"Since he's not your boyfriend, we don't have to worry about a boy sleeping in your room anyway!" Lily teases as they climb the stairs to their private quarters.
They enter her room. It has been four years since Ash had been there. However, it looks almost the same. There are pictures of Misty as a young child, her Pokemon, her sisters, and Ash and Brock on the wall. It is themed to look like the ocean with blue walls and sandy colored carpet. There are seashells all over her dresser, desk, and every other tabletop surface - momentos that she has collected from every beach she has ever visited.
"You've been awfully quiet," Misty mutters to Ash.
"They're your sisters," he shrugs his shoulders.
"It's your reputation," She snaps back. She sets the purple egg and Raichu down on her bed.
"Doesn't bother me if the world thinks you're my girlfriend," he whispers as he watches her pull a hide-a-bed out from under her own bed.
"What?" she pauses, wondering if she misheard him.
"You're a beautiful, talented, compassionate trainer," he states confidently.
She looks at him in complete confusion, "who are you?"
"What do you mean?" he asks, scratching his head.
"You've never called me anything other than scrawny and hot-headed," she says as she lays new sheets on the bed.
"I've grown up a lot in four years," he asserts.
"I guess you have," she agrees, biting her lip again.
"You have too." She can't lie and say she doesn't notice the way he looks her up and down when he says this.
His comments are borderline between a sweet friendship and a budding relationship. She wonders if he even knows what he is saying. The young Ash Ketchum that she traveled with wouldn't have a clue. Does he know that his hand on her back causes her to shiver? Does he realize that his words are words that a boyfriend would say to his girlfriend? Does he know that he comes across as jealous when they talk about other men? Does he know what she has always wanted? Does he know what she still wants? Does he know what he wants?
Moving from friendship to a relationship when you've been friends for so long is not a simple matter. Especially when you've been in a fight for four years.
She stands up and throws one of her many pillows down onto the bed,
"Thanks, Misty," he whispers as she turns to face him. She blushes when she realizes how close he stands. His face smiles down at her from his full height. She almost trips over backwards at his proximity.
"Of course," she murmurs, ducking around him.
"What should we do for the rest of the night?" Ash asks.
"I thought maybe you would come with me to Cerulean Cape and see where I picked up the egg." She suggests.
"Sounds good to me." He agrees. "Raichu you coming?"
"Chuuuu," Raichu answers. He is sprawled out on Misty's bed on top of all of her soft pillows.
"I guess not," Misty giggles.
"That's alright," he laughs too, "I don't mind if it's just us."
The tide is high when they arrive at the Cerulean Cape, and the sun is setting orange over the wide expanse of the ocean. Bill's lighthouse has already turned on and shines its light out towards the ocean. This is Misty's favorite place.
"I just love it here," she sighs as she looks out over the water.
"It is beautiful," he agrees, following her gaze.
Misty holds the purple egg in her hands as they descend the steep hill towards the beach.
"I found it over here," she leads him over to a rocky area.
"How did it survive the rocks without damage?" He contemplates.
"I'm not sure." She says, observing the sharp rocks just off shore.
"My egg!" a shrill voice sounds from behind them. "You found my egg!"
A young woman dressed in a light blue dress runs towards them. She has long blonde hair and wears a large, dark pair of sunglasses.
"Your egg?" Misty asks, watching the woman carefully.
"Why yes!" the woman squeals, "I've been looking for it for ages!"
"This egg?" Ash asks while pointing at the egg in Misty's arms.
"How do you know that this is your egg?" Misty asks suspiciously.
"Well I left it here in the sand to warm up a few weeks ago and it wasn't here when I came back." She explains.
"Okay," Misty narrows her eyes at the strange woman, "but how do you know that this is your egg?"
"Well it looks just like the egg I lost!" the woman responds cheerily.
"Misty, she's lying," Ash whispers to her.
"I hate to break it to you, but this egg did not have a trainer," Misty asserts.
"I just left it for a short time-" the woman goes on.
"This egg wasn't this color when I found it," Misty explains, "so how would your lost egg look just like this one?"
The cheerful disposition the woman has drops suddenly.
"You're going to give me that egg and then you're welcome to go on your merry way," the woman says in an eerily low tone.
"Make us," Ash growls, pulling a pokeball off his belt.
The woman laughs and pulls her blue dress up and over her head to reveal a black uniform with a large red R. With her glasses off they can clearly see who she is.
"Cassidy!" Ash and Misty say at the same time.
"And Butch!" the woman's partner appears from behind a large rock behind her.
"That egg belongs to Team Rocket. It was lost in an unfortunate shipwreck. We've been looking for it for weeks. So if you would kindly hand it over then we won't even have to kick your ass in a Pokemon battle."
"Must be a rare Pokemon if you've spent all this time looking for it," Ash concludes.
"There's no way we're just going to hand a poor baby Pokemon back over to Team Rocket no matter how rare it is." Misty bites at the Team Rocket pair.
"Go, Houndoom!" Cassidy yells as she sends out the dark hound Pokemon.
"Aggron go!" Butch shouts. A large steel monster forms and roars.
"Charizard!" Ash shouts and sends out his faithful orange lizard.
"Misty chooses Gyarados!" Misty yells as her large water serpent appears.
Houndoom races at Charizard and lunges in to use crunch. Charizard swiftly dodges out of the way and grabs it by its hind legs. Charizard swings the dog Pokemon around and it hits the dust.
Aggron uses rock throw at Gyarados, but it slaps the rock away with its tail.
Charizard sends a flamethrower at Aggron which causes it to sprint away. Houndoom is up again and springs at Charizard, but Gyarados uses hydro pump before it connects.
Houndoom hits the ground and rolls across the sand. It doesn't make the effort to get up.
"Aggron, wait!" Butch shouts as he chases his steel creature down the beach.
"Return," Cassidy absorbs her Houndoom into its ball, "Team Rocket will get that egg back. Trust me that it's important enough to the boss that we won't give up."
Cassidy runs off down the beach after Butch. Ash and Misty return their Pokemon.
"Do you think this egg is really that important to the boss of Team Rocket?" Misty asks, looking down at the purple egg again.
"It does seem to be an unusual egg," Ash states.
"Come on, let's get back to the gym," Misty suggests.
The pair are much more alert on their way back after their encounter with Butch and Cassidy. If Team Rocket was really after the egg then it is important for them to be ready.
"I'm going to set the security," Misty tells Ash as they enter the gym, "we usually don't because my sisters spend a lot of late evenings out, but I think we should in case Team Rocket comes for the egg."
"Good idea," Ash agrees with her.
Misty uses a key pad on the wall and sets the security for the evening.
"Um Misty," Ash says sheepishly, "what are we going to have for dinner?"
Misty realizes then that the last food they ate was breakfast with Delias in the morning. Her stomach rumbles at the thought.
"I'll order something," she concludes, knowing that there are not enough groceries in the fridge to cook anything quickly that would taste good.
"Great! I'm starving!" Ash cheers happily.
It didn't take long for the pizza delivery man to knock on their door just 45 minutes later. They were just starting to settle on the couch with the egg and Raichu between them. They were watching the Pokelife channel when it arrived. The pair was so hungry that they devoured an entire large pepperoni pizza together over the next hour.
"Ash, I never asked you," Misty started feeling nervous, "where have you been for the last four years? You never said what region you went to. I never heard about you competing in any tournaments. You kind of fell off the face of the earth."
"Well," he starts thoughtfully, "I went to a region that isn't really known for big tournaments. It's a fairly small region north of Kalos. I heard that some of the roughest, toughest trainers lived there. I guess the trainers there aren't concerned about being Pokemon Masters, but they certainly are strong. The region is called Orre. They don't have a league, but they have Mount Battle. I had to face 100 trainers over the last few months I was there to win the challenge. It isn't like it is here. They don't really celebrate winners. They just congratulated me, gave me a ribbon, and asked me to join. I said no because I was ready to come home."
"100 trainers?" Misty asks in awe, "and you won it all?"
"Some of them were pretty low level, but the last thirty trainers were pretty tough." Ash shares nonchalantly
"That's amazing," Misty compliments.
"I wish you went with me," Ash tells her softly, placing his hand on hers.
Misty sighs, enjoying the touch of his hand on hers.
"Me too," she admits, uncharacteristically gently.
"Why didn't you?" Ash asks, hoping for an answer instead of a fight.
Misty doesn't respond immediately. Ash dares to turn the volume down on the TV while he waits. He watches as she bites her lip and a sad frown finds its way onto her face.
"Let's just say I was bound to the gym more than you know," she explains without giving away too much detail.
Ash is disappointed that she won't share her reasoning. He leans back into the couch and draws his hand back to his own space.
Misty feels empty as he pulls away from her and wonders if she should have shared more.
The subject is dropped as both trainers continue to watch the Pokelife channel. This time documentaries about different areas of the world where wild Pokemon live. They both are grateful not to be fighting at least.
What's in the egg? Why does Team Rocket want it back? Will Ash and Misty ever see eye to eye about their fight?
Find out more in the next chapter :)
I also just learned from researching that in the series Butch and Cassidy left Team Rocket and split up to open their own businesses in Pokemon Journeys. Crazy. Let's just pretend that didn't happen for the sake of my story haha.
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