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Misty's Awakening
Part 14
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The world was brown with dead leaves, the skeletons of once flourishing trees casting a bold shadow over them in the chill morning.

Things were different today, Misty thought, as she walked alone down the sidewalk with her crutches. Different, because things were changing. Not only was the world's outfit transforming, but things within Misty's heart and mind were also altering.

She felt, even amidst her recurring dreams each night, like there was hope. Everything seemed to be so right. She was in love with her best friend, the one she had always wanted to love her, and she had people all around her who cared about her more than anything. She was finally getting over the loss of those years when she had slept, feeling able to accept it and move on. The last thing she needed was to be afraid.

Misty walked further down the street, stopping as she reached to huge sign that indicated the entrance to Professor Oak's lab. And there, sitting on the steps, was Ash.

"Mist!" he cried, running down to her, nearly tripping down the remaining stairs.

"Hi!" she greeted. Ash hopped over the last two steps, and he pulled her into his arms eagerly.

After a long kiss, Ash shot her a warm smile and began to carry her up the long set of cement stairs. "So, how was therapy at the hospital?"

"Fine, I 'spose," Misty replied, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on. "I guess therapy always tires me out a bit, though, doesn't it?"

"I would've come to meet you," Ash said, "but mom insisted that I shouldn't. She said you didn't need help with everything all the time...that you should walk the two blocks on your own for once. I guess she's realizing that she doesn't have to be so worried."

"Yeah," Misty said, "she probably realized it when I kept telling her *not* to help me so much anymore. I hope she didn't take it offensively."

Ash laughed. "Naw."

They entered the lab, Ash setting Misty down with her crutches.


"Oh, hello, Ash!" Professor Oak said quickly as he and Ash's mom moved abruptly from each other. "Why don't you two go run off outside? Misty's pokemon are waiting..."

Ms. Ketchem nodded. "Yes— why don't you do that?"

Shrugging, Ash followed Misty out the back door. "I really think something's going on with them," Ash said curiously.

Professor Oak's lab was, as most residents of Pallet could tell you, far more then just a building for experimentation. It was literally a Pokemon Land Reserve— a huge place with every Pokemon habitat imaginable. A vast field spanned over most of the place, home to a rather large herd of Tauros, who were presently lounging about under a small tree. Misty giggled, remembering the very day that Ash had 'accidently' captured them all at the Safari Zone.

Surrounding the field were other areas, each especially for certain Pokemon types. Straight ahead, across the field, was the forest habitat. To the right of that lay the rock habitat and the hot, flat desert area (equipped with a sunroom). To the right of all that, though, Misty looked to the water habitat. That, she knew, was where her Pokemon would most likely be right now.

On her crutches, she followed by Ash's side across the field. Even though she was tuckered out from therapy, she didn't at all mind the stroll through the sunlight. It felt pleasantly warm on her back and neck, despite the chill in the air.

The two reached the stream, which emptied into a large pool for the Pokemon to play in. Misty spotted her Pokemon among the others, Psyduck lounging in the grass by the bank.

"Hey, Psyduck!" Misty said cheerfully, hugging the duck. That seemed to summon the others and they all came out of the water to see her. She greeted them happily.

"I think they really like it here," Ash told her, sitting under a willow tree, "but I think they look forward to seeing you most."

Misty laughed, and watched as her Pokemon splash into the pool, doing tricks for their master.

She looked out over the water as it rippled invitingly. The sun's reflection frolicked over it, the splashing of the Pokemon interrupting it's dance.

"I wish *I* could go swimming," Misty said longingly.

"It'd be nice," Ash admitted, "but you know you can't— not in this weather, anyway. The water must be freezing!"

"I've been in colder," Misty breathed. "Too bad...I always loved the water, loved to swim in it every chance I got. It feels like forever ago now."

"Yeah, but you're too delicate now— the Doctor made that clear enough." Ash sat back against the tree trunk. "You'll be fully recovered soon, and then you can swim all you want. It won't be long."

Misty nodded, and trudged over to Ash, sitting by him beneath the tree. "It's alright," she said, laying her head on his shoulder. "I'd rather be right here, anyway."

They sat together under the willow, comfortably watching over the pool and Misty's Pokemon as the sun drifted across the brisk afternoon sky.


* * * *


Misty hung up the phone, setting it down on Ash's bed by her crutches. "Dr. Johnson," she stated, laying down again. "Therapy at the hospital tomorrow— again. She says the session might be extra long." She rolled onto her back, and looked up at the ceiling helplessly.


"You don't sound too thrilled," Ash said, digging under his bed for something Misty wasn't sure of. "But, I can't remember a time you've really been excited about therapy."

Misty sighed. "Well, therapy's therapy, and I have to do it. What are you trying to find, anyway?"

Ash glanced up from his rummaging for a mere moment. "Brock asked me if I had any pictures of him when he was younger, for the reception decorating. He's asking Todd, too, but he thought I might have some he didn't. I *know* I do, but I can't seem to find them..." He pushed a stack of papers out from the bed, and they scattered over the carpet.

Misty grinned, and rolled onto her side to watch him, wondering how much junk there could possibly be under Ash's bed, when she saw him push aside a curiously shaped black trunk into her view.

She looked at it intently, observing its shape. "A...guitar?"

This got Ash's attention. "Oh, yeah, that's right..."

Misty looked puzzled. "Since *when* did you get a guitar?"

Ash stopped shuffling completely, and set a small brown box down on the bed. "Since you went into your coma," he replied simply.

Misty looked at Ash, then to the case on the floor, then right back at Ash again. For the life of her, she couldn't imagine this boy doing something so cultured as playing a musical instrument.

"Well, um, Ash— can you...well, *play* it?" she went on eagerly, pushing her hair gently from her face.

"Sure. I took some lessons a while back...I guess it was two years ago, just for fun." He was busy looking through the box, soon retrieving an envelope from it. "Aha! Here they are!"

Misty, however, was still quite intrigued. "Ash! You should have told me you could play the guitar! That's really neat!"

"Think so? I'm not really any good at it..."

"What?! I'm sure you're just fine!" Misty assured him, her curiosity mounting.

"You've never heard me play!" Ash went on, momentarily shooting her an accusing look.

"Then...why don't you play me something?"

"What?!" She had his full attention now.

"Yeah," Misty insisted, "play me a song, Ash!"

Ash let out a nervous breath. "You— you want me to play you a song?"

She had to laugh at his repetitiveness. "Yes! You heard! Won't you?" She stared at him, pleading with her deep azure eyes.

Ash hesitated, but he knew he couldn't get out of it now. He looked down at the case. "Well...I...I 'spose I could do just one song..."

A smile broke on Misty's face. "Oh, thank you, Ash!!"

"How could I refuse?"

Ash seized the black case from the rug, and carried it up onto the bed. Misty, sitting up, watched as Ash took a seat by her, proceeding to carefully remove the instrument from its case. He held it before him, looking at it for a moment as if he hadn't seen it in a good while, and he began to tune it.

"I wanted drums at first," Ash explained, "but Mom said that I should try something else instead."

Misty thought about Ash sitting behind a drum set, perhaps a bit more fitting to him, but she shivered just the same at the very idea. She much preferred that Ash played the guitar for several very obvious reasons.

"Okay," Ash said, "I think it's ready now...but I really don't remember many songs. Well, there is that *one*...yeah, what's it called? I don't remember, but I think I know the notes well enough."

"Well...go ahead," Misty persuaded, "go on and play it."

Ash thought for a few seconds, as if he was hearing the song in his head, and then he began to play.

Even though the melody started out a bit choppy, Misty was utterly amazed at the way Ash's fingers moved easily over the strings. She was enchanted— she didn't even know the song— but Ash was so good at playing that she could scarcely believe it. And, as an added bonus to hearing well-played music, it was actually *Ash* playing! *Her* Ash could play the guitar!!

With a few smooth chords, the song came to an end. Ash set the guitar face-up in his lap, and looked up at Misty for a reaction.

"It's been a little while," he said, trying to read her blank expression, "so if it wasn't that great I—"

"No! Ash, that was terrific!!" Misty insisted as she quickly took his right hand. "You're absolutely amazing at playing!"

"R...really?"

"Yes!!"

A smile crept over Ash's lips. "Wow...thanks, Misty!"

She couldn't help but smile in return. "You're welcome." Looking down then, she suddenly noticed in the guitar case that there were a few pieces of paper. From what she could make out, they had notes on them, written obviously in Ash's handwriting. "Hey, what's that?"

Ash, realizing what she was referring to, looked silently shocked. "Oh— nothing!" He began placing his guitar in its case, covering up the papers.

"No— wait!! Please let me see what they are..." Misty wasn't about to give up.

"All they are is...is a song, that's all."

Misty suddenly lightened up. "A song...*you* wrote?"

Ash nodded.

"You never cease to amaze me, Ash Ketchem." She reached over and grabbed one of the papers hastily. "So, what's all thi—" she began again, but then the name of the song caught her eye: For Misty.

Ash, very quickly, snatched it away. "Please, Mist, don't look at that!"

"But Ash, it's—"

"No! I...I can't let you look at that."

Misty smirked. "You mean, you won't even play it for me? You don't have to be embarrassed."

"I can't— it's not even finished!" Ash persisted. "Besides...it's not any good."

Misty was just opening her mouth in protest when the door opened. Ash let out a very relieved sigh at the sight of his mother in the doorway, obviously grateful for the stop of the awkward conversation.

Ms. Ketchem looked in at them. "Misty, your Doctor is here for a check-up... ASH! What in heaven's name have you *done* to your *room*?!!"

Ash shrugged, and helped Misty up to her feet. "I'll clean it up..." Ms. Ketchem nodded uncertainly, and made her way down the stairs.

"The way she treats me sometimes you'd *swear* she still thinks I'm ten!" Ash said in an annoyed tone.

"Well, she still washes your underwear, doesn't she?"

Ash was hushed. "Uh...buh...hey, I can do my own laundry!" He held her arm as they went down the steps.

"Heh, *sure* you can," Misty said sarcastically, and Ash nudged her sharply.


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...To Be Continued...
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AN: I'm really sorry about how long this has taken. Again, I'm sick, so I don't much feel like sitting before a glowing screen for longer than I must. On a lighter note: due to popular demand (man, it feels good to say that), I will probably do more than 15 parts total...I don't know when the story will end yet, but, as sorry as I am to say it, it *is* coming to an end. But it's not over yet....(laughs evilly). See ya soon!! --StarGlider