Thanks for joining me today. I've been wrestling with this story this week, but I think I like the direction I'm planning to take it. I wrote most of chapter 5 and then bumped it up to chapter 6 in an attempt not to rush. Chapter 6 is being edited and revised. Thank you to my rockstar reviewers for giving me a lot to think about. I have considered your words carefully! I'm flattered you wish my chapters to be longer but most are pretty average lengthed. I'll do what I can.
Enjoy :)
Chapter 5
At first, entire days watching Misty's gym matches were invigorating and captivating. Ash would watch from the edge of his seat on the bleachers and cheer every time Misty defeated her opponents.
He always held the purple egg close to the action in hopes that the creature inside would be tempted to make its appearance. It never moved; never shook. Ash started to wonder if anything would ever hatch from the egg. He can't wait to find out what it is when it does hatch. Would it really be the rare Pokemon that Team Rocket wanted? Since their encounter with Cassidy and Butch, Misty made sure that proper procedures were taken to keep the gym secure while it was open during the week as well as when it was locked up at night. However, the week had come and gone smoothly without incident involving the infamous group.
By the end of the week, Ash had come to expect the overwhelming amount of victories that Misty won. He soon realized that, for Misty, the majority of the matches were underwhelming. Her skill level surpassed nearly every challenger. Even when she lost he believed that it was an act. She seemed to keep a perfect 20% losing ratio. Ash found himself wishing that there would be more trainers that would actually challenge Misty so that he could see her true mastery of water Pokemon. Many of her challengers had one or two badges. Misty would regretfully send them crying with a friendly tip to come back after getting a few more. Her new reputation as the fourth Sensational Sister would sometimes distract her challengers from the truth: Misty Waterflower is more than just a pretty face. Young men would challenge her with the offer of taking her out for dinner when they won. Misty made sure that said trainers wouldn't see past her Gyarados.
He couldn't help himself from drifting in thought during some of her matches later in the week. He never considered that he could become bored watching Pokemon battles, but after Misty's Starmie took out the tenth Rattata that week he changed his mind.
Sometimes he would wonder about the years that he was away on his adventures when Misty had returned home. He wondered how many gym matches she had won and lost. He wondered when the job had become too easy for her. Then he wondered who had been here for her all of the years that he hadn't been. Her sisters were somewhat vapid, but they cared for her of course. Has she made new friends? But no one ever seems to come around. Her sisters don't even spend much time with her, and opt to spend their days getting manicures and massages rather than helping at the gym.
Day after day, Misty wakes up at 5:00 AM, feeds all of the gym's Pokemon, trains and exercises, accepts challenges, cleans, files paperwork, cooks dinner for herself, and then goes to sleep. At first it was fascinating to watch her perform all of her gym leader duties, but then he started to wonder how she lived such a monotonous lifestyle since returning home from Johto. Since he had come to stay at the gym, not a lot had changed in her daily routine. She was still responsible for maintaining the gym. The only difference is that Ash is there in the morning to help train and there to help clean at the end of the day. He likes to think it spares her some time in the evening to enjoy herself more.
Their subdued evenings had been spent together. Sometimes they would eat in silence and simply watch television next to each other. Some nights they would talk about their days traveling Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto. They had found a civil plateau of their new friendship.
It was nice not to fight constantly, but Ash found himself missing her fire. He missed how she challenged him. Gary had been right. After settling into life at Cerulean, he had immediately seen a shift in Misty. She had become charming and kind in her years. She won battles with grace and the few she lost she did so with humility. There was little trace of the scrawny, ill-tempered preteen that had traveled across the world with him. Their conversations tended to remain shallow, but he also attributed that to just how tired she was at the end of a day. It was not that he disliked these new qualities. In fact, as a child he had always wished she was a little kinder -a little softer. Throughout their journeys she had become kinder and softer. However, he never wanted her to lose her burning spirit.
Other times he just watches her. She wears various swimsuits throughout the week. Today it is a white one piece suit with blue stripes and a white jacket. A towel is slung over her shoulder to wipe herself off when she is splashed by her water Pokemon. Her orange-red hair cascades down her back, clipped back by a water lily barrette. It is much too long to be restrained in a side ponytail atop her head. Ash is unaccustomed to the way it sways as she moves. Her signature side ponytail had been lost in his four year absence. Thoughts of running his fingers through it are tempting. However, it is even more tempting for his eyes to trace the elastic lining of her bathing suit that hugs her thighs tightly. He wonders how he can even think of such things while their friendship is still so rocky. He thinks back to four years ago to the nights they spent just of the two of them during Misty's off season. He remembers feeling the electricity when they played in the water and he gripped her waist to throw her across the surface. Would the electricity still be there if his hands wandered across her suit?
"Ash," Misty's voice stirs him from his daydreaming.
"What?" he asks.
"That was the last challenger." She informs him simply.
"No it wasn't," Ash decides with a smirk forming on his face.
"What do you mean?" She asks in confusion.
"Misty Waterflower," Ash grins, "I challenge you for the Cascade Badge."
Misty shakes her head and takes a deep breath.
"I can't accept a formal challenge from someone who already has the Cascade Badge." she tells him.
"Then it's informal. If I win, we go out tonight," Ash challenges; his eyes ablaze with excitement.
"Go out where?" Misty asks, an eyebrow raised at the proposition.
"That would be my choice," Ash shrugs his shoulders, "but I'm willing to take suggestions."
"And if I win?" Misty asks skeptically.
"What are your terms?" Ash counters curiously.
"Then I choose." Misty says simply.
"Deal." Ash agrees.
It takes only minutes for Misty to set the battlefield to be a partial rock and water arena. Both trainers take their sides confidently.
"How does a simple one on one battle sound?" Misty asks, setting the rules.
"Good to me!" Ash agrees. It has been too long since he has battled.
"Misty calls Kingdra!" Misty sends out her beloved water dragon first. As the gym leader, she is used to revealing her hand first.
"Wow! Kingdra?" Ash asks in surprise. "I had no idea that Seadra evolved! How did I not know all week I've been here?"
"Easy," she smirks deviously, "I knew we'd battle sooner or later so I kept a few aces up my sleeve just for you."
"Clever," Ash grins back at her. This is the Misty he admires; a real challenge.
"Are you gonna pick or do you already forfeit?" Misty asks, poking light fun at him.
"Alright, Raichu," Ash calls his starter, "let's do this!"
"Rai," he looks uncomfortable at being called to fight Misty. She was the only trainer Raichu has ever refused to battle in the name of friendship.
"Pikapal!" Misty calls across the field, "I would love to battle you!"
Raichu's ears twitch at the invitation.
"Chu!" He agrees and steps onto the field -cheeks sparking.
"Start with a rain dance!" Misty orders her Kindra who immediately raises its snout to the sky and calls for rain.
It pours ceaselessly on the battlefield.
"Misty! You're making it easier for Raichu's attacks to hit! I expected better!" Ash calls over the sound of the beating rain.
"You must know that I've had a long time to think about this battle!" Misty retaliates.
This response shakes Ash's confidence.
"Kingdra, bubblebeam!" Misty commands. The seahorse dragon complies and shoots a stream of explosive bubbles in Raichu's direction.
"Dodge and use thunderbolt!" Ash orders. Raichu leaps straight up and sends a lighting bolt straight at Kingdra.
Ash can tell that Kingdra can feel the electricity, but it only flinches slightly. The electric move is barely damaging it.
"Did you forget that being a water/dragon type means that Kingdra is only affected by electric moves as any normal type Pokemon at 1x?" Misty remarks.
Ash realizes that he had forgotten that fact. It had been a long time since he last faced a Kingdra and he hadn't used Raichu.
"No worries," Ash waves it off, "we don't need type advantage to win!"
"Kingdra, let's kick it up! Dragon pulse!" Misty calls.
"Get out of the way! Around the field and close in!" Ash commands to Raichu. Raichu leaps up and around the purple beam trying to find a way to get closer to Kingdra.
"Laser focus!" Misty shouts as Raichu leaps rock to rock on the battlefield.
"Raichu, volt tackle!" Ash yells.
As Raichu gets closer, Misty orders, "close range hydro pump!"
As Raichu leaps at Kingdra, Kingdra releases a relentless torrent of water. The match is over in a blast of water and electricity.
Ash gasps as Raichu slides across the rocky terrain and falls motionless.
"Dra," Kingdra pants wearily from the water. It had taken a toll from Raichu's volt tackle.
Ash runs out to the field and kneels next to Raichu. The defeat is a shock to him, but he is pleased by her creativity.
"Raichu are you alright?" Ash asks, picking up his large orange mouse.
"Chu," Raichu sighs and nods.
"Sorry, Raichu!" Misty calls from the leader box.
"Kingdra's special ability is sniper. By using laser focus I ensured that Kingdra's next move would be a 3x critical hit." Misty informs him, a wide grin lighting up her face.
"We won't be underestimating you again, Misty." Ash grins as he carries Raichu off the field.
"Kingdra, thank you!" Misty says, holding up a pokeball, "Return."
"I guess you won, Misty!" Ash laughs while scratching the back of his head.
"I have to admit I have put a lot of thought into how to handle Raichu," Misty admits sheepishly.
"Nothing wrong with planning ahead," Ash agrees with her, "and I will be planning for our next battle you better believe!"
"I guess we should clean up," Misty suggests as she puts her Pokeball in her pocket.
"Yeah so we can get going on our date." Ash says nonchalantly as he goes to pick up the purple egg from the bleachers.
"Date?" Misty whispers to herself in confusion.
"Your pick," Ash reminds her. "Where are we going?"
--
After completing the designated evening chores, Ash and Misty prepare for their evening out. As Misty uses her room to get ready, Ash cleans up in her bathroom. Following a steaming shower, Ash dries his lean body with a towel and wraps it around his waist. He then dries the mirror so that he can look at his reflection. Light stubble grows along his jawline. It is just one more change since returning home to Kanto. His hair is still short, but unruly after washing it. He searches the top drawer for a comb. Misty wouldn't tell him where they were going, but told him to keep it casual. Now, he wonders how he can stay casual and still impress her. This 'date' is a big step for their friendship and he doesn't want to misstep. Whether it be a friendly date or something more is still to be determined.
Ash combs his hair trying to make it neater than usual. His clothes sit in a neat pile on the counter. He pulls on his boxers and then a clean pair of skinny black jeans.
"Ash!" Misty calls from outside the door. "Can I grab my hair brush?"
"Sure," Ash agrees, opening the door for her. She wears a yellow T shirt and sweatpants. Her hair is tied up in a messy bun.
At the sight of his exposed chest, Misty blushes a deep scarlet. His core muscles tell stories of training and working out with his Pokemon daily.
"Sorry," she apologizes as she pushes herself past him.
"It's all good," he chuckles behind her.
Misty grabs her hairbrush from the drawer and quickly exits the bathroom. Ash smiles as the door closes. He throws on his black T-shirt and decides against his usual black fingerless gloves. Then he slips his arms into a long sleeved, dark royal blue jacket. After checking his appearance in the mirror, Ash decides that he is ready. He leaves the bathroom and walks down the hall to Misty's bedroom again.
He knocks on the door.
"Yes?" she answers from inside.
"I'm ready to go, so I will wait for you downstairs." He lets her know.
"I just need a few more minutes," Misty calls.
"Okay!" Ash agrees as he skips down the stairs two at a time to the entryway to wait.
Ash is talking to Raichu when he hears Misty's door open and close upstairs.
"Chu rai rai?" Raichu asks irritatedly.
"It's not you, buddy," Ash assures him hurriedly, "I just want to spend some time with Misty - just the two of us."
"Raichu!" Raichu complains, cheeks sparking.
"You can have whatever is left of the ketchup in the fridge. I will get more tomorrow." Ash tries to reason with him.
"What's happening tomorrow?" Misty's voice interrupts their argument.
Ash sheepishly turns towards her, but freezes at the sight of her. Misty's hair is pulled back in a half ponytail with loose strands of her orange hair framing her face. A short, light blue, single strapped sundress hangs on her curves and rests just above her knees. It leaves her back bare other than her orange hair cascading down. White lacy flats adorn her feet. Her normal red backpack is slung around her shoulder carrying the purple egg.
After taking in her appearance, Ash struggles to continue his conversation with Raichu. He shakes his head to help himself reset.
"I just uh -told Raichu I'd get him some more ketchup.That's all!" Ash grins and pats Raichu on the head.
"Raichu," Raichu agrees with an eye roll, "chu rai ai." Ash is grateful when Raichu leaps off the couch and races off to find his friends in the gym instead of arguing further.
"He's staying back tonight." Ash states casually.
"Okay," Misty nods softly, "are you ready?"
"Yes!" Ash agrees.
Misty laughs lightly at his eagerness and grabs his arm to pull him along.
Ash is glad that Misty had chosen where they would go because Cerulean City has way more options than he knew. Their first stop was a hole in the wall Kalosian eatery with delicious food and fine wine. Misty knew the owner of the restaurant and was able to secure a small table in the back of the restaurant where no one would disturb them. Ash had realized that Misty was something of a celebrity - especially in her own city.
Their conversations remain surface level and often Pokemon themed. They talked about Misty's impressive team as well as her most impressive wins that week. Misty asked Ash about the hundreds of types of Pokemon he had seen in his travels. The truth is that Ash and Misty could talk about Pokemon all night and never tire.
He also found out that Misty knew a lot of people in Cerulean. Their second stop of the night was along route 25 where there were new dessert shops setting up on the outskirts of the cape's wharf. The area has been booming in recent years. Ash wanted dessert as was typical for the young man and Misty suggested ice cream. She happened to know the couple who runs the shop and they gave the pair a two for one deal on waffle cones.
"Then the Pachurisu landed directly in Madam Darla's porridge! She put a permanent ban on Pokemon in the dining room!" Ash laughs heartily at the memory of the soup splashed all over the older woman's dress.
Misty giggles in response.
They walk along the path leading out to the cape, enjoying their ice cream.
"This is beautiful," Ash states, noticing the orange and pink hues of the setting sun over the ocean. They stand at the overlook and peer over the edge of the cliff at the crashing waves below. Under the setting sun, the ocean lights up green.
"I love it here." Misty tells him softly.
"Is that why you didn't want to come with me?" Ash asks. It was thoughtless of him to bring it up and he kicks himself immediately for asking it.
Misty's attention snaps to Ash. The question was enough to ruffle her feathers.
"It's not that I didn't want to go with you, Ash." She states tartly. Her defenses start to rise. "I couldn't."
"So you say," Ash mumbles in irritation at her lack of clarity, "but you won't say why not."
"I don't have to explain," Misty argues hotly, "why can't you just trust me?"
"Why can't you trust me enough to tell me?" Ash counters, feeling his emotions heating up.
"You wouldn't even consider staying here with me!" Misty growls at him, poking his chest.
"Of course I considered staying!" Ash throws his arms up in the air and pulls on his now messy hair. "Do you really think I didn't know what was going on? Do you think I was that dense?"
"What was going on?" Misty asks, feigning confusion.
"I saw the way you looked at me," Ash explains sharply, "I saw how you stood closer to me than Brock or Tracey, and how you laughed at all my stupid jokes. We hugged and cuddled way more than my other friends did."
"What are you saying?" Misty asks darkly.
"I knew you liked me - at least I really thought you might. Brock had me convinced that you did." Ash tells her.
Flames roar in Misty's eyes at his accusation. It was all true, but how dare he outright say it!
"So you ran away because you didn't like me back?" Misty spits venomously.
"No! I invited you to come with me!" Ash defends himself. "I wanted you to travel with me!"
"I wanted you to stay!" Misty shouts back at him. "I have been stuck at the gym pretty much alone for ten years! The week that you stayed with me was the best week I had in all of those years!"
"If you feel stuck, why not just quit?" Ash questions her angrily.
"You wouldn't understand!" Misty grits her teeth at his stubbornness.
"I never will if you don't tell me!" Ash prods.
"Why did you leave, huh?" She turns the question back on him. "If you were so smart and knew that I liked you, why did you leave? I'm not dense either, Ash! You've been flirting with me since the day you came home and even more before you left four years ago! If you liked me back why did you leave?"
Their argument reaches an impasse. Neither will concede and share their truths in such a rage.
At Ash's silence, Misty groans in frustration and turns away from him.
"I'm going home!" She shouts as she walks away back towards the bridge to Cerulean City.
Ash refrains from replying negatively and watches her walk back down the path. He feels the heat from the argument bubbling in his stomach. It had been so raw and yet they still had deep issues to work out. Rather than following her back to the gym, Ash sits down on the ledge of Cerulean Cape.
Why did I have to leave? He wonders to himself. It was a question that he hadn't really considered. He had always left. Off to the next destination - on to a new journey. Why couldn't he have stayed with her longer than a week? He had known she liked him back then. Brock had told him that she had always liked him more than a friend. During the week that he stayed with her he saw it too. Then why did he leave? He contemplates for a while trying to find an answer or an explanation for Misty. He wonders if they will ever move past their fight four years ago.
By the time Ash returns to the gym, Misty is already in her bed turned away from the doorway. He can't tell if she is awake or asleep so he slips into the hide-a-bed quietly.
"Misty?" He asks in a whisper. "I don't know why I couldn't stay… That week was the best week I had in ten years too.."
He thinks she must really be asleep because she doesn't stir. Her breath moves her body rhythmically.
"Good night, Mist," he tells her softly.
As he is drifting off to sleep a few minutes later he thinks he hears a faint, "good night, Ash."
Geez these two just cant seem to open up and get on the same page. Always pointing fingers. I think I'm going to have to test them a bit. Be ready for things to heat up. I can't do this lowkey storyline much longer. *Wicked laughter*
As usual, I love hearing from you! Thanks for reading!
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