C. Cowboy: In this one a important plot element takes place, this one's more romance than anything, those that are looking for action, stay come, we have some action come up very shortly! Now on with the show! R&R!

CHAPTER 6: Misty's Birthday Surprise

Almost a year has gone by, Team Rocket has tried many times, but proved to no more dangerous then Jessie and James. New Pallet was well on its way at this time and the Gym Leader Tower was almost complete. Ash had told the other Elite his plan to rescue his friends who were 'lost' during the battle of Indigo, but he hasn't told them his 'WHOLE' plan yet.

The Team has now moved into the tower. Ash set at his desk in deep thought. Jimmy walked into the office area and saw Ash staring at the same Gym application he was three hours ago. "What's up, Ash?" Jimmy asked taking a 'Red Alert Mountain Dew' can out of the small refrigerator in the corner of the office. "Still ain't decided on Leo Rodriguez's Gym application?" he said in a teasing voice. Ash's head shot up, "Waa! You say something?" Jimmy pulled a chair up in front of Ash's desk, "OK, man, what's wrong?" Ash put on a fake smile, "Nothing. Nothing's wrong! Why would anything be wrong?" Jimmy smirked at him, "Don't make me read your mind. Now what's bothering you?" Ash leaned back in his chair, "Well, Misty's going to be nineteen this Saturday, and… I'm worried if what I'm going to do for her birthday is the right thing." Jimmy rubbed his chin, "Well, if you asked me, she'll probably be mad that you waited almost a year to tell her about your rescue mission. That is what your doing isn't it?" Jimmy asked looking up. Ash slightly squirmed in his chair, "That's… part of it… but that's not why I'm nervous." Jimmy smirked at him, "Alright, let's be out with it." Ash blushed a little and scratched the back of his head, "Well, I want to ask her a certain question, too."

Jimmy took a swig of his drink, "Well, I don't know of any question that would be that hard to…" Jimmy then spit his drink all over Ash's desk, "YOU… YOU DON'T MEAN THAT QUESTION???" Ash just stared at his now soaked desk and nodded a yes, "You sly dog you!" Jimmy said punching him lightly in the arm. Jimmy then got up and smiled at him, "Go for it, Man! Good luck! Now lets see how I can make Duplica mad at me today!" He said heading out the door. Ash chuckled a little, over the past year, everyday seemed like a complete loss, unless Duplica plowed Jimmy in the head with either her mallet or have her ditto change into a mallet and hit him with that. It wasn't as big of a deal as it once was, Jimmy had now become adjusted to the abuse and if he was knocked out it wasn't over a minute. Either that or Duplica had started to hold back. Either one was believable.

Pikachu then drug himself through the door, it appeared that he had ketchup poured on his head and was dragging the rest of the bottle of ketchup behind him. He jumped into his little bed beside Ash's desk and began to drink the red liquid, "Shot down again, I see." Ash said to his love struck Pokemon, "Pika chu." 'Bite me.' Ash then smiled at his first pokemon, "Don't let it bother you too much, Pikapal, remember how me and Misty used to be? Look at us now. Give her time she'll come around." Pikachu looked up at Ash with a look of hope in his eyes. "Pi ka chu?" 'Ya think so?' "Yeah, now get yourself cleaned up, Misty's birthday is in two days, and I have to swing by the Celadon City Jewelry Store to pick up her present before we go back to Cerulean." Pikachu looked confused but nodded, and scurried off to clean up.

That weekend, Misty's party went right on schedule. All of Misty's hometown friends were there, Richie and Lily, Professor Ivy, the other Elite Four members, and an extremely nervous Ash. Jimmy spotted Ash latched onto the wall, "Ya know Ash, I don't really know a lot, but I do believe breathing is a good thing." "I can't… help it… I feel like I'm taking on an army of Mewtwos all by myself!" Ash muttered.

The time had finally come to open presents. Ash decided that he would wait till she opened all her presents to make his move. He really hate the fact that she had a small mountain of gifts. She got a painting of a Vaporion by her old friend Fi, her sisters got her a new flowery dress, and she got several new water type pokemon. Once the last present was opened she felt tears start to form, there was no present from Ash. Ash took this a que and walked up to Misty, "Hey Misty, can I talk to you for a sec? Privately?" Misty looked up at him confused but smiled and nodded. They walked up to her balcony. Ash then signaled for her to set down. "Well, Misty…"

Meanwhile everyone at the party looked at each other, nodded, and shot up the stairs behind the couple. They all snuck up to the closed door to the balcony, and somehow fit everyone's ear to it. They listened carefully until they heard someone clear their throat. They looked up and saw the wheelchair bound Mrs. Ketchum, "Don't you people know that it is rude to eavesdrop?" They all looked down in shame, "And it is also not polite not to make room for the handicapped! So give me some room!" she said as she wheeled her chair as close to the door as she could and joined the group.

"Well, Misty, I went to Prof. Hail almost a year ago, and I found something very important." Misty listened inquisitive, "Well I think I, we, found a way to bring back everybody who helped destroy Missingno." Misty jumped to her feet and hug Ash, "Oh Ash! That's the best news I could hear!" Ash then forced Misty back down adding to her confusion. "There's more, Mist, um… how do I start this?" Ash said looking at the stars over their heads. "Mist we've been together for a long time now, and I-I was just wondering if you would… if you would… You're not going to make this easy on me are you?" He asked at the smirking Misty, "Ash Ketchum, have I ever made ANYTHING easy on you?" Ash rubbed his head and took a deep breath, "Aw heck, I've never been good at things like this!" Ash said as he reached into his pocket and dropped to one knee. He pulled out a velvet box and opened it. Inside was a golden ring with a large blue diamond with a silver dratini wrapped around it, "You get the idea?" he said as he stared into Misty's tear-filled eyes and prayed. "Ash… I…"

TO BE CONTINUED…

C. Cowboy: ::singing:: I love cliffhangers! I love cliffhangers! How bout you? How bout you? :: go ahead, yell at me, and call me bad names. Just remember that the more ya fuss the longer it will take me to update again ;) hehehe bye-bye for now!