"You can't make someone love you, all you can do is stalk them and hope with time they panic and give in."
Disclaimer – I don't own Pokemon, do own Garnet and Catamaran no matter how lame a name it has. I don't own the song either, which is preformed by my favourite band Westlife with Mariah Carey and was written by Phil Collins (I think).
Beyond the Shadows – Against All Odds
"Togepei, Ultimate Metronome."
The room glowed blue, as expected when such an attack was preformed even by one as young as Togepei.
If you could see into that light, you wouldn't believe your eyes as the most powerful attack known to any Pokemon with even the smallest amount of psychic ability shrouded them all in a blinding light.
You would have seen and heard Kirsten scream as she watched her body begin to fade away. She was breaking away, falling to pieces as her very existence was wiped from the face of humanity.
You would have seen a bright flash of light surrounded our hero's transporting them to some kind of unknown destination, but just before that flash obscured all vision perhaps you would have seen the sudden rise of the lifeless bodies chest, as it lay sprawled across the floor.
But that was the past.
Brock was the first to recognize their new destination; after all he had spent his time mindlessly walking through it just before he met Garnet. It was the very place that had changed his life for the better.
They were in the centre of the Hazelton reserve.
It was empty now of course, people had left just like the sun maybe hours early. The forest seemed dark and haunting, probably full of all kinds of bugs and ghosts, but with her mind else where, Misty failed to notice this.
In all honesty, she was beyond caring now.
The light had gone; the fire within her that always burnt so boldly had been blown out along with Ash's candle.
She was completely empty now. She was like a shell of a human being only feeling pain, and anger and the emotions her broken heart had left behind.
Now she knew she couldn't live without him. For so long she had really wondered if she could and now she had no choice in the matter. She had toyed with the idea of just giving up, just packing up and leaving everything, including him behind never to see him again but her heart just wouldn't let her.
She had never imagined what she would ever do if she ever lost her. I guess she kind of just thought he would live forever. I mean, this is Ash were talking about, the boy who had gotten himself in and out of more dangerous situations than it was thought humanly possible with little more than a few scratches here and there, how could he of all people die?
So there they all were, well most of them, Brock and Garnet, Togepei and Pikachu, Misty and . . . no one. They were all there, what was left of them was there.
'But not Ash,' Misty thought to herself sadly. 'Never again, at least not physically.'
'I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all'
And with that thought Misty's legs grew weak and gave way beneath her making her crumble to the ground in an abandoned heap of despair.
All her strength was gone, what little she had left. The only thing that had kept her standing for so long was her the anger fuelling her body and mind, but now that was gone and all she had left was the sadness and pain left behind.
All that was left was that emptiness inside, like a big gaping hole within her body with nothing that could ever fit just the same way. Chances are it was the hole where her heart was supposed to be, I mean it was gone now, and she wasn't sure anything would be able to repair it.
'So take a look at me nowCause there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
So take a look at me now
Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you
Well that's all I can do
And that's what I've got to face'
Misty curled herself into a ball, wrapping her arms around herself and knowing she would never feel the warmth of his arms again. She would always be cold; it would always be night for her no matter the time of day because without him to light her way everything was black. From now on nothing would be able to warm her heart, her soul, that she would never feel warm again.
The walls that Ash had broken down during their travels together had been re-erected in one last desperate attempt to free herself of ever feeling pain again, but it was already too late because the death of the one person she cherished more than anything else in existence hurt even more than her parent's death.
These sudden realizations hit her full force, with all the strength they could muster to break the shields she hid behind. She began to sob uncontrollably unable to hold back the tears any longer than she already had.
'Take a good look at me nowCause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
And that's the chance I've got to take'
A soft groan was heard somewhere behind her but she was already far to deep into her despair to care or even notice for that mater, there was nothing that could break the spell that her emotions held over her now. Well almost nothing.
"Hush now," a soft masculine voice uttered in her ear, his breath tickling her neck sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. Two warm arms, arms she had thought she was never to feel again, wrapped themselves around her so naturally it seemed they had never left her sides.
Her breath caught in her throat and she had to constantly remind herself to breath. 'It couldn't be, could it?'
"It's alright Myst. I'm here now," he said softly.
This removed all doubt from her mind. To her, there was only one person allowed to call her Myst, and he was the only one who ever did. It just had to be him; she didn't think she could stand it if it wasn't.
She turned around cautiously at first, but surely enough as chocolate met cerulean her walls were destroyed once again.
He gently stroked her cheek, wiping away the tears she had cried for him, caressing away all her fears, all the pain and heartache.
For now, at least, all would be forgotten. For the next few moments it would be only them.
She reached up to touch his face, to make certain he was real and not just a cruel figment of her imagination. New tears sprung to her eyes, tears of happiness and joy and pure content.
Instinct took over. Without even thinking, he threw caution to the wind and brushed his lips against those of the girl he had longed to kiss for longer than he cared to note.
True, there was nothing to be cautious about, after all they had both declared their undying love for each other in those few moments before her world had almost come to an end, but what good was a near death decree when he didn't get the full enjoyment of the goodbye kiss?
This kiss was nothing like the others, the two desperate kisses when the end was near and the almost kiss at the gym, if that even counted. This kiss was neither frantic, nor stopped abruptly before it even had the chance to begin.
It was sweet, surreal and unrivalled. They could feel all their emotions flowing through the kiss as if it were it's own sweet poetry, it's own never-ending love song.
Misty's arms wrapped around his neck and she played with the hair at the nape of his neck curling her fingers through the ebony locks. One of Ash's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him as if he never wanted to let her go ever again while the other caressed her cheek and weaved it's way through the hair that framed her heart shaped face.
By the time the kiss finally came to an end both were breathing heavily and gasping for air, but they knew it was worth it.
"I was so afraid I had lost you forever this time," Misty said suddenly leaning into his chest. Ash simply wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and whispered comforting words into her ear.
"Never," he replied in little more than a whisper. "Forever is too long to spend away from you."
Misty couldn't help but sigh contently. Her arms wrapped even tighter around him, she knew she could never let him go again.
The hole in her heart was repaired by the only one that could ever mend it. The hole in her heart was repaired by the only one that could ever mend it.
The light had returned to her. The fire in her spirit that Ash loved so much was back for good, and things would never have to be the way they used to be ever again.
She no longer doubted herself, her feelings for Ash or even whether he had feelings for her, she knew all were true. She would never have to hide away in the shadows as she cried herself to sleep late at night. She would never have to watch him from the sidelines, from behind the mirrored windows as she had once before collecting messages from beyond the shadows.
I guess in some ways it is exactly as they say; you can't make people love you no matter how hard you try; but sometimes, you don't have to.
'Just take a look at me . . . now'
~ The End ~
I can't believe you all actually thought that I would just leave it there, that I would really just kill Ash off like that. I don't think I'm even capable of anything other than a happy ending.
Ok the first step here is the thank you's and then after that it's onto the next two story samples. For those of you who don't know what the hell I'm on about it's just a few bits of these seven fic's I'm working on that I want your opinions on. If you like you can go to the last chapter of Valentines Verse: Lost Lyrics for the first three but I will have complete summaries in the final Reason's chapter so don't worry.
Right-y-o, thank you's [takes deep breath]
Amelia – my first reviewer, which in turn makes you my new best friend soz Lisa
Morbane – thanks, I don't think I've ever been described as smooth and slick before. The bit with the colour is actually based on a joke between me and my friends and one of them asked my if I knew what the word monogamy means cause I like all these guys and I replied in the most air-headed voice I could muster 'isn't that a colour'. It kind of pissed her off; those were good times.
Michael ran away after Garnet so Kirsten was after him, at least that's what I thought up in my head. I never really thought it out to well because I wasn't planning on much else happening with that. I know I was a little lazy with the battle thing but it just wouldn't have been the same otherwise. And yes I am from NZ.
Kasuka – thank you, the entire beginning was kind of dark but hey, I was trying to experiment in a different genre.
Samamtha002 – Thanks, I was trying to get a little out of my usual trend but I'm kind of incapable of anything other than AAMR's.
Asid Reyn – Thanks, I tried my best to describe it well but I had a bit of trouble in the first chapter seeing as I don't know much about that sort of thing but I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Aurora chan – thanks, it's kind of weird to think this whole thing was inspired by Michelle Branch (don't ask, I barely understand why).
Light Sneasel – Well what started out as a cameo turned into a bit of a sub-plot.
Niteskystar – thank you for your reviews, I'm so glad you like it.
Xx Kusanagi xX – I'm trying to remember whether or not I forced you to review or put a guilt trip on you to make you review. Damn it I wish I knew. And by the way I have an 'i' in my name.
RoxynomekoP1288 – thank you and I'm glad you like Reason's too, only two more chapters till that ones done too.
Stoko – I know for sure I made you review but oh well, at least Misty finally got her aim right by the end.
Nova S. – I'm quite proud of how those first few chapters ended up, I don't think anyone, even myself, knew where it would be heading to.
Joy-girl – Thanks, I hope it was all to your liking. I'm not sure why misty would be mad in the morning, maybe he knows it's that time of the month. I should have thought that out more.
Vinny – glad you liked it. I know parts of it made very little sense but there was a point to it there.
B4me – I hope things worked out for you and your friend similarly (of course minus the bit where he dies rather brutally then comes back to life) and I'm glad you like this and my other stories.
Diamond Dust – thank you, I try to keep all my work at a high standard especially trying to keep up with Reason's. I'm glad you like them both.
- Thanks for the review
Karayel – thank you, I'm glad you liked it so much.
Jinnai – thanks for your review, glad you enjoyed it.
Wimaf – glad you liked the BAGLE. To think I picked her name on the basis of what sort of word I could make. Thanks for reviewing.
Aisha ClanClan – Thank you for the review as confusing as it may be.
Lady Michiko – Thanks for your review, luckily I came up with something. If it weren't for Kirsten I'd be completely stuck for it.
Overlord – I like the metaphor about the 'leaf in the tree of secrets', a very interesting way of putting things. Thanks for reviewing.
Queen of Games – thank you; hope you liked how it all turned out.
Blue Flamed Cheetah – Thank you
Rae – I'm glad you liked this so much. As you can tell there was nothing to worry about, like I said I'm just not capable of sad endings.
Mistimystig – Thank you, and hope Catamaran was strong enough. It was kind of hard because Ash's Pikachu is made out to be practically invincible. Sorry 'bout the cliffhanger, I can't seem to help it.
Kyuugi – hope you didn't wait too long. Sorry if you did, I really seem to enjoy drawing things out and having the most awful cliffhangers ever. I should really try to stop doing that.
Dancergla06 – That's ok. Glad you like Catamaran, when I decided to make him an experiment gone wrong I was actually quite close to making Kirsten a member of Team Rocket. Wonder what ever happened to them in this fic.
Kit Kat – I'm surprised anyone liked the Star Wars crack. I thought they might have been the sort of thing that no one but me would understand like my LOTR jokes but I'm glad you liked them all the same.
Ash and misty forever – That's why I needed such a strong Pokemon, I needed it so that Ash wouldn't have a chance in hell and quite frankly he didn't. Glad you liked it and there should be another reasons up next weekend (or Friday cause Saturday morning here is usually Friday night everywhere else).
Vash the stampede – no I don't live in Pennsylvania I was just trying to use colour because basically all the places in Kanto are named after colours. I didn't really know that Hazleton was a place.
Crystal y satoshi 4ever love – I hope that was a happy enough ending for you. At least it was sweet enough to suffice my sweet tooth. Glad you liked the fic, thanks for the review.
Sally – glad you liked it and as you can see I didn't leave him dead.
Nikki – thanks, I'm glad you liked it and I'm actually kind of sad that it had to come to an end so quickly, I was hoping for like twenty more chapters of this like Reason's but you can't always get want you want.
Ok so that's all of them, and thanks to anyone who didn't review the story as well. I wouldn't have continued if it weren't for the great response I got from you all.
Right; now the next part of this process.
It's actually kind of funny. Ash and Misty forever suggested that I do a Sweet Home Alabama parody and one of the first fic's I have for you to look at is that. It must be true what they say; great minds really do think a like.
Sweet Home Pallet
"Kasumi!" people called from every direction trying to snag an interview with Emerald City's hottest new designer.
Kasumi waved and smiled as she followed Shane towards the waiting limo.
"Oh god, I can't believe I did it," she exclaimed as she relaxed into her seat exhaustedly. "I really did it. I am now officially a designer."
"And, as I can see, you wouldn't have it any other way," Shane smiled at her coyly.
Kasumi tried to block the image of Ash that wavered into her mind. It was so hard to escape. His chocolate brown eyes decorated with flakes of the purest amber seemed to smile at her, enticing her and reminding her of what she left behind. His smile seemed to wrap it's way around her heart speaking to her in a way that she had never thought possible.
She closed her eyes falling deeper under her spell and into her unconsciousness. She could feel her dreams clouding into her reality as everything about her became further and further away.
'No,' she tried to warn herself to no avail. She thought she had left that part of her that was so in love with Ash back when she left him. For seven years she was positive she had and suddenly he had wormed his way into her heart all over again.
"We're here," Shane said breaking her away from her thoughts.
She was sure that he had been talking to her somewhere along the way to their destination but she couldn't quite remember if she had answered him or not or even what he had said to begin with. She just hoped he hadn't noticed.
"I thought we were going to Emerald Square," Kasumi said more to herself as she surveyed the peaceful surroundings.
It was a beautiful lush forest but the only problem was that it reminded her of her days as a Pokemon trainer and specific trainer in particular. I'm sure you can all guess which one, the one that broke her heart and turned her cold, the one that had been her entire world for as long as she could remember, the one that she had to leave behind all of seven years ago chasing after a new dream.
"What do you think?" Shane asked her a wide grin forming on his face.
She knew this was for her and she knew it was supposed to make her happy. Emerald City with it's bright lights and sounds had very few places even remotely resembling forests and she knew he would have had to look mighty hard to find a place like this, especially one so similar to her real home.
She tried to be pleased or at least look it, but it was hard not to force a smile when one look at this place flooded her with so many memories she longed to forget. This place was just too much.
Shane noticed the tears falling down her face long before she did but blinded by his own happiness he presumed that she shared the same joy that she had fallen in love with this place in seconds just as he had.
How wrong could he be?
Karate, Kung Fu and Forty-Seven Other Dangerous Words"Ash Ketchum!" she cried jarring me from my thoughts. "Did you even hear what I just said?"
"Oh I'm sorry Myst. I was just . . ."
"Daydreaming?" she asked smugly finishing off my sentence.
"I was listening," I argued.
"Really? Then what's out next mission?" she asked smiling ever so sweetly. God I love her smile.
"To save Pokemon from being mutated, used, abused or just mistreated in general by Team Rocket and hence destroy their latest scheme which chances are is so completely and utterly senseless that it probably would have failed without our help and destroy their latest headquarters while kicking a little Rocket ass just for fun," I rattle off the top of my head in the one breath with very little thought. (A/N: I dare each and every one of you to try that, it is not easy)
She glared at me. Sometimes I wonder what she's thinking about while she's doing that, I mean she can't really want to kill me that much, can she? I wonder what it would be like to be able to read Misty's mind.
"Lucky guess," she said distastefully, "but that doesn't prove anything."
"But I was paying attention," I whined. Misty hates it when I whine, but that's just all the more reason to do so, she looks so cute when she's annoyed.
"Really?" she asked disbelieving in a bored tone. "Then why don't we just take a lil' ole squiz at your notes?"
I looked down at my page and hoped to god that I wasn't blushing at the words I had absentmindedly scrawled across my page. Misty Kasumi Ketchum, Mrs. M Ketchum, Misty and Ashton Satoshi Ketchum, Mrs. Misty Ketchum, Misty Kasumi Waterflower Ketchum, Misty K. Ketchum Waterflower, Mrs. M. K. Ketchum Waterflower.
"Fine," I said looking up and hiding my notes. "You win, I wasn't listening."
So please tell me what you think about these. I really want your opinions so I can prioritise these and I'd be grateful if you checked out the ones at the end of Valentines Verse as well.
Thanks again.
