Life's Full of Little Surprises
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Disclaimer:
Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Team Rocket, Persian, and all the other 250 Pokemon do not belong to me. They belong to 4Kids, etc. Please do not sue me you will have better luck trying to get water from a dry well. The base story is property of Jaelle and Orla I asked before posting it. ^_^
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Chapter 10: And the Plot Thickens…
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Everyone was exhausted after Brock's wedding. Ash and Misty were happy that their friends weren't moving far away. Not to mention that Misty now had someone closer to her age to discuss the problem with May. That Monday started normal enough but it was soon evident that things would not be normal…
Ash and Misty were alternating between office work and challenges. It just happened to be Misty's turn in the office before lunch when the phone rang. "He…"
A highly excited Professor Oak appeared on the vid screen interrupting her greeting, "Misty! Where's Ash? You two have to come down to the lab as soon as possible."
Misty was immediately alarmed, "Why? Is there something wr…"
Okido once again interrupted her, "No, no…nothing's wrong. Just get Ash and come down ASAP there's some…things I want both of you to see."
"Uhhh…okay...we'll come down on our lunch break."
"Good, good I'll see you soon." Okido hung up the phone and the screen went blank.
Misty stared at the black screen for a while before making sure the phone on her end was disconnected. *Wonder what's so important…hopefully nothings wrong with Sasha…*
*****
Downstairs Ash finished his last battle before lunch…
"Pikachu wins the match…"
Ash and Pikachu promised the "challenger" he would be allowed to try later in the week. They then closed up for lunch and went upstairs. *Man! That was the most challenging battle we've had in a long time. Almost forgot what a rush these battles were. But I shouldn't be surprised considering I was battling…* [A/N: Don't I suck? ^_^]
Pikachu interrupted his thoughts, "Pikapi, chu pi pikachu!" (Ash, hurry up I'm hungry!)
Ash smiled at his yellow buddy who was already at the top of the steps waiting for his Slowpoke friend. "Okay, Pikachu I'm coming." He bounded up the last few steps only to be met by Misty who was just leaving the office with their lunches in hand.
"Um…Misty where are you going?" Ash wrinkled his brow in confusion.
She sighed, "Okido wants us at the lab now! He has something we need to look at." With that she just continued down the stairs.
"Come on Pikachu, I guess we are going to the lab." He let his buddy jump on his shoulder then followed his wife out the door locking it behind them.
*****
When they got to the lab Sasha hustled them to Okido's office. "Sorry, but I have to get back to my cleaning and keep 'you know who' out of your hair." She smiled and hastily left.
Okido looked up from his work, "Ash, Misty I know this is your lunch break but I want you to do me a favor."
"Ummm…sure…what do you want?"
Okido leaned back in his chair, "I got a call from a former student of mine in doing research in the Johto region. He found several new Pokemon…"
Ash and Misty looked at each other and thought the same thing. *Does he want us to go there?*
"Okido, we can't take off work anytime soon and I don't want to travel anymore. Well, not for those reasons."
"Were also trying to s...start a family." Misty whispered and blushed refusing to make eye contact with her Step father-in-law.
Okido stood up, "No, no, no…I don't want you to go to Johto…"
"Huh!?!" Ash and Misty exclaimed at the same time.
Okido looked annoyed, "What, I was going to say before you interrupted me is that Professor Elm in New Bark Town sent me some pokemon to study. He said it would be okay for me to give them to people I could trust to raise since even though he is dedicating all his time to the study of these pokemon new species and types keep on appearing and he is falling behind. I also don't have time to deal with newly captured pokemon. So I want you to help me train and raise them so I can do my research. You don't have to give up any of your pokemon so you can alternate between battling with the new ones and your original ones."
"Ohhh!"
"Just get them to obey you and bring them by every now and then so I can get some measurements and reading."
"Uh…did you say them?" Ash looked apprehensively at Misty and Pikachu.
"Well, Professor Elm sends me one every now and then. Some are easy to deal with and others are a-bit more…difficult."
"How difficult?"
Visions of Charizard and Hitmonlee danced though Ash, Misty, and Pikachu's minds.
Okido smiled a bit, "Well at the moment I have three pokemon that need training. These are the three starter pokemon that Johto trainers are starting with. Well, since they have been discovered. One has a hard time getting warmed up but once it does it's quite impressive. The next one is highly possessive and gets jealous easily and the last is extremely happy."
Ash, Misty, and Pikachu looked relieved.
Misty voiced the obvious thoughts running through all of their heads. "Well at least they don't sound as bad a Charizard and Hitmonlee. Though they still have their own personality quarks. At least now you won't only have super strong pokemon to battle with and can go easy on the new trainers trying for an Elemental badge."
Okido got up and led them to a research lab adjoining his office.
The minute Ash stepped through the door he got 'attacked' by a big purple blob. "Ack! Muk get off me!"
"Muk!" (Hi!) The purple blob slid off and left to do its chores.
"At least he doesn't smell anymore."
Okido smiled at his purple assistant, "Well he got away from the polluted waters and now he helps keep the lab tidy. Anyway…here they are." He pointed to three pokeballs on a table.
Ash and Misty approached the table apprehensively.
"Here is a new Pokegear for each of you. These will help you gather data quickly on each pokemon." He handed them each objects that look like watches one red the other blue.
Ash looked at his red Pokegear and marveled at the new design. "Wow! Look at all the new features." He pushed a few buttons calling up his info. "I almost feel like I'm starting my journey all over again just thankfully I'm not going anywhere."
Meanwhile Misty was fiddling with her blue one trying to get any info out of it.
Okido watched them fiddle with the new devices "These are totally blank except for basic information I already programmed into them on the three pokemon on the table. As well as your personal information/identification. They also function as a radio, calendar, cell phone and map."
"Okay, that explains why I can't get any other information from it."
Okido explained using a few charts, "All the info you gather will transfer to my computer where I will review it then send it to professor Elm. He will then use it to update other Pokegear. I will be in charge of updating the Pokedexes that haven't been exchanged for Pokegear. Now, you have to pick your pokemon. One of you will pick two and the next pokemon I get will be given to the one with only one evening it out."
Ash and Misty looked at the brief pokemon descriptions intently.
"I think I want Cyndaquil." Ash was the first to choose.
"Hey! Why do you get to choose first?" Misty started to get upset.
"Because, I know which one you will pick."
"Oh yeah!?!"
"Yeah!"
Okido sighed. *Those two never seem to change. Though I have to admit that now they get along better…odd this is the first time I've seen them go at it since they got married...hmm…*
"PIKA!!" (STOP!) Warning sparks appeared on Pikachu's cheeks.
Ash looked at Pikachu and backed off. "I didn't mean it that way…besides it will probably try to roast me."
Misty calmed down a bit, "Well if you put it that way…"
"Just look at my track record with fire types. Though, he did say it had problems getting started." Ash sighed.
"You do have a point there…well I guess I'll choose, Totodile." She picked up the third pokeball.
"Now all you two have to do is decide who gets the last one." Okido looked relieved that they weren't fighting anymore. His relief quickly turned to worry. *If they continue to yell, they'll attract "her" attention and I don't want to deal with that right now.*
"You can have the last one…I don't need a highly possessive pokemon. Gabby might get jealous."
Ash looked apprehensively at the remaining pokeball. *At least she calmed down. Wonder why she's been so upset lately…I'll ask her about it tonight.*
"Ash, hurry up and take the pokeball so we can get back to the gym." Misty was getting upset again.
He sighed and grabbed the last ball since he really didn't feel like fighting with her at the moment. The risk of having to deal with May while Misty was in this mood was too great.
*****
They were about to leave when Sasha entered the lab. Why don't we eat lunch with the pokemon?"
Ash had almost forgotten all about eating and the mention of food caused his stomach to grumble. "Almost forgot we didn't eat lunch yet…but…"
Okido, Misty, Ash, and Pikachu shared a look of apprehension.
Sasha just smiled at them, "Don't worry about "her" she's entertaining someone right now. Though I doubt even he could make her leave Ash alone." She frowned a little at that last part.
"Huh!?!" and "Pi!?!" (From Ash's shoulder) All four exclaimed respectively with looks of confusion on all of their faces.
Sasha just smiled, "It appears an old acquaintance of hers battled for an Elemental badge and needed his pokemon healed. But since the Pokemon Center isn't open yet, he needed to use our facilities."
"Oh!" Everyone exclaimed.
Ash smirked then broke out in laughter.
Misty looked at her dear husband like he had all of a sudden sprouted another head. "What the HECK is so funny?" She glared daggers at him.
He sobered up quickly, "Heh…heh...umm…I battled AJ today."
"WHAT!?! When? Does he know May? How…"
Okido interrupted her, "Oh! Yes, now I remember, they used to go out. Well until he had to continue on his journey. I think she met him at some kind of party two years ago…haven't heard from him since. She was kind of up set at him over the whole thing."
The other five occupants of the room face faulted.
Sasha recovered first, clapping her hands and smiling cheerfully. "Well I think we should take this chance to enjoy a relaxing lunch."
"I don't think we can have too relaxing a lunch since Misty and I have to get back to the gym."
"Oh! Well I guess we had better hurry then."
All five of them went outside to eat and change their plans to include this new development.
*****
Ash and Misty made it back to the gym just in time.
"Whew! That was a close one." Misty collapsed in a chair.
"What do you mean? Making it on time or avoiding "her"?
"Both!"
"Pika!" [Yeah!]
Ash headed towards the stairs, "Well I guess it's my turn in the office. Before I forget, AJ may come by tomorrow"
Misty shot him a puzzled look, "Why?"
Ash stopped at the base of the stairs, "Because I promised he could try for the badge again, tomorrow."
"WHAT!?!"
"I promised…"
Misty interrupted him, "You peat him?" She was incredulous
Ash frowned, "You didn't think I could beat him?"
"Ye…no…oh! I just thought that he would be even harder to beat now then he was back then."
Ash was hurt. He swallowed hard and replied hoarsely, "I beat him after you went back to Cerulean City and Brock went back to Pewter."
"Oh…you didn't tell me when you beat him." She was sorry she said anything.
Ash turned back to the stairs and started climbing them, "Well I had better go work on the paperwork…I'll see you later. Good luck on all the challenges."
Misty watched him dejectedly walk up the stairs she curled up in a ball on the couch. *I'm sorry…what's wrong with me? I feel so odd…I hope we can talk it out tonight. Oh, Ash why am I reverting back to how I was before?*
*****
Ash sat in the chair and stared at the desk. There wasn't much left to do…Misty had taken care of almost all of the paperwork. *Why is she acting this way? I'm so confused…*
Pikachu tried to get his attention, "Pikapi, pika pikachu?" (Ash, what's wrong?)
"Huh?" Ash shook his head and looked at his friend. "Don't worry about me…I'll be fine…I'm just worried about Misty."
Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and patted his head, "Pi pikachu pika pika chu." (I'm sure she's fine.)
"I just don't know what's wrong…maybe it's all this baby business…"
"Pika cha." (Try talking to her.)
Ash smiled at his friend, "I'll try Pikachu…I'll try." He sighed and worked on finished up what was left.
*****
Back down stairs Misty was battling a Rattata with Totodile…
"Totodile use leer."
"Tota!" (Okay!) The little crocodile followed through with the command, it was successful.
"Rattata, tackle attack!" The small rat like pokemon charged Totodile.
The little crock danced out of the way and continued to dance around avoiding all of Rattata's attacks.
"Totodile use Scratch."
"Rattata tackle attack."
The two pokemon made contact. Totodile was able to get in a few scratches before Rattata could execute its' tackle. They jumped apart waiting for the next command.
"Totodile use Scratch again."
"Rattata tackle again."
This time Totodile got solid hits in and Rattata's attack missed…Rattata fainted.
"No, Rattata…are you okay?" The young trainer ran to retrieve his fallen pokemon.
Misty congratulated Totodile then recalled him. She took a potion off the shelf and went to help the young trainer.
He was checking out his pokemon's injuries.
Misty smiled a little at him then administered the potion to Rattata. "Your Rattata fought well…you just need to train a bit more and get more pokemon to help you out. When your ready come back and try again."
The young trainer returned his revived pokemon to its ball and bowed his head. "Thank you."
She smiled a bit more, "No problem, just keep on trying and you'll succeed."
The boy thanked her again, nodded his head and left the gym.
Misty sighed, *Kind of reminds me of Ash. Just a few more hours and I can apologize.* She glanced at the office and went back out front to get the next challenger.
*****
Ash was determined to get Misty to tell him what was bothering her by the time he finished his work. He spent the rest of the afternoon planning what he was going to say. When the clock struck four o'clock he had everything planned out. He gathered up their things and grabbed the letters that needed to be mailed locking up the office as they left.
Misty met him in the front and they locked up dropping the mail in a mailbox, walking home in silence.
*****
After taking care of the pokemon and eating a quick dinner Ash and Misty went out on the balcony to watch the sunset…
Misty turned to Ash and hugged him, "Ash, I'm really sorry for what I said today…I don't know what came over me…"
He hugged her back and buried his face in her hair kissing her scalp. "Ssshhh…It's okay…I just want you to let me know when something is bothering you." He held her close and rubbed her back.
She pulled back enough to look him in the eye. "Well…I guess everything is just different from what I thought it would be. It's…overwhelming me. I never expected to have a weird ex-girlfriend of sorts who won't take no for an answer after my husband.
Ash smiled, "Well I used to have a crush on her but I never said she returned it. I was hoping that getting married would solve the problem and she would give up."
She buried her face in his chest, "Will she ever give up?"
Ash ran his fingers through her hair in a soothing rhythm, "I hope so…I really hope so."
They stood like that until the sun went down.
Misty sighed, "Ash?"
"Hmm?" He looked down and met her gaze.
"About what I told Okido…"
"What about it?"
"We are trying to start a family…right?"
He smiled, "If your ready…I'm ready."
"I'm r-ready…you don't regret marrying me do you?"
Ash's brows knit together, "You don't sound that sure and why would I regret marrying you? Sure we fight every now and then but it's never anything too serious. You don't regret marring me do you?"
She intensified her gaze, "No, I couldn't imagine my life with out you. Well, actually I could but I really don't want to."
"Keep it that way." He leaned down and pecked her on the lips. His confidence that they could deal with what ever life throws at them reassured her.
"As long as your there with me I feel like I'm ready for anything."
He picked her up and kissed her deeply sitting down on a chair. They had to stop for air. "How about we continue in the house?"
She smiled and gently kissed him again, "That's the best idea I've heard today…besides its getting cold out here."
He pecked her on the nose scooped her up and carried her in the house.
*****
To be continued…
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I'm extremely sorry for not getting this out sooner. Hopefully the length makes up for it. ::looks pathetically at al the angry reviewers:: Heh…heh…heh… ::sweatdrop:: ^^;;
Anyway…thank you for all of the reviews you don't know how much they mean to me. I can't believe it's taken so long to update. I'm kind of bummed out because I missed the one year anniversary of starting this fic. ::pouts:: How time flies when one doesn't update. . I've been with fanfiction.net for over a year! ^_^ Hopefully now that summer is almost here I'll finally get this done. Really didn't mean to take this long to finish this. Though I'm going to have to work full time to pay for school ::sigh:: When will it end? Best guess is never…oh well! Finals are next week so don't expect a new chapter for a while…hopefully two weeks tops. Also why did only one person reply to my author's note? I really could have used the feedback…
Enough of my lame excuses and on to things related to the fic.
I really meant for May to be in this chapter but it just didn't fit. Don't worry she'll be in the next one. Hopefully you are satisfied with the way Ash and Misty admitted that they are ready to start a family. I know the pokemon battle sucked but that's the part I had the most trouble with.
Questions:
Still looking for Ash and Misty's birthdays…had some suggestions/guesses but I'm still open for any other suggestions. I just want the day and month I don't need the years since this is an alternate universe.
Does anyone object to the name of their badge?
Also does anyone strenuously object to the May/AJ pairing? Sorry but I couldn't see her with Richie. Besides she kind of ignores him in the base fic. Speaking of Richie, any ideas on who to pair him up with?
Here are the questions from the author's note again…please answer me:
Should Misty experience morning sickness? Or should I torture Ash and have him experience it instead? ::smirk:: Kind of leaning towards being evil…
Should I increase the rating of this fic? Sorry, but I suck at gauging how high to rate stuff. ^^;; Only promise is it won't get to R or NC-17. I don't do extreme violence/situations or lemons.
If anyone wants to see my author's note again let me know and I'll re-post it. Also if you want to be added to the update notification list let me know.
Well that's about it for now thanks for reading, please review.
Kitcat ^_^
