Blue Heaven

By Spruceton Spook

Part 13

Late Night Chat

Ash couldn't sleep. Try as he might, he was unable to let himself settle down and encourage his body to relax. His heart raced unstoppably, making his limbs restless and his head dizzy. The blankets had become heavy and sizzling, and he kicked them off a little too violently than he should have, nearly pitching them over the side where they would have landed on Brock's head.

He didn't know how long he was like this. He never looked over to check the clock. He simply lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling, engulfed in his embittered, perturbed thoughts. Every once in a while, he would throw a glance down to where Misty's bed had once been, and would turn away grievously. It wasn't right. An upwelling of anger, joined with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and regret, would take him over completely, making the disaster that had ruined the night seem even more devastating.

I should've fought more, he lamented over and over. He was disgusted with himself, fully convinced that if he had tried just a little more determinedly, things would have been different. Sure, it would have caused a hideous strife, resulting most likely in more harsh words and furious back-talking, resulting even more in the increase of his parents' anger towards him, resulting in...well, stuff that most certainly wouldn't have been fun. But perhaps something good would have come out of it. Perhaps Misty would have been in his bedroom rather than in that damned sitting room.

But apart from all the raging thoughts and emotions flying through his brain, nothing compared to the empty sensation of loneliness that was wracking him. Even though Pikachu was snuggled warmly at his feet, and Brock was snoring softly just below, Ash felt alone, incomplete. His room became a dense, lacking atmosphere. Misty's absence, albeit only for a few hours, was unbearable.

This is so stupid, Ash grumbled as he sat up in bed. I'm never gonna get to sleep like this.

He wanted to do something—anything that would rid this miserable change from being. Ideas had swarmed his mind since he'd first let his head touch the pillow. The urge to sneak over to the sitting room and see Misty was extremely tempting, but at the same time he didn't want to wake her if she was sleeping peacefully. This was only the least extreme of what he'd concocted in those long, contemplative hours, however. Underhandedly moving her bed back into his room during the night were among the aims, as well as sleeping on the lounge chair beside her or, which he was dreading but quite willing to do, go on a sleeping strike until his parents were forced to change their minds.

But Ash knew he would be taking a wild risk engaging in these rash operations. Just protesting his disapproval alone had created such uproar. And besides, who knew if Misty would even want to carry out these risks along with him? She hated being separated from him and Brock, Ash was sure, but she also had the keen mind to not defy his parents under any circumstances. Ash wondered how she could do it. Withstanding this separation was agonizing, and submitting to it without a fight he saw as remarkable.

"Uggh!" he groaned out loud, swinging his legs out of bed. I can't take it anymore. This sucks so much!

He needed something to drink. Maybe something to eat, too. He hoped it would help him grow tired and put an end to this awful night. As he climbed quietly down the ladder and tiptoed to the door, he wasn't sure how he would pass by the sitting room without going in to see Misty. He would have to, though. As much as he wanted to rebel against his parents' resolve, he didn't want another fight. He couldn't bear it right now.

The hallway was a deep world of solid blackness as he opened his door. He didn't feel like putting on any lights; his watery eyes weren't capable of enduring the bright assault. Placing his one hand flat on the wall as a way of guiding himself to the stairs, he ventured forward, his other hand stretching out haphazardly into the dusky oblivion.

"Omigod!"

Ash's heart nearly ripped out of his chest as his wandering hand smacked into something hard, inducing both the terrified outcry that emerged from it and the staggering trip he made into the wall. It took a second for his alarm to subside, clearing his frightened mind.

"Misty? Is that you?" he faltered.

"Ash?" came the whimpering reply. "Oh my God, you scared the heck out of me!"

"Are you okay? Where are you?" Ash asked, his hand roaming the dark for her.

"I'm right here." She came forward, and their hands fumbled to join. His stomach settled as he felt her warm, shaky hand squeeze his.

"What's the matter?" he said, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"I can't sleep," she whispered back.

"Me neither. Come on, let's go downstairs so we can see each other."

"All right."

Holding her hand tightly, Ash led them through the dark, and flicked on the switch at the top of the staircase. The living room lit up dimly below, and squinting, the two finally allowed their eyes to meet. Neither could believe the wonderful feeling that cascaded through them as they smiled, the effect of the lonely hours lifting.

Misty plopped down on the couch, tucking her legs underneath her and resting her drowsy head on the armrest. She was exhausted, but no matter what position she slept in, no matter how many pleasant things she tried to picture, sleep had been impossible. The uncomfortable fight and her new, secluded environment kept her mind torturously preoccupied. She glanced at the clock to note that it was nearing one A.M.

"I was coming down to get a drink," Ash said softly. She smiled up at him with her droopy eyes. "You want something?"

"Anything to help me calm down and sleep," she sighed longingly.

"You got it," Ash winked, shuffling into the kitchen. He was extra quiet as he opened the cabinet to get two tall glasses, which he carefully poured full of milk. He hoped the creamy beverage would generate slumber quickly, but as he thought of Misty sitting silently in the living room, brought there by something other than one of his crazy schemes, he wondered if the milk would be necessary anymore.

Misty looked like she had fallen asleep, but as he approached her, she lifted her head and sat up to accept her milk.

"Thanks, Ash," she yawned.

"Welcome," he replied, then proceeded to quaff down half the glass. It was just what he'd craved, but not as much as having Misty beside him. He could barely take his eyes off of her as she drank, overjoyed that he was blessed with the answer to his wish.

"So...you had trouble sleeping, too?" she asked, licking her lips of the white residue.

Ash shook his head. "Like you would have no idea."

"Try me," Misty smirked.

Ash smiled weakly. "This whole thing sucks," he said, retaining a bit of apology in his tone. "I can't believe my parents did this."

Misty looked down. "I know. At first I thought it wouldn't be so bad. I didn't want to move, but...the sitting room looked so comfortable, and I was so tired I thought I'd be asleep in no time." She chuckled in absurdity. "Didn't know how wrong I was."

"So you haven't slept at all?"

"Not one bit."

"Well, who can blame you?" Ash scoffed humorously. "Mom put you in that room with those freaky pictures."

This brought a wide smile to her face as the mood was instantly lightened. "That's not the reason!" She scrunched up her nose in playful insult.

"Oh please, give me a break!" he laughed. "I hate those pictures! I swear, they're evil."

"Oh, they are not!"

"They are to!" Ash retorted with conviction.

"Ash, they're your great-great-grandparents!" she grinned, as if that made a difference.

"So what? Doesn't mean they still aren't whacked out and ugly! Do you ever see me go in there? Huh? Those things creep me out! They give me weird looks, Misty."

Misty had to do everything to hold back her laughter. "Well, you know," she said, cringing slightly, "after a while, the streetlight did happen to shine directly on them, and they were kinda staring right at me..."

Ash pointed at her crazily, jumping from his seat. "See! They're haunted! I told ya!" He shook his head with silly disgust. "And Mom put you in there!"

They both laughed, and rapidly tried to shush themselves as they feared they were too loud. The last thing they wanted was to wake everyone up and create another awkward battle. As they managed to taper off, however, the nonsense went right along with it, and downhearted seriousness set in once again.

"That's not the reason why I couldn't sleep, Ash," Misty said quietly. Her smile was gone. "I miss being with you guys."

Her sad tone made Ash blink somberly. "I miss having you in my room, too."

"It just feels so weird," Misty went on. "I guess...I guess I'm really used to knowing you guys are there, and that...I'm not alone."

"Same here," Ash said. He tucked his legs underneath him as well, hanging his head. "I kept looking down at where your bed was, and seeing it not there was so weird. It was almost like...like I was hoping it would be there the next time I looked."

A small smile etched Misty's lips. "Awww, Ash." She reached out and tenderly rubbed his shoulder.

"Don't worry, though," he mumbled, eagerness seeping back into his doleful voice. "It won't be this way much longer. I'm not going to let my parents do this to us. It's not fair."

"I know it's not," Misty agreed, though hesitantly. "But...if this is what they want, then...then we really can't do anything about it."

Ash swallowed hard, and gazed firmly into her eyes. "Yes, we can. I can. They won't hear the end of it until they let you come back."

Misty sighed long and hard. Though she adored his determination, she could sense hardship on the way. It made her feel hopeless, fearing that no matter how hard they strove, there was no way her bed would ever end up in Ash's room again. Not with the reasons Delia and Jay had to back their purpose.

"I don't know," she said, leery. "Maybe we should wait a while on this."

Ash's face contorted with bafflement. "What do you mean wait a while?"

"Well," Misty responded, lingering as she thought of the right words to use. A jittery, little smile emerged. "Your parents...Ash, I really don't think they want us sleeping in the same room anymore. I mean really."

Ash looked even more confused, then angry. "Well, I don't care what they don't want! It's so stupid, it just doesn't make sense to me! Why are they suddenly so dead-set about you not being with us? They never had a problem with us sleeping in the same room before. Mom especially! You've spent months in that room, and she never said a thing!"

Misty bit her lip. "I know, Ash, but..."

"It's just dumb, that's all it is," he declared, completely inattentive to the nervous, yet knowing, look displayed on her face. He looked down, disgruntled. "I don't know why they're doing this to us."

Twiddling her fingers, Misty stared at him, that fidgety look of hers hardly fading. "Um...you don't?" she squeaked. Ash shook his head.

Misty turned away for a moment. She wasn't exactly sure how she was going to disclose this to him—or even if he knew the answer to his own question, but was too afraid to admit it.

"Ash." She paused as she waited for him to look at her. As he did, she smiled a bit tensely, taking a deep breath as she prepared to do this. "You really don't know why they're doing this? Why they're separating us?"

"No!" Ash shrugged, his eyes still narrowed with hostility. "If I did, I'd fix it!"

She had to restrain from laughing at that one. She bit furiously on her lip and looked away again, a flush of crimson sweeping across the bridge of her nose.

"Ash, Ash, Ash," she said carefully as she turned back to him, holding out her hands in a way of getting him to focus. A bashful chuckle escaped her. "Come on now. You seriously don't know why your parents don't want us in the same room together?"

Ash frowned; Misty's subtlety was starting to really bewilder him. "Misty, I don't know what you're talking about—"

"Ash! Think!" she commanded frivolously. There was no way she could reveal this to him directly. He was going to figure this out on his own, whether it took all night or not. And if he didn't, it would just be plain scary, to say the least.

Cocking his head, Ash fell into quiet thought, trying to cohere to what Misty was so obliquely insinuating. She just grinned at him, her eyes wide in expectancy, waiting for the light bulb above his head to click to life.

And click to life it did. All of a sudden, Ash's eyes became as round as saucers, and his face promptly reddened to the color of a ripe tomato. With a leap backward, he gasped.

"You're kidding, right!?" he yelped, his voice begging her to ease his instantly alarmed mind.

His blush induced Misty's to broaden rapidly. She simply shook her head.

Ash's hands flew to cover his face, and he curled himself up into a tight ball. Misty had to giggle inwardly at the sight. She knew this revelation was indeed shocking to him—and that was an understatement.

"Oh my God!" he wailed from his knees, his words muffled. He looked up at her reluctantly, to which Misty gave him a shaky smile. "That...th-that's what they think!? That's why they separated us?"

Softly, she nodded, and Ash dumped his head back into his lap. He couldn't believe what he was dreadfully discovering. How could his parents think that way? How could they possibly imagine them going so far as to—

He couldn't think of it. He didn't want to! The thought of it alone made his mind spin, his stomach churn. It disgusted and utterly horrified him.

"Ash," Misty said tenderly, ducking her head to see if she could see his face from behind his drawn-up knees. "Are you okay?"

Ash was quiet for a moment. "I will never be okay. Never, ever again!" he moaned, his voice tottering and scarred.

Misty smiled compassionately. "Aww, it's okay. It's not that bad."

"Not that bad!?" Ash exclaimed incredulously. He lifted his eyes to meet hers. "Misty, how could my parents think that!? How could they think we would...we would... We—we're just kids! We would never do that!"

"I know, Ash, I know," Misty laughed, shaking his arms in attempt to comfort him. "Look, it doesn't necessarily mean that they think we're gonna do it."

"You just said that was the reason!" Ash choked. He was quickly turning pale, and Misty wouldn't have been surprised if he turned green next.

"Well, that's just part of it," she explained softly. "Ash, you know, it really isn't that appropriate for girls to sleep in the same rooms as guys. You're an only child—maybe that's why you don't understand, but...really, it's not that...'acceptable.' That's the main reason why your folks don't want us together. But especially now that we're boyfriend and girlfriend, it kinda...well, makes them worry that we might get some wrong ideas..."

"But we would never do that!" Ash cried desperately. "Not in a million years! Not never, ever, ever! That's gross!"

"Ash, calm down!" Misty giggled, delighting in his innocence. She feared his repulsion would wake the whole neighborhood if she didn't console him quickly.

"I never even thought of that with us!" he continued, his voice wavering. It looked as though he was about to break into tears.

"Neither have I," Misty agreed reassuringly. "And that's good that we think that way—we're years from that."

"Well, obviously my parents don't think so! I can't believe it! That's just...uggggggh!"

"Oh, Ash," Misty sighed, resting her head on the trembling boy's shoulder and snuggling up against his warm body. "It's okay. Don't let it get to you." She smiled as she looked up at his twisted face. "I'm glad you think the way you do. It makes me comforted."

"Well, it's not that hard," Ash confessed. "It's gross—I don't ever want to think about it!"

Misty smiled, and closed her eyes as she squeezed his arm. "Sure you do," she whispered. "Not now...but you will someday."

"No, I won't," Ash said resolutely. "Never."

Sitting up, she gazed affably into his eyes. "Well...you know...someday, a long time from now...we'll have kids." Ash braced as she said this. "Don't you want to have kids, Ash?"

He gulped hard, looking away for a moment awkwardly. "Sure I do...I guess," he finally answered inaudibly.

Misty gave him a cheeky grin. "Well, we're gonna have to do that first, ya know, in order to get them," she murmured, her tone somewhat silly. She loved the way he squirmed noticeably at that.

"Yeah, guess you're right... But I'd rather not think about it until the time comes."

Misty laughed, and to her joy, Ash achieved a wobbly grin. The troubling effect of the breakthrough was slowly starting to settle, but it posed no sign of leaving his head anytime soon. With each second, it replayed freshly and unwittingly in his mind, and Ash did everything he could to make sure he wasn't about to lose the milk he'd just ingested.

"Of course," Misty said reassuringly. "That's when we'll be married, and grown up. A long ways away. You don't have to worry about that now."

"Thank God," Ash breathed. "I mean, I would like to have kids someday, but I'm happy with just kissing right now. I think that's about all I can handle!"

Misty beamed, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "You're so cute."

Ash's blush, which had finally dissolved, came back. His heart was beating, one overwhelming insight after another attacking his dumbfounded body. He didn't know how he was going to manage everything that had happened on this eventful night, but as Misty nuzzled closer to him, he suddenly felt dazed with contentment.

"Now if only we could convince my parents of that," he said.

Misty didn't take her head off his shoulder. "Mmm," she agreed.

Ash maneuvered his arm so that he could embrace her, and looked on wistfully. "I guess with the way they're thinking, though, nothing we say is going to convince them to let you come back."

"Well...maybe if we give it some time," Misty thought. "If we show them that we're not going to do anything wrong, maybe they'll let me come back. Just...give it some time."

Though it was a very efficient idea, Ash's spirits were raised none. "But I don't want to give it some time. I want it now."

Misty sighed sadly. "Me, too. But I don't think it's going to happen."

"Maybe if I talk to them calmly, they'll think about it. You know, not...screaming my head off like a jerk like I did tonight."

She jabbed him humorously. "That might be a plan."

Ash breathed deeply. "I hope so. I mean...this is only one night. And look at us! I don't know how I'm going to take this for...however long it goes."

Misty looked down dejectedly, thinking of how hard it was for her, as well. "I'm sure we'll get used to it. If we have to adjust, then...we have to adjust."

Adjust.

At that moment, Ash couldn't control the tears that pooled in his eyes. Thinking of the odds against them and the somewhat futile task they were prepared to take made it seem like one incredible nightmare. It wasn't engaging in the efforts to make things right he was afraid of, however; it was the very presumable chance that they weren't going to achieve success. And adjusting was something Ash didn't think he would be able to deal with.

"Misty," he said quietly, "I...I can't adjust."

She sighed. "I know, Ash. It's going to be hard. I know."

"No, but—you don't understand!" Ash said, lurching enough that Misty sat up. Her startled eyes met his glossy, wet ones. He bit his lip, turning it pure white. "I don't think this is something I can adjust to, just like that. It...it's more."

"What...what do you mean, it's more?" Misty asked, nervously intrigued.

"I mean...well," Ash stammered. It was difficult trying to find the best words to explain his predicament—it was like the walls inside of him were closing in, releasing waves of panic through his veins. "It's just that...I can't adjust to this, I can't accept it, because...because..." He shook his head violently. "Because someday it's really going to be like this, and I can't take it!"

He grit his teeth furiously as the last part came out, muffling it to an almost indecipherable outcry. The furor dripping from his words was enough to get Misty's heart pumping dreadfully.

"Ash! What are talking about? What do you mean, it's going to be like this someday?"

"You know what I mean," Ash sniffled. "Someday...it's not gonna be like this. You...you aren't going to be here anymore."

Misty's mouth dropped open, and she blinked. "What are talking about?" she asked fearfully again.

"Don't you know?" Ash whispered, wincing. "Someday...someday we won't be able to do this anymore. You and me and Brock! We won't be together like this always!"

Shuddering in confusion, Misty forced a weak smile. "Of course we will, Ash," she contradicted.

"No we won't," Ash replied, his tone sounding almost shocked that she could deny something so true. "In a few years, w-we won't be together like this anymore. I mean, I...I'm gonna have to go back to school, and...you're gonna have to go back, too, o-or back to the gym! Brock, too. And—and when that happens...it won't be like this anymore. We won't be together! I won't...have you here anymore."

His pain-filled words made Misty freeze solid, her eyes glimmering with trauma.

"That's why," Ash continued, gazing at her with sincere terror, "I don't think I can handle this. Misty, seeing your bed not there...it—it made me so scared! Because it reminded me that someday...it's going to be like that, and that I won't be able to do anything about it. I just...never realized how much I couldn't think of being in this house without you. Or being without you period."

"Ash," Misty managed to breathe, her hand extending to grab his.

"I don't ever want you to leave, Misty," he moaned, and her stomach fluttered. "Not my house, not my room. I don't want you to leave. But someday...you're gonna have to. And it's never going to be like this again."

Hot tears stung Misty's eyes, but unlike Ash, she didn't fight them. His distressed, reluctant speech made her body melt, overcome with equal blows of both sadness and blissful emotion. She couldn't believe how much he cared, how much her company meant to him. She wanted nothing other than to relieve him of this terrible dilemma, but at the same time, the surfaced account of what was to come impeded her drastically. To her dismay, it was all true—except for one thing.

"Oh, Ash," she whispered, pulling him in for a hug. Ash embraced back, burying his face into her shoulder. "Don't think about that now."

"I can't help it," he said. "Not having you in my room doesn't help make it go away. I can't stop thinking about you leaving!"

"Awww, don't worry about it," Misty cooed softly. "You're wrong—it will be like this again someday."

Ash lifted his head. "It will?"

She smiled. "Sure it will! In a few years we're gonna have to go our separate ways, I know. It's nothing we can control. But that doesn't mean we'll never see each other again, Ash. You think I'm gonna let you get away that easily?" Relief soared through her as a small smile danced on his lips.

"It might be hard going through those years, but it doesn't mean we won't still talk or hang out. And someday...after all of that...we can be together like this for the rest of our lives."

Ash tilted his head. "You mean...w-we'll get married?"

Misty blushed furiously. "If that's what you want," she replied almost teasingly.

He paused for a moment, letting her words drift around in his mind. "I do want that. But I don't think I can wait for it."

Misty giggled, and wrapped her arms around him again. "Sure you can," she said upliftingly. "You'll be too busy becoming a Pokémon Master, anyway, won't you?"

At the mention of this, Ash's face not surprisingly brightened. "Yeah, you bet!" he replied, prospect finally peeking in his voice. Misty couldn't have been more pleased—she knew that would lighten the load.

"So, Mr. Pokémon Master, don't forget about me when you're off doing that, ya hear?" she playfully warned, poking his ribs. Ticklish, Ash laughed and wiggled away.

"I won't," he promised. He paused for a moment, millions of thoughts running through his head. He had to chuckle. "Wow, I can't believe all these things you're making me think about: being a Pokémon Master, getting married, having kids...the other thing..."

Sticking his tongue out in complete distaste, Misty snickered in shock. "Hey, you shouldn't be thinking of that last thing!" she scolded, swatting his shoulder.

Ash's eyes widened in stupefaction. "What? It's because of you it's stuck in my mind! I'd give anything for it to go away!"

It was an extreme difficulty to keep her increasing laughter in check. Her hands flew to her mouth to hold it in, but Ash wasn't doing any better. Their chortles went on for a good minute, mindless to everything but their amusement. It was crucial to them at this point, temporarily ridding them of the adversities associated with the night.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps on the stairs abruptly ceased their laughs. Flinching in surprise, the two exchanged a fearful look before turning towards the stairs, dreading who it might be. They simultaneously exhaled with relief as their visitor turned out to be no one but Brock, squinting tiredly at them.

"What are you guys doing down here?" he asked in a whisper.

"Oh...nothing," Misty said, and she and Ash smirked at each other.

"Yup. Just talking about stuff," Ash added.

Brock reached up to rub his sleepy eyes. "But look at the time, guys." He beckoned for them to come forward. "C'mon, you're gonna wake everyone up. Go to bed."

"Okay," the two responded, jutting out their bottom lips in impish disappointment. They rose, and Ash quickly took their empty glasses to the kitchen. Brock was already up the stairs by the time Ash returned, and together, he and Misty ascended the stairs. They froze for a second before snapping the light off, listening to see if Brock was coming back out again. But upon hearing his covers rustle, they delightedly affirmed he was back in bed, and, without another moment of dawdling, leaned in to share a soft good-night kiss.

"See you in the morning, Ash," Misty said, waving to him as she departed for her room.

Ash waved back, then gave her a crafty wink. "Sleep tight. Don't let my grandparents bite."

The last thing he saw before shutting off the light was her eyes, widened with playful fright and looking ready to kill him for reminding her of those she "shared" a room with.


The next morning couldn't have been any more perfect. The sky was bright and clear, giving way to the brilliance of the summer sun, but it was not hot. The heat had broken days ago with a wild, but brief, thunderstorm, a relief to everyone. One was a little happier than the rest—Ash was finding it so hard to suppress his desire to train his pokémon that he was literally jumping out of his skin. As soon as he stepped out and felt the low humidity and pleasant breezes associated with the wonderful day, a smile of pure bliss swept from ear to ear.

Misty and Brock wished to take advantage of the beautiful weather as well, and thus a full-blown pokémon training and hunting excursion was planned. Just the thought of venturing out into the woods, if only for a day, and capturing new members for his team made Ash's troubles lift instantly. It had been such a long time since he'd done this, everything else going on in his life seemingly disappeared, Misty's forced departure from his room included.

By Misty's request that morning, Ash promised to not bring anything up about what happened the night before—both the confrontation and their late-night discussion. She didn't want any trouble, and Ash ardently agreed. As upset as he was, he wasn't in the mood for arguing. That, and he didn't care about anything but pokémon at that moment. He just wanted to get out there, put everything behind him, and have a fun-filled day training and battling.

Unbeknownst to Ash, Delia didn't want to think about the events of the previous night, either. As she stood in the entranceway to the kitchen, quietly watching the three kids pack their bags for the excursion, her face was long and pensive. Ash hadn't spoken to her much that morning, but neither had she talked to him for that matter. She knew the reason behind his apathy, but she was certain he didn't know hers.

With each minute, Delia felt more regretful for what she caused, her incentives for moving Misty sturdy or not. All that raided her conscience was her son's displeasure, his obvious gloom. She didn't want him to be upset, and knowing this was doing an emotional number on her. Seeing him all excited and happy over his day plans lifted her spirits a little, but she hated to see him go. After generating so much tension last night, she wanted the day to show him she wasn't out to hurt him or make him unhappy. She wanted to let him know she loved him.

But there was no way in the world she was going to deny him his excursion or persuade him to stay home. The only thing allowing her to do this was the prospect of him returning that evening, where she would have a big, delicious dinner (pizza potpie, his favorite incidentally) and dessert awaiting him and his friends. Then she would spend the night with him however he wished: playing a game, watching a movie—she'd even watch The Music Man with him if he wanted. Anything to knock down the hostile wall that had been erected between them.

Ash zipped up his bag and swung it over his back, after which Pikachu found his common seat. He was all ready to go, and with the grin he had on from his antsy arranging, he glanced at his mom. With a smile, she stepped forward.

"You're gonna come home tonight, right, honey?" she asked sweetly.

Ash's smile faded a little, but he nodded. "Sure thing, Mom."

"We promise to bring him home safe," Misty said.

"Misty!" Ash grumbled, and she stifled a giggle.

Delia laughed, too, though it was choppy and weak. No matter how much she wanted him to go, she didn't. It was a feeling she couldn't shake.

"What time can I expect you home?" she inquired, hoping it would be early.

Ash looked at his feet, shrugging. "I dunno. Eight, I guess."

"We'll be home by eight," Brock repeated more decidedly, shifting his backpack.

"Okay," Delia agreed, reaching out to pinch Ash's chin. He inhaled tensely but accepted her affection. She bent down to his level. "Be home on time, okay? I'll have supper all hot and ready for you—something nice I think you'll like."

Her son reluctantly met her eyes. "'Kay. I'll be home."

"And besides...I worry about you, journey or no journey," she added softly, giving his cheek a kiss. "I like you home before it's dark."

"All right, all right, I'll be home," Ash said, turning before rolling his eyes. "You don't have to worry, Mom."

He started out the door, and Delia's face fell again. Aren't I gonna get a good-bye? "Bye, son."

Ash turned, and with a bit of strength, produced a small smile. "Bye." He then turned to Misty and Brock and his voice promptly livened. "C'mon, guys, let's go!"

"Okay," Misty jumped briskly after him. "Bye, Mrs. Ketchum."

"Bye," Brock smiled, giving her a wave.

"Bye, kids. Have fun," she replied, waving back. She didn't know how long she stood there looking at the closed door after they left, fighting back tears.


"Wow, what a day!" Misty groaned tiredly, collapsing on the soft patch of grass beneath her.

"You can say that again," Ash said, smiling in agreement. "I waited too long for this. Brock, chips."

"Mmm hmm." Brock, his mouth full, handed the bag of potato chips to Ash. Despite the sandwiches they'd consumed only a few hours ago, Ash was famished. A full day of training and practice battles had left him utterly, but happily, worn out. The same went for Misty and Brock, as well as their pokémon. Though they hadn't encountered any wild pokémon, the day had certainly not been a waste: after all the exercising and vigorous work he'd put his pokémon through, Ash was convinced they were as fit as ever.

Now, as the evening sun was descending in the orange sky, they were settled comfortably under the shade of a towering tree, getting one last relaxing rest with nature before heading back home.

"It was really good that we did this," Brock said, finally swallowing. "Our pokémon needed it."

"I know what you mean," Ash replied. "I was starting to think my pokémon were getting suspicious since we haven't been in any real matches lately."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu smiled proudly, butting his head softly into Ash's side.

Ash laughed. "I know you weren't getting suspicious, Pikachu. I'm talking about the others." Pikachu chirped affably and climbed onto Ash's lap. He was exhausted from all the drills throughout the day, and curled up to a welcoming ear-massage from his trainer.

"We really should be heading home soon, guys," Brock said in passing, popping another chip into his mouth.

"I don't ever want to get up," Misty responded, still sprawled out. She sighed happily. "It's so peaceful and beautiful here."

"I know," Ash said, then looked up at the reddening sky. "But it is getting late."

"We should really start off now," Brock suggested, though his voice spoke otherwise. It was easy to tell he had no ambition to get up, either. "We have a good fifteen-minute walk back...maybe more. We don't want to be late for dinner."

At the sound of that, Ash's stomach rumbled. Dinner sounded too good to be true—especially since he'd gotten the gist of what it would be from his mother's enticing ambiguity. "You're right. Come on, Pikachu, off. We gotta go. You too, Misty. Get up."

Pikachu hopped off, but Misty remained. Ash laughed, and playfully pretended to give her a swift kick. Misty screamed and instinctively rolled away to protect herself, then leapt up and swung at him, not finding his prank the least bit funny. Brock rolled his eyes as he gathered up their belongings and the snacks while the two chased each other around.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling bushes was heard, and all movement came to a standstill. Ash and Misty's eyes widened, Brock froze in the process of rolling the bag of chips up, and Pikachu's ears and tail perked. Ash noticed this excitedly.

"What is it, Pikachu?" he whispered, just as twigs snapping sounded again. His face immediately brightened when he saw sparks of caution sizzle from Pikachu's cheeks. "What's over there?"

Hearing the evident thrill in his voice, Misty moaned. "Ash, come on. It's late now, forget about it."

Ash ignored her, the smile on his face growing as the impending approach of a pokémon stimulated his nerves again. Finally! It was about time they ran into something, and he wasn't prepared to let this one go without a battle. His friends thought differently, however.

"Ash, leave it alone," Brock advised. "We don't have time to battle; we gotta get home. Just let it go."

"I'm not gonna let it go!" Ash exclaimed, hopping on his toes. "Whatever it is, I'm gonna catch it! Just give me a minute!"

"Aaasssh," Misty groaned again, but he just waved her away.

"You ready for this, Pikachu?" he asked his pokémon. "You're not too tired?"

"Pika!" Pikachu replied determinedly, his ears flattening against his head in emphasis. Ash beamed, adrenaline surging through his body.

"All right then!" He pointed at the area of bushes from whence the rustling had come. He couldn't see anything, but there was certainly something over there, something that Ash was sure would be in his pokéball in just a moment's time. "Let 'er rip!"

"Pikachu!"

Misty and Brock stood back and held their breaths as Pikachu let off a massive thunderbolt, crackling and dancing towards the bushes. It hit its mysterious target dead-on, as the electricity hissed with contact and a loud roar of pain intruded the tranquil setting. Pikachu halted his attack and looked on alertly, while Ash let out a victorious cry.

"You got it, Pika—whoa!"

Suddenly, the creature lurched from the bushes, abruptly ending Ash's ecstatic praise and replacing it with a startled yelp.

"Holy—!" Brock exclaimed, eyes wide and stumbling backwards. Misty let out a piercing screech of shock, grasping Togepi fearfully to her chest and retreated back with Brock.

Ash just stared. Before him, on all fours, crouched a burly beast, its brown fur scorched from the toasty residue of Pikachu's successful attack, its eyes narrowed with burning animosity. It was heaving, and Ash let his trembling eyes wander, taking in its bent-back ears and razor-sharp claws. The only aspect that had yet to be exposed was its enormous height, that of which it achieved as the ursaring rose on its hind legs and pinned back its lips to bare its mouth of knifelike teeth.

"Ash!" Misty shrieked, her voice shrill with fright. "Come back, hurry!"

Ash gulped as the imposing pokémon glared down at him, very obviously displeased with the rude awakening. But aside from its threatening rage, Ash was amazed, the strength and beauty of such a creature getting him motivated once again. He needed this one. Balling his fists and gritting his teeth, he pointed fearlessly at the ursaring.

"Pikachu, thundershock!" he commanded, and with a passionate battle cry, Pikachu obeyed, sending another wave of electricity in the ursaring's direction. It hit again, and it growled and retracted from the attack. It was definitely making an impact, and Ash was enthralled.

"You're doing good, Pikachu! One more oughta do it!"

"Pikachu!" he replied, and prepared another attack.

The ursaring had quite enough, however. Before Pikachu had a chance to create enough electricity for even a minor assault, the bear launched forward, its mighty arms raised to retaliate. Ash cried out and sprung away from its advance, shocked that it had made such an unexpected move. He could only watch in horror as Pikachu, taken quite by surprise as well, found himself on the receiving end of a powerful swipe. He was knocked airborne, soaring a good twenty feet before skidding to a halt on the rough ground.

"Pikachu!" Ash howled, matched with Misty and Brock's cries. "No!"

They rushed quickly to the wounded mouse's side. Torturous thoughts of regret flew through Ash's head as he saw his precious friend lying still in the dirt. Pikachu had been too tired, too weak—why'd make him battle? But he had no time further to think about it. Before they barely reached Pikachu, the ursaring let off another thundering roar. Ash, Misty, and Brock spun to face it just as it bound towards them with look of undeniable rage.

Letting off an earsplitting scream, the kids ran, Ash swooping to pick up Pikachu and nearly stumbling in the process. The ursaring's menacing chase was no joke—its peace was disturbed, and it was beyond mad.

"The bags!" Brock shouted, pointing towards their neat pile of backpacks ahead. As they ran past at full speed, they haphazardly made grabs for one, regardless if it was theirs or not. Miraculously, they got them all, never slowing. They then ran for dear life, the enraged brute charging behind.

"Ash, I told you to leave it alone!" Misty screeched. "Why didn't you just listen to us!?"

"How was I supposed to know this would happen?" Ash shot back, cradling Pikachu to his chest with one hand and holding the strap of his bag in the other. It smacked against his retreating legs violently.

"You weren't, but we wouldn't be running for our lives if you'd just listened!" she cried. Her voice was high in fatigue and panic.

"Misty!"

"Guys, shut up! Just run!" Brock yelled, turning to see that the ursaring was not that far behind. He fumbled with the zippers to his bag, frantic to get one of his pokéballs out—any one—to help them, but to no avail.

"Ash, send out another pokémon!" he demanded. "Hurry, you have to!"

"I can't!" Ash replied despairingly. "I worked them harder than Pikachu! They'll never be able to fight!"

"We don't have time! Just run!" Misty wailed, clutching crying Togepi tightly.

The ursaring roared behind them again, sending chills up the kids' spines and working their legs faster. Through the trees and bushes they darted, hurdling rocks and other obstacles, praying they wouldn't trip. This wasn't scary anymore—it was terrifying. They had no idea where they were headed or what they would come across; they just ran. A serious calamity was taking place, and they had no time to plot out their choices.

"Why won't it just leave us alone?" Ash said. "I didn't even try to catch it! Why is it so mad!?"

"Ash, you had Pikachu attack it two times!" Misty shrieked. Her legs were like rubber, but she kept at it. "I'd be mad, too!"

Ash cringed. "I...I can't keep running like this!"

Suddenly, Brock's eyes widened. "Look! Over there!" He pointed towards a rock formation in the distance, a sharp crack split through it, creating what appeared—and they hoped—to be a small cave.

"It's a cave!" Misty announced, a smile of relief emerging on her lips. She was gasping for air now, her words hard to make out.

"All right!" Ash rejoiced.

He was lagging now, his legs aching with pain, his arm numb from the weight of his swinging bag. He was about ready to collapse, but as the salvation of the cave loomed, he made one last effort. His legs worked harder, but his arm was finished. Inadvertently, just as they made it to the rock formation's clearing, the strap slipped between his fingers, and the backpack fell to the ground.

"My bag!" he blared, halting.

"ASH!" Misty and Brock bellowed simultaneously, looks of horror flashing across their faces.

"Don't stop! Come on!" Misty yelled.

"Leave it!" Brock commanded, taking hold of the boy's arm and yanking him to follow. Ash cast one last reluctant look at his abandoned bag as he ran towards the cave. At least he hadn't dropped Pikachu.

It was only when they reached the cave that they discovered how appropriate it would be to label it otherwise. It was more than just small and tight—it was impossible, but the three crammed frenetically into it. It was more like a diminutive dugout, but they all fit in—barely. Brock was shoved to the back, Misty next, and Ash packed against her. Pikachu was sandwiched between his knees and chest. Thankfully, the cave went back further than it was wide, and Brock slid in as far as he could go, allowing a good deal of space to form between Ash and the outside world.

They watched silently as the ursaring approached, but to their confusion, no longer was its attention focused on them. Ash's innards tightened as he watched the growling pokémon near his fallen bag.

"What's it doing?" Misty asked.

"It smells the food," Brock answered.

The ursaring lowered its head to sniff at Ash's bag, and did that for quite a few seconds. Though he didn't want to be the subject of the creature's next sniffing-out, Ash willed it to leave his bag alone. There wasn't any food in there anyway—just empty sandwich bags.

Come on, he told it. Just sniff it and walk away. Please!

Leaving it alone was the last thing the ursaring did. Ash held his breath as the bear grasped the bag in his jaws and held it down with his paw. With a fierce jerk, the sound of material ripping drilled his ears.

"No!" Ash cried through gritted teeth. "My bag!"

"Oh boy," Brock groaned.

The ursaring repeated, seizing another part of the backpack in his teeth and tearing with all its might. Ash could only helplessly watch as his bag was being shredded and destroyed, pieces of its green material tossed from the pokémon's mouth to the ground like rags.

"It's tearing apart my bag!" he whimpered.

The ursaring simply licked its fangs and went for more, and little by little, Ash's belongings began to litter the ground.

"So let it!" Misty replied. "At least it's not tearing us apart!"

"But...but...!" Ash stammered, turning pale.

The ursaring grabbed the bag and shook it about, flinging out Ash's sweatshirt and a book of some sort. It looked at the items impassively and went back to chewing on the bag. Ash let out another whine, reaching out longingly.

"You don't have any of your pokémon in there, right?" Brock suddenly asked, panic in his voice.

Ash shook his head, swallowing the huge lump in his throat. "No, but I have my..."

The ursaring slung the bag again, and a large, red object clunked to the ground. Finally, the bag dropped from the pokémon's mouth, as its interest was now directed at Ash's Pokédex.

"No, leave it alone!" Ash shouted, only to have his mouth covered promptly by Misty and Brock's hands.

"Ash, quiet!" Misty ordered.

"Don't bring it over here!" Brock said.

Sniffing the foreign item, the ursaring bat Dexter with its paw. Ash thought he was going to pass out as the expensive device rolled a few times against the hard ground, opening in the process. Engaged, the bear pranced over to it again and gave it another rough rap, sending it skidding again.

"No!"

The ursaring took another whiff of it, and the Pokédex sprang to life.

"Ursaring, the evolved form of Teddiur-ur-ur-ur-ur—"

Dexter's words were mangled hideously as the ursaring took the apparatus in its mouth and chomped down on it hard. It sputtered and choked with unintelligible jumble amid the sound of shattering plastic.

"Oh my GOD!" Ash sobbed, his precious gadget meeting its appalling end. He clutched at his chest, as he was certain he was about to have a heart-attack. "Leave it alone!"

At that, he tried to spring from the protection of the cave to save whatever was left, but Misty and Brock held him back. It was enough, though, to grab the ursaring's attention. Dexter dropped from its mouth and it roared ferociously, making a lunge at the cave. They managed to pull Ash back just as the pokémon made a harrowing swing at them with its claws. Ash, Misty, and Brock cloistered as far back as they could into the narrow enclosure, cringing, barely out of harm's reach. Finding it could do no more with its prisoners, the ursaring returned to playing with its new toy.

"But my Pokédex!" Tears pooled in Ash's eyes.

"Stop it, Ash!" Brock said. He shook his head. "It's beyond hope now."

"Yeah...m-maybe if it likes that, it'll go and leave us alone," Misty said with a tad of rash optimism in her voice.

However, after ten minutes of making sure Dexter was unquestionably in as many pieces as it satisfyingly desired, the pokémon reclined outside the cave. The smashed remains of the Pokédex and Ash's tattered backpack lay forgotten in the clearing. The kids uttered not a word as the ursaring sniffed the air, groaning with hunger. They dared not move. They dared not breathe. They were trapped, and the sun was slowly disappeared behind Pallet's rolling mountains.

Night was setting in.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

Hey, I had to get those kids out of the house. And I needed a new opportunity to torture Ash. And for once I wanted to add a Pokémon into the mix. And...well, this is a vital part of the story, you'll see. ~_^

Thanks for reading everyone! It's going to get real tense from here on out...