Disclaimer: I don't own pokèmon and/or any related characters! If I did, I wouldn't be writing these, would I?
A/N: Ta-da! Here's the second part to the first part (duh!). Misty goes to Pallet. What could go wrong? Guess you'll just have to find out, now won't cha? Do a little R n R for me, please???
~!$ Kasagi Onaso $!~
It WaS
*'Reacquainting' With the Past*
Bags in hand, Misty fumbled for their dorm keys.
"Hurry up Duplica!" she yelled into the dorm as she passed through the door. "It's already past ten!"
"Coming, coming," mumbled the turquoise-haired teen, pulling a trail of bags behind her. Misty rolled her eyes and backed up against the door to hold it open for her friend. "Thanks," said Duplica, smiling. "Come on, girl. Let's get on the road. You know how the Prof. doesn't like people being late!" And she took off, leaving Misty struggling with the door.
"Gawd, what'd you bring?" questioned Misty as they hopped into Misty's blue convertible. Duplica smiled slyly.
"Nothing you wouldn't." Misty rolled her eyes, smiling slightly, and pressed down on the gas pedal after slipping the gear into reverse.
They sped down through Pewter and Viridian in silence, the radio blaring rock music and rap music and pop music…
"Hand me an Advil, will ya?" asked Misty, putting a hand to her head. "This music's so loud! I'm surprised we haven't been pulled over yet." Duplica handed her the small white pill and a half-full water bottle.
"We're almost there. Look! There's a sign…it says…uh…Pallet Town!" Misty smiled half-heartedly and popped the pill into her mouth. "Just up that hill, right?"
"Mm-hmm…" The car bumped up the rocky hill and skidded in front of the lab. "What's the time?"
"Twelve-thirty."
"Oh, no! We're late! Come on, Duplica!"
"The bags-?"
"Leave 'em! Come on!" Misty sped up the steps and knocked on the door.
"Misty, look." Duplica peeled a note off the door frame above the doorbell. "It says: 'Misty and Duplica-Glad you could make it! We're in the back of the house. Feel free to go through the house or walk around to the back porch. Professor Oak.'"
"You heard what the man said--let's go!"
"Around or through?"
"Through."
"Aw, but it's so beautiful out--?"
"I'll go through, you go around. Okay?" Duplica flashed a smile.
"Race ya."
"You're on!" Misty burst through the door and raced through the lab. "Like I know where I'm going," she muttered to herself. She found herself wandering into a room. "Look at all these pictures…" She bent down to inspect one. It showed two teens smiling broadly, one with brown hair and one with black…
"Misty!" Misty jerked back, feeling guilty, and sped through the kitchen.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I got lost." The Professor smiled and nodded.
"It's understandable. Now, why don't you take a seat by Duplica and we can finally get this meeting started, eh?" Misty flushed slightly and, looking at the ground, made her way to where Duplica sat. Duplica's elbow poked Misty's side lightly.
"Misty…"
"Hmm?"
"He's here."
"Who?" Of course she knew who Duplica was talking about. Misty sat back. "Never mind. I know." A cool hand burned on her arm as Duplica smiled sympathetically.
"Misty."
"What?" Misty asked quickly, head snapping up.
"Have you heard anything from your sisters lately?"
"Uh-huh," replied Misty, smiling slightly. "Yesterday, actually. They said that someone had broken into the Gym but…" Misty shrugged.
"I see. All of you. You must stop this before it begins. It seems Team Rocket may be behind all this but we're not too sure. Until we do know, it's up to you to protect the Cerulean Sisters. As I call your name, say 'here' please! Brock."
"Here." Misty almost smiled. At least Brock was here.
"Gary."
"Here, Gramps." Gary put laced his fingers together and placed hands behind his head.
"Duplica?"
"Here!"
"Ash."
"Here." Misty froze for a moment.
"Misty."
"Wha? Oh, here."
"Richie."
"Present!"
"Good. We're all here. Your things are being transported there as we speak. Your bus awaits you, crew!" Duplica and Misty shared a look and smiled. "Let's go!" As Misty stood up, Duplica pushed past her.
"I'll save you a seat!" Misty laughed and raced after her.
*****
"Back seats," said Misty, laying back. "We've been driving for a while, haven't we?"
"Yeah," replied Duplica, one eye open. "But we'll be there soon."
"Hey!" Both girls' eyes snapped open and they glared up at the boys gathered in the front seats. Gary's head was poked around the seat and he was smiling widely. "I know you," he said to Misty and she glared at him. "I'd know that red hair anywhere."
"Nice cliché Gary," she said sarcastically before lying back down again.
"And I'd know that temper too." Duplica giggled and Misty glowered daggers.
"Shut up."
"We're here!" rang Richie's voice and they filed off the bus.
"Like, little sis!" cried Daisy and hugged Misty. "We weren't, like, sure when you'd get here!" Misty winced and pushed away.
"Well here I am! How are you guys doing?"
"Absolutely fine," chirped Lily, coming out from behind Daisy. "How, like, are you doing? Gawd, you're so big!" Misty blushed, ducked her head, and pushed past the three.
"I'm going inside!" she called and pushed through the door. It was just how she had left it six years ago except for the curtains. She set her bags down as she heard the door open behind her.
"Jeez little sis!" exclaimed Lily, smiling lightly. "Who knew you would be in such a rush."
"Like, yeah!" chimed Violet. "We, like, haven't seen you for almost four years." Misty froze and nodded stiffly.
Four years…
"The girls can, like, have the upstairs rooms. We, like, only have one room which is, like, your room, Misty." Misty nodded. "The boys will, like, sleep in the guest room downstairs. It's like, down the hall, third one to your, like, left." Misty stiffly picked up her bags but Daisy grabbed her arm.
"Like, Lily will take your bags up and, like, show the girls your room. Come, like, with me." Misty gulped as her sister pulled her into the room.
"What's going on?"
"The same person, like, broke in last night and, like, took Dewgong," her sister said sadly, eyes nervously darting around.
"What!? Are you joking?" Misty shrieked, standing. Seel had been her best friend while she stayed at the Gym and had evolved with HER battling it.
"What's this?" said Professor Oak, the others coming in behind him. Misty and Daisy flushed slightly.
"Take a seat," she said, motioning to Duplica and the boys. "It was nothing. Don't tell," she hissed in Misty's ear as she made her way out the door.
"Like I would," she hissed back sarcastically. Rolling her eyes, she took a seat. Seel? Kidnapped? Her sisters would be next, she just knew it. She narrowed her eyes. Maybe…tonight? Tomorrow? She wouldn't know. "We need to be careful," she said at last into the silence, staring at the table.
"Why?" asked Gary, tossing an apple up into the air. "Now that Dragon Woman's here, the Rockets should piss off." Misty stood, glaring at him.
"They took--" She clapped both hands over her mouth and smiled at him mockingly. "Oh, whoopsie, silly me! If forgot I can't tell." Gary snorted and picked up the apple he had just dropped.
"Whatever."
"Misty, what you have to say could be crucial."
"No, it's not, really," she said hurriedly. Daisy re-entered, Lily and Violet at her side.
"We're, like, so glad you're here!" exclaimed Violet. "Especially you, Ash. We, like, haven't seen you around as much." She felt his cold glare on her but she clenched her jeans and refused to look up. Damn them! How could they bring this up again?
"Yeah, well," she heard him saying, a voice she hadn't heard in so long… "I've been busy." She almost dug holes in her jeans and refused to think, to breathe. Her ears buzzed and she stood up, her chair screeching loudly.
"I'm tired," she said bluntly.
"Misty…" she heard him say but she left the room in a rush before HE could see her cry.
Again.
Hidy ho, buffalo! Did ya like the second chappie? I meant to build it up more and I think it's a little airy a little angst…got any suggestions? I started this chapter a while ago and just revised and I had to work off what I had. The next chappie will be much more present-time writing, pinky swear! Eight reviews, please!!! REVIEW! :-)
~ Kasagi Onaso
