A/N: Wow, thanks to everyone who reviewed. You make me feel all warm inside! Sike, haha, just kidding. But really, reviews are good encouragement!

All disclaimers can be found on part one.

Edit: I just changed a small thing... thanks to Ri2 for pointing that out to me! I didn't even notice. Thanks! (And I did that map thing on purpose - haha, I thought it would be funny!)

Blinded - Chapter Three

"I have to find her again, Pikachu!" Ash said, forcefully slamming his fist on the table. His eyes glassed over. "She had the most gorgeous blue eyes... and she was beautiful... pretty... cute... beautiful..."

"Pikapi, cha pikachu!" was the pokemon's response.

"Yeah, I know, I used 'beautiful' already. I just ran out of words."

Pikachu swatted at the air lazily. "Pikachu, chapika pikapi?"

"What am I gonna do? Good question." Ash put a finger to his mouth, thinking. "Well, I dunno yet. Maybe I should ask Kristina for help? If you think about it, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have met this girl!" His eyes glazed over again, as a picture of the mysterious red head entered his mind. "She was so pretty... cute... beautiful... pretty..."

Pikachu just rolled his eyes. Trainers. You can't live with them and... well, you just can't live with them.

Where had she seen him before? His face looked so familiar... but if they had met before, she was SURE she would remember him. Who wouldn't? She sighed dreamily as she thought of him.

"Like, Miiiisty!!!" A high pitched voice sang sweetly through the calm Cerulean air. The voice changed to a throaty bark. "COME HERE!" A few spearows rustled, eyeing the Cerulean gym warily. They settled back into their trees. Obviously, the voice was NOT a force to be reckoned with.

Misty sighed. Not again. She didn't mind looking after her sisters, but she never understood why three fully grown girls couldn't handle things themselves. Granted, put together, they had the brain capacity of about a psyduck... but that's what teamwork is for, right? Misty laughed. If they put their heads together, they were bound to come up with something smart. But, then again, Misty always thought that they were smarter than they acted. But him, he definitely looked smart - like he could take care of himself. Like if they were lost in a forest, he would know how to read the map and get them out safely. Like he would be able to -

"MISTY!" the voice whined, interrupting Misty's train of thought. "Hurry up!"

Sighing again, she made her way downstairs to where the voice was coming from. Not even her sisters could spoil her day. "What can I do for you?" she asked cheerfully.

Her three sisters eyed her carefully. They looked at each other knowingly, then looked at Misty with smug, superior smiles.

"What?"

"Like, who is he?!" Daisy squealed.

"Who is who?"

"The guy you're like, in love with?!" Daisy prodded.

Misty's voice caught in her throat. Yup, they were definitely smarter than they acted...

"Ohh, you're gonna be in like, so much trouble!" Violet let out an excited, high pitched squeal. This seemed to trigger Misty's other sisters, who joined the squealing.

Misty just snorted. "Why do you say that?" She tried to act nonchalant, but a slow creeping feeling started up her spine. Like she was forgetting something. Something important...

"Like, what about Gary?" They squealed again.

"Oh yeah. Oops..." Misty thought to herself. She let out an inaudible gasp, her voice catching in her throat so that she could hardly breathe. How could she have forgotten? She already HAD a boyfriend! She quickly tried to fix the situation. "Why would I be in trouble? I don't like anybody!"

Daisy frowned. "Like, are you lying?"

Misty gave them a fake laugh. "Positive."

"Posi..." Daisy trailed off, looking at her sisters for help. They just shrugged.

Misty sighed. "I'm sure."

Daisy shrugged as the three sisters left. "Girls, like, I think our radar is like... off!" The girls gasped dramatically, and giggled as they walked out of the door.

"Kristina, I met the girl of my dreams..." Ash said stupidly, his eyes glazed over and mouth open.

Kristina eyed him in delight. "Oh, so you liked Giselle?! I knew SOMEONE had to..."

"She was so beautiful..." Ash wasn't listening.

"It looks like last night worked for BOTH of us then!" Kristina exclaimed. She motioned to the stack of papers in front of her. "Look at all these people that wanna interview you!" She laughed, her eyes gleaming.

"...and pretty..."

"And all because of one little blind date," Kristina cooed to herself happily.

"...and she had the most intense blue eyes..."

"I'm a genius!" She beamed, talking to herself. "I'm good at what I do." Kristina turned her attention to Ash, who she found drooling across the room. "Don't you think?"

"...but I didn't catch her name..."

Kristina eyed him quizzically, but was too happy to care that he wasn't making sense. She chuckled. "Funny, Ash, I thought I introduced you two last night?" She shook her head. "By the way, I forgot to mention, your resignation ceremony for the league was scheduled for tonight. But I talked to the league, and after last night, you're popularity has skyrocketed! They just changed the ceremony to a dance, in celebration of you."

"...and she had amazing hair..."

Kristina grinned at Ash, who was still drooling. "Ahh, young love... I'll tell you what - since you've been so cooperative with me, I'll try to invite your special lady to the ceremony tonight." She winked at him. "Better get started on your hair now, or else you won't be ready in time!" She left the room, still smiling. "I thought no one would ever go for Giselle," she muttered to herself. "I guess I was wrong. Whatever floats your boat, I guess..."

Ash, who hadn't been listening to the conversation, smiled. Tonight would be perfect. He would see that beautiful redhead again, find out her name, and live happily ever after.

Or so he thought.

"I usually don't like going to these league gatherings..." Gary said, bored. "They're just for losers. But my grandfather's making me go." He put his arm around Misty. "But since you're coming with me, I figure I won't be THAT bored." He gave her a sly look.

Misty smiled uncomfortably at her boyfriend. He treated her well, but ever since her encounter with that mysterious guy from last night, it just felt... wrong. Sure, she still liked Gary, but now she was wondering whether if she loved him. Or if she ever would. Although she was just with that other guy for a couple of seconds, the feelings she felt when she with him were intense. When he had pulled her up last night, when she was in his arms, everything just felt good. Everything felt right.

"What's wrong, Misty?" Gary asked.

She smiled at him. "Nothing." She tried to change the subject. "But tonight sounds fun!"

Gary smirked. "Hopefully it will be. I'm glad you're coming, or else I would be stuck in a room with a bunch of geeks from the league. And the biggest loser of all - Ash Ketchum." He cleared his throat. "He thinks he's so good. Just because he beat me once." Gary seemed to get lost in his memory. "And it was a lucky shot. A fluke..." He cleared his throat again. "And for some reason, my grandfather thinks we're still friends. But that was a loooong time ago. Now he's nothing more than a big nobody..."

Misty laughed. "Isn't Ash Ketchum like... the pokemon master?" Misty never followed the pokemon master and league matters. As gym leaders, that was her sisters' job. But the name sounded familiar. She just couldn't match a face to the name...

Gary snorted. "Yeah, the pokemon master," he retorted, spitting out the last word. "But I figure we can just make an appearance, and then leave King Loser and his followers in the dust."

Misty shrugged. "Sounds good to me."

Ash was nervous. It was the big night. But it still felt weird - he was about to make a speech thanking everyone for coming to his celebration, but he knew that everyone that attended to the ceremony would have also came to see him resign. It was times like these when he wondered who really liked him, and who just liked him because he was, well, famous.

He didn't really have a speech planned, because it was such short notice. So he decided to just wing it.

From the other side of the stage, he heard muffled applause. "And now, the man of the hour, Ash Ketchum!"

The applause grew as he stepped onto the stage. Taking a deep breath, he looked out into the sea of tuxedos and dresses for any familiar faces. He didn't see any. Across the stage, he saw Professor Oak, the M.C., smiling and motioning him to the microphone. At the "table of honor" where his seat was located, he saw his mother, and - he shuddered - Giselle.

The microphone squeaked as he adjusted it, taking his place at the podium. "Um... first, I would like to thank everyone for coming." He took a deep breath. "My career as a pokemon trainer has definitely had it's ups and downs, and I thank all of you for sticking with me."

Ash's eyes swept across the room, looking through the crowd. He sounded fake, and he knew it. But the crowd smiled at him approvingly. He saw the two big double doors at the back of the room start to open.

"When I think about the bad times," - as if on cue, Gary entered the room with his usual smirk - "I remember all the people supporting me and all the good memories and friends I've made."

The door opened again, revealing Gary's date - a redheaded young teen. When Ash saw her, he was at a loss of words.

"And, the... um... those memories are..." his eyes followed Misty, looking for the right word. "Those memories are beautiful." At a loss for words, Ash left the podium, making his way to his special table. Unhappily, he took a seat next to Giselle, who was practically throwing herself at him now that he was "famous" again.

"Ash, I knew we'd meet again!" Giselle leaned his direction, and started playing with his hair. She got closer, whispering in his ear. "I knew we'd work things out. I don't know why you had to be so stubborn. I mean, who could resist me?"

Ash sighed. This was going to be a long night.

"He is such a loser..." Gary muttered. "Just look at him..."

Misty was at a loss for words. They had came late, and she was embarrassed as she entered the two big double doors that led to the ballroom. She has kept hey eyes away from the front of the room, trying to make herself unnoticeable as she entered. But now that she saw who was in sitting at the head table, she felt her heart leap into her throat. She stared at Ash, whose hair was being played with by the girl sitting next to him. She felt a pang of jealousy and gave Gary a weak laugh. "Yeah. Big... loser."

Gary perked up with the sound of someone putting down his rival. He was struck with an idea. "Would you like to... err... dance?"

Misty hadn't even noticed the music. But she happily accepted, partly jealous of Ash's new found friend. He led her to the dance floor, where, unfortunately for Misty, Ash was dancing with Giselle. Giselle was practically leaning over Ash, with her head on his shoulder and her arms tightly wound around him. Ash looked very uptight and uncomfortable, like he didn't know what to do. His eyes caught Misty's as she started to dance, staring back.

Their eyes locked, as a slow ballad started to play. The strings harmonized, the piano melody tinkled in the background, and a lone flute held a high quivering note in the background. The flow of the music started to change, rising and falling with their breaths. And their eyes stayed lock.

They both swayed with their respective partners, now knowing, not caring, who they were dancing with. Each imagined holding the other in their arms - and that was all they needed.

Unfortunately, they both had to turn - Misty was being led by Gary, and Ash, not being a good leader, decided to turn so that he wouldn't have to see Gary. He stepped on Giselle's feet, but she pretended not to notice. Gary and Giselle's eyes met, but they brushed each other off. Giselle looked like "a loser," and Gary looked like he would be "too into himself."

The song ended, and Misty reluctantly returned to her seat at the table. She watched jealously as Ash and Giselle swayed and turned to the music. It was a weird feeling - she liked Gary, but she felt something different when she was with Ash.

"Misty, come outside with me for a little." Gary's voice was soft, interrupting Misty's thoughts.

"Sure." They walked out to the balcony, which overlooked the twinkling city line. They sky was dark, with no stars. The only light came from the cityscape in the distance.

Gary turned Misty so that they were facing each other. "Misty, listen. I'm really glad that you decided to come. Actually, I'm really glad that you gave me a chance." Gary looked down, embarrassed. He started mumbling. "I know... well, I know that I'm not the nicest guy, and I'm glad that you gave me a change to be your boyfriend."

This was a side of Gary that Misty had never seen before. She was used to the snide, sarcastic exterior that Gary always put up. She always knew that there was a softer side to him, and it touched her heart to see that she has a part in bringing it out. For a second, she almost forgot about Ash. Almost.

She smiled at him. "No problem."

Gary took another deep breath and laughed at himself. "I know I sound like a sappy loser, but it was just something I had to say. I've been trying hard to be good for you." He flashed Misty a smile, and she suddenly remembered why she decided to go out with him in the first place.

Misty smiled at him. "I think I should be thanking you! That was sweet, Gary."

An awkward silence followed. That was the weird thing with Gary - one moment, they were having a good time, and the next, it was really weird.

"I'm going inside to get a drink," Misty said. "Do you want anything?"

"Sure," Gary replied. "And not too much ice, please." Misty just rolled her eyes.

Making her way inside, she found the punch bowl and poured herself a glass. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around. "Yes?" Her eyes fell on Ash, and she got the weird feeling again - kind of like a queasy feeling in her stomach. But it was a good queasy.

Ash was obviously just as flustered. "Do you... umm... would you like to..." he sucked in a deep breath, and smiled. "May I have this dance?" He held out his hand.

Misty laughed. "Sure, why not?" She took his hand.

They twirled toward the dance floor, and they danced like experts. Their movements were graceful, and elegant, even Ash's. But halfway through the song, Misty saw Gary standing by the doors. His eyes were cast in their direction.

Remembering their conversation outside, Misty felt a pang of guilt. She turned again, and saw Giselle, pouting at her from the side of the dance floor.

Her eyes traveled back to Gary. "I'm hurting the people I like..." Her eyes found Giselle again as she twirled. "And I'm making people mad..." The guilt was killing her. It seemed like she was doing everything wrong. Gary looked depressed, and Giselle looked angry. And Ash, he looked like he would be happier with Giselle than he would be with her... She knew what she had to do to make everyone happy. Except herself.

With watery eyes, she gathered her strength, and took a deep breath. She lay her head on Ash's shoulder for a second, and held herself against him, enjoying the moment. Then, she broke her grip with him.

With a lone tear rolling down her cheek, she gathered all her strength and slapped Ash in the face. The slap echoed and reverberated throughout the room. The music stopped abruptly.

Ash looked at her in shock. But Misty, who was holding back tears, turned on him.

Glancing at Gary across the room, her voice trembled as she addressed Ash. "I don't want to dance with you any more."

Ash rubbed his face. The slap didn't hurt. On the outside, anyway. "What did I do?"

Misty laughed. It was a cold noise that came from deep within her throat. She was surprised by the coldness in her own voice. "I don't even like you. I felt sorry for you, so I danced with you. But now I realize that you don't..." she choked up. "You don't deserve me."

Ash stood there, shocked. This couldn't be the same girl from the restaurant. "Wha... what?"

Misty continued to hold back tears. "I... don't want to see you." She forced herself to spit out her last two words: "Ever again."

She let her tears fall freely now. Crying, she ran into the arms of Gary, who was glaring at Ash like it was his fault. Ash was left in the middle of the dance floor, rubbing his face and wondering what he did wrong.

To be continued...

A/N: So there's the third part. It took me a little longer than I expected, sorry! It was a little longer than usual, too... haha, it's my way to make up for the wait. I hope it was worth the wait! It was kinda cheesy and sappy, which I apologize for. Plus, I know the ending was a bad place to leave off! But I needed it to set the mood... hopefully it worked. And sorry if Gary was a tad bit out of character - I needed someone for the part, and I decided hey, why not Gary? The fourth installment is coming soon... see ya then! But while you're waiting, why not check out my other fic, "Crash and Burn"? Sorry, had to advertise! Anyway, please r&r if you have the time... thanks!