Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Mr. Satoshi and the other people. I own only my Gameboy and the plot.
A/N: So after a year and a half, I finally wrote this chapter! I don't know why inspiration struck today, but it did, and I'm not about to complain. I hope that some of my old readers will still be here, so I can properly apologize to you folks. As for new readers, welcome!
I do incorporate the new things from the newest season of Pokemon (I go on and I basically have advanced knowledge) but I'm going to assume some future happenings (e.g. the Champion) for the sake of the story.
Just for reference, this takes place six years after Ash leaves Pallet Town, because I figure it will take him three/four years to make it to his Champion stage (which is still rushing it) and because it will take Crystal another three years to beat the game (because after all, in real life, we can't possibly defeat sixteen gym leaders in seven days).
Without further ado, I present the long delayed Chapter Two. Enjoy!
Ash Returns"Finish it off with Flamethrower!"
Crystal's palms were wet with sweat as she watched, dry-mouthed, while her Ampharos was knocked against the wall of the cave with a strong burst of fire. That was my strongest Pokemon, she thought as the electric Pokemon tried and failed to get back on her feet. He really is much stronger than any gym leader.
The Champion raised his eyes to meet Crystal's. His expression had hardly changed throughout the battle; even when it was obvious that the girl was losing, he did not smile, although he would have jumped and screamed only a few years ago. "Well, do you give up?" he said, his tone neutral and devoid of any emotion.
"No," Crystal heard herself saying, and in her mind flashed an image of Misty. "No, not yet. I have…I have one Pokemon left."
Ash Ketchum only shrugged as she released a Quilava, evidently her starter Pokemon. He thought briefly about his own Cyndaquil, remembering how he had captured it. This one was not even a Typhlosion, and could not hope to defeat a third-stage fire Pokemon.
"My Charizard will finish him off very easily," he warned, as Charizard flapped his wings for emphasis. "I don't wish to harm your Pokemon too much. It will be hard to climb down the mountain without someone to protect you."
Crystal bit her lips. "I will beat you yet," she said, although she knew it wouldn't be true. He was only up to his second Pokemon, while she was up to her last. "Quilava…use…use…use Hidden Power!"
Her Pokemon began to glow as a burst of energy issued forth, but Charizard only flapped his wings and dodged the attack with ease and grace. "If that's the only attack your Quilava can use against Charizard," Ash warned, "he will get hurt very badly."
"But I want to win!" Crystal said, stamping her foot for emphasis. "I have to win."
"Listen, you have a lot of promise," Ash said. "You managed to climb this stupid mountain and find me, and that's something very few people had done. What's more, you actually got past my Blastoise, which is more than what I can say for the other two. If you go back and train a little more, you may be able to do it. But not today."
Even to his own ears, he sounded pretentious. Misty would whack him if she heard him. After all, he had been one of those hotheaded trainers too, unwilling to accept defeat.
Crystal sighed. "It's not really for me, I guess," she admitted, as her hands dropped to her sides in defeat. "It's just that…well, I'm here to deliver a message, and I can't deliver it if I don't beat you."
Ash stared. That was something he hadn't heard for a while. "A message? You didn't have to come and beat me. You could just send a Pidgey up here or something."
"But Misty—I mean, the person who wanted to give you the message, wanted me to come here personally and see you, or something like that," Crystal said. "To make sure you are alive, I think."
Misty.
"Who did you say it was?" Ash said.
Crystal looked at him curiously, surprised at the first trace of emotion that flashed over the older boy's face. "Misty," she repeated carefully. "She's the Cerulean City's gym leader. I think she mentioned you know each other…you do, don't you?"
We had a history. "Yes, we do," Ash said, looking at his Charizard so she couldn't see his face. "How…how is she?"
"I guess she's fine," Crystal said. "Whatever it says on the note. I didn't look."
"Let me see the note," Ash said.
"But I can't. I haven't beaten you yet," Crystal said.
"Let me see it, or my Charizard will take it from you," Ash said quietly, stretching out his hand expectantly.
Crystal exchanged a look with her Quilava. She didn't want to get roasted over a note, and besides, Misty had been so eager… "Um, if you put it that way," she said, taking the note out of her pocket. "Here, Quilava. Go take it to him."
The boy's expression was calm and closed as he read what seemed to be a very short note. Crystal watched, arms around her Quilava, as Ash Ketchum closed his eyes briefly. She was surprised when he suddenly gave her a smile.
"Thank you," he said.
"For what? The note?" Crystal said, shrugging. "You're welcome, I suppose." She straightened up. "I should make my way down. So you won this battle, I guess."
Ash was pocketing the note. "No, it's a draw as of now," he said. "We can finish it up later."
Crystal groaned. "I'm not climbing this bloody mountain again, not anytime soon," she said, as she got on her bike.
"Maybe it won't be on this mountain," Ash said cryptically, and he disappeared back into the shadows where he'd come from.
---
Brock was staring at Misty, open-mouthed. "Huh?" he said again.
"No, no, you aren't listening!" the redhead said impatiently into the videophone. "Okay, so let me repeat what I just said. Delia Ketchum—that's Ash's mom whom you had a crush on—"
"I—"
"—she called me just a few minutes ago, and she told me she was visited by Crystal."
"I don't know who Crystal is."
"You saw her. She beat you a few months ago." Misty sighed impatiently when Brock blinked, still confused. "You know. Green hair. Weird hat. Has a Pokegear Lisa had. Goes around with a Quilava. Pink bag. Her?"
Brock frowned. "Oh, her," he said finally, grimacing. "I guess I do know her. What about her?"
"She visited Ash's mom."
"Why would she do that?" Brock wondered aloud.
"Were you listening at all?" Misty said, exasperated. "Because I told her to. I said that if she ever sees Ash again, go see his mother and tell her that he's alive, or something to that effect."
"Wait, wait, you are way too excited now. What about Ash? Are we talking about the same one?"
Misty groaned. "Honestly, Brock, yes, that Ash whom we lost back on Mount Silver," she said. "You know what this means, right?"
"Let's say I don't."
Misty did not bother yelling at Brock for his slowness. "He's coming back."
---
The trek down from the mountain was very different from the trek up the mountain. Of course, the weather could not have been more different, and the circumstances differed greatly as well. Ash, of course, had not thought that he'd be coming down till he was about fifty years ago and got scrambled in battle by another ten-year-old, but Misty's note had changed everything.
As he neared the Pokemon Center he left three years ago, he took out the note and read it again. The note sounded so achingly like Misty, so brief yet straightforward he had to put it away so he wouldn't lose the cool demeanor he always tried to maintain.
But he could not help wondering if this meant that Misty missed him.
He had missed her.
"Only one way to find out," he told his Raichu, as he pushed open the door to the Pokemon Center. A few minutes later, he was talking to Nurse Joy. "My name is Ash Ketchum," he began hesitantly. "You can take that Missing Person poster down."
---
"The weather today is warm, but not hot; breezy, but not windy. Travelers are encouraged to hike in the mountains.
"On national news, May Maple of Petalburg City has won her tenth Pokemon Contest to date with her Delcatty and Beautifly, while Gym Leader Whitney of Goldenrod City has announced her engagement to Gym Leader Brawly.
"On a more local level, Reigning Champion Ash Ketchum is purported to have stayed at the Mount Silver Pokemon Center, and is expected to arrive at his hometown of Pallet Town this week. It is rumored that the Kanto Gym Leaders are organizing a special ceremony, and all nearby trainers are welcome to attend the gala."
Gary gaped at his girlfriend. "You are kidding," he said.
"I'm not," Misty said, as she stroked her Gyarados. "Don't worry. The party—"
"Not the party. The whole Ash thing."
"Haven't you been watching the news lately?" Misty said curiously.
"No."
"Well then!"
---
The backyard of the Ketchum house was rowdy that particular morning. Indeed, as the radio announcer had said, all the nearby trainers, and a few from Hoenn and Johto as well, had gathered there in hopes of catching a glimpse of the new Champion. May and Max, as well as a travel-worn Crystal, had come. Even Whitney and Brawly, who were not Kanto Gym Leaders, were there for the occasion.
Misty was nervous. So was Brock, funnily enough. Both were pacing back and forth, while Mrs. Ketchum, Tracey, and Professor Oak tried to get them to calm down.
Why was she so nervous?
Misty swallowed. Ash had called from Viridian and said he would be arriving at around ten.
It was nine fifty-five.
Would he have changed? Would he be so strong that he would think her childish that she still wore suspenders and had a ponytail? Would he have met so many new people that he thought her annoying? What if he had a girlfriend?
That last part, Misty supposed, wasn't fair. They'd never dated, and she had a boyfriend now; she'd begun dating Gary Oak a year ago, when she gave up any hopes of ever seeing Ash again.
Speaking of Gary, she wondered what he was thinking. Not happy, obviously. Sure, he was a Pokemon researcher and a gym leader now, but surely he had some resentment that Ash snatched the title he'd always wanted. Misty tried to catch his eye, but he looked determinedly away from her, instead engaging in a conversation with Crystal.
Gary knew about Ash and Misty.
"He's not here yet," Delia said when it was ten oh five. "You don't think he got mugged on the way?"
"But he's sixteen," Brock said.
"And a half," added Misty.
"So?" Delia said. "He could still get mugged. I remember that time when he's five—"
"Mom, please!"
Everyone quieted down, and as one looked up to see a grinning dark-haired boy standing beside Mr. Mime, who obviously Teleported him from outside without anyone's notice.
"Ash!"
And with that, his mother flung herself upon him, while everyone around began clapping and cheering.
When Delia Ketchum was done, Ash was almost trampled by the others. Everyone in presence wanted to shake his hands. Reporters wanted to interview him. Little kids wanted his autographs. Ironically, those people who had been friends with him—Brock, Misty, Gary, and May—were jostled back while everyone fought to be first in line.
But Misty could still see Ash from where she stood, and she saw the changes in him. Subtle changes that she would not have noticed if he hadn't left. He was taller, face slightly more tanned, hair slightly longer, smile somewhat more restrained. But he still looked the same and appeared to act the same, even if there was a new gravity about him.
She felt immature and insignificant.
Finally, when Sabrina was done talking to him, he turned to his four friends. For some reason, Ash looked slightly bashful.
"Hey," he said, holding out his hand uncertainly.
The four of them looked at each other, till finally May decided she would be the first to shake his hand. "Missed you," she said with a grin. "Glad you're back."
Brock was next. "Better not run off again," he said, clapping Ash on the shoulder.
Gary and Misty looked at each other, and reached out for Ash's hand at the same moment, ending in a very awkward handshake.
"So the big-shot's back, eh?" Gary said, smirking.
"Guess so," Ash said. "How are you, Misty?"
"I'm just as fine as ever," Misty said, wondering if it would seem inappropriate if she kissed him on the cheek. She decided not to. "Glad you're finally back so I can kick your butt in Pokemon battles."
Ash laughed. "We'll see," he said. "We'll see."
And then he was whisked away to cut the giant cake Erika had brought with her.
"Time for food!" announced Delia cheerily. "Anyone up for that?"
A chorus of "yes" responded, and even May and Brock ran to join Max to fight for the cake. After a moment, Misty and Gary approached the food table as well, holding hands as they usually did, and Misty would be lying if she didn't feel somewhat triumphant that Ash saw the interlaced fingers and frowned slightly.
Catching up would take a while.
A/N: And it will, although the next update should be in January, if I'm lucky.
A few things—
I didn't realize Crystal would play a big part in the story, and she won't be a main character, but she'll stick around for a fresh POV. Whether she becomes a Mary Sue or not is completely up to you.
I was tempted to have a love triangle (add May into the relationship) but I decided that's too confusing; still, I hope you don't mind certain vibes I might unconsciously sneak in.
It isn't fair for Gary, I think, since Misty prefers Ash over him, so you'll excuse me if I take this romance a little slower. It has to be a tad realistic, you know!
Other than that, I hope this chapter is worth the wait or the read, and I hope you will leave me feedback to show that at least, I haven't been forgotten.
(I haven't, right?)
Thank you so much!
Thanks to the reviewers of the Prologue:
Thunderstorm—that's an awesome idea, except I don't have the skills to write it creatively. But it's funny about beating Ash; I've never had any problems with Pikachu, but like you that Snorlax is absolutely impossible until I got my brother's Rhydon.
Ash and Misty forever—of course, Ash/Misty. Gary/Misty is tolerable, but I can't write it willingly.
Hikari no Purinsesu—you could write a story too (or maybe you did, because this comment is more than a year old). I didn't have Crystal beat him, because Crystal isn't that strong yet.
pika-chan—(winces) sorry for the long wait.
shadow-fox313—definitely finishing it. I hope you're still around to read it.
Dusk—I have a problem with updates. Sorry.
ShAdOw60111—I wrote more, but…it's a bit overdue. (eep)
SSJ4Gohan2—thanks. Here's the overdue update.
DBZGirl202—well, you'll see what happens. D
LORDLUFFY07 OF THE MERRY GO—I've stopped twiddling them! (holds up for you to see)
To all of you: Sorry for the wait!
--MR