Be a Man

Aislin Oriel

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AN: This is a songfic I began a while ago when I first read the spoilers for the 2 episodes where Misty cameo-ed (love the new outfit by the way), but I only saw part of the second episode (wah) and the idea was rattling around in my head. So, I'm finally getting around to posting it, and I hope it's still relevant. This is not for haters of either Misty or May, but it is an AAML. Any other warning is that later some slight Ash OOC-ness induced by the situation occurs. I'm not trying to bash him, he just acts goofy! Please enjoy! - AO

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She literally counted the days since they'd been apart, the days she'd led the gym, and the days since she'd found out about her. Her replacement of sorts. It sure didn't take him long to find someone else, and from what she'd heard, under the exact same circumstances. It almost bittered her at the thought of being forgotten – and even more so at the thought of being replaced. It was exactly 346 days since that fateful call that made her leave, only 57 days that she'd led the gym, and 294 days since she'd found out that May Oak, the former object of his affection was travelling around with Ash – in her rightful place.

the world is quiet

like there's no one around

but I feel you beside me

I know the secrets

you keep locked away inside

don't understand why you're fighting

Jealousy had become a permanent thing in day-to-day life. How could anything else? It was the reason that she stayed in Cerulean even after her sisters came back from their world-touring voyage, the reason that she'd never contacted Ash like she said she would on their parting when she was free from gym-sitting. And it was the reason that she knew she had no place with him – or even a chance to – and that her travelling days had been stolen from her by that little… No, it wasn't fair to blame May; after all, she'd only ever met her once… And it was Ash that had had a crush on her when he was younger and as far as she knew the feelings had never been reciprocated. But still, the situation fried her nerves. It only added to it that the situation upon which she joined him on his journey was starkly exact to that of her own, and therefore with her own twisted logic she concluded that if she had that similarity with May, that perhaps May would also develop feelings for Ash.

I know

she must be special

this little girl by your side

I seek the answers

when I look into your eyes

many times I can't

but I will be strong

Oh how perfectly novel that would be… Ash and his rival's sister… it made her want to gag. Damn it all! Why did she have to be so hopelessly fallen for such a likeable guy! What she hoped was, even a little guiltily, and perhaps selfishly, that like herself, May would not tell him how she felt – for whatever reason she had. It could be because she was Gary's sister and didn't want to create a strange situation – whatever the reason she just hoped that it stayed that way.

Why? Well she really had no intention of trying to intervene. She was quite apt to just sit and brew in her rage and annoyance and hurt and never even confront that two-timing jerk. In short, she was an avoiding coward, and perhaps that was what had led to the situation she was in. Besides, he wasn't really a two-timer. Not really. But in her mind and heart she had become so devoted to him that it was like he was – to her at least – and that was good enough! Well wasn't it…?

for once in your life be a man

just tell me the words

'cause I know that you can

don't leave me with scars

that no one can heal

for once in your life

be a man

She remembered the last time she'd saw him – the first time she'd met May and Max (the youngest Oak) – when Togepi evolved into Togetic and she'd said goodbye. Her mentality was that she'd said goodbye to more than just her Pokémon that day. Her chances with Ash, or at least her ambition to pursue them had been smashed, like a melon in a vice. And what really got on her nerves was how nice May was to her – it made her feel bad. Because she was so kind that an anger boiled deep inside her that maybe May didn't know how she felt for Ash so found her to be no threat. Or worse, that she did know somehow – through someone who'd noticed the apparentness, which was practically anyone but Ash – and that it was like a joke to her. Sure it was jumping to conclusions, but that's what she had time for, and her mind just rambled on, fuelling the fire.

you made me love you

love you right from the start

you're controlling my heart

babe

don't pack your bags yet

give me time to say goodbye

just don't leave me wounded

Her sisters were no real help either. They liked to fan the fire. She couldn't go a day without them making some remark to the effect of, 'Bitterness causes wrinkles'. It was that transparent to them. She supposed it must be with her brooding around all day, and the fact that they'd pried what happened while they were gone out of her. And even though she'd told them it neutrally, they'd always had a sixth sense about them where they could tell that she was leaving things out. It killed her how she had to act like nothing was wrong – when she'd saw him last, and if she was confronted about it – but it was her only coping mechanism. That and swimming laps furiously around the pool to take out her frustration.

I just hope

you will regret the things you do

come back to me

'cause our love is the real thing

many times I can't

but I will be strong

And it was her fault. If only she'd said something to him instead of hiding it… she wouldn't feel lead on. She would know where they stood, she would –

Her thoughts were interrupted as her sister's loud voice called throughout the poolroom,

"Misty! Come here, we've got some visitors!"

She huffed as she pulled her bathing suit-clad body from the water, and stomped in annoyance out towards the hallway, "Daisy, you know I'm not taking any challengers anymore so you can stop bothering me to do your work for you!" she shouted as she pushed the double doors open.

"Hey Misty,"

She looked up at the voice, the fury in her eyes turning into something indistinguishable.

"Ash?" she managed to breathe out.

"Like sheesh, you don't have to like bite my head off, I was just telling you that your boyfriend was here," Daisy said flippantly, before making her retreat back into the front office.

She glared daggers after her but didn't bother saying anything to make her embarrass her further.

for once in your life be a man

just tell me the words

'cause I know that you can

don't leave me with scars

that no one can heal

for once in your life

be a man

"Uh, so how are you?" Ash asked meekly.

She stood, sopping wet, with a sour expression on her face and answered half-heartedly, and dripping with sarcasm, "Just great,"

"Uh, well that's good. I was just stopping by because I met up with a trainer the other day that said they had just won a cascade badge – they said some pretty rude things other than that – so I knew your sisters were back, and I wanted to see how you were doing," he explained.

"Well as you can see, I'm doing splendid," she stated, trying not to coat her words in venom.

"Actually, it was my intention to basically come and steal you away from the gym," he began, slightly aware that she might snap at any moment.

"Really? Well, where are your friends?" Misty asked stubbornly, in quite a nasty tone.

"Huh? Oh well they were just behind me, I think they're out in the lobby…"

"And how's May?"

"She's good I guess, I must admit that when we met that trainer it was her idea to come and get you, but in my defence, I would have come up with it,"

"Slow as always, huh Ash?"

"I guess so. And Max is fine too, they just really want to see you again,"

"Huh, well we can't keep them waiting can we?" she asked dryly.

"Are you angry at me for something?" Ash asked her, a little fearful of her lashing out.

"No, not at all. After all, why would I be; it's not like you replaced me or as if you ignored my feelings for you all this time, it's not even like I love you or anything. But that doesn't matter because you aren't in love with May either, right?"

"Wait, I'm confused. What did any of that mean?" he scratched his head with a pitiful look on his face.

"It figures, I right out tell you and you still don't get it. Brock was right."

"Huh? Brock – what does he have to do with anything?"

"He told me once that I could scream it in your face or wear a flashing neon sign above my head and you would still be oblivious."

"Where did he go – now I really need to talk to him!" Ash said in annoyance, and turned towards the lobby doors.

"Huh…?" Misty stood completely dumbfounded, and watched him go.

Grabbing a towel off a hook beside the pool doors, she dried her hair as she followed after him, her curiosity piqued.

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AN: R&R and the next part will be up in no time flat! Thankies! AO