Second Chances
~* Part 7; Egg anyone? *~
It was a clear night, the starts shown as bright as ever, something you didn't get to see often in a brightly lit city. The moon was nearly full, and almost had the orangish glow to it all full moons had. The soft ground was shaded by the over hanging trees while streams of star light shown through the cracks the trees had failed to cover. It wasn't as bright as morning or when the sun was out mind you, but it was still the perfect peacefulness to calm the most restless of spirits.
Misty sat, a good mile away from camp, perched up on a log staring up at the stars through the crack in the trees. One leg was pulled up to her chest, which she held with her arms linked together and her chin rested on the knee. A faint smile was placed upon her lips as she stared at the night sky. She never told Ash, but she sometimes missed the Heavens. She missed being able to see the stars wherever you looked. You couldn't see that in Pewter. In a way, although she hated forests, she loved it. It had that peacefulness that Heaven had - the much needed peacefulness.
The group had run from Rocket forest and skimmed through Pewter, stopping only to heal their pokemon. They had somehow escaped the trailing rockets, which really wasn't that hard seeing as how they were all terrified of Pixit's magnificent power. Now, here they were, taking a break in Viridian forest just a few hours from Viridian city where they would turn to go on the path to the pokemon league. Ash had specifically stated that this was a job for the professionals and both Joey and Ruby had readily agreed – both for different reasons, Ruby eager to leave it all behind and move on, and Joey had it imprinted in his mind that he himself was a 'professional'.
Misty sighed contentedly. It was weird for her, Misty, to be happy in a forest of all places. Something about this place gave her peace, she didn't worry about bugs, or rockets, or anything that would harm her. She knew tonight was one of the few peaceful nights. Misty let her eyes glaze over staring at the stars as her mind wandered to many years before…
~*~*~*~
"Misty?" Misty turned her head from the window and looked at Ash expectantly. Ash inwardly cringed at the sight of such dullness and pain in Misty's eyes. They had only made it to Viridian City before Ash decided it was time for a break. So there she was, sitting in the pokemon center staring out the window, just waiting. She didn't know what she was waiting for, she just knew, she knew she was waiting for something.
Ash took a deep breath and smiled encouragingly. "Come on." He reached out his hand.
Misty stared at the hand. Finally she cocked her head and asked, "Where?"
Ash's grin widened. "You'll see, now come on." He stretched his hand out farther in Misty's direction.
Misty skeptical at first, but she then swallowed it back and smiled at Ash. She took his hand and let him pull her up. Ash's grin widened and he enthusiasticly pulled her towards the door. "Let's go!" Misty laughed and didn't even bother to ask where they were going, she just let Ash drag her away from everything.
~
Misty squealed with glee as the laughing Ash pulled her through a small patch of trees to some unknown spot that was supposed to be a surprise. Ash looked back at her smiling face with his own smile of satisfaction making its way onto his own face. Today had been great. He had surprised Misty by taking her to a carnival in Viridian. It had taken her a while, but she eventually forgot about what she had seen only a few days ago and let herself go.
"Here we are!" Ash finally slowed to a stop and let go of Misty's hand.
Misty stopped giggled and stepped out of the trees. It was a beautiful lake! Her smile turned into a grin as she saw a Goldeen float around in the small lake. Her eyes glittered in the moonlight as a sudden thought entered her mind. Quickly she raced to the edge of the lake and pulled her socks and shoes off. She rolled up her jeans and sat down, spreading her legs out in front of her so that her feet were hidden in the water. "Come on Ash!"
Ash smiled, happy she was her old self again, and sat down beside her. "Pikachu would've loved it here." Ash smiled at the thought of his favorite pokemon. Misty laughed and nodded. "Togepi too," Her eyes grew dull for a moment, and Ash regretted his words. Misty saw the look on his face and put on a smile. "Ash, you can't keep me from the memory forever."
Ash frowned and put his arms around her. "I can try."
Misty buried her head in Ash's shirt. There was a silent moment before she spoke again, "I know Ash, I really appreciate today, I haven't had this much fun in a while."
"I know…"
Misty moved her head so that she could look into Ash's eyes. "Ash, I'm not going to let this rule me." She stopped talking and took a deep breath, "Granted it may take me a while, but with you helping me, it won't rule my every thought."
Ash smiled and wrapped his arms around Misty. She sighed contentedly, but then shook her head and pulled away from Ash's embrace. "I have to tell you something."
"What?" A stray hand moved to Misty's hair and played with a few stray orange strands.
"I know this is supposed to be out 'honeymoon', even if it's two months after we're married," Misty smiled down at her ring for a moment before resuming her talk. "So this may sound a little strange," Misty moved Ash's hand from her hair and held it tightly. "Ash, I'm pregnant."
~
Misty stifled a giggle. Ruby, who was walking beside her, gave her an odd look, but shrugged it off and resumed her walking. It was the next day, and once again, no one knew how to read the map. Joey held the map in his hands, it was lifted up in front of his face so he could study it better (as though it would help). Ash was behind him, looking over his shoulder seeing if he could decipher anything at all.
Ruby groaned and rubbed her forehead. "You guys have no idea where we are, do you?"
Joey briefly put the map down to grin at her and answer, "We're in the Viridian forest." and resumed looking over the map. Ruby frowned and flipped a stray strand of black hair back were it belonged. Misty chuckled slightly and gave Ruby a sympathetic look.
"HEY!"
All four friends stopped and looked to their left. There was a brown-haired girl with a black hat on and a black outfit with a big 'R'. "Hey! You're the twerps who beat us before!"
Ash let a small sweat-drop trickle down the back of his head. He leaned over to whisper to Misty, "I'm beginning to see a pattern here…" Misty only giggled and nodded.
"Hey," Joey cocked his head, "I think I remember you, what's your name again?" He thought while the rocket was getting annoyed by her lack of intimidation. Finally, Joey snapped his fingers and said, "You're Teretta!" The rocket smacked a hand to her face and sighed. "Heather?" Joey tried again, "Sherrie?"
"REBECCA!" She yelled out. "And you better remember that name too!"
Ruby, unfaized by it all leaned closer to her to see over the bush. "What are you doing over there?"
Rebecca stiffened and stepped back. "None of your business!"
Joey rolled his eyes and turned away. "Probably nothing important, come on guys."
Ruby nodded her head and turned to follow Joey. Ash gave Rebecca a sympathetic smile before turning away also. Pixit, who sat on Ash's shoulder, tunred briefly only to flick her wings at her, then turn back on Ash's shoulder. Misty hesitated for a moment, something pulling her to see what she was doing. Rebecca frowned and stomped her foot. "Hey! I'm team rocket! You're supposed to fear me! Just wait till Joel and Tyler come back!"
"Who?" Joey called out lazily.
Rebecca, once again, stomped her foot and came through the bushes. "Why you, Joel or no Joel, I'm going to give you a reason to remember me!" She pulled out her poke'ball and threw it. "Go Ariados!"
Ariados's antennas twitched as it stood there, waiting for it's command.
Ash sighed and nodded to Pixit who was itching to kick some rocket butt. With only a quick Psychic, Pixit blew Ariados and Rebecca into the sky and they disappeared with a soft 'ping'. Ash laughed quietly to himself, "Ah, it sounds strange, but I missed that sound…"
Misty smiled slightly, but moved over to the bush Rebecca was hiding behind, and peered over. Her cerulean eyes softened as she gazed down at the object wrapped in a blue cloth. Ruby came running over to see what Misty had spotted when she noticed that Misty had crossed over to pick it up. "What is it?" She asked, her red eyes shinning with curiosity.
Misty smiled and cuddled the object to her. "It's a pokemon egg."
~*~*~*~
Ash chuckled softly as he watch Misty. She had gently wrapped the little egg in a blanket from her pack and was talking sweet nothings into the little egg's shell. Ash, who was walking beside Joey, stepped back to speak softly with his wife. "You are aware that it can't hear you, right?"
Misty scoffed and held the egg closer. "Ha! You don't know that. Besides," She leaned closer to Ash's ear, "If I recall, you were talking to our baby in my stomach, were you not?" Ash blushed and recalled. He crossed his arms and shook his head. "So what. There was a layer of skin between that, and now it's a hard shell that nothing can get through." He wrapped his knuckles on the egg just to prove his point.
"ASH!" Misty scolded him. She shoved him forward so that he was right behind Ruby and Joey before resuming her cooing to her new found egg.
Ash smiled slightly and rolled his eyes. Ah, yes, Misty missed both their child and Togetic. Ash wondered idly where the little egg pokemon was…
"LOOK!" Ash turned expectantly to Joey.
"What?"
"I think I actually know where we
are!"
Snorting, Ruby crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "Yea, we're in the Viridian forest, we ALL know that one already." Joey shook his head.
"No," He said irritably. "I think Viridian city is just ahead."
Sighing, Ruby shook her head. "Right, knowing our luck, we'll miss it and keep going around in circles."
"Oh ye of little faith!" Joey held his head high and walked a slightly faster pace, determined to prove Ruby wrong.
Every one in a great while, all the directionally challenged people need to have their days, and today, was Joey's day. Just as he said, only after a half hour of walking, they did actually reach the edge of Viridian City. Joey, of course, would not let Ruby hear the end of it. Joey was so happy, he wanted to go straight to the pokemon league and announce their presence, until Ruby caused reality to come crashing down on him. "And how exactly are we supposed to get THEM to listen to US?"
Joey stopped his waltz to the league gates and blinked. "Darn…" He mumbled. "Hey, maybe they'll recognize my great skill as the next pokemon master and let me in early –"
"NOT likely!" Ruby snapped.
"Hey," Misty chimed in, "Why don't we," motioning her head to Ash and her self since the egg was safely in her arms, "try since we both look like the previous Ash and Misty," Ash gave her a sideways glance, not sure if that was the best course to go. Misty nodded in his direction, knowing what he was thinking of, but they needed to get there fast, and this seemed like the only way.
Ruby slowly nodded her head, thinking the idea over in her head. "I like the idea…but you know people do try and look like Ash and Misty, right?"
A sudden picture of hundreds of Ash's swarming around her, doing all the things that made Ash, well, Ash, made its way into Misty's imagination. A large sweat-drop formed in the back of her head and she quickly shook it off – no. There was only ONE Ash Ketchum, and he was standing next to her, seeming to have the same though with little Misty's running circles around his head. Ash chuckled and nodded in response to ruby's announcement. "I know." He said quietly. He gave Misty a knowing glance before perking up and walking ahead of the group. "Well, let's get going then!"
"ASH!"
Ash stopped and turned around, his eyes questioning her cerulean eyes. "I'm tired!" Misty whined. Ruby soon followed suite.
"I want a bed!"
"But-" Joey gaped. His mouth hung open like a sick fish.
"Anyway," Misty continued, looking at Ruby nodded towards the pokemon center. "Bob needs his rest."
"But we're so close!" Joey argued, still amazed they would quit this early. "And who's Bob?"
Ash chuckled softly and put a hand on Joey's shoulder. "You might as well give it up, they're going to get their way no matter what." Joey frowned and crossed his arms. He looked about ready to protest, but Ash had already made his way to the pokemon center behind the other small group. Joey heaved a sigh and slowly followed, dragging his feet he whole way.
~*~*~*~
Piercing blue eyes watched the new group come in. They followed their every move and she studied them with great care. A frown was apparent on her face, but her eyes were hard, and even slightly confused. She folded her arms against her chest as she leaned back in her chair, still watching them, beyond caring I they noticed or not. Why were they so familiar?
~*~*~*~
"Misty…." Ash elbowed Misty side.
"Ash!" Misty yelped. She gently shoved him back. "What was that for?" Ash pulled Misty to the side and nodded to the corner.
"She's staring at us, she's BEEN staring at us, and it's unnerving."
"Ash Ketchum," Misty crossed her arms. "You who can do battles in front of thousands and thousands of people can't stand one person staring at you. Can you blame her?"
"It just," He shifted on his feet. He couldn't really explain it, "It just feels weird. I feel like I should know her."
Misty rolled her eyes, slightly agitated. "Ash, you're over a hundred, she's, what?" She glanced over in the girl's direction. "18? I hightly doubt you ever met. But if you care so much, go over and talk to her! I'll wait here while Ruby and Joey get the pokemon healed."
Ash shook his head and grabbed Misty's arm. "Misty, please?" His took a deep breath and started the trick he hadn't used in ages – the famous puppy-dog eyes. "Pweeeease?"
"FINE!" Misty frowned and turned on her heal to march over to the girl whose blue eyes were still watching her move towards her. Ash gaped before starting after his wife. "Wait!" He hissed. "I didn't mean like this! Misty- wait!"
"You got a problem?" Misty stopped in front of the girl, her arms folded across her chest, securing the egg in front of her while she stopped over to glare at the sitting girl.
The girl smirked and shook her head. "You're new, I haven't seen you before."
Misty 'tsk'ed and stood up straight. "I could have told you that. Now do you mind NOT staring at us?"
The girl cocked her head, the smirk never leaving her face. Her own arms were folded across her chest. She uncrossed her legs and slowly rose to her feet to stand up to Misty. She stood an two inches taller than Misty – probably her three inch heels – Misty muttered. She had a black trench coat on with a black shirt and black jeans. Her black hair was wild and unruly in pigtails and she wore a red bandana around her neck. "I want to know why you like them."
Misty's frown increased. "Who are you that we should answer to you?" She was ignoring Ash's frantic gestures for her to quit.
"I'm Catrinna."
Misty rolled her eyes. "Is that supposed to actually mean something to me?" Her attitude was really getting to her. She reminded her too much of… herself.
Catrinna narrowed her solid blue eyes. "It should. I'm the great-granddaughter of Lance and the current pokemon master."
AAAAND we're going to leave off there for now. MWHAAA! Best part is I actually know what I'm planning! Isn't it great?! Hope you enjoyed!
Okay, everyone seems to be getting confused, therefore, I'm going to make a timeline! Yaaay! *Ahem* More will be added as more is revealed so you don't get TOO confused ^_^
This is for Ash and Misty only! You don't need a timeline for the times with Ruby when it's in chronological story order
Age 18 Age 19-in-a-half Age 25
Ash proposes TR plan revealed/baby announcement Death of Ash and Misty
----/--------/----/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/-------------
Age 19
Marriage!