Chapter 34
Misty lay silently in Ash's arms. He was asleep and momentarily content.
But Misty was neither.
She was completely exhausted; but her mind was alert and her thoughts were agitated.
Misty forced herself to exhale carefully and snuggled backward into Ash's loving embrace.
Ash's arms were warm and comfortable . . . yet, they felt . . . different from Gary's arms.
Gray's embrace made her feel safer. She could fully lean into his strong chest and breathe in his warm scent - and know that he would always be there to comfort and defend her.
Gary was physically a bit bigger than Ash. His shoulders were broader, he was taller, and (from what Misty could tell) Gary had developed more muscle in his arms, chest, and legs.
Misty was still several centimeters taller than Ash. But, Gary stood higher than Misty. Gary had almost a full head on her . . . and . . . she liked it. She liked looking up to him. Misty was growing fond of the fact that he was taller and broader; on some level it made her feel more feminine and delicate. Gary made her feel as though her tom boy edge was fading. Perhaps he was making her weaker? . . . regardless, Misty liked the feeling.
Maybe it was for this reason that she could so completely sink into Gary's embrace? So wholly trust him?
Maybe it was something else?
Misty clung tightly to Ash; pressing her face to his chest.
Ash's heart was beating softly in her ear . . . but, it was different than the beating of Gary's heart.
Gary's heartbeat was the steady, constant rhythm that seemed to assure her that Gary was as steady and constant as it was.
The sound . . . it was just . . . different.
In this moment Misty's thoughts began to wander. She remembered resting against Gary's chest in the dreary chill of the past nights. She recalled how his heartbeat would speed up - just ever-so-slightly - whenever she spoke his name.
Ash's hands were wrapped affectionately around Misty's shoulders . . . yet, she missed the way Gary's fingers would gently caress the back of her neck as he held her.
She missed the charming impish grin that lit up his face when he teased her.
She missed the way his spikes of spicy-brown hair would bounce when he laughed . . . and . . . she missed that genuine laugh that could make her smile despite their most dismal surroundings.
Misty thought of Ash. She thought of his adoring eyes. Ash's brown eyes were soft and innocent - they shone with admiration and affection for Misty.
Yet, she missed Gary's blue eyes . . . those two swirling seas that so easily swept her away in a current of respect, of devotion . . . of something more . . .
Looking into Gary's eyes bestowed her with a rush of sessions: powerlessness, and -although contradictory- with a sense of might. She was flooded by passion, anxiety, greed, necessity, tenderness, and longing . . . especially by longing. Misty found herself guiltily pining for how his striking eyes could seize her without any warning at all.
Getting to know Gary Oak was like swimming in unfamiliar waters . . . the thrill of the unknown and the danger that possibly waited; but with the promise of excitement too great to deny.
At first Misty was in control, floating comfortably above the sea . . . but those stunning eyes of his – they were the waves that pulled her under, stole her breath, and actually had her yearning for more. No matter how far from shore she had been taken . . . just being with him . . . being lost in those seas . . . it was worth the risk of drowning.
She wanted to be with Ash, but she needed to be with Gary.
Misty had always wanted to be with Ash . . . and now it was finally going to happen - providing they lived through this nightmare. She and Ash were going on a date! A real date. Her first date. She had always daydreamed about a date with Ash. They would have dinner, see a movie, hold hands; and then at the end of the evening she would lean in and kiss him . . . it would be prefect and affectionate like a scene from any romance film. She couldn't wait . . . it was what she had always wanted. Ash was the guy she had always wanted. There had never ever been anyone else for her . . . at least not until recently . . .
She certainly didn't ever expect to fall for the most unlikely guy . . .
As terrible and confusing as these feelings were- her last notion caused an ironic smile to tug on her lips.
Misty slowly unwrapped herself from Ash's slumbering arms and stood up. Her eyes washed affectionately over his peaceful face.
He was only fourteen years old. She was just fifteen. They were kids. Being subjected to this place was beyond criminal. It was downright immoral forcing them into these conditions and making them battle; blackmailing them with threats on their own Pokemon. Or, in Gary's case, with the threat of Misty's own life . . .
Ash woke suddenly, instantly feeling Misty's absence from his arms.
"Mist?" Ash asked groggily.
"Ash, how did they get to you? Do they have your Pokemon?"
Ash blinked, trying to comprehend her question through his sleep-clogged ears. "W-what?"
"You heard me," she repeated softly, but with a trace of urgency rising in her tone.
"No, no the Revivalists don't have my Pokemon," Ash shook his head, trying to understand why she was asking him this now. "Misty, I –I'd rather not talk about this, okay? I'm really tired. Come on, let's go to sleep."
"Oh my god. . . Ash," dread was now solely evident in her voice. "Please tell me you are not battling for me too?"
Ash hesitated awkwardly. "Misty, I . . ." he sighed, "Yes, I'm here fighting for you," his eyes met her earnestly. "But I don't regret it. I would never ever allow anything to happen to you, Misty."
Misty slumped weakly to her knees. Her face was void of any comprehensible emotion. "You and Gary are both really . . . fighting for . . . me . . . I don't deserve this . . . what do I do, Ash? What the hell do I do?"
Ash couldn't answer her question. After all, how could he? He didn't truly understand just how multifaceted her words were.
THANK YOUS:
Alex Warlorn-- Thanks again for the thorough and detailed review. I know you are crazy busy so if it takes a while for reviews I totally understand! I don't have much free time to read all my favorite fics theses days either. & Yeah, I know my characters repeat thoughts. But I figure that they need to kinda obsess over the same things because that is all they really have right now, the poor people. Now, I know this isn't going to be a chapter near-and-dear to your heart, but thanks for reading it anyway!
Midnight Mist- Hiya! Hey, don't apologize for the delay. It's no big deal. I'm really busy myself these days so I completely understand and can relate! I'm happy to receive your reviews anytime:) I can't thank you enough for that meticulous and flattering review! Heh, yeah I did give my AAML readers a happy moment there in the last chappie, but this one was for the GAMLers. ;) Thanks again.
Crazy4TR112- Hello, hello! I'm really pleased that you enjoyed my Gary/Derrick part in the last chapter. I impressed you? Wow. Thanks, that is very flattering! As far as your questions go, you know I can't answer them yet, but I love to read them! I love to know what you're thinking about the plot. It makes my day to read it.
xAFChickax- Hiya! I know, poor Gary! I'm so mean to him. Shame on me! Alas, I guess we always hurt the ones we love. Hee hee. Thanks so much for your review. I just adore your thoughts and opinions. I hope you liked this update.
Angel-star727- Hi, honey! Pika pika! I know, Misty gets to pick between two guys! Not fair. Why can't two guys both want me? Red heads get all the fun. Hee hee. Thanks fir reading my other fic too!
Ori- Hey there! How are you? I loved your review. I actually giggled when I read "And Ash... absolute shame on you for asking Misty on a date while Gary is suffering beyond human comprehension." Alas! So true! Poor Gary! Thanks for the review. You summed everything up well! ;)
Dave Behave- What's up? Thanks a bunch for the great review. As usual, you had wonderful insights. Thanks, thanks, thanks. I can't answer the questions, sorry! But you know that! Hee hee. You think Gary has balls of steel, eh? That's funny. You got me giggling with that comment.
megs626- Thanks for the review! I know, I am giving these poor characters so much drama. The triangle is fun to write though. I adore a good love triangle. And I really enjoy writing it esp. since you enjoy reading it.
MagCat- Hey, there! Thanks for liking my last chappie! More TR is coming before the end. Jessie, James, and Meowth still have an important role to play yet! Thanks for liking how I am developing Gary's character. Your comments are much appreciated. I think my fave part of the last chapter was also when Gary came to Misty's defense!
Alexis Ludd- Thanks again for a beautiful, thorough, and inspiring review! I loved it! I loved all your comments on Gary, Misty, and Derrick. I'm really pleased that you liked the Gary/Derrick scene. That was my fave as well. Thanks!
MagRowan- Hello! Yuck, I had a lot of type-o's there. Alas! Heh. Anyways, I really liked your comment: "I don't think either one would want to do the chivalrous thing and give her up." I grinned at that. And I totally laughed when you said Derrick needs a straight jacket, heh. . . you haven't even seen the craziest part of him yet. Thanks again for the careful and detailed review:)
Windstar- Of course you are encouraging! And I can't thank you enough for that. Poor Gary! I know, I know, I am so mean to him. I can't help it! Thanks a lot for the comments.
Pikajenn- Yeah, I know. Gary does not have it easy in this fic. I guess this situation is a true test of character for him. Thanks for all your support.
star's dreams- Hello, Star & Lime! You're reviews are always so insightful and pretty! I was flattered when you said my fic "it was light at start and dark in the middle and light with a dash of worry" that's such clever wording! You need to get writing again, you've got so much talent. Thanks again!
Cosmic Mewtwo- Hiya! Okay, now it's your turn to update! Hee hee. I keep giggling when you say that I am making you like the 'twerps' hahaha. Thanks. That makes me feel happy. I know, poor miserable Gary. I feel bad for him too. Thank you for the shrewd and flattering review. I really, really appreciate it & can't wait to hear your thoughts on this update.
Lyra- Whow. You wrote me quite a long review! Thanks. I loved it. Don't worry about being later than usual reviewing. Computers will be computers and have issues. I understand! I love your thoughtful reviews whenever I can get them. :) haha, I knew you'd be tempted to flame my Ash and Misty part, but thanks for controlling yourself. I saved myself with the last line, haha. I know, Derrick is crazy. Thanks so much for the extremely faltering praise. I'm thrilled you find this fic to be original and satisfying. I certainly wouldn't want it any other way.
Raevn- Hi. I liked your observations about the Pidgy, I can tell you this much: that little bird ha not yet fulfilled its mission in the fic. I'm so excited that you liked the Derrick flinching part. Hee hee. I liked that too. In fact that Derrick/ Gary part was actually my fave part. Thanks a ton for the review!
flying metal child- Hello. Welcome to my fic. Thank you very much for taking the time to read it thus far. I really hope you will continue to read and share your thoughts with me. I love to hear what my reviewers think. Yeah, I do depict Misty as seeing Ash as less mature. The reason is that Misty (to me) has always been far more mature than Ash. And she has sort of looked out for him along his journey. Girls tend to mature faster than most boys at that age, and Ash, well, he's always been a bit –slower- than most. Heh, that's hard to say nicely! Haha, poor Ash. Anyways, I hope you'll read on!
Subieko- Hiya! Thanks a bunch for the great review! I'm very glad that you think the love triangle fits with the main plot. I knida took off a bit from the main plot in this chappie. But the next chapters are focused more on finishing the battles. Thanks again!
Smileyaili- I know! There is so much drama in this fic! Yikes! Sometimes I can't even believe the misery I am causing these poor characters. lol, I liked your rhyme:) hee hee. The next chappie will show what's going on with the losers of the tournament. Thanks a ton for the sweet review!
Kagome1015- Hiya! Congrats on making the track tryouts! How is it going? Running is such great fun! I love to run & always do a few miles daily. Anyways, thanks for the review! You're so kind!
evryluvsmisty-Hi. Yeah, your name is very true: everyone DOES love Misty! I think most of my reviewers agree with you: "the better competition is the one for the red head" hee hee. That's the most fun to write too.
Yoru Ryu- Hello, hello! How are you? Haha, I laughed when you said that you want to kick Derrick and Ash. Although, You're kicking them for different reasons! Hee hee. Thanks for saying my chapter was great. I think you & your reviews are great.
L' Fleur Noir- Hola! Welcome to my fic. Thanks for reading it. Unfortunately 'hola' is the only Spanish I know so I didn't really understand your review. But thanks for it anyway! I hope you will continue to R &R.
someone- Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Also, I appreciate your concern, but do you care to elaborate? I'm confused. I am not breaking any ff . net rules. My story does not have harsh speech or x-rated content. If anything at all, it falls under a Teen rating and I am being over-cautious by putting it in the R section. On what grounds would my fic ever be thought unfit for this site? Have you taken a look at some of the other R-rated fics? They are loaded with x-rated content, graphic violence, and over-board swearing - not mine. And I would never stoop to that. I don't need that stuff to write a quality story. Could you please email me with your concerns? I'm quite confused as to the standards of your warning. Thanks.
EVERYONE: Yes, I know this was a really short chapter. I haven't finished the next part yet, so I figured a small update now was better than waiting another week or two. The next one is longer though, and it focuses back on the central issue: the captive trainers and the battles . . . but of course this love triangle is always going to be present in every chapter! The battles are dwindling down. You'll also see what is going on with those trainers who have already lost their battles. Thanks a TON for your support. Your reviews are incredibly encouraging and keep me typing. Please do not be shy about sharing your thoughts no matter what they might be. Thanks, Maia's Pen.