Ash sat there in a dark and lonely room at the back of the Cerulean Gym, shivering from coldness his body was feeling. Brock had ripped his jacket and top off to be given several beatings, which deep bold bruises were starting to appear.
All the insults Brock had made about his home town pained him as the rushes of anger were burning within his heart. The three sisters just observed Brock beat him in satisfaction. The family seemed to enjoy themselves as the 'Pallet' boy tried to flee from their prison cell, but Brock kept wheeling him in; like a fisherman trying to catch a Goldeen. They asked him why he loved their sister; Ash thought of the sway of her hips, the silk in her hair, the softness of her skin, the lust in her lips and love in her aqua eyes, but made no response.
Then, they all just left him there, chained to a wooden chair and a glass of water not in his reach, just for fun of things; for Ash's grasping thirst.
Ash knew there was no way he could escape from the Cerulean gym as the door and windows were locked in the small room. The only hope Ash had now was back at home with Gary, hopefully having enough bottle to face his mum and uncle of his disappearance.
Gary glanced at the clock; which now read 8.30pm and nervously peered from the window into the forest; hoping to see a sign of his best friend. Gary knew he had already given suspicion to Ash's mother and uncle of his pathetic excuses of Ash's whereabouts. Gary had made up Ash was in the bathroom or he was sleeping (shoving a load of pillows under the bed) or even they were playing hide and seek! However, they had managed to approve Ash's mum and uncle when they came knocking on the wooden door.
"Ash, this isn't funny, it's gone past 8pm, where are you?" mumbled Gary, pacing up and down his room.
Gary thought of all the possibilities of Ash running late. 'Maybe, this girl has braces and when they kissed, they got their lips stuck.' 'Maybe, Ash hasn't got a watch on so he doesn't know the time'. 'Maybe, the Cerulean people have found him and-'
Gary froze and ran downstairs of the sudden thought and was bracing himself to face Ash's mum and uncle. Ash's mother and uncle who were calmly sitting in front of the television, but calmly for how long!
"Umm…Mrs Ketchum," began Gary.
"Yes Gary, is something the matter?" asked Mrs Ketchum.
Gary nodded and looked over to Uncle Ryan; hoping he didn't need to explain. Uncle Ryan soon focused on his nephew's frightened friend as he managed to croak out, "Ash is…missing."
"What?" gasped Mrs Ketchum, switching off the television and paying full attention to Gary.
"But you said-" growled Ryan, starting to lose his temper.
"Yeah I know what I said, but Ash was talking to me this morning and he got angry with me from grassing him up yesterday night. Then Ash came up with this crazy idea of going back to the forest; hoping to meet that Cerulean girl. As you can guess, I said no way, because of what you said Mr Ketchum, but Ash wouldn't listen. Before he went, he said if he wasn't back before 8pm then to tell you," explained Gary, quickly.
Ryan and Delia looked at each other in concern as the clock struck 8.45pm. There was only one thing for it!
"Gather up the Pallet town, we're going into the hell hole and bringing Ash out alive!" Ryan snapped.
Ryan stormed upstairs, rushing into his room and opened his wooden drawers. He placed his fingers along the weapon he had once used before and hoped to be successful again.
"Let's get revenge for my brother and family," muttered Ryan, angrily.
There was loud unlocking sound that awoke Misty as she began to stir from her soaking wet pillow. She noticed Brock walking in, proudly and sneered at the current state she was in.
"This will be your last time to see your lover boy, come with me and I'll show you where the scum bag is," Brock reported.
Misty didn't object, but began to pleading with her brother for Ash's safety. Misty was crying so hard that she had to choke back the tears and swallow.
"Please Brock; you can't do this to Ash. I love him too much and-" Misty was unexpectedly cut off as she began to see the huge crowds pouring around the large swimming pool and posters of "We hate Pallet" being waved about the place.
Misty looked back at her brother miserably and was going to ask why were there lots of people at the gym at this time, knowing there was no water show until next week.
Brock just grinned and laughed, "Have fun with your Pallet boy, remember this will be your last time with him."
Brock opened the metal door and pushed Misty in.
Misty scanned the tiny room and noticed a figure hurled into the corner under the moonlight; shivering and tied tightly to a chair.
"Ash," cried Misty, crawling up to him.
Ash saw Misty's anxious face and couldn't believe Misty was there at first, but Misty's pulse started to race as Ash tried to crack a smile.
Misty was angry so much of the pain Brock and her sisters had inflicted on her true love; she wanted to scream and kick at them.
"Mist," whispered Ash back, feeling her warmth again. He felt Misty trying to massage his chest, but he held her hands as best as he could; not wanting Misty to see his pain anymore.
"How can you still love me after all this?" asked Misty, stroking his pale face.
"Because you are not the one doing this to me. Nothing can break up true love, Mist, despite on where we come from," replied Ash as he drew his lips gently on her forehead.
Misty sadly smiled and began to warm Ash up again by moving her body against Ash's and wrapping her long and slim arms around him. She laid her chin on top of Ash's head.
"I'm so scared for you, Ash," muttered Misty. "They have loads of Cerulean people in the gym and those hatred posters waving about. I don't know what they are going to do."
Ash closed his eyes, wishing and praying for everything to be alright for the pair as they were going to face up to their fate. They sat there so close and still, Ash felt Misty's love touch as he tried holding his breath. They both thought about their future; having their hand in hand and their hearts warming each others up. The soft lips grazing againsteach othersbegan to turn the air into sadness as they leaned in closer; not wanting to part.
Ash knew Misty and him were not going to have an easy ride tonight!
The metal door slowly opened and Brock called Misty to move away from the prisoner, but she refused.
'Who does he think he is…God or something,' thought Misty, furiously.
Her sisters gripped her while Ash was forced to leave the room from the bellowing demands of her brother. While Misty and her sisters followed behind as they entered the noisy arena with many crowds booing and hissing when Ash and Brock climbed on to a platform.
"Just watch your lover boy now, little sister," giggled Lily.
Misty stood there teary eyed, wanting to know the meaning of this and for this nightmare be over. The evil sights and sounds sizzled into her mind; the screeching and howling of 'Drown the Pallet' and 'Kill him' echoed the air.
Brock commanded the crowds to hush and he began to shout loudly; keeping his foot on Ash's bear back. "This is a Ketchum, ring any bells people, this is the son of Jason Ketchum, the leader of Pallet's army. The army that slaughtered and traumatised us and cost us many lives including Steven and Sue Waterflower. Now, this scum bag decides to get hisgrubby little hands over our Misty Waterflower."
Sudden gasps were heard in the audience and a few glares were made at her. Misty didn't seem to care of the utter humiliation her 'so-called' brother was making; it just gave her more determination of saving Ash.
Daisy soon joined Brock on stage with a shiny dagger in her hand, this frightened Misty. Daisy smiled at Brock as Brock clutched on to Ash; waiting for the deed to be done.
"Well Ketchum, let's see how you like it, when your jet black hair is cut off," splattered Daisy.
The crowds cheered as the dagger sliced through Ash's well known black hair, the feature of a true Ketchum! The black hair flew around him as he stared sadly at the ground, hating the torture of the Cerulean people. Ash had no strength to fight back, but just to listen to the happiness and hatred taunts that floated around him.
All of a sudden, huge thrashing was heard from the Cerulean gym's main doors and in flooded the burning torches of the Pallet people. The interruption sliced the air as the Ceruleans and Pallets had finally met over many painful years.
A few Cerulean gangs tired to fight the Pallets' back, but came to a sad defeat as they were thrown into the waters of the swimming pool. No one made a sound as the men hauled themselves out of the water and angrily glared at them.
"I believe you have my nephew!" demanded Ryan as he looked up seeing Brock holding Ash up painfully in the air.
"Not any longer," smiled Brock and pushed Ash into the water with a heavy weight tied to his ankle.
Ryan watched in horror as the swimming pool choked his nephew under water and felt hopeless as he couldn't swim.
However, Misty slipped out of her sisters' grip and leaped into the waters, kicking her legs powerfully gradually swimming deeper and deeper until she saw Ash.
The heavy weight pulled him down to the bottom of the pool as Ash clutched onto his throat helplessly; wanting to breathe.
Misty held his face to let him know she was there to save him. Ash peered into Misty's eyes as she quickly bit onto the rope that was holding her lover down. Finally, Misty managed to bite her sharp nashers through and grabbed Ash's hand to reach the surface for air.
Misty quickly coughed out some water as she happily freed Ash from drowning. Sadly, Ash laid there limp as Misty pulled him out of the water and tried to help him breathe. Misty was about to ask for help, but saw all around her, raging fights and arguments firing at both sides. It was impossible for her plea of help to be heard, it was all up to her to save Ash's life.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I might take a little bit longer for the next chapter due to my exams coming up very soon (Wish me luck!) Anyway please review and take care of yourselves! xx
