Locked Away Chapter 37
Misty didn't sleep well—maybe a few hours here and there, but the majority of her time was spent tossing and turning, watching the dark ceiling, and listening to Ash and Brock's interesting tales of snoring. Yesterday's ordeals weighed heavy over their shoulders, a harsh reminder that life was never as simple as it should have been—and likely never would be again.
Misty sighed, rolling over to view the electronic clock. A quarter after five, the sun was rising behind the dark curtains, and her head throbbed from sleep deprivation and possible dehydration. She pulled herself out of bed, making sure not to disturb togepi as she maneuvered herself to the floor, and shambled toward the bathroom. First, she noticed how sore her muscles were; the remaining effects of the shock waves of explosions and adrenaline that vibrated through her entire body from the party. However, her muscles were nothing in comparison to the ache of her feet—she could hardly walk straight—with a bruised ankle, and sore pads from the heels she wore yesterday, she wanted to scream. Luckily, she clutched at the edge of Ash's tall bed for support, and all but crawled to the bathroom for relief. Her bag of clothes was still huddled in the corner from the previous night, below her tattered blue dress, which hung on the back of the door. She shut the door before thumbing for the lights, and then exhaled once the searing golden rays penetrated her pupils.
She blinked a few times to adjust, nearly tripped over Ash's discarded suit, and swore loudly in spite of herself. Slapping her lips with her hands to prevent further swearing, she muddled through Ash's suit, as well as the white cardigan she lent him, which was stained with drops of his blood.
A crack flashed through her eyes as she dropped the cover into the sink and ran water over the top to remove the rustic scent from the cloth. She scrubbed once or twice, but the stains seemed irremovable. Realizing such effort was a lost cause, she flicked the cardigan into the trash bin beside the sink, and then slowly pulled Ash's suit together. The suit was torn at the cuffs, the white shirt was padded with dirt and drops of blood, and she could have swore at him for damaging such an expensive rental—but the seeping fear in her chest was a reminder that they were all in danger. This could have been a lot worse.
After the suit was moderately placed back into its plastic protection, Misty licked her dry lips recalling the party for the millionth time; trying to reminiscence every detail, every face—anything that seemed suspicious before the doors were blasted to hell. As always, she could think of nothing else but the pound of her head, and she let out a frustrated sigh before slipping out of her clothes, and into the shower.
Thirty minutes later, when she had pulled on a pair of jeans, a red tank top and a yellow vest, she unlocked the bathroom door, expecting to see the boys still snoring. Unexpectedly, they were both awake, struggling to pull their gear and minds together. The moment Misty stepped out of the bathroom, Brock cut in with an abrupt, "I have to pee!" and nearly knocked her over on his way inside.
Ash stifled his laugh while preparing for their travels. Togepi had crawled into Ash's lap for cuddles when Misty left, and she suspected that the small egg was the reason anyone was up.
Ash yawned, and glanced over his shoulder at the redhead;
"Are you okay?" He murmured tiredly, knowing well enough that she was not-much of a morning person. Her mind was elsewhere when her eyes drew to him and she let out a strangled, pessimistic noise in return.
"I should be asking you that: you look like a bruised peach." She laughed under her breath while approaching him.
Instinctively, he attempted to move away from her, but a smothered togepi kept him in place, and he swallowed hard at her intense gaze. Carefully, she hooked the point of his chin between her thumb and index fingers and reefed his face forward to get a closer look at his injuries. His lip was a giant, ugly, red scab that she touched briefly with her thumb to watch him flinch anxiously. The minor first aid she applied yesterday seemed to do the job of keeping out infection, but she was still moderately surprised that his eye hadn't swollen shut—Ash's eyes wandered everywhere but to her—begging for Brock to hurry when he heard the shower-tap start.
Inwardly, he groaned. Figures Brock would steal the second shower—but Ash couldn't complain when Misty brushed her cold hand over his bruised eye then said, "Man, they really did a number on you, didn't they?"
His right eye was swollen, luckily, not swollen closed, and the white of his eye was pure red, causing the brown of his iris to glow. His skin was a bit darker, so the yellows didn't protrude as neatly, but his hair had matted to his face during sleep; put simply, he looked as if a geodude had clobbered his face.
"You shouldn't worry so much about me when you're clearly the most injured one here." Misty scolded playfully before releasing him from her grasp. He watched her intently for a moment when she reeled backwards, and flopped onto her bed with an obnoxious sigh. A faint blush crossed Ash's cheeks when he watched her.
"Sorry." He grumbled, and raised his eyebrows. "How's your ankle?"
Misty's lips pursed, she wasn't aware that Ash noticed she hurt her ankle; but apparently his observation skills had gotten better.
"I just rolled it when I was wearing my heels, it's much better today." Sitting up, she shifted her weight onto the palms of her hands, and looked directly at Ash, who blinked in return.
Since the first time they 'met' in the hospital, conversation had always been moderately easy between the duo, few moments of childish outburst, and less moments of mild anger and frustration. They shared a thousand different conversations and jokes; moments. But none ever so awkward as the day after being legitimately attacked by whoever they had been chasing the last few months. Honestly, Ash wasn't sure if he should question what happened between them before the party—the feelings leading up to this, or the events of the party. Surely, some heavy repercussions would follow for announcing Team Rocket's presence at a league party, but when he thought to speak—no words came out.
For Misty, the pressure was a bit different—she knew that Ash was tough, in his own way. He had been through a lot more than most people ever would in their lives, but looking at his worn and bruised face, she felt a brief helplessness she had never before; and a deep, buried anger. A part of her wanted to lash out at Team Rocket for attacking him—them- at the party, but another part of her knew that this was bound to happen at some point.
"...that's great." Came the delayed response from Ash when he finally tore his eyes away from her green ones. Her chest lowered when she rose to her feet, and pointed around the room.
"We should get ready to go while Brock is showering." She muttered, trying to busy herself.
Ash followed monotonously, shifting around the room with pikachu at his heels, and togepi at Misty's, they fell into the morning routine they kept at Misty's residence: clean up, and start the day. Since they hadn't spent much time in the hotel room, there wasn't a lot to clean up, but Misty spent a good portion of her time separating important items between her suitcase and traveling bag. She made sure to bring spare clothes, and then crammed the rest of her unimportant belongings into her suitcase.
All reminiscence of yesterday had been washed away or removed, aside from her black heels that glared at her from the corner of the room where she had discarded them. When she picked them up off of the floor, she didn't hesitate dropping them into the garbage bin. Ash had been in the middle of some lighthearted joke about Misty's sisters likely freaking out, when her phone started to ring.
The duos eyes fell onto the black object, and Misty twisted forward to grab it from the nightstand, and check the number. Whoever it was, they hadn't been saved to her contacts, so she shrugged at Ash, and answered while Ash took a seat beside her, and removed the remove from her fingers.
"Hello?" Misty responded hesitantly, Ash tried not to eavesdrop, but his eyes turned at her regardless, he thumbed through television stations to appear 'busy' but his mind was trained on Misty.
"Is this Misty Waterflower?"
Misty swallowed and said, "Yes" weakly. "And who is this?" She inhaled, regaining her confidence.
"Lorelei—" the woman on the phone answered naturally. "Where are you? Your first meeting started fifteen minutes ago. Not a very good first impression."
Suddenly, the redhead's rage returned and she smacked her lips. "Really? I was under the impression I had a pass on my 'introduction meeting' given the circumstances last night." her voice carried a distinct sour tone to it that made Ash's eyes turn to the screen ahead of him, sweating.
"Oh, don't be dramatic! You're still expected to complete your duties."
"Really? That's easy for you to say, seeing as you and the other members seemed to be missing in action so easily!" Misty roared back, clutching her phone violently. Lorelei's voice seemed strained, unimpressed on the other side.
"Now, now, calm down." For a faint second Misty heard Lorelei speaking to another person in a muffled tone. She had covered the receiver and Misty groaned.
"Technically, my first league meeting isn't until next week—so maybe you should try calling back then!" her voice boomed through the small room while she violently pressed the end call button, startling Brock as he exited the bathroom, and causing Ash to jump beside her.
Only, Ash's attention had fallen to the news, where last night was once again an ugly scar dampening the situation. Nervously, he tugged on Misty's shoulder before she started her angry tirade, and pointed dejectedly at the television screen. The phone clutched tightly between her fingers slipped, and her entire body collapsed on itself as Brock approached, mouth wide.
"Newest political leader, Misty Waterflower: the regions best interests at heart, or insane?"
"..What?" Misty echoed quietly when both Ash and Brock's eyes turned at her, questioning what her reaction would be.
"Just stay calm, getting upset isn't going to fix this." Ash tried to cool the coals before they erupted, but it was too late, she grabbed the remote from his fingers as the news anchor started remedying the events of last night, twisting them to fit into a small box: that it wasn't really Team Rocket, because they've been disbanded for years. The anchor had just finished taking some of Dawn's interview out of context to fit the bill that Misty was, indeed, crazy, when she lugged the small remote through the LED television.
Sparks flew in every direction, and both Ash and Brock cowered behind one another, grabbing pikachu and togepi and keeping them away from the sparks while Misty heaved, and then curled her hands into fists and started swearing. Sleep deprivation didn't bod well for the young water pokemon trainer. She wasn't thinking clearly.
"They're making me out to be a laughing stock!" Misty glowered. Her phone started ringing again while Brock and Ash shared a look—wondering how long the news had been cycling through this information.
"What?!" She snapped at the caller, a smooth voice followed; Lance, another Elite Four member.
"Are you coming to the meeting?" He asked, though Misty was fuming and when she stomped her foot, she drilled her finger violently against the end-call button, violently shouting; "No!"
"Mis-isty, the TV, you just-"
"I know!" She snapped at Ash, who yelped and felt his eyebrow twitch. Luckily for them, the room wasn't equip with another television for her to lose her temper over, so after a brief simmer, and a look of utmost concern reflected through Ash's eyes, she settled, and fell backwards onto the edge of her bed.
Clutching her forehead, she curled her knees up to her chin and exhaled a few times. Ash's heart ached, she looked so small. When he shared a look with Brock, the latter had already moved to comfort her naturally.
"Misty, it's okay. You have to remember that people will believe anything before they believe that Team Rocket is responsible. That was only one news channel—they can't all be saying that. I mean, there were at least a dozen people injured at the party. The truth has a way of-"
Misty reeled backwards, needing space. "But don't you get it? They want me to look crazy because they control the media. The truth means nothing if there is no way to obtain it." She said quietly, pathetically rubbing her temples as she moved toward the exit.
"Misty-!" Ash called to her when she pulled open the door of the hotel room, and she breathed.
"I just need a minute. Get ready to go." She managed, leaving the boys standing.
"...She has quite the temper." Stroking his chin, Brock muttered to Ash, who raised his eyebrows.
Should he go after her? His eyebrows lowered sadly when he nudged togepi and pikachu to follow after the redhead instead, and then shrugged to Brock.
"She doesn't..." Ash replied in her defense, then his eyes fell onto the destroyed television. "At least...not usually..." Not recently.
XOXs
Of course she was mad! Less now that she she wasn't confined to the four walls of their shared room, but she was still upset. They had been attacked, and they were calling her crazy? If it hadn't been for her and Dawn, everyone might have just remained in a panicked ball for the rest of the night.
Following only the click of her bare feet against the carpet—she had neglected shoes by mistake-she tucked her hands into her jean pockets and decided to take the stairs in an attempt to clear her head. Before her foot touched the first step, togepi and pikachu stepped down with her, and she sighed happily at them.
"Togeebrii" The small egg said in support while pikachu jumped from the floor, taking perch on her shoulder. Since the pokemon lost weight, he was much lighter, and Misty didn't seem to mind his weight on her shoulder. Oddly enough, she found it quite comforting.
"Hey, guys." She mused pathetically while they chirped their enthusiasm her way. They would cheer her up if it was the last thing they did.
The hotel was accustom to breakfast, so she made her way down the three floors and into the small dining hall where she slipped into habitual movements of gathering a few muffins and fruit onto a plate, and found a seat nearest the television set since she destroyed hers, a decision she was now chiding herself over relentlessly. Misty nestled into the booth with pikachu and togepi and let them nip at the fruit she gathered, while she listened.
"Threats of Team Rocket escalate once more after a supposed bombing at the League official headquarters last night-" Misty cupped her chin watching the appearance of a man in glasses who continued to explain the situation.
"At least a dozen pokemon trainers were admitted to Viridian City hospital last night after an incident related to active explosives destroyed the front of the grand lobby of the latest pokemon league party. After newest Elite Four member, Misty Waterflower, was quoted on stage saying "Team Rocket is in the building", an immediate explosion followed. What the people want to know—is how or why she believed it was Team Rocket?" He paused, smacking his lips together in an 'all knowing' manner that sent chills down Misty's side. She fumed, her appetite suddenly gone while she tucked her head below her hands to avoid stares. The man on the screen continued;
"Some people are saying she's too young to lead a region. One well known trainer in particular, Dawn Matthews, had this to say:
"Uhh," Dawn's face appeared on screen, her make-up was smeared and her dress was ruined. This was clearly the footage from last night, right after she left the building. Misty could see Gary standing beside her, clearly uncomfortable with all the cameras while the news reporter wedged a microphone in front of her face, instead of asking if she was alright.
"What do you think of the newest Elite Four member? What about what happened at the party?"
"She's a good leader, but" Her face turned away, as if distracted by something off screen when she spoke. "She hasn't always been the most stable."
Misty paused, then grabbed the waitress beside her and pointed at the screen. "Can you reverse that?" She asked, and the woman shrugged Misty's tight fingers away and scoffed with a tired 'no', before storming off.
Misty's eyes returned to the screen—it had only been for a minute, but she was sure that the words weren't moving with Dawn's mouth—it didn't even sound like the young woman. Seconds later, the interview continued, with the scene skipped to where Dawn was looking at the camera once more;more irritated than before.
"Team Rocket has been gone for years, bu-..." The film skipped, and Misty dug her nails into the table. "Why would anyone attack the league?" Dawn's picture was quickly removed, and Misty's stomach churned at the response—they were changing statements, Dawn was clearly not being quoted accurately. Her words were being manipulated to suit what the media wanted her to say.
Dawn must not have known about the changes yet—since she hadn't tried to call Misty and verify what had happened last night. It was still relatively early in comparison, only a partial of the region was waking up before seven. The stiff man in glasses, with his mock glare, and up-turned lips caused Misty to shudder.
"Clearly, what ever happened last night might have been a political attempt to create hysteria in the region. The young miss Waterflower has not been quiet about her desire for change in the region, and perhaps she believes fear will work as a guide to the people of Kanto and Johto?-" before the man on screen could ask his colleague for her opinion, Misty exhaled, a little more depressed now than angry, and started back towards her room. Beside her, both togepi and pikachu shared a concerned look, before chasing her up the stairs and leaving their penniless meal on the table.
XOXs
"I should have known this was going to happen." Ash sighed, having just stepped out of the shower.
Like Misty had for him, he took her ruined dress; recalling briefly how amazing she looked in it, before he tucked it back into the plastic she left on the armchair.
"If she had not said what she did at the party—things could have been a lot worse, especially if you're right about Team Rocket intentionally sabotaging the real plan by blowing up those doors." Brock guessed, knitting his eyebrows together. Ash sighed in response, knowing Misty well enough that such words would do little to ease her troubled mind.
"I suppose..." He started. "But we should really get on the road before the press finds out where Misty's staying." Ash nodded to Brock, who left his suit jacket and vest on a hanger beside Misty's dress, and opted to leave his white undershirt unchecked with his black slacks—he wasn't in the most comfortable attire to travel. Hopefully, the group would be willing to stop at his motel for a change of clothes.
Ash was at the door moments later, red cap on his damp black hair with Misty's travel bag tossed over his shoulder and her phone placed carefully in his back pocket. Misty decided earlier that morning that she would leave her suitcase there and send her sisters for it at a later time. There was no way they were going to lug a weeks worth of clothes around with them on their return to Viridian City. All they wanted to focus on now was what that chip they found was, and their best answer was at the Silph Co. manufacturing plant in Viridian City. The few times Ash had visited Viridian City, he saw the outside of the tall building across from the even larger pokemon centers. From his room in the hospital, he could see both like a looming reminder of the changes in this world.
Meanwhile, Brock smiled behind Ash, and clasped him on the shoulder tentatively, in an attempt to remind him that he had his back. "We will figure all of this out." Brock managed. "I swear."
"I know. I just hope Misty realizes that. She's the one taking the brunt of the damage right now." Ash sighed, while rubbing the back of his neck.
"She's a tough girl. If there's anyone who can handle all of this terrible news media—it's Misty." Brock said affirmatively. While Brock spoke, Ash pulled open the hotel room door and stopped when sea-green eyes met with his brown.
"-Hey!" Ash gasped, astounded when she replied with a sweet, sincere grin. Pikachu was popped onto her shoulder, and togepi was cupped gently between her arms when she lunged herself forward to grab both Brock and Ash into a tight hug, nearly dropping togepi in the midst.
"Thank you both." Misty hummed, their confidence in her was only a small reminder that even if the world was out to get her, she was never alone.
XOXs
Brock was staying the cheap "Motel Grand Prix" which was a joke of a motel, if Misty ever knew one. It was just about three blocks away from Misty's hotel, but on the duller side of town. Brock chose to stay there because of the price first, and secondly because he felt more at home around people who were not 'rich'.
Before heading to Viridian City, their goal was Brock's motel; Misty was busy checking out and having the bell-boy place her remaining items into the safe deposit box until her sisters could come buy and pick it up for her. However, before they left, Misty changed into a borrowed-hoodie from Ash that she could hide her hair with, and sighed at the heat. Summers spent in a hoodie weren't really her thing but, she couldn't complain—at least it would keep the stares and vulturous media at bay for the time being.
"Man, Misty," Ash sneered in a mock-laugh. "I haven't seen you so dressed up in awhile." he laughed, adjusting to seeing her dressed down once more. The last time she wore anything less than her Misty attire was their short trip through route twenty-five, an adventure that felt like forever ago.
"It suits you." Brock added in a mock tone, stifling his laughter. Misty's fists met both of their shoulders and they chuckled on their way out of the building when a hushed voice caught their attention at the front desk.
"Have you seen Misty Waterflower?" The woman asked, her purple hair gleaming brightly under the tall lights of the hotel. She wore a red tube-top under a black cardigan that barely contained her bursting bust, and a slimming pencil skirt.
"That's Lorelei." Misty gasped suddenly, recognizing the woman right away—more importantly, wondering how in the world the Elite Four member found her! Misty didn't tell anyone aside from Ash and Brock where she was staying.
Worriedly, she added; "How did they know where I was staying?"
Ash's attention fell entirely on the woman, and then on Misty who seemed genuinely concerned—should he have been concerned as well? It was odd, but Misty was skipping out on meetings. Wouldn't they look for her regardless? Now with the new reports, their looking for her almost seemed natural. Brock cleared his throat a minute later for the duo to look at the doors in front of them, where the large, fighting-type pokemon trainer who had a problem keeping his shirt on; also known as Bruno; leered down at Brock.
"Hey, there, Waterflower, where are you going so early in the morning?" When he spoke his voice carried high above everyone else—he was easily seven foot tall—at least that's what it felt like to Misty, Ash, and Brock, who with a combined effort slowly huddled together and blinked worried at the tall man. He looked friendly enough; but that didn't ease their suspicions.
"For a walk." Misty gasped, noting right away that Lorelei's attention was turned to the front entrance. She approached the trio as Bruno crossed his terrifying, bulky arms.
"For a walk? We had a meeting all prepared for you and you never showed up. You can't blow off duties just because you feel like meddling with the natural order of things." Bruno joked, almost sweetly—well, however sweet a giant could sound. Ash, in an attempt to be brave, stared down Bruno when Lorelei clasped her hand on Misty's shoulder to tug her away.
Instinctively, two arms went up, one from Ash grabbing her right hand, and another from Brock, grabbing her left hand—keeping her in place at their side. Lorelei smacked her lips and raised an eyebrow.
"Calm down, we're just here to check up on her." She commended smoothly with a voice as clear and sultry as butter—Brock's knees went weak, but a hushed glare from Misty kept him rooted.
"I told you I wasn't going—besides, how did you two find me?" Misty wondered aloud, making eye contact with Lorelei, her childhood idol, who pushed on the rim of her glasses.
"Well, this meeting was rather important: it was your introduction to the Elite Four..." Lorelei eyed Bruno who nodded his agreement and Misty fidgeted, releasing Ash and Brock's grip on her wrists to fold her arms.
"I thought that I would wait until all of this news stuff blew over before making my first introduction." Misty offered as a practicality, but Lorelei scoffed.
"You were so quick to accuse Team Rocket, and now you want to hide from the press? My, my, you have so much to learn." Lorelei waved her hand at Misty. "Why don't you cut the nonsense and we'll help you explain that you didn't know what you were talking about."
"Excuse me?" Misty nearly roared. "Maybe if you weren't missing conveniently, you would know that I do know what I'm talking about! Where's your alibi, anyways, huh? Where were you guys while I was trying to maintain peace after the explosion?" While Misty carried on, Ash's eyes fell on the entrance once more, where shocking red hair pressed through the glass behind Bruno and made his way to the group. Ash nudged Brock to look away from Lorelei. Staring back at them were the sharp eyes of Lance, scowling at the trio while he pat Bruno on the arm.
"We don't need an alibi, Waterflower." Lance scolded. "We're the Elite Four." He whispered in a champions voice, as if the idea would sway Misty's temper.
It did not. In fact, Misty felt gross, and she reacted in such a manner, taking a full step away from the rest of the Elite Four who stood in front of them.
"Well, if being an Elite Four means we can make our own rules—then my first rule is that you can blow it out of your-"
"Misty." Ash nudged her, pointing to the red and blue lights outside of the hotel, while Brock saw the increase of peers surrounding them. Even if Misty was 'hidden' under her hood, Bruno, Lance, and Lorelei were known well enough throughout the plateau that they wouldn't be missed. Especially not the three of them at once.
"Dear, why don't you stop acting like a child and we can sort out this mess?" Lorelei extended her hand to Misty, with a sweet, benign look that seemed more traitorous and dangerous than it seemed sincere. The three elite's clearly ignored Brock and Ash's appearances at Misty's side.
"I mean, you can come with us...or make an official statement with the police—your choice." Lance added harshly, placing his hands on his hips.
Sharply Misty inhaled, neither option was optimal, and both would be detrimental—either way, she would end up back at the Elite Four building, trapped there for however long they deemed necessary and no one would bat an eye. Misty wasn't stupid, they tracked her down—put her into a social situation so she wouldn't 'act out', well, apparently, they hadn't met Ash Ketchum before.
Ash winked at pikachu, realizing the hostility. Whether Misty had a plan or not, whether Brock advised against it or not, Ash made the decision for the group. They weren't taking Misty, and they were walking out of here—one way or another. Without an exchange of words, the electric mouse jumped forward, landing at the top of the entrance doors, much to the gasp of everyone present.
"Ash, what are you-!" Misty yelped when a spark of lightning surged through the building, erupting the lights and bursting them one after another when Ash grabbed her and yanked her forward.
The sudden surge of lights and mini explosions ruptured terror through the gathered crowd while the three Elite Four members covered their faces. Brock followed a foot step behind Ash and Misty, catching pikachu off the door frame. Before the police officers managed to get out of their cars, Ash, Brock, Misty and their pokemon darted across the street. Behind them, they could hear the police shout, and also the summoning of Lorelei and Lance's pokemon.
An ice beam meant to stop them, carried out from a very angry Lorelei. They were using pokemon to attack humans—to attack them. Ash realized right away that the police made no movement to stop the attack, so while they jumped to avoid the first ice beam, Misty reefed her hand away from Ash's. She gripped a ball on her waist, prepared to call out a pokemon in their defense when after the second beam was being charged, togepi lurched from Ash's shoulder and with a shrill battle cry, erupted in a blue shield that deflected the second attack.
"Safe guard!" Ash grinned, wanting to clap himself on the back. After deflecting the attack, togepi sunk back down from the sky, falling into Misty's arms who caught the pokemon in a twirl and grinned.
"When did you learn that?" She asked sweetly,
"Ask questions later, run now!" Brock grimaced, seeing the large pokemon emerge from the pokeball Lance had thrown. Ash and Misty agreed unanimously, and then they dipped into the alleyway, skipped over dumpsters and fences, and ran as fast as their legs could carry them.
XOXs
They were at the edge of the plateau, huffing from exhaustion when they fell at the base of a tree behind the train station.
Taking a train to Viridian City was clearly out—the Elite Four had already arrived at the station, and were waiting patiently for them to appear with dragonite watching the skies. Ash had never seen the pokemon in the real world before—and was petrified at its size. The dragonite Ash remembered was a funny, happy-looking, seven foot creature with small wings. This, was a monster. A dragon type, he echoed in his own mind.
With the shadows of the trees as their disguise, Brock and Misty seemed unfazed at the lumbering pokemon above them.
"My feet are killing me." Brock gestured to his feet, rubbing his calves. Misty exhaled, her hair falling into her face while she laughed.
"Try wearing heels."
Their nonchalant personality seemed to disturb Ash as he looked on at the monster overhead. Comparatively, dragonite was still large in his dreams, but this one...its wing span was greater. When the pokemon extended his wings, a vortex opened up in the skies, spreading leaves and debris around. The pokemon's skin was like an aged leather, brown and tough, but silky enough to appear graceful, unlike charizard and gyarados, which had small scales over their bodies. When it roared above the sky, it seemed less menacing than a charizard, but its scale and height far rivaled that of the flame pokemon. Ash covered his ears to dim the loud cry of the dragon.
"Why are they chasing us?" Ash finally managed, shuffling through his pocket where he grabbed Misty's phone by mistake, and then his pokedex.
Misty's face scrunched up and she wiped her brow of sweat; wearing a sweater jacket was not her best idea. "I can imagine it's because they think I might be rogue—or crazy...or you know, on to them." She muttered, getting a nod from Brock.
"You don't think they'll try to remove you from the position for this, do you?" Brock gestured to the sky above at dragonite, and Ash swallowed hard.
"Only if I miss an official meeting, or do something illegal." Misty huffed, squatting. Ash fumbled through his pokedex, reading everything he could about the dragon pokemon, and then looked up at Misty and Brock desperately.
"Why is it so big? It's almost the size of a train cart!" He muttered, leaning forward to keep his voice down. Brock and Misty shared a look, the size was not abnormal for the two of them, but Ash probably had never seen a real, fully grown dragonite.
"It's a dragon type." Misty said as if it was normal. "They get bigger with age." She explained though they didn't have time to go into detail. The police were filling the train station, talking on their radios and pointing around—the goup needed to clear out of here now, and it appeared that walking was going to be their only option.
When dragonite squealed above them once more, Misty got to her feet, and shoved the two boys deeper into the forest.
So much for a relaxing train ride.
XOXS
They didn't have a map, which should have been their first clue that they would get lost. Secondly, they didn't have any flying pokemon to scout out the area, that should have been their next clue. They wondered around until late after noon, had a small lunch that consisted of berries and some rations from their traveling pack. However, rations were unnecessary with Brock around—he could cook anything out everything. He was a culinary genius.
Somehow, Brock was capable of creating salads from otherwise unappetizing ingredients—and his knowledge of berries, leaves, fruits and vegetables of the forest was uncanny, and unbelievably useful. After lunch and a short rest, they followed the river—deciding it would be the safest way to arrive in Viridian city rather than crossing through 'bee-drill' territory, which inhabited the western part of the forest; they would need to loop around, and head onto the northern pass toward Pewter City and then back down into Viridian City to arrive safely.
...Also, because Misty didn't like bugs—she especially didn't like bee-drill.
Just a few hours before sun down, they were completely enveloped in the sound of the trees and the embodiment of the forest—long gone were the sounds of the plateau, of the dragonite looking for them, or the busy streets of the league headquarters. It was relaxing, and in favor of relaxing, Brock finally called it quits.
"I hate to be this guy, but I have to stop." Brock gasped at approximately a quarter after six. Misty frowned, as did Ash.
"What for?" Ash asked when Brock stopped to lean against the tree. Since they were unable to stop at his motel, he had only his pokemon and the clothes on his back. Unlike Ash and Misty, he had no pack to carry—but, he was still in slacks and dress shoes from the party.
"My feet are killing me, I'm sure I have blisters." Brock groaned, sitting on an available tree stump beside a fallen tree.
Misty and Ash looked down at their own feet, which were covered in the protective nature of hiking sneakers, and then looked sadly at one another.
"No, it's okay. We can always get to Viridian City in the morning." Misty complimented, approaching Brock and shuffling her backpack off of her shoulders. Since their walk began, she had ditched the hoodie and vest, and walked with only her red tank-top over her shoulders. Ash followed suit, removing his light jacket previously, an act he never had to commit in his dreams because the heat never seemed to bother him, but at least now, he was able to keep up with Misty. It was nice being physically prepared for everything for once.
"Don't feel bad, Brocko, you should have seen me on my first day out of the assisted living home. I made the fast route to Pallet Town take three times longer than it should have." He laughed while clasping Brock on the shoulders.
Behind them, pikachu and togepi didn't hesitate to jump into the bank of the river, flipping water over their hot bodies and sighing. Not a single cloud hung in the sky above, but the sun radiated heat like a fire.
Misty followed suit, rolling her pants up, ditching her sweaty shoes and socks, and then all but dived into the water. Her feet went first, and then she sat on the bank and fell backwards. Brock and Ash followed her over, rolled their pants to their knees, and dipped their feet into the water after removing their shoes and socks. Brock hadn't been lying, his feet were torn up. Misty winced upon seeing them when Ash took a seat on the opposite side of her and splashed his glove-less hands into the water with a sigh.
Silence ruptured between them, the only noise was the occasional tweet of a happy togepi, and an excited pikachu while they splashed in the water beside them. The forest was so peaceful; it would have been easy to forget that they were being followed, hunted, by the Elite Four, under the suspicions of Team Rocket, and under a constant threat of what is going to happen next? For a moment, they were three friends traveling, on an adventure in the forest. Ash couldn't have been happier.
"You know, traveling the world without anyone else around was fun.." Ash broke the silence with a proud gleam in his eye. "But traveling with old friends is even better."
Misty snorted and rolled her eyes in retort, though Brock seemed genuinely happy to be included in that statement. "Old friends." She mocked. "Ash, we haven't even known you for a year."
Ash's lips pursed and he narrowed his eyes at Misty. "So?" He questioned, and looked away cutely when she shoved his shoulder.
"Let's catch some dinner." She mused, standing up in the water. Ash watched her questionably, and then glanced at Brock.
"...catch...dinner?" Brock groaned when Misty reached the center of the stream, the water reached up to her thighs, though she didn't seem to mind that she would get wet.
"Right! You know, fish!" She chirped, looking into the water while togepi and pikachu crawled out, being sure not to disturb the water.
"Pfft. You're not going to catch a fish with your hands, Misty." Ash mocked, pointing at her. "We should make some kind of fishing line or a-"
She ducked, and then seconds later pulled out a flopping fish that gleamed with the colors of a rainbow, and Ash and Brock's mouths opened wide while she looked at them skeptically. It was complete luck, but she wasn't going to let them know that.
"I'm sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of my fish!" And then she threw it at Ash, whacking him in the face so all of the slimy moisture gesticulated onto his clothes and face as it slipped down. He all but yelped, trying to grab the fish from his body.
"M-Misty!" He shouted while both Brock and Misty laughed. Beside him pikachu was in hysteria, kicking his feet to and from and rolling back and forth when Ash finally got a grip on the fish and lurched it back at her.
"Ash! Don't throw my fish! That's dinner!" She screamed, but it was followed by an obnoxious, overwhelming splash from the raven-haired boy—his attempt to get even.
Misty gasped, soaked from head to toe, and then slapped the water beside her back at Ash, hitting Brock in the process.
"Children, please!" Brock yelled, covering his face. As a rock pokemon trainer, he didn't fancy being soaked, but at his complaint, a playful Misty and Ash splashed him again.
"Hey!" He shouted, jumping into the water to get even. "Not all of us have a change of clothes!" Brock bellowed when he slipped on a rock, and fell backwards into the water, much to his companions humor.
"Tooogeebrii~" The pokemon shouted, jumping from land and into the water with a canon ball.
"Wait, don't. You can't swim!" Misty yelled, but the pokemon hit the surface of the water with a large splash, and then float back to the top laughing with the rest of them. Little did Misty know that togepi had a few hours in the middle of the ocean to learn how to float properly.
Night came quickly, they had a small meal of river trout and berries before crawling under a tree to sleep. Thanks to the summer heat, sleeping bags wouldn't be required, which was good, because Brock didn't have one. Luckily, they didn't have to break into that awkward conversation when they collapsed beside each other. Ash and Misty had changed out of their wet clothes after playing in the water to cool off, but Brock had dried out during the time it took him to prepare their late meal. He complained that he smelled like fish and dirt, to which Misty replied he was 'camping', so he would live.
Misty was back in her normal pair of shorts, and the hoodie she borrowed from Ash; while Ash wore his other set of jeans and black t-shirt. He had fallen into a troupe of the same-attire, but if it worked; that's all that mattered, right?
By nightfall, they were exhausted from the days heat and walk, that they fell into their own thoughts. Misty was playing with togepi, wondering if the fairy pokemon knew anymore 'tricks' that she didn't know about. The pokemon seemed so innocent and kind when Misty held it, but she knew now after months of traveling with Ash, togepi was probably a lot stronger than it showed her.
Brock was writing down the days events, as well as yesterdays in complete detail in case they were ever questioned by the police, and Ash tossed a rock up and down between them both, and watched the stars peek in over the horizon.
Ash felt a little guilty, he was having so much fun even though now was not a time to do so. So many horrible possibilities, experiences could emerge from such a small event—yet, he couldn't count on his ten fingers how many times he had been so happy since he woke up. He had Brock in his life again, and Misty, and many of his pokemon—and even though the world was falling apart around him, he knew that at some point it had to get better.
Brock and Misty were tired, they weren't trained to travel on foot all day; but Ash was. He actually felt moderately at home with such strain put on his body. When his companions were falling asleep, Ash finally opened his mouth to speak once more.
"Hey...when you guys said that dragon pokemon were legendary amongst normal pokemon—what about the legendary pokemon? Where are they?" Ash hummed quietly, looking up at the constellations.
"The legendary pokemon?" Misty echoed in a slurred, tired voice; her eyebrows raised. Ash nodded thinking back to the Orange Islands.
"Like lugia, the legendary birds and the legendary beasts-You know, "legendaries"." He listed them off with no surprise, using his hands for emphasis.
Few things from Ash's dream world were becoming uncommon to the duo; at this point, Ash could have told them leprechauns were real, and they might have believed him. His knowledge of the legendary pokemon didn't seem so farfetched, now that they were all so well acquainted. Misty blew a strand of hair from her face while Brock leaned forward peering at Ash in the darkness. Misty remembered Ash mentioning them briefly during his stay at the assisted living home—the reason he was tired of talking with Sebastian was because of it. Brock spoke first.
"Well...mythical creatures might fit a bit better—we don't see legendary pokemon often, if ever. The only sighting of these pokemon are from text books—there haven't been any in recent years... but of course, look at our news stations. It's a wonder we know anything." Brock explained sarcastically, throwing up his arms.
Ash raised his eyebrows. "What about what happened on Shamuti island? I was over there and three islands were supposedly wiped out from a tidal wave..."
"That happens to islands sometimes." Misty mumbled with a puzzled look. "Why?"
Ash wasn't sure what to say, or how to say it when he blinked at his companions. "Lugia was the guardian of the sea, he was supposed to save the three birds that inhabited the islands there." Ash explained. "But they weren't there when I went by...so I thought maybe something happened—that you guys might have heard something?"
Brock shook his head. "We haven't seen a legendary in decades, Ash."
Ash's eyebrows furrowed—recalling the many he saw in his dreams and sulked backwards. He had never thought about it in that light, that legendary pokemon were considered a myth in this world. Their powers were unshakable, after all. He squeezed his eyes shut, swearing at himself.
"I think we might—I might have made a mistake." He explained suddenly. "I know why Sebastian was at the party."
"Why?"
"...I might have... mentioned where to find the legendary pokemon to him." he grunted, Misty instinctively wrapped an arm around his shoulders—already knowing this.
"So, you think Sebastian is working with this third party or Team Rocket then? We never had a reason to include him before." She pat him on the shoulder, her warmth immediately accepted by Ash who relaxed, and scratched pikachu's scalp nervously.
"Do you think that's it?" Ash asked. "That's what they were after? If there was a third party?"
"There were no legendary pokemon at the league party last night, Ash." Misty confirmed, rocking him in a comforting manner before Brock smiled, his teeth gleaming through the night.
"Well, Sebastian could have had his eye on Ash..." Brock mumbled, then when he felt Ash stiffen beside him, he followed with; "It's best not to dwell on it, guys." Brock explained. "We can't change what happened, and we can't read their minds. The only thing we can do is move forward with the task we have right now: finding out who ordered the creation of this chip, and going from there."
"Not to mention clearing my name." Misty weighed in skeptically, raising her finger.
"You're right." Ash hummed with a sigh; though because he seemed to cheer up at Brock's comment, Misty tucked her arm away from him, and back around togepi, who started to drift in and out of sleep. A moment of silence passed before Ash spoke again.
"I'm sorry for dragging you guys into this." He said honestly, recalling all the stress that he caused over the last couple of weeks—and almost the full year he had been awake.
"Don't apologize, we wouldn't want to be anywhere else, right Brock?"
"...I dunno, some sneakers would be nice." Brock admit, earning a laugh from his companions.
"Thank you." Ash mumbled happily into the darkness when small chatter erupted from Misty—mostly about what they were going to do tomorrow once they reached the city. Brock was determined they would go to a store so he could find a change of clothes, but Misty was happy knowing that they would finally have some answers.
Eventually, when Misty and Brock had fallen asleep, they turned Ash's shoulder into a pillow, but when it came time for him to rest his own eyes, he leaned left, resting his head against Misty's. She smelled like the forest, a mix of flowers and fresh streams, and nature. He inhaled, wondering how long this would last before their next problem. Ash would have been happy if this was his life. While he might have been trapped in the body of a near twenty one year old, he felt ten again; for a brief, fleeting second.
XOXs
Since they were so deep into the Viridian City forest, the group didn't have signal for their technology until they were a few miles out of the city. They found their way through the thick of the forest and were on the north passage to Viridian City when Ash finally exhaled.
"Remember the last time we were here, Misty?"
"Yeah, it rained." She said nonchalantly, quirking an eyebrow. "A lot." She added and Ash grinned at her while Brock pointed to the city they could see in the distance.
"At least we can say that we made it." Brock announced happily while Misty and Ash both jumped for joy.
At first, it seemed as if everything was finally taking a turn for the best; they out ran the Elite Four, arrived at the city safely, and would finally have some answers until Misty's phone starting ringing in her backpack several times, one after another. She glanced to her companions, and then removed her pack to grab her phone. In the mean time, Ash's pokedex rang as well, indicating he had a single missed call from Gary, and his face scrunched up.
While he checked the message, Misty checked the vast text messages she received from her sisters, and her face paled. She had several missed calls from the Elite Four, and numerous from unknown numbers; the gist of her sister's information, however, made her hands shake.
"What's going on?" Brock questioned, with his eyebrows raised. He checked his own phone for a missed call from Dawn while Misty flipped her phone around and quickly removed the battery. Before Ash could listen to what Gary had left in his message, Misty ripped the pokedex from his fingers, and turned it around before ripping out the battery from it as well. The light died a moment later, and his mouth fell agape. As did Brock's.
"Have you lost your mind?" Brock asked when Misty grabbed the two boys, and wrestled them back into the lining of the trees. She held her finger up to her lips, gathering her thoughts when she opened her mouth to speak next.
"My sisters text a full page about how a mysterious pokemon trainer with a pikachu attacked the Elite Four and kidnapped me from my hotel."
Ash scoffed, clearly missing the hint. "Who would do that?" He laughed, and Brock and Misty gave him a withering look as he slowly came to the realization.
"...oh." Ash pointed at himself. "They think I did it?"
Brock removed the battery from his own phone, realizing why Misty had done so already. The tracking feature was removed when the battery no longer had a charge. "Well, that's not something I wanted to hear today. Did they mention me?"
Misty shook her head and rubbed her temples.
"My sisters didn't mention you, Brock." Misty grumbled. "That means that you should still be able to get into town and figure out what the hell is going on. Scope out the area, see if it's still safe to get into Silph Co. Hopefully, they didn't see us on our way to Viridian City."
"Alright. I'll stop and grab some supplies as well. Don't move." Brock muttered, accepting his job immediately. He dusted off his clothes to look presentable, the scruff of his beard made his face itch, but he was ready to go. "I'll be back. If I'm not by dinner time; don't wait for me."
Misty scoffed. "Like hell."
"We'll look for you if you're not back in five hours." Ash said in a hushed tone, nodding his approval. He didn't feel right sending Brock on his own—but he know that the gym leader could manage.
When Brock left, silence encumbered the duo while Misty began to pace the forest with togepi at her feet, matching her movements. She walked back and forth for a good thirty minutes, muttering under her breath while Ash tried to decipher his own emotions about the situation. In reality, it wasn't a big deal, no one really knew him. He was taking no public hits by being called a kidnapper.
"I can't believe this." She muttered, trying to imagine what Brock walked into. If the league really was accusing Ash of kidnapping, there was no telling what was waiting for them in Viridian City—if they even knew that's where they were going.
Watching her sway back and forth made him dizzy. Ash leaned against a tree, arms folded over his chest, and face scrunched up thoughtfully.
"I've never kidnapped someone before." A laugh carried his voice to Misty, who stilled herself upon hearing him. She turned, a glare apparent in her eyes. Obviously, she didn't think this was as funny as he did. He looked away, and twisted his fingers into the sleeve of his shirt while she threw up her hands.
"I should have known something like this would happen! This is totally like them! I decide that I don't want to follow their example and their hoax of calling me crazy didn't work, so this is their way of getting me out of the picture, but also throwing your name under the bus." She nearly slammed her hands onto her hips and then licked her lips aggressively when she eyed Ash, he looked so innocent and concerned at her temper.
"I bet they're trying to pin everything on you! I know if I was in their shoes; given that you were at the league party with me and that you were the only one who ran after the explosion culprits—a nobody that was friends with an Elite Four!" Misty pointed at him when she spoke, and Ash covered his chest mockingly.
Ash gawked. "Who would believe something like that, though?"
Misty shifted her weight onto one foot before squatting so that she could gather her thoughts properly. Hands tangled into her hair, she breathed a heavy sigh and looked up at Ash who's humor faltered when she spoke.
"People desperately wanting to believe anything but the truth? After all, if we're right about the media being controlled, they could just make up a story and people would believe it because they wouldn't know any better."
"That doesn't seem fair." Ash complained quietly, but Misty didn't reply.
Of course it wasn't fair. That was the point. If they wanted Misty to conform, the easiest way of doing so would be to control her lifelines to the real anyone knew how the Elite Four would handle a situation of a rowdy member, it would be Misty. She did spend the last few months preparing to become one.
Ash squat down beside her, cupping one side of his cheek and lowering his voice.
"What do you think Cole is thinking right now? If your theory is true, my face has to be plastered all over the news papers and televisions right now." He grumbled quietly, with a somber expression. Misty offered the best, hopeful smile that she could and gripped Ash's shoulder tightly.
"I'm sure he knows better." Misty assured him happily. "I just hope that he doesn't have your brash nature and get himself in trouble defending you."
A small, proud sparkle appeared in Ash's eye. "Do you think that he would?" he chuckled optimistically and Misty rolled her eyes.
"Are we talking about the same Cole? Of course he would." she chuckled, looking up only to freeze at the apparent closeness of their faces. When had it become so normal to be this close to him? While Misty's mind was otherwise occupied on the tension of the situation, a scarlet blush covered Ash's cheeks when he realized she was only an inch away from him.
"Uhm." Ash swallowed against a lump that formed in his throat preventing his speech. Sweat trickled down the back of his neck from the heat, and Misty tilted her head suspiciously and parted her lips to speak—at least he suspected she was going to speak when the bushes besides the road opened, revealing a troubled, breathless Brock.
Both Misty and Ash rocketed to their feet, causing togepi to roll backwards awkwardly, and Misty to rub her hands against her shorts and take a few steps away from Ash.
"That was fast, Brock." She mumbled, eyebrows furrowing when she moved closer to him. "What's up?"
Ash's hand instinctively followed her as she left, and his mouth drew into a line when he blinked up at Brock, who had finally turned to look at them.
"We need to leave, and fast."
"Wait, why?" Ash grumbled, calming his nerves while Brock extended a news paper to Ash and rubbed his face. "It's...it's really bad. It's like they knew we were on our way. The Silph Co. building alone is under heavy security and there are cops at every corner and..." he cleared his throat, looking to Ash. "Wanted posters."
"Wanted posters?" Misty gasped, stepping back over to look over Ash's shoulder while he flipped through the news paper article headlining the page.
They skimmed through the article—it was like Misty had stated. They did a brief outline of Ash's life; how he woke up from a ten year coma, was known to hang around Misty Waterflower for long periods of time, and then went missing for several months. He was cited by 'witnesses' that once he returned to Kanto, he had become obsessed with not just Misty, but all of the Waterflower sisters. Witnesses indicated that he was always following the girls around, even though the three sisters refused a statement.
As Misty feared, they were trying to pin the league attack on Ash, as well as Misty's ill-belief that Team Rocket returned. Ash was known to create 'wild' stories and attempted to fill peoples heads with lies about Team Rocket and other conspiracy theories regarding the region. In a final act of rebellion, he kidnapped the newest Elite Four member after convincing her that the current members were evil and was now holding her hostage at an unknown location.
Ash had an undeniable urge to laugh, but he fought it simply because he could hear Misty seething behind him when she tore the newspaper from his fingers and nearly ripped it in half.
"I can't believe this!" Misty bellowed loudly, throwing the paper onto the ground and spinning on her heels to stare at Ash and Brock, the latter of which didn't bother to stop and buy a change of clothes after all.
"They're monsters! Evil! What in the world do they think they're going to accomplish by doing this?!" She shouted, causing birds to stir above them when Ash and Brock both shushed her.
"Well, it's like you said, Misty." Ash said in a surprisingly calm voice. "This is the easiest way to get both of us out of the picture—and if Sebastian knows about me, he knows that I know he's up to something."
"Then why isn't Brock mentioned?"
"It wouldn't be very good publicity to include a gym leader in this mess, would it?" Brock said calmly, scratching his short beard.
"Well, then we will just go and clear his name now! I'm perfectly fine; Ash didn't kidnap me." Misty hissed, pulling together their supplies and picking up togepi when Brock frowned.
"...Ash is being charged with some pretty serious crimes, Misty. Even if you show up, they can still keep him contained until processing. If they think you're being manipulated at all, your opinion won't hold up in court and," Brock paused picking up the paper to gesture to the 'unknown witnesses' "The witnesses testimonies are fairly damning; especially if Sebastian is questioned when referencing Ash's former mental health. If they believe you're being talked, they could hold you in police protection as well..." Brock grimaced.
Ash shrugged his shoulders, thinking of his time at the hospital, and how 'damning' his report was before Dr. Abby reevaluated him. Regardless of the reevaluation, he doubted if anyone would believe he was perfectly sane right now. He was spouting off about an organization that had been defunct for the last few years and caused a monster amount of mayhem in the league—of course people didn't want to believe him. Suddenly, he was very angry; his fists balled and he glared to the road. He couldn't believe people! Or the media! How blind were they!?
Since neither Ash or Misty spoke, Brock raised his shoulders and then gently pat them both.
"I think we should head to Saffron City's Silph Co. instead." he muttered, his determination and reluctance to give up elicited hope into his companions eyes. "Pewter City isn't far from here, and I know that we can catch a ride on the train there. We can cut the walk short by taking the river we found earlier up through the Viridian Forest. They won't expect us to go to Saffron City, and right now our options are limited." he looked at Ash, as if inciting that it was the new 'man hunt' that was going to make everything difficult, but what did they expect? It's not like he did it on purpose.
With a sigh, Misty turned to Ash with apologetic eyes and said, "I'm sorry, Ash."
Seeing the sadness reflect at him, Ash pumped his fist up and then shook his head. "It's alright! When the truth comes out, whatever it is, my name will be cleared—I, we, just have to live with some repercussions for awhile."
Misty smiled at his enthusiasm and rubbed her chin happily.
"That's really mature, Ash." She complimented shrewdly.
"Thanks, I'm learning!" he gawked with a sincere laugh. Misty rolled her eyes, and as a group, they pressed back into the forest.
XOXs
Unlike their walk to Viridian City, the ride down stream to Pewter City was a silent one. Ash exuded enthusiasm, but when Brock and Misty's backs were turned preparing for their next plan of action, he looked softly at pikachu who looked back at him with equally sad eyes. This was going to get a lot worse before it got better. Brock and Misty already knew that, but for Ash, it was already worse.
They hiked beside the river on foot until they arrived at the rapids, finally deep enough to use water pokemon. Misty summoned gyarados, who had an ugly scar across the front of his chest, thanks to Ash's charizard. The three of them climbed on top of the sea-monsters head, nestled into the bridge of its crown and ears, and then clutched on when he dipped low into the river, and started forward.
Flying with charizard was child's play in comparison. Ash felt each bump and turn, and the splash of water every so often when they fell into deeper waters. The pokemon was like a torpedo, and while Misty stood proud, looking over the pokemon's crown, Brock and Ash clung to the pokemon's ears for dear life. It would take hours before Ash could get used to this.
By late afternoon, they arrived in Pewter City, and made their way to the gym which had been closed for a week for the league party. They entered through back door just in case someone was watching the gym, where they quickly found their way to their own thoughts and preparations for the journey ahead of them. They would be leaving before nightfall, so Ash and Misty found themselves in student housing, while Brock showered, dressed, and packed a new bag for their travels.
An hour after arriving, they were ready to leave once more; Ash hadn't switched his clothes too much; he changed into a black hoodie, against his normal blue jackets, and abandoned his red cap in his bag. The pictures he saw of himself in the news and posters were of him sporting the red hat and a blue jacket—so he hoped that by wearing a hooded jacket and ditching the hat, he would blend in more with the crowd. Brock nodded to the appearance change but revealed that it was Ash's eyes that gave it away the most, regardless of the bruising there.
Playing dress up, most likely, Brock popped out the lens of a pair of reading glasses, and flipped them onto the bridge of Ash's nose.
"There, I can hardly recognize you now." Brock snorted, covering his mouth.
Ash removed the glasses and glared at Brock apprehensively before his eyes turned to Misty who walked down from the bleachers. She wore blue short pants, and a traditional red tank top, but the major difference was her hair—Ash's jaw dropped, as did Brock's when they saw her.
"Y-your hair." Brock squawked.
"It's black." Ash stammered, pointing to his own hair for color contrast. Unhappily, her lips pursed at the boys when her foot met solid ground. She stood toe to toe with Brock and Ash when she folded her arms.
"So, what? People are going to be looking for me, and my orange-y hair sticks out quite a bit. I'm too easy to spot in a crowd. Now we will all blend in." She grumbled, thumbing her dark strands. She wasn't pleased with the color change, either, but it was the hard choices she had to make.
"If it's any consolation, it looks nice." Brock offered, and Ash puffed up his cheeks—he was clearly in favor of her orange hair, but he wouldn't complain—it didn't look bad, it just wasn't Misty.
"Thanks, Brock." Misty mused, ruffling her hair when Ash raised his hand to speak, but then thought better of it; more importantly, he wasn't sure what he was going to say.
"We should head out now. My brother Forrest left the train tickets in the mail box." Brock ushered, waving three tickets at his companions. Misty took one, and Ash took the other when the former-redhead inhaled.
"Brock...maybe you should stay here." she exhaled, looking into his onyx eyes. Brock blinked at her, and then at Ash, who gnawed on his lower lip in agreement.
"I mean, at this rate, if you're discovered with us, they're going to accuse you of being an accomplice." She added with mirth in her eyes, Brock inhaled, and then shook his head desperately.
"No way in hell am I letting you two at this alone." Brock replied, shouldering his back pack. Light entered Misty and Ash's eyes at his determination. "We all got into this mess together, and we'll get out of it together." he reaffirmed, with a bold, honest smile. He clapped their shoulders once more.
An eyebrow raised. "Besides, I'm the one carrying the chip—I won't hand it over if you two try to leave me. So no funny business." He joked, to which Misty slapped him in the chest and turned away with a laugh, and Ash followed her chuckling.
"Alright, then we're off to Saffron City." Ash chirped, shouldering pikachu and togepi as they walked to the back exit.
Misty flipped on a pair of sunglasses when she turned back at her companions. "Ash, try not to burn anything down this time."
"Try not to break any televisions on the way there." They shared a brief glare, before Brock shoved them through the exit, rolling his eyes at their behavior.
Author's Note:
This was definitely one of those 'transition' chapters; also known as "the calm" before the storm. Last chapter put everything onto the table, so there's one more breath before things finally set sail.
Not sure if I've clarified this before or not (I think I mentioned it briefly, but never thought it was super important) but some normal animals also exist—otherwise, they're eating pokemon, right?
I have been re-watching the OS (kill me, I know) because I wanted more insight into the characters, and I noticed that Misty touches Ash a lot, not in a 'shipping' way per say, but in support/teasing manner at least a few times every episode. I just thought it was important how comfortable that closeness usually was between them and reflect it into the writing. Also, Brock and Misty have a sort of weird bond that I enjoy quite a bit that I've finally been able to include—especially in the episode with dragonite! (that episode inspired this version of dragonite, btw)
Brock is more of the silent 'supporter/mother' brood type. Unless, of course, there are pretty girls.
Given the situation at hand, and how things have been twisted before, I wouldn't put it past 'them' to infer that Ash has 'brainwashed' Misty. We see it all the time in the news in real life, how someone was pressured into something by someone else, resulting in behavior unlike their normal behavior. I think his actions over the last few months could easily be deciphered suspiciously. Plus, the reasons stated above.
NINT