Note: Thank you for the attack information Clueless97 Smile Sorry for you all who wanted Misty to win... I thought my idea was clever and I wanted to twist the battle. Now Ash has run off from the truth with Brock hot on his trail, like the good friend he is. Let's see what happens!

Thought
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A Forgotten Face

Ch. 5 Truths be Told

Ash ran as fast as he could. Not caring where he would end up, he sprinted in a random direction.

She doesn't love me...she used me...she played with my emotions.

His mind told him these things over and over again. Ash tried not to think about it but it wouldn't work. Being hurt that badly always left a scar. He tried not to cry, knowing it wasn't very manly, but he felt a wet, hot, drop trickle down his cheek.

Brock ran for hours looking for Ash. In the city, shopping centers, even local neighborhoods. But no luck. Ash was nowhere to be found.

Damn it, where the hell did he go?

Although Brock knew Ash could manage by himself, I mean he had traveled a long time, he decided to go back to the hotel and wait for him. He would turn up sooner or later. It was just a matter of time.

Maybe Brock could even talk to May about this. He would just have to explain to her to leave Ash alone from now on and not pick anymore pointless fights with Misty. She wouldn't lose on purpose twice to the same person. He knew it would be hard to get through to May, but maybe she would understand. Misty still needed to get over the match...then Brock would try her. He just hoped things would work out between his two best friends. If they didn't... Let's just say it probably wouldn't be pretty.

Misty woke up from the noise Ash and Brock were making. She heard Brock yelling at Ash for some unknown reason. Misty had a pretty good idea about what; he did say he would talk to Ash. Brock could always be counted on and trusted with these types of things. But then Misty heard laughter. His laughter.

He must think I'm just some pathetic joke...

Misty curled up into a ball and started to sob again. Togetic came into the room when he heard her sobbing.

"Tic?"

"To- Togetic!-" she sniffled, "Y-You l-love m-me ri-right?" She was barely able to form words while crying.

Her small Pokemon cooed softly, nudging her sides as if to reassure his love for her. Togetic got on the bed with his master and long time friend and hugged her. He knew it wasn't much, but he would always be there for his best friend.

Misty started to calm down. She was so thankful she had gotten Togepi long ago. They had grown very close and had developed a relationship that matched Ash and Pikachu's. After a few minutes of just holding on to her Pokemon her crying stopped. She got up and looked at her reflection in the nearby mirror. Her eyes were now a blotchy red and not their usual deep, ocean blue. Her cheeks and nose were also a shade of red. The pert, pink-tinged lips that were hers were still trembling from her sobbing.

God, I'm a mess.

The girl went to the bathroom to clean herself up. In no time at all she came out and looked into the mirror again. Now she looked like herself and not the stranger that she saw only a few moments ago.

The sound of footsteps reached her ears. A door slam soon followed.

"Ash! No! It's not that!"

Then more footsteps were heard outside her door.

What the hell?

She peeped outside her room only to find May, Max, and Pikachu just staring at the front door in some kind of shock. All three gradually snapped out of it and went back to what they were doing. Misty then noticed Brock and Ash were gone.

So that's who was making all that noise. I wonder what happened...

The girl started to sneak out of her room to follow the two boys when she was caught.

"So you're finally awake, eh?" She's been in there all day. It's 'bout time she woke up

May crept out of the room too, "Uhhh yeah...what happened?"

"Ash just bolted out of the room and then Brock shouted and ran after him," answered Misty, unsure of what happened herself.

"That doesn't explain much. But why did Ash and Brock run out?"

"Don't ask me."

"Actually I think it was because of your match," chimed in Max.

All eyes were on Max. Max figured out what the two girls were betting on. More like who. Though he wasn't quite sure about Brock and Ash but only guessed it had to do with the match.

"Oh you do now do you?"

"I wouldn't talk May...you're the one at fault here," snapped her younger brother.

May was at her boiling point. How the hell does he know?! "Okay little brother, what do you know?"

"A lot more than you think..."

Misty was stunned. She watched as May fumed over her clever brother and lavished in the calm demeanor of Max. She had no idea how the two were related.

Misty allowed Max to speak, reassuring him it was safe to talk, "Go ahead Max."

Max just looked into Misty's eyes. He could tell she didn't mind that he knew of her and May's 'little secret.'

"Well, I-I know about your bet...um uh... and how...Misty wouldn't have lost that easily..."

"What are you talking about?! I won, fair and square!"

Misty just stood in silence. How did he know I lost on purpose? I didn't tell anyone.

Max started to defend Misty until she cut him off. "That's enough Max."

The boy then realized he made a mistake saying that. Darnit, I'm so stupid! Good going Max..."Okay...sorry. I-I'll just...go."

Max left the as casually as he could with Pikachu and Togetic by his side. He knew it was time to go and let May and Misty "talk." The picture of May trying to kill Misty crept into his mind. He burst out laughing. May might be good, but she'll never beat Misty at her level now.

He loved his sister as a brother should but he knew she had her limits. Max left the hotel still laughing. It was around 3 o' clock and there was plenty to do in this city. Only a few minutes later, Max, Pikachu, and Togetic were in a local arcade playing all types of video games. He decided he wouldn't return to the room until he was sure it was safe...which might be a while.

Ash was getting tired. He stopped running and propped himself against a wall to catch his breath. He didn't know where he was but he didn't care. As long as he was by himself and not near the hotel. Sometimes, though rarely, he had to be alone, not even with Pikachu, in order to think and clear his mind. This was one of those times.

With the Hoenn League Pokemon stadium still in view, barely, Ash knew he was still in the city. If he had run a few more miles he would be in the wilderness of the Hoenn Region.

The fragile heart and mind that was his were confused and hurt. Misty lost on purpose... but why?

Ash figured Misty didn't want him. His love for her would never be returned. The scene in the forest haunted him. The kiss the two shared was so wonderful. It felt so good. But now he saw it as a weapon. Misty had the power to pull Ash's strings like a puppet. Play him like she had. Ash didn't want to be anyone's puppet most of all Misty's.

What confused him the most was that he still loved Misty. Somewhere inside him he still cared for the girl and just wished that someday she would love him in return. But that was just a dream. And dreams can be destroyed.

Pain still lingered inside of him as he walked around the outskirts of the city. He found a local gym and decided to check it out.

Ash pushed open the tall golden doors. Once inside he was shocked. Pillars made out of purple marble loomed over him. There was a red carpet that led the way to the main room of the gym. Never in his life had he seen a gym this...magnificent or majestic.

Wow...

A junior trainer told him there were special rooms to train on your own. Ash decided that his Pokemon could use a little exercise. They hadn't been out of their Pokeballs since the tournament.

The trainer led the way to the private rooms, opened the door, and allowed Ash in. Ash was left alone. He took the chance to look around. There were mini obstacle courses, small weights, and other various training machines and books everywhere else.

Ash unlatched his 3 Pokeballs, enlarged them, and released the Pokemon that were inside. A Crawdaunt, Grovyle, and Swellow (just evolved them) materialized before him. He then realized Pikachu wasn't with him. Pikachu's probably playing anyways.

As his Pokemon were working out and playing, Ash sat down and watched. They were all experienced enough to train on their own and he needed to think.

What if Misty lost on purpose because she did love me? But how does that make sense?

Ash kept thinking to himself silently while his Pokemon occupied themselves in the elaborate room. She did see me flirting with May. Maybe she thought I wanted to be with May. I was acting that way. God this is confusing...

After a while of training he recalled his Pokemon back into their balls. He didn't go but just sat alone.

Don't kid yourself Ash...she lost because she doesn't want you. Don't make the same mistake twice and allow her to hurt you. But what if...

What if what? Do you mean the forest? Yes, so you kissed but did it mean anything? What about when she said she wasn't planning on staying? Ash she just came to see the tournament. What happened back at the forest was probably just an excuse to leave.

Ash shook his head, refusing to believe what he had just thought. I know Misty better than that…

She lost on purpose…?

His mind went back to that single thought. Ash had known Misty to never give up or to lose a match without a good fight. But then what happened at the match... she would have never done that but she did...

Why?

After hearing shouting outside the room of their hotel Brock decided to go back out and search. First rule of women was to never interrupt a fight between them. He had learned that the hard way before.

Brock had been searching for over two hours back in the city. It was already 5 o' clock. He had to find Ash and soon. Asking people if they saw a teenaged boy with black hair run by wasn't getting him anywhere.

The city was starting to get less and less crowded and more woodsy. I must be getting closer to the outskirts. Brock did a little more searching and decided to call the quits finally. He was turning around when he noticed a gym. Ash might be in there. The 17 year old stepped inside and was astounded. The gym was magnificent! Its architecture, décor, and sheer brilliance were wonderful! Ash definitely is in here...

He asked a nearby junior trainer if he had seen a teenaged boy with black hair. When the answer was yes Brock was relieved. He had finally found Ash. Brock asked if he could be taken to him and the junior trainer was happy to oblige. After a few seconds of walking, Brock was led to one of the private training rooms. The trainer started to unlock the door when they were interrupted.

"Sorry this room's taken."

The trainer hesitated, but Brock reassured that there was no problem, "It's okay, he knows who I am. Keep going." Brock quietly instructed the junior trainer to keep going when Ash blew up.

"I said someone was in here already!"

He must still be mad, thought Brock.

Finally the door was opened and Brock walked in. He saw Ash was sitting on the other side of the room with his back turned against the door.

"Get out."

"I came to talk."

Ash turned around at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Oh, sorry Brock… I didn't know it was you."

"I figured as much." Brock sat down next to Ash. He could sense Ash was still upset and it was only natural. The only way to get through to Ash without hurting him would be to take this very, very slow and to be extremely careful of his words.

"So Ash, how long have you been here?"

"An hour or so..."

"What have you been doing? Just sitting there?"

"Well I did have Grovyle, Swellow, and Crawdaunt train a little. Then...I don't know...I guess I just needed some time to think."

"About what?"

"I think you know."

"Ash, I was about to say something back at the hotel before you left."

"I know what you're going to say...save your breath." Ash was too depressed to talk about it right now. If Brock kept pushing the subject he knew his sadness would easily turn into anger. He didn't know what he would do but he almost was certain that he would lose control.

"Just hear me out, Ash. Listen, what happened at the match... Misty did lose on purpose. But there's a good explanation. Misty said something that when she left the room the day before the match she knocked someone over...this is going to be a shot in the dark but were you listening to them?"

"Yeah. But why does that matter?"

"Then why the hell are you mad at Misty!? If anything you should be mad at May!"

"Are you kidding!? Misty was the one who said I was the bet! May actually cared for me and defended me from that heartless bit-"

Brock cut him off before he could finish his sentence,"Just listen to yourself Ash... you would never even try to call Misty that. And you're also wrong. May was the one who said you were the bet. The one defending you was -"

"Misty...Oh God... What have I done?" But that still doesn't explain the losing part! Ash looked up at Brock, "Then why did she lose? She should have won that!"

"She saw you flirting with May."

Ash stayed silent listening to Brock. Brock sighed as he continued his explanation, "She thought you wanted to be with May and she only wanted you to be happy. So, she purposely lost so you could be with her."

What have I done? "I think I'll go..."

"Ash, just come back to the hotel!"

"I-I can't...I've been thinking she was just toying with me...the whole time...I was wrong. She just wanted me to be...happy."

"Ash just come back with me. You can talk to her then."

"She was sacrificing herself for my happiness..."

"Ash, don't be stupid."

"I was acting so cold towards her...she must think I'm some monster..."

"Ash!"

"But what about May...how am I going to do this...I'm going to have to hurt her..."

"ASH!"

"What...?"

"Listen, it's 6:30. How 'bout you and me get something to eat and we can talk about how to do this."

"Fine."

"Would you just stop wallowing in your own stupid self pity!?"

"But I've been a fool! I've hurt someone and I have to hurt someone else..."

"Shut up!"

Ash still mumbled nothings to himself about how he was so stupid and that Misty was the only one for him. Brock was still nagging at Ash to shut up. They reached a nearby restaurant and took a seat.

After he unsuccessfully asked the waitress out, the two ordered their meals. Brock got serious, "Right, now about May. You are going to have to tell her that it won't work out between you two. That you're in love with Misty and not her. It might hurt her, but she'll understand."

"But does Misty love me?" New thoughts crept into Ash's mind. What if she doesn't love me?

"Ash stop thinking like that!"

"But what if she doesn't! I don't know what I would do..."

After a very short dinner, thanks to Ash's moping, Brock and Ash went back to the hotel. It was only 7:30 when they got back in.

They wished they had never even entered the room. What they saw was horrible. The room was awful. Chairs were on their sides, tables were overturned, glass all over the floor. Their T.V. was broken. Its screen smashed. And to top it off, May was on the floor unconscious. Max was nowhere to be seen and neither was Pikachu or Togetic.

"What the hell happened?!" asked Brock as he rushed over to May's side to check on her.

"She's alive but just unconscious. There's a huge bump on the back of her head. It looks like she was knocked out with something."

"Where's Misty?!" Ash looked around the room frantically.

Both of them realized that she was missing, and Max definitely wouldn't have done this much chaos. After hours of searching the room for clues to Misty's whereabouts they found a note on the door. They had missed it.

Everyone,

I'm sorry but I couldn't stay. I can't explain but I just had to leave. When May wakes up tell her I'm sorry. Say goodbye to Max, Pikachu, and Brock for me. You probably won't ever see me again but please don't worry. I can take care of myself. I wish things could have been better. And please... tell Ash that I'm deeply sorry and goodbye from me.

Misty

The note was stained with what looked like water... tears. Misty was gone. Ash read the last line over and over again. He would never be able to tell her how he felt.

Misty was gone.

Special thanks to Clueless for the help with my attacks and stuff. Misty is gone! Ah! Where could she be!? And you'll find out what happened and why she left in the next chapter! Reviews please! I love hearing from people. Until next time!

Night Mare579