Freewill
Part 5
The sun's faint rays flooded in through the gaps of the blinds and signified the early morning. Seven in the morning, a time for most to get up and venture out into the brisk air too their jobs and obligations, but all this was lost on a certain snoozing red-head.
"Misty."
"Hmmmm," Misty responded, her voice muffled by the cushion.
"Misty!"
"MISTY!!!"
"I'm coming!" Misty snapped as she rolled off the couch and ended up on the floor. I hate when I wake up on the couch she thought, it's so annoying. She yanked herself up and stormed into the kitchen angrily.
"Oh, no," groaned Brock, as Misty stomped into the kitchen; she did not look like she was in a good mood. She trudged towards the fridge and flung it open.
"What's up with you?"
Misty gave Brock a glare that would melt ice.
"I do not like it when somebody wakes me up, for no reason, plus, I hate sleeping on the couch. You should have woken me up last night.
"Misty, one thing I will never do is wake you up when I'm in the same room as you! Last time I did that I was out cold for a day!"
"Yeah, well…HMPH!"
Brock just raised an amused eyebrow as he stared at the girl in front of him, her hair was all over her face and she looked half asleep, yawning she poured herself some orange juice.
"Mist, you need more substance than OJ, today the gym is open."
Misty rolled her eyes, "like anyone ever comes anymore… and don't call me Mist!"
Brock rolled his eyes and continued going through the mail as Misty climbed upstairs to her room to change clothes. "Bill," he muttered, "junk, magazine, magazine, bill, magazine, magazine, catalogue, more magazines, ah here we go." He pulled out a cream envelope out of the stack of Misty's shopping magazines; in neat blue letters across the top it said Gym Leaders Association.
"Letter from the GLA!"
Misty walked back into the room with a hairbrush and snatched it out of his hands and began to read it "Dear Misty, blah, blah, blah, the Gym Leaders Association will be holding the annual Christmas party, yada, yada, yada, December 12 at the League headquarters. Lame!" Misty tossed the letter to the ground and picked up a magazine
"What do you mean lame? It happens to be a very fun party!"
"Look," Misty said, "it's not that I don't mind all the parties that the League has, but in the last six months the League has thrown five parties and hosted fourteen meetings for the gym leaders of Kanto!"
Brock shrugged, "you don't have to go; I might though. I mean just think of all the hot gym leader girls…"
Misty groaned as Brock went into 'girl mode.' She turned and walked back towards her room, for all she knew it would take him hours to break free of his fanciful little world were girls actually liked him. She collapsed on her bed with a sigh and thought about the invitation. It wasn't that she didn't like parties, she just didn't go to them much, but it was this stupid cover-up that the league was trying to pull. The parties, the "mandatory" meeting regarding each individual's gym, it was all a cover up for the fact that the era of gym badges was ending. It used to be that all types of trainers would go from gym to gym fighting for badges, they would work to be able to compete in the tournament in the end, too beat out the competition and be the best; with the rise of Team Rocket that had ended. It was much too dangerous to travel alone, and even if you were brave enough to take the gym leader challenge, well; Team Rocket was always on the look out for strong trainers. That's not to say that the gyms were moot. People did still travel and fight, just a lot less, and in fewer cities. It used to take eight badges now it took only five. Misty felt a pang of sadness, Ash wouldn't have cared, he would have kept going, and he would have tried to be the best. Misty let out a soft moan,
Ash had to be dead. There was too much blood the officers said, he is dead.
Misty reached under her covers and pulled out a worn shoebox. In it was a dirty league hat, and some photographs. Misty selected her favorite and looked it over; it was her and Ash smiling with Ash's arm around her shoulder. It was windy so both their eyes were watering and Misty's red hair was wrapping itself around her neck and blowing into Ash's face. They were both wearing wide smiles. Misty rubbed her hand across it and put it back, she had used to cry every time she saw this, which explained why it was under her bed, but now it was more of an inner sadness.
"Misty!"
Ah, girl mode was over.
"You have a challenger!"
Misty cocked an eyebrow, surprised. It had been a few week since her last battle. Her gym was actually one of the most commonly visited, after Celadon City and Fuchsia Island. Brock's hometown, Pewter City was never visited; Misty didn't think anyone lived there anymore.
Misty stepped into the main pool area and took a look at her opponent. He was tall, with a lanky build and dark blue hair in messy spikes; he appeared to be about her age, maybe only twenty, and he wore a pair of slim glasses.
"Hi, I'm Joey Reed!"
She fixed him with what she hoped was a confident and mature smile and introduced herself, "I am the leader of the Cerulean City gym, and if you beat me you will receive the Cascade Badge. This will be a two on two battle." She noticed Joey staring at her.
He reddened, "sorry," he mumbled, "I didn't think you'd be so beautiful…"
Misty giggled softly, sure she was used to the attention that almost every guy she ran into gave her, but, hey, that wasn't to say that she ever got tired of it. And Joey was kind of cute, in a dorky, shy way.
"My first Pokemon is Starme!"
"Go Magnemite!"
"Good choice," nodded Misty approvingly.
"Thanks! Now lets battle!"
Starme, quick attack!"
"Dodge!" The electric Pokemon moved out of the way! "Good now tackle it!"The tackle attack hit Misty's Pokemon and knocked it backwards. "Thundershock!" the attack struck dead on!
"Get up!" called Misty. The struggling water type managed to get back up and Misty immediately called out a recover attack!
"Tackle it again!" shouted Joey.
"Swift!" The attack clearly had a damaging effect on Starme and Mist took that as her opportunity to attack with a quick attack. The Magnemite fell to the ground, defeated.
"Return," exclaimed Joey, "this battle is far from over! Venasaur, I choose you!"
"Venasaur!"
Misty closed her eyes and took a deep breath, after all these years she still hated Venasaurs. Joey must have picked up on he discomfort. "Are you okay?"
Misty nodded, "I just never liked Venasaurs that much!"
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to choose a Pokemon that was so upsetting to you…"
Misty smiled at Joey's consideration, "I'll just have to beat you quickly!"
"I think not, razor leaf, go!"
The blade sharp leaves sliced across the already weakened Starme, knocking it out. "Good job Starme, go Politoed!" The green Pokemon appeared, ready to battle.
"Solar Beam!"
"Water gun while you have time!" The water struck home, but seemed to have little effect on the well-trained grass type.
"VENASUAR!" With a cry of its own name, Venasaur let loose the solar beam.
"Poli-"
"Oh, no!" but Politoed got back up and resumed a fighting postion.
"Razor leaf!"
Dodge and body slam!" Politoed easily avoided the attack and slammed into the Venasaur, which promptly fell to the ground. Misty watched the Pokemon struggle to get up, "Okay, as soon as it lets loose another attack wait for my single to dodge."
"Vinewhip!"
Misty watched the vinewhip, as it appeared to be moving in slow motion. "Grab her, vinewhip," two green vines wrapped around her legs, she fell to the ground-
"Poli-" Misty jumped, caught up in her nightmare she had completely forgotten about the battle, the vinewhip had knocked out Politoed.
"Sorry," she whispered as she withdrew him, she walked over to Joey and presented him with a badge. "Good job, you earned this."
"Alright! Thanks, but what was up, you kind of zoned out…"
"Huh, oh just thinking…"
Joey nodded, "uh so I'm going to be in the city for a couple of days, so do you maybe- um, wannahangout!" He said the last words so quickly that it took Misty a few seconds to decipher them. Misty was surprised, Joey was cute and sweet, but Misty's mind back to the picture of her and Ash.
"I would like too, but I can't…"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Ummm no, not really." Misty watched as the eager grin was wiped off Joey's face, "why not?"
"Look," she snapped, "I just can't!"
Joey's face fell and he looked down at his feet, "oh, okay, I guess I'll just go, I didn't expect you to want to anyways…"
Misty watched Joey's back as he retreated and before she new what she was doing she opened her mouth, "Joey, wait!" He turned around, "actually it would be fun to go out."
Joey grinned ecstatically, "really??!!! Great, I can come around tonight around seven and I'll take you out for dinner."
"Sure, great!"
"See ya at seven, bye!"
"Bye…"
As soon as Joey was out of sight, Misty fell to the floor and groaned. What did I do? she thought, I really cannot date right now.
"Hello, earth to Misty," Misty opened her eyes to Brock, "you are not going to believe what I just did."
"What, lose?"
"No, well that also, but I just committed myself to a date.
"What?" The updatable Misty Waterflower is going out with someone? Who's the lucky guy?"
"Joey Reed."
Brock actually smiled, "good, I'm glad that you're finally going out and having some fun, you need this!"
"No I do not!" Misty snapped, "I am going to cancel this right now!"
"Whoa, let's not be too hasty."
"Too late!"
She stormed towards the phone; Brock just grinned and followed her. She was glaring at the telephone. "Don't know his number, huh?"
"Shut up!"
Brock laughed, "what on earth is so offensive about this guy that you will not even give him a chance?"
"Nothing is wrong with him, I just can't do this. When he comes to pick me up, I'll just tell him that I made a mistake and-"
"Hold it, why can't you give him a chance?"
"Well, because, because, because he's…"
"No Ash, right?"
Misty slid down to the ground and allowed a tear to slip out, "yes."
"Misty, I know you loved Ash, we all did, but you have to let him go, please, for your own sake!"
Misty's thin frame began to shake as she started crying, "I can't, Brock, you don't understand, I know that no matter how great a guy is he will never measure up to Ash."
Brock reached out and held her hand, "Misty it is okay, you aren't the only one feeling that. When he was pronounced dead, I didn't know what to do, but Misty he can't come back to you, please give Joey a chance," by now tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"How can I do this? I feel like I'm abandoning him."
"Dating somebody else is not abandoning him! I swear. He would have wanted you to be happy."
"Br- Brock?" Her voice was shaky.
"What?"
"Do you think he's dead?" There she had said it, the question that she had wanted to ask him for so long.
Brock smiled sadly, "I don't know, I really don't, for so long I refused to accept it, I still don't, it just seems like, if he was alive that he-
"Would have overcome whatever was controlling him and found us," finished Misty.
"Yes."
Misty stood up and suddenly engulfed Brock in a hug, "thanks".
"Not a problem."
"I have to get ready for my date now."
"It's only a little past eight!"
Misty grinned a wiped the tears off her face, "I am a girl, remember?"
"Most of the time, not really…"
Misty smacked Brock across the face. "Ouch!" he cried.
"Next time don't insult me!"
"Okay, jeez…"
The time was 6:45, and Misty found she was actually excited, and nervous, it had been a while since she had been on a real date, a while meaning NEVER. She looked in the mirror for the umpteenth time and fixed her side ponytail, it was a low one, and not the kind sure wore as a kid. Her black knee length skirt flowed when she walked, and she loved how her light blue top showed off her figure without making her look like a slut, and the finishing touch, a silver Starme necklace given to her by Brock for her eighteenth birthday. Slipping on a pair of black heels and adding some lip-gloss, she felt ready.
"Wow," commented Brock as she came down the stairs, "you look pretty hot!"
Misty grinned and turned to show off her outfit, as if by perfect timing there was a knock on the door. Misty slowly opened it, "hi," she stated simply.
"Whoa," Joey's mouth dropped, "you look amazing."
"Oh!" Misty could defiantly feel her face turning bright red. He looked pretty good himself, he was wearing a white shirt tucked into black dress pants, and his hair had been combed back, she giggled as she noticed the small hoop in his right ear.
"Uhhh, I got a cab."
"Great, where are we going?" asked Misty.
"This restaurant called the Rapadash Café."
"Oh I love that place."
"Good," said Joey looking relieved.
They climbed into the taxi and soon arrived at the restaurant. Joey walked up to the maitre d' and gave them the reservation name and soon Joey and Misty were seated.
"So, Misty, ummm do you run the gym by yourself?"
"No, actually my friend Brock helps a lot, my sisters used to, but they are all very involved in modeling now, so…"
"Oh."
There was an awkward silence and Misty fidgeted a bit with her spoon before striking up a conversation. "So, how old are you?"
"Just turned twenty-two."
"Really, that's kind of old to be starting out on a Pokemon journey, isn't it?" said Misty.
"Actually, being a Pokemon trainer was not always what I wanted too do. I have always wanted to study ancient Pokemon, and I actually got a scholarship to one of the most prestigious researcher colleges in the Kanto Region, but I figured that if I ever wanted to learn about Pokemon I oughta train them."
"Wow," Misty was very impressed, "ancient Pokemon as in Kabuto and Aerdactyl?"
"No, actually I want to study ancient forms of Pokemon that we have around today."
Misty was confused, "can you explain that a little more?"
"Sure!" Joey leaned forward; obviously this was one of his passions.
"Excuse me, sir and Madame, but may I take your order?"
"Oh, sorry, I want the steak dinner with water."
"I'll have the same as him."
"Very good madame."
The waiter left and Misty asked Joey to continue.
"Well, in my opinion all Pokemon don't look the way they do today. Fossils for example have shown a small turtle Pokemon-"
"Like a Squirtle?"
"Kind of, but with a considerably softer shell, and it's leg muscles indicated it too be much less agile. The fossils change, however, sometime around 800B.C. This is also the time that historians accredit the rise in popularity of Pokemon battles."
"Oh," interrupted Misty, "you think that so many people fighting with Pokemon made them grow stronger over time."
Joey grinned, "exactly, ya know not a lot of people understand what I'm talking about."
Misty smiled back at him and at that time the food arrived. Misty and Joey ate and talked about everything from the gym to Pokemon genetics. Misty was actually having fun. After Joey insisted on paying the check they got up, and Misty was more than happy when Joey suggested walking her home, and she didn't protest when he slipped his arm around her shoulders.
"What causes the Pokemon to evolve so suddenly now, like when they reach a certain level?"
"Well," Joey stated "that is part of the reason I want to be a Pokemon Researcher."
"It could be that-"
"Misty, let's talk about something else."
"Like what?"
"Like how beautiful you look."
Misty smiled, if her face wasn't red before it was certainly red now. Her smile lessened as they reached the gym, she was upset that the date was almost over. Joey walked her up to the front door, "I had fun tonight! You're really a funny, smart, and beautiful girl. I'm glad that we met."
"I had a great time also." Misty noticed that their faces were moving closer together. Before she knew what was happening Joey's lips were on top of hers, she closed her eyes and kissed him back as she felt his arms move around her waist. She didn't know how long they kissed: seconds, minutes, hours, she didn't really care. They slowly broke apart and Misty looked into Joey's dark green eyes, "Thank you," she said simply.
He kissed her again, "you're very welcome." With that he walked down the path and blew her one last kiss before disappearing into the night.
As soon as he was gone Misty giddily opened the door and raced up too her room; for the first time in a while, she was truly very happy.
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That was a pretty long chapter, so hopefully it will make up for the last one. For anyone who was expecting AAMR, sorry, but that will come (a lot) later. As of now, I like Joey too much to get rid of him. Exams are coming up, but after that I hope 2 get a few more chapters done. Please R&R. Thanks
disclaimer- i do not own Pokemon.