Chapter 3 How lovely of you to join us.
"Uh… ah-hah-ha… hiya Brocko!" Ash said as he had flashed his eyes from Brocks face back to Misty's vice grip glare.
"How've you been man?" Brock questioned as he pulled him into a hug. "Hey arnt you gonna greet Misty?"
Ash ended the hug quite abruptly and looked unwillingly back at Misty. "Erm.. Hey Mist." He said awkwardly. Misty had returned his awkward hello with an equally awkward (if not more awkward) hug.
"Hi, Ash." She said shyly as she pulled away from the terrible excuse of a hug.
"Isn't this great you guys! Just like the old days!" Brock exclaimed excitedly as both Misty and Ash shifted uncomfortably.
"So, what brings you and Gary here Ash?" Brock questioned.
"Well, uh just passing through town, yuh know. Though I might drop a line, but woooow. Look at the time!" Ash said quickly.
"Gary and I should be going soon, but before I do I have something to give you Mis…" Ash rambled on as Gary punched his arm. "..ty, ow, what the fuck man." Ash said quietly enough that only Gary could hear.
"Oh, I thought that maybe you boys could stay and visit with us for a bit longer…" Brock said disappointedly.
"Wait, could you two give Ash and I a second?" Gary said sternly. Ash glared at Gary while Brock nodded.
"Sure go ahead." Gary grabbed onto Ash's shirt and pulled him aside.
"What are you doing?!" Gary hissed. "It was your idea to come here in the first place."
"Yeah! It was, and now it's my idea to leave." Ash hissed back. "Anyway, why do you care!? You didn't want to come here at all!"
"Yeah I didnt! But really, I'm just tired of walking. I wouldn't mind sitting and recharging a bit, you know man?" Gary in response.
"Nice try Oak, I know very well the only reason you want to stay is because of Misty." Ash said rolling his eyes.
"Okay yeah, your right." Gary said grinning to himself. "But how could you not want to hang out with her?!" Gary said looking over towards her and shot her a cocky smirk at
which she raised an eyebrow. "In case you haven't noticed…" Gary trailed off in a harsh whisper. "She got hot!" At Gary's cue Ash looked towards Misty. Well, he couldn't
argue… she did look cute. She no longer sported the tomboyish look. And her hair had grown out nicely. But, it really didn't make much of a difference to Ash, considering he
always thought of her as no less than gorgeous. Not like he'd ever admit it though.
"Uhg, Gary you are remotely hopeless." Ash said a dazed look upon his eyes.
"Yeah, okay Ashtina, whatever, lets just stay a bit longer, I know we have some time to burn, and I'd rather not waste it on advancing to the fucking Orange Islands. Let's not
forget that I'm still furious with you." Gary said in quick angry tone.
"Okay, okay, yeah… alright. We'll stay for a drink or two. But when I'm ready to leave, were leaving." Ash said sternly as Gary nodded carelessly and sauntered back over to
where Misty sat. Before Ash could even take two steps back in their direction he heard Gary whipping out the old Oak charm.
"Hey baby's your sign?" He smoothly trailed on leaving Misty with no time to respond
"Because it looks like we might be a match made in heaven."
"Ew, okay Gary. Lay off. I'm not like any of your bimbo cheerleaders." Misty said finally after holding back as long as she could. "I unlike them… and maybe even you have a
fully functional brain. And know better than to fall for tacky lines like that." She said turning away and crossing her arms. Ash couldn't help but smile; sure it was weird being
around her again. But it was nice to find that some things never change.
"Ooh feisty, must be the red hair." Gary said ignoring her insult.
"Either that or it's your face." Misty snapped leaving Gary rather confused.
"wha-?" He questioned putting a hand on his cheek. He was moderately baffled. A woman had never been so rude to him before. And he was having a hard time understanding it.
"God are you slow!" Misty said laughing to herself as Ash from afar joined her in her guffaw. He couldn't help himself.
"Cut down!" Ash yelled as Gary squinted in annoyance.
"Shut it, twerp." He said loudly.
Brock finally spoke up after observing the scene around him.
"How about I get us some drinks?" He questioned as Misty nodded.
"Sounds like a great idea Brock. If you could, I'd like a White Russian hold the ice…" She said brightly.
"Yeah, that's fine, what about you Gary? Ash?" Brock questioned.
"Uhm… I'd just like a Vodka and sprite." Ash responded quickly.
"Uh, a beer would be fine." Gary said in a rather fowl tone.
"Good man," Brock said grinning as Gary sneered at him. "I think I'll have a beer too, now if you don't mind Ill just go and get our drinks." Brock said leaving the room. The
room fell silent as Brock departed. But not for long, as Misty quickly broke the silence.
"So Ash what was that you wanted to give me?" Misty questioned. Ash looked up rather startled at her voice.
"Huh?" He paused. "Oh, what I wanted to give you?"
"Yeah!" She responded, As Gary remained silent wallowing in self pity once again.
"Oh, well its not really from me… its actually from the Professor. Its Togepi and Horsie. He couldn't send to you so he was gonna get me to deliver them to you." He said taking
out the soundly sleeping egg and pokeball. Misty's teal eyes beamed with delight as she saw her beloved pokemon. She instantly stood up from the spot she was sitting parallel
from Gary and walked over towards Ash. She accidentally bumped into his arm and quickly apologized but Gary didn't seize to snap.
"Watch where your walking carrot top." He yelled pulling his arm towards his chest. Misty paused and squinted.
"Jesus Christ! What's with the attitude?! Jerk! I said I was sorry!" Misty said heatedly.
"What's with my attitude?! Are you fucking kidding me? Look at you!" Gary hissed. Misty rolled her eyes.
"Whatever porcupine." She responded impolitely and continued on her way over to Ash.
"whatever porcupine" He mimicked her crossing his arms as if he was in middles school still. Misty ignored this and sat beside Ash rather closely as he shifted and froze in
uncomfort. She reached across him and grabbed her pokemon and as she did so her soft hand brushed against his. She hadn't had seemed to notice this but Ash most definatly
did. He inched away from her as he laughed nervously. Misty didn't notice this either, but Gary had. Ash had felt Gary's piercing blue eyes staring him down and unwilling looked
towards him and Gary very quickly read the look on his face. Panic. Gary raised an eyebrow in confusion and shock. But before Gary could say anything Brock returned with the drinks.
"Who wants cocktails?!' He said cheerfully. Misty squealed in excitement and stood instantly.
"Yay!" She said taking hers. "Thank Brocko!" She smiled warmly and took a sip of her drink and cooed to herself. "Mmm, so good, should be illegal." She then sat down beside
Brock leaving Ash relieved. Gary stood up to retrive his drink and while he was at it he grabbed Ash's drink as well. He causally sat down beside Ash and handed him his drink.
"Uh, thanks man." Ash said smiling weakly.
"Yeah! You better be thankful buddy." Gary said sharply and winked at Ash as he cracked his beer.
"So Ash.." Brock said as he took a sip of his beer. "Where are you and Gary off to anyways?"
"Oh, uhm… I'm taking part in a tournament on the Orange Islands in a few days…" Ash said simply.
"Oh! I know what you're talking about! The Orange Island cup!, that tournament sounds like its rather exclusive! Ahaha, its kind of Ironic…" Brock said in response.
"Yeah its really exclusive, I can hardly wait. Although… I cant help but wonder what's Ironic about it." Ash said.
"Oh, Misty didn't tell you?" Brock said raising an eyebrow.
"No! Ahah! I didn't… It never even crossed my mind." Misty interrupted laughing to herself.
"Tell us what?" Ash questioned.
"Oh! Well I'm coincidently on my way to the Orange Islands as well! I was going to pay Melody a Visit on Shamooti Island!" Misty answered evenly. Gary gave Misty a
questioning look.
"Hey red. Tell me this, If your going to Shamooti. Then why the hell you back here? You do live in Cerulean don't you? And… the last time I checked. The Orange Islands were
the opposite way from Cerulean than here." Gary asked cautiously. Misty squinted at Gary.
"Well duh! I do know where the Orange Islands are you know. I came here for a reason." Misty stated in response.
"What reason is that exactly?" Gary questioned.
"I didn't want to travel alone all the way to the Orange Islands. So I decided to come and see if Brock could accompany me on my travels." Misty said crossing her arms.
"Yeah, so can he?" Ash questioned looking over at Brock.
"Well, I never really had a chance to answer her question because you two came and kind of distracted us from our conversation. And… I hate to disappoint you Misty, but I
really cant leave. I can't close the gym down, and there's no-one available at the moment to watch it for me. Sorry babe." Brock said frowning slightly. "But next time…" Brock
smiled weakly…
"Aw… bummer." Misty said in a disappointed tone.
"Hey, Mist… I know that I cant go with you… But you don't necessarily have to go alone…" Brock Trailed off as Misty looked up and Ash's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?" Misty asked.
"Well, Ash and Gary are going to the Orange Islands. Why don't you just stick around them until you get to Shamooti?!" Ash focused all his attention on Misty while Gary
attentively watched this escapade in enjoyment.
"Oh my gawd! That is like totally a great Idea Brock! What do you think about it Ash? Gary? You think it would be okay if I tagged along?" Misty questioned hopefully as she
looked over at Ash and Gary.
Ash stuttered on… and it seemed as though he couldn't get the right answer to come out. He couldn't just say no! That would be mean. But he really didn't want her to come
along. All he wanted was to be out of her paralyzing presence. Its not like he didn't still enjoy Misty as a person. She just… you know made him uncomfortable. And really it
wasn't like he was blaming her for making him feel so uneasy in her presence… she probably didn't even notice. "Ah, uhm… well.. I- you see.." But before Ash actually
amounted to a real answer Gary responded.
"You mean Red over there, come with US? To the Orange Islands?!" He questioned.
"Yeah, That's the idea." Brock said raising an eyebrow.
"Well then, of course she can come! Ash and I would love her company. Like I always say… the more the merrier!" Gary said grinning widely as Ash pounded back the rest of
his drink. He smirked at Ash and calmly took a slug of his beer. "Eh Ash!? Having Misty tag along sounds like a splendid idea, doesn't it?" He said elbowing Ash in the stomach
so Ash would nod instead of respond verbally. And in success Ash weakly nodded and then put his head between his lap. He knew that Gary was doing this for two obvious
reasons. One, to get a little bit closer to Misty, If yeah know what I mean! And two, to get back at him, because obviously, Gary could see the pain this caused Ash and was
enjoying this way too much to let it end tonight.
"Well then its settled. Misty is going along with you two, when you leave." Brock said smiling.
And Misty nodded excitedly. She got up and pushed Ash's arm. And he unwillingly looked up at her.
"Hey Ash! Isn't this rad!? Just like back in the day. Although, no longer do you owe me anything…I think maybe after this I may owe you something." She winked playfully and
left the room. Ash groaned to himself. No longer was Gary the only one not so excited about this trip. Gary raised his head triumphantly. He had gotten his revenge a lot easier
than expected and as a bonus he got a hot chick to travel with them too.
"Hey Brock, mind refilling my drink?" Ash questioned holding his empty glass up. "And this time… make it a double. This is gonna be one hell of a night." Brock stood and
nodded slightly taking the glass from Ash and leaving the room.
"Sure Ash, hell while I'm at it how about I bring everyone back a refill." Brock questioned looking over towards Gary. Gary smiled at Brock and nodded.
"Yeah, sounds good man." He responded simply. As Brock grabbed Misty's glass for refill and left the room. As soon as the were alone Gary turned to Ash.
"Whata matter Ashy Boy. Feeling a little uncomfortable with our traveling arrangements?" Gary asked as Ash looked up slightly. "Too bad. I'm not near done with making this
trip as much of a living hell to you, as it is to me. Suck it up buddy cause this aint getting any better." Gary said harshly and laughed ignorantly to himself, as Misty entered the
room holding a bag of her stuff. Gary ran a hand through his spikes and winked at her as she passed by and she just shook her head.
"As if, I'm going to have to put up with Mr. Smooth over here the whole trip, eh Ash! Me and you will be Crazy by then end of it I swear!" She said laughing to her self at Gary's
expense as Ash offered a weak chuckle of his own.
"Yeah, I suppose Mist."
"That? Coming from you carrot top? Riiiiiiiight." Gary said raising an eyebrow skeptically as Misty ignored his comment.
"Hey! Where'd Brock go? And My drink?!" Misty questioned sitting down again.
"Went to refresh our drinks. DUH. God, if I didn't know any better I'd say your becoming more and more like your sisters as the days go by." Gary said.
"Me? Like them? No way!" Misty defended herself.
"That's what I call denial." Gary said softly crossing his arms.
"NO! I am SO much more mature then them you have no idea." Misty said quickly.
"Oh, okay. Ill believe it when I see it." Misty squinted her eyes and crossed her arms.
"Whatever." She snapped.
"Yeah, whatever is right." Gary said quickly.
"Creep." Misty said simply.
"Oh, so this is how you want to play it!" Gary said in a highly amused tone. "Skank!"
"Man whore!"
"FROTCH!"
"uh… PORCUPINE!" Misty yelled.
"Again with the Porcupine!" Gary exclaimed. "I think Miss. Ego's loosing her touch."
"YOU WISH, I could go all night."
"Pfft. Okay."
"Okay then!" Gary responded.
"alright."
"ALRIGHT."
But just as Misty was to yell back a response Brock came back with the beverages.
"1 white Russian, 1 vodka double with sprite and 2 beers." Brock said holding the trey as if he was a bartender.
"Hook me up!" Gary said loudly as Brock lightly tossed the beer. Ash stood and grabbed his drink and Misty's and on his way back to his seat he placed her drink in front of
her.
"Awe, thank you Ash! That's so sweet." Misty sweetly as Ash nodded quickly and went back to his seat. He took a sip of his drink and then took a deep breath. He looked
towards the clock.
"Wow, is it seriously already 4 pm?" Ash said aloud. Misty looked down at her wrist watch and nodded. "Jesus, time sure does fly! Brock, Misty, Gary… I'd hate to be the
party pooper or anything but we seriously have to hit the road, now."
"Aww, really?" Brock questioned quickly.
"Im afraid so." Ash nodded draining the rest of his drink. He stood for a moment as the burning sensation that came from the alcoholic drink dimmed.
"Well, uhm… it was sure nice seeing you all…" Brock trailed off trying desperately to hide the tone of disappointment that seeped through. "well, yeah… It probably would be
best if you guys left soon. I have some paper work to do…yeah paperwork.." He looked down at the ground.
"Yeah, thanks for the beer." Gary said then belched and left the room calmly.
"Oh Brock! Goodbyes are always so hardddd!" Misty said miserably as tears welled in here eyes. "Im going to miss you soooooo much!" She burst into tears and clung onto
him.
"I'll miss you too Misty. Have fun for me while your gone!" He said clinging back onto her.
"I promise I will!" Misty said as she pulled herself away from him.
"Nice seeing you again Brock! I missed you man." Ash said smiling weakly at Brock. Brock smiled back."Yeah, it was nice. You take care of her okay." Brock said gesturing to
Misty and she smiled adoringly at him.
"Will do man. Come on Mist…" Ash said turning around as Misty hesitantly left Brocks side to follow Ash. When they got back to the front door Dexter came running up to
them.
"Hey! Your leaving already?!" He questioned.
"Yeah, im afraid so… nice seeing you again Dex." Ash said simply as he pushed the door open to see Gary sitting under a tree waiting for them.
"Took yeah long enough!" Gary hissed as he lazily got up.
"Oh whatever." Ash said snidely as he walked out to the side walk. Misty jogged slightly to catch up.
"Hey, were we going now?" Gary questioned scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, obviously we have to go through Cerulean. So of course were on our way to Mt. Moon." Ash said sarcastically.
"nyah nyah nyah mt moon." Gary mocked Ash as Misty giggled.
"Real Mature Gary." Ash said irritably.
"Oh Ash isnt this great! Just like the old days. Me, youu, Pikachu, Togepi, and Gary! This is totally gonna be soo fun!" She smiled to herself rather pleased.
"Yeah ! Like totally!" Gary said in a irritating mocking voice.
"Shuttup Gary!" Misty pouted and crossed her arms. Ash remained quiet and kept his pace rather consistent. He had no idea how to answer her. And he wasn't sure if he
wanted too.. Hell he wasn't sure if he actually wanted to go the Orange islands anymore. But that definatly didn't stop him from pacing forward.
'oh yes Mist, so wonderful of you to join us…' Ash's mind raced but he just kept on walking. He thought he had heard Misty or even Gary say something but he didn't care. All
he cared about right now was getting this over with. And that's exactly what he was going to do.