Changing ways: Chapter 3: Change of plans:
Misty put her pillow over her head because of the sun shining into her eyes from the window. "Stupid sun…" she mumbled as she turned on her stomach. She heard chuckling nearby and lifted her head to see what it was, only to find Ash standing in front of her, chuckling at her foolishness.
"Good morning, Misty." Ash greeted Misty with a friendly smile.
"Whoa! Ash! What are you doing staring at me like that while I'm sleeping!?" Misty frantically yelled as she sat up and covered herself with the blanket.
Ash, oblivious to the obvious, just stood there and continued grinning. "Well. It's getting kind of late and we wanted to have breakfast, but you were still sleeping." He explained. "So Brock and Pikachu went ahead to have breakfast while I waited for you to wake up so you could join us!" he proudly declared.
"So, you mean to tell me that you stared at me while I was sleeping?" Misty yelled, moments away from hysterically yelling.
"Well uh," Ash started as he nervously started scratching the back of his head. "You looked content while you were sleeping so I didn't want to bother you. And besides, you looked kind of cute when you snored…" he said while nervously chuckling.
"You think I looked cute?" Misty said as a blush started forming on her cheeks. 'That's the first anyone has ever called me cute. It felt kind of good…'
Ash, still not sure of what's going on, frowned and looked at Misty with a confused look in his eyes. "Uh, Misty, are you feeling okay? You look a bit pink…"
"No, I-I'm fine…" Misty said as her blush intensified, but it all disappeared as she realized something. "I SNORE!?"
Ash was taken aback by Misty's sudden outburst and almost toppled down from the ladder on which he was standing. He caught himself in the nick of time and regained his balance. "Sjeesh Misty, what's with all the yelling?" he mumbled as he glared slightly at the girl. "And yes, you do snore. Every night." He added.
"Don't lie to me, Ash Ketchum!" Misty scowled as she took hold of Ash's collar.
Ash and Misty's conversation however, was suddenly interrupted by Ash's growling stomach.
Misty sighed as she let go of Ash. "Ash, you're always hungry, can't you grow up?"
Another loud rumbling could be heard echoing through room once more, but this time it didn't come from Ash's stomach.
Ash smirked knowingly at Misty, whose cheeks were now a bright pink color.
"Hehe," Misty nervously giggled. "I guess I'm hungry…" she said as she scratched the back of her head in embarrassment.
"So," Ash started. "Who needs to grow up now, Misty?"
"Oh, shut up, Ash!" Misty scowled as she pushed Ash, causing the Pokemon Trainer to fall backwards off the ladder and onto the floor below.
"Ouch…" Ash mumbled as he sat up, grasping his aching head.
"So," Misty started as she peeked over the edge of the bed at Ash. "Who needs to keep quiet now-and-then?"
"Me…" Ash mumbled as he got back up onto his feet.
"That's right," Misty said as she got up onto her knees. "Now, let's go get some breakfast. Just wait outside for me, okay?"
"Okay." Ash figured as he made his way over to the door and closed it behind him. He sat down against the wall next to the door and eagerly waited for Misty to come out so he can finally get something to eat.
Inside the room, Misty got out of bed and stretched for a moment. Feeling content, she opened her backpack and got her usual attire out of it. She quickly changed and then proceeded into the bathroom to brush her teeth and tie her hair in her usual side-ponytail. Satisfied that everything was in place; Misty packed all of her belongings back into her bag and opened the door. "Okay Ash, I'm ready." She declared as she closed the door behind her.
Ash got up onto his feet and the two of them started making their way towards the cafeteria.
"Oh yeah Misty, I almost forgot. Brock said he had something important to tell us today." Ash informed Misty as they walked down the hallway.
"Is that so?" Misty asked as she looked over to Ash. "Hmmm, I wonder what it's about…"
"Yeah," Ash said as he frowned. "Me too…"
Ash and Misty reached the table where Brock was busy eating his breakfast and Pikachu licking the top of a bottle of Ketchup. They took their seats opposite each other, where their respective breakfasts were standing that Brock pre-ordered for them.
"Good morning Brock, thanks for ordering our breakfast, I'm starving!" Misty cheerfully said as she picked her fork up.
"Sure thing Misty," Brock said as he swallowed the scrambled eggs he was chewing on. "Did you sleep well?"
Ash and Pikachu were having a tug-of-war for the ketchup bottle in the meantime, the little mouse refusing to let go of it.
"Yeah, like a baby, thanks." Misty answered as she went about eating her breakfast slowly, paying no attention to the conflict beside her.
"I'm glad to hear that." Brock replied as he drank the last of his orange juice. The breeder had finished his breakfast since he and Pikachu started earlier than Ash and Misty.
"Bwock, d'ou said d'ou whad somefin fho fhell uf." Ash said with his mouth propped full of food.
"Uh," Brock started as he sweat-dropped at Ash's rude behavior. "Right, why don't you guys finish up your breakfast first, then I'll let you guys in on the news."
"Ohfkay," Ash responded as he continued stuffing food into his mouth.
Misty exasperatedly sighed as she ate a much slower pace.
After Ash and Misty finished their breakfast, the gang decided to head outside and get some fresh air.
"Come on Brock," Ash started as he started walking down the street. "I want to show this place where Misty and I were at yesterday."
"Alright Ash, lead the way." Brock said as he and Misty followed an excited Ash, with Pikachu on his shoulder, down the road which Ash and Misty walked the previous day.
The gang got to the exact same boulder where Ash and Misty were yesterday. Ash decided to climb on top of the boulder again, followed by Pikachu, of course. Misty, on the other hand, decided not to climb the boulder again and rather sat down on a patch of grass next to it. Brock was content with leaning against the boulder.
"So Brock," Ash interrupted the silence from ontop of the boulder. "What do you want to tell us?" he asked, still curious about the subject.
"Yeah Brock, what is it?" Misty chipped in, also curious about whatever Brock want to tell them.
Brock looked out over the horizon and sighed."You guys, "he started as he took another deep breath. "I've decided I'm gonna head home after our stay here in Viridian. I really miss my family and want to spend some time with them before my next journey. So I won't be heading back to Pallet Town with you guys..." he broke the news.
Ash, Misty and Pikachu just stared at Brock, pretty shocked unsure of what to make of this new development.
"So," Misty broke the silence. "You're going home, back to Pewter City?" she recapped.
Ash stared wide-eyed at Brock, who was looking at the view in front of them.
Brock slowly nodded."I'm sorry Misty, but it has been a while since I was home and I really miss my brothers and sisters a lot." He explained.
Ash smiled and nodded in understanding.
"Ash, are you feeling alright? This is hardly a laughing matter; Brock isn't going to travel with us anymore. You know that? Don't you?" Misty asked Ash as she frowned at him.
Ash looked at Misty and then stared over the horizon again. He nodded."I know Misty, but he just misses his family, like I miss my mom and you miss your sisters back home. So if that's the reason he wants to go home, then I have no problem with it." He concluded.
"Thanks Ash, that really means a lot to me." Brock said as he contently smiled at Ash.
Ash nodded and continued staring over the horizon while Misty looked at him and smiled, and then she also turned towards the horizon. Suddenly there was a loud noise that sounded like wings clapping and sounded like it's coming from the forest behind them.
"Hey, did you guys hear something?" Ash asked as he looked at his traveling companions.
Misty and Brock and listened carefully.
"No Ash, I don't hear anything." Misty said as she frowned at Ash.
"Same here, maybe you just thought you heard something?" Brock added.
"Yeah, I guess I just imagined it..." Ash said as he looked over at the forest. 'Mmmm…'
"So guys," Brock interrupted Ash's thoughts. "What are our plans for the day? I was thinking of hitting the road around 6 o'clock." He figured as he stood up and climbed off the boulder, stretching his legs when he got to the bottom.
"Well, it's almost noon, so how about lunch?" Ash suggested as his mouth started drooling at the thought of food, but his fantasy was cut off by an incoming fist from Misty that hit him straight on the head.
"Ouch! What was that for?!" Ash asked as he vigorously rubbed his head and glared at Misty.
"We just had breakfast!" Misty yelled as she glared back at Ash. "You can't be hungry already!"
"Chill out you guys!" Brock intervened once more. "I'll tell you what; why don't we head back to the Pokémon Center, get some supplies and then have our lunch here?" he suggested.
"That's a great idea, Brock!" Ash excitedly exclaimed. "What do you think Misty?" he asked Misty, just to be sure that there were no objections.
"Yeah, that's not a bad idea." Misty said as she placed her fingers on her chin.
"Then it's settled, Pokémon Center here we come, again!" Ash announced with an excited fist pump.
"Pi – Pikachu," Pikachu exclaimed as he hopped back onto Ash's shoulder.
The gang then started making their way back to the Pokemon Center, with Brock trotting along faster than the rest of them.
"Hey Ash, do you notice how fast Brock is walking?" Misty asked Ash as she stole a glance at Brock, who walked a bit in front of them.
Ash took a peek at Brock in front of them and then turned back to Misty. "Well yeah, he does seem to be moving at a quick pace doesn't he? I wonder why he's in such a hurry…" he thought out loud. "I know! Maybe he's hungry too!" he excitedly exclaimed.
Misty slapped her forehead with her palm and growled at Ash's incompetence."Ugh Ash, is food all you can think about? Don't you get it? Brock is in such a hurry to get to the Pokémon Center, because of Nurse Joy!" she explained.
Ash's eyes grew side as realization struck him. "Oh no, I think you're right Misty! But we've got to stop him! I'm really not in the mood for a rehap of yesterday…"
"Yeah, tell me about it." Misty said as she started thinking of a plan. "Hey Ash, I've got an idea…"
Ash looked over to her."Yeah? What is it then?" he asked curiously.
"Well, you keep Brock busy outside, and then I'll go get our bags. That way Nurse Joy is safe from Brock and we can have our lunch in peace." Misty explained as a proud smile made its way onto her face.
Ash thought about it for a while and then smiled. "That's an awesome idea Misty!" he excitedly praised Misty. "But, how am I gonna keep Brock from coming near the Pokémon Center? I mean, he's on a mission to get there." He said as he pointed in front of them.
Misty frowned in thought. "Just use your imagination, Ash." She finally said as she quickened her pace to catch up to Brock.
"Hmmm, I wonder what I'm gonna do…" Ash wondered out loud as he still walked slower than Misty and Brock. "Wait, I've got it!"
Brock noticed Ash walking pretty slowly, so he turned around and walked backwards."Hey Ash, hurry up! We've got to get to Nurs…I mean the Pokémon Center!" he irritatedly yelled at the slow-walking boy.
"Oh uh, I'm coming!" Ash yelled as he went into a light jog to catch up to Misty and Brock.
The gang got closer and closer to the Pokemon Center, with Brock starting to get a dazed look on his face.
"Alright Ash, this is your chance to get Brock's attention!" Misty whispered at Ash.
"Right," Ash whispered back and then turned his attention towards a love-struck Brock. "Hey Brock, isn't that Daisy?" he yelled as he pointed into some bushed next to the road.
Brock immediately stopped and turned to where Ash was pointing."Daisy, where? Where is my love?" he ecstatically yelled as he dove into the bushes.
Ash turned to Misty and grinned while he showed her a peace sign with his fingers. "Come on Brock, I think I saw her heading this way!" he yelled as he grabbed the Pokemon Breeder by the arm and started dragging him towards a park that was next to the Pokemon Center.
"Unbelievable…" Misty mumbled as she watched on and sweat-dropped. She regained her composure and headed towards the Pokémon Center. "Hey Nurse Joy!" she waved as she ran past the counter on her way to the room.
"Wait," Nurse Joy yelled after Misty. "Are you by any chance Misty?" she added.
Misty stopped at hearing her name and backed up to Nurse Joy."Yeah that's me, "she answered as she stopped in front of the Nurse. "Why Nurse Joy, is something wrong?"
Nurse Joy shook her head. "No dear, there's nothing wrong, but you do have a phone call, from a girl named Daisy from Cerulean City. She said that I should tell you to call her ASAP."
"Oh, thanks, Nurse Joy" Misty said as she made her way over to the video phones. 'Hmmm I wonder what Daisy wants...' she thought as she sat down in front of one of the phones and dialed Cerulean Gym.
"Like, hello?" Violet, another of Misty's sisters' face appeared on the screen accompanied by her voice.
Misty sighed. She was hoping to talk to Daisy; she was the least irritating out of her three goofy sisters and they got along better too. "Hey Violet…" she half-heartedly greeted her sister.
"Misty, is that like, you?" Violet asked as she leaned closer to the screen. "Like, wow, you've sure grown a lot. How's your boyfriend? I heard he lost in the Silver Conference to some hotty called Harrison." She dreamily stated as images of Harrison flooded her mind.
"He's not my boyfriend!" Misty yelled as her cheeks started turning pink, causing Violet to snicker.
"Anyway Misty, I bet you're looking for Daisy, right?" Violet asked as she changed the subject.
Misty nodded with an agitated look on her face.
"Okay, I'll go get her." Violet said as her head disappeared out of view.
Violet's face was soon replaced with Daisy's on the screen.
"Like, hello, little sis." Daisy greeted Misty with a friendly smile. "Like, where have you been? Making out with Ash maybe?" she smirked.
"NO!" Misty angrily yelled at the screen. "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!" she said as she clawed at the screen, making Daisy sweat-drop and giggle uncomfortably.
"Anyway Misty," Daisy started again after clearing her throat. "We need you to like, come back and look after the gym again." She said matter-of-factly.
Misty's eyes grew wide as she stared into the screen."What...what do you mean? Why should I come back? I'm on a journey with Ash here, I don't wanna go back home now…" she trailed off at the thought.
A smirk made its way onto Daisy's face."Oh, so you DO like Ash! I knew it all along." Daisy stated matter-of-factly.
Misty glared at her oldest sister. "I DO NOT!" she screamed as she glared at Daisy's face on the screen. "Now, tell me why I should come back to the Gym? Is it getting too rough for the three of you?"
"WHAT?" Violet and Lily yelled simultaneously as their faces appeared alongside Daisy's on the screen, both of them looking pretty mad.
"Like, for your information, the three of us won a trip around the world on a five star cruise liner," Violet started as she crossed her arms in annoyance.
"Yeah," Lily started. "So like, we're leaving tomorrow so you better be here! Or the Gym is gonna be closed for a while...Toodles!" she continued as the screen went black after she was done.
Misty stared at the screen for a few moments before slowly standing up. 'That means…I have to go home…' she thought as she slowly started making her way towards the front door, completely forgetting about the real reason she came into the Pokemon Center; their bags.
Meanwhile, outside in the park next to the Pokémon Center, Ash, Brock and Pikachu were still busy searching for 'Daisy'.
"My love! Where are you, my dear sweet Daisy? Fate has brought us together once more! But where are you?" Brock said, more dazed than ever, as he was searching under the benches for 'Daisy'.
Ash and Pikachu tried their best to encourage him to keep looking in order to keep him away from the Pokemon Center.
"You're getting close Brock!" Ash encouraged the love-struck Breeder as he followed him around. "I think you should try looking there over at the bushes, further away from the Pokémon Center..." he mumbled the last part more to himself, but Brock heard it, however…
"Pokémon Center," Brock asked as his head jerked up towards Ash. "My dear Nurse Joy awaits me there!" he yelled as he started making his way towards the Pokemon Center instead.
"Pika Pika," Pikachu exclaimed as he was giving Ash a mouthful about his stupidity.
Ash just slapped his forehead with his palm and groaned as he watched Brock heading towards the Pokémon Center. The two of them got a hold of Brock and pulled him to a bench nearby just as Misty came out of the Pokémon Center.
"Hey Misty, what took ya so long? And where are our bags?" Ash asked Misty after he noticed her and headed over towards her.
"I...I..." Misty stuttered out as she looked up from the ground to Ash, desperation evident in her eyes.
Brock noticed the distress in Misty's voice and turned around and walked towards them.
"Ash," Misty started. "I...I have to go back home to Cerulean City..." she said as she looked down at the ground again.
Ash stumbled backwards and stared at Misty with wide eyes. "Yo-You're leaving too?" he managed to stutter out.
Misty looked up at Ash with tears forming in her eyes and slowly nodded then looked down again. "I'm sorry Ash," she shakily started. "But, the Gy-"
"Shut up!" Ash interrupted Misty, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. "I don't want to hear your excuses." He coldly stated.
"Ash, that's enough." Brock cut in, clearly more mature about the subject than Ash.
"You shut up too!" Ash yelled at Brock. "How could you?" he said as he turned his attention back to Misty. "Now you're leaving me too! Fine if you want to go; then go! Don't let me stand in your way, I couldn't care less!" he coldly exclaimed as he turned around and started running down the road.
"Pikapi," Pikachu exclaimed as he darted down the road after Ash.
"Ash, wait!" Misty yelled as she started running after Ash and Pikachu, but she was stopped as Brock grabbed hold of her shoulder, preventing her from getting any further.
"Let him cool off, Misty." Brock said from behind Misty.
"But Brock," Misty started protesting, but her protest was quickly waved off by Brock.
"Look," Brock started. "He's just found out that his best friends and traveling partners are going to have to abandon him. He isn't used to being alone and I guess he's starting to realize it now. So, just give him some time." He wisely explained.
"I hope he doesn't do anything stupid, Brock." Misty sighed as she looked down the road as Ash disappeared in the distance.
"I'm sure he'll be fine." Brock said as he gave Misty's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "Come on; let's go inside, we should probably start packing..."
Misty nodded and the two of them headed inside to get their things together for their respective treks home.
Ash, in the meantime, was now almost out of Viridian City, but he just kept running. He just had to get away. 'I can't believe your leaving Misty...I-I don't want you to leave!' Ash tripped over a rock and fell down.
"Pikapi," Pikachu exclaimed as he hurried to Ash and poked him in the arm to make sure his master is okay.
"It's not fair, Pikachu. It's not fair!" Ash stated as he hit the ground with his fists while tears started dropping on the ground below him.
"Pikapi…" Pikachu sadly exclaimed as stared at Ash with his ears drooped low.
"I don't want her to leave Pikachu," Ash started as he finally sat up. "She's been with us from the beginning of our journey. It wouldn't feel right without her…" he continued as he kept his head low to hide his eyes under the brim of his hat.
"Pikapi," Pikachu exclaimed as he looked at Ash with worried eyes.
"Come on buddy," Ash started as he got back onto his feet and dusted himself off.
"Pika," Pikachu obeyed as he followed Ash down the road, still going away from Viridian City.
Ash remained silent, his head hanging as the two of them approached the all-too-familiar boulder.
Ash climbed on top of the boulder with Pikachu joining him as they sat up there. He stared out over the horizon again and clenched his fists. "Misty, you can't leave. I don't wanna travel without you. I-I don't know why, but it just wouldn't feel right without you." He sighed as he put his head in his hands.
"Pikapi," Pikachu called as he tugged on Ash's sleeve, wanting to have Ash's attention.
Ash looked at Pikachu. "Pikachu," he smiled. "I'm sorry for running off like that, buddy. I didn't mean to scare you." He apologized.
"Pikachu, pika Pikachupi pika," Pikachu nodded in understandment.
"Thanks for understanding buddy, and that you will stand by my side no matter what choice I'll make. You're the best pokemon pal a guy could ask for!" Ash said as he scratched Pikachu behind the ears.
"Pi-Pikachu," Pikachu exclaimed with a peace sign as the two of them stared over the horizon.
Meanwhile, Misty stared out the window of their room. "Brock, we're gonna have to leave soon. What if Ash isn't back by then?" she worriedly asked the Pokemon Breeder as she kept staring out the window.
"He'll be here, Misty." Brock reassured Misty. "I know Ash; he won't let us leave without saying goodbye."
Misty sighed and started walking to the door. "Well I'm going to go look for him." She declared as she opened the door.
"No, you are not." Brock said as he turned to look at her. "First of all, you don't even know where he is. He could be anywhere. And we have to leave in about thirty minutes if we want to make any progress."
"I'm not leaving without saying goodbye to him." Misty declared as she walked out of the room and firmly closed the door behind her. As she got to the lobby however, she stopped. 'Brock was right,' she thought. 'I don't have any idea where Ash could be. It's not as if he really knows this area…' She thought as she furrowed her eyebrows. 'Wait a second,' her eyes brightened up. 'That's it!' she figured ran out the Pokémon Center and down the road, out of Viridian City. "Please be there, Ash!"
Meanwhile, Ash and Pikachu were still sitting on the boulder, staring out in the horizon. His eyes were hidden under the brim of his hat.
"Ash," an all-too-familiar voice called out.
"Huh?"Ash said as he looked up to find, to find Misty running towards them. "Mi-Misty…?"
"Ash...what...are you...doing here?" Misty asked in between breaths as she leaned against the boulder, completely out of breath.
"I uh..."Ash mumbled as she stared at Misty, completely surprised at the redhead's presence. "Ar-Aren't you supposed to be heading for Cerulean City?" he asked harshly as he looked away from her.
"Ash, "Misty started, seemingly having recovered her breath. "I'm not going anywhere before I say goodbye." She stated as she back upright.
Ash smiled slightly at hearing what Misty said. He slowly nodded, motioned to Pikachu and the two of them then slid down the boulder. "You better go if you wanna get there by tomorrow morning..." Ash solemnly stated as he buried his hands in his pockets and looked down to hide his eyes under the brim of his hat again.
"Ash," Misty started as she grabbed Ash's arm softly, causing him to look up into her eyes. "It's not like I want to leave. I have to leave." She added. "You see, my sisters are going on a cruise around the world and the Gym can't be closed the whole time." She explained the real reason of the situation to him.
Ash stared at her for a few moments, then a smile made its way onto his and he then nodded in understanding. He couldn't be mad at her for something which was beyond her control.
Misty saw this and smiled at Ash. "Thank you for understanding, Ash, but we've got to head back to the Pokémon Center." She said. "I really have to leave by tonight if I wanna make it on time and our bags are still at the Pokémon Center."
"No, they're right here." Another familiar voice said from behind, the voice of Brock.
"Brock," both Ash and Misty simultaneously exclaimed as they turned to face the Pokemon Breeder.
"I figured you guys would be here, so I brought our bags with me so we can hit the road." Brock said as he held Misty and Ash's bags up for them to see. "It's getting pretty late, so I guess we should get moving you guys..." he said.
Ash and Misty nodded and got their bags from Brock. The gang then started walking down the road, heading further out of Viridian City, and finally stopped at a fork. The road divided into three smaller roads. The one road headed to Pewter City, the other one to Cerulean City and the last one to Pallet Town.
"Well you guys," Brock started as he turned to his friends. "I guess this is it..." he smiled half-heartedly.
Ash was looking down with his eyes hidden under the brim of his hat, his fists clenched at his sides.
"Well, "Brock interrupted. "Take care, you guys." He greeted and turned down the road which headed to Pewter City.
"So long, Brock, have a safe trip." Misty bid Brock farewell and then turned to Ash. "Goodbye, Ash, I guess I'll see you later then...take care, Pikachu." she said goodbye with a sincere and sad smile on her face.
Ash bit his lip and clenched his fists. "No, Misty," he started, which caused Brock to look over his shoulder at Ash's choice of words. "You won't be seeing me later." He coolly stated.
Misty felt her heart sink. "Wha-what do you mean Ash?" she hesitantly asked, fearing that their friendship is now over.
Ash smiled slightly. "You won't be seeing me later because...I'm coming with you to Cerulean City, Misty." He said as he looked Misty in the eyes.
Misty, Brock and Pikachu all had shocked looks on their faces, with Misty's mouth slightly open…