Changing Ways: Chapter Six: Reunion:
Misty slowly started stirring in her sleeping bag the next morning. She groggily opened her eyes and looked up at the blue sky. She then noticed the excess weight against her arm and turned her head to see what it was. On her left shoulder, very close to her face, was a mop of black hair, which belonged to Ash. She stared at his head for a moment with a deep blush on her cheeks, and then, she exploded…
"ASH!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, sending a miniature quake throughout the forest, causing a few stray Pidgey to fly out of the nearby trees.
"Uh," Ash mumbled as he started stirring. He sat up and looked around with half-open eyes. "Misty?" he groggily asked as he turned around to face Misty. "Why are you shouting like that?"
Misty was sitting with her arms crossed and her lips pouted, with a deep red blush on her cheeks. "Hmph." She muttered.
"What's wrong with you?" Ash asked as he frowned at Misty in confusion over her behavior.
"What's wrong with me?" Misty asked as her temper started rising. "What's wrong with you!? Why was YOUR head resting on MY shoulder when I woke up?" she yelled into Ash's face.
"What're you talking about?" Ash asked as he tilted his head to the side at Misty in absolute confusion.
"Don't play dumb with me, Ash Ketchum!" Misty yelled as she got up onto her feet. "You know exactly what happened…" she added with a blush as she kneeled at the pond.
"Misty, I don't know what you're talking ab-"Ash started explaining.
"Just keep quiet and get dressed!" Misty interrupted him. "We've still got a long way to go to get to Cerulean City, so the sooner you finish up, the sooner we get there." She declared as she started washing her face.
"But-"Ash started protesting.
"Just get up and start packing away, Ash!" Misty interrupted Ash again as she turned around to face him and glared at the boy.
"Fine…" Ash mumbled as he got up. "Come on, Pikachu." He said as he shooed Pikachu off of his sleeping bag.
[WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THE PREVIOUS NIGHT…]
It was pitch black dark around Ash, Misty and Pikachu's campsite, the fire having died out quite a while ago and everyone was sound asleep. Everyone except Ash however, who was slowly waking up because of thirst.
"Uh," Ash mumbled as he slowly sat up in his sleeping bag. He groggily looked around him, only to be met by darkness. He felt around in the dark and his hands landed on the sleeping, furry form of Pikachu next to his backpack which served as his pillow. "Man," he whispered as he groggily rubbed his eyes. "I'm so thirsty…" he complained. He squinted and faintly made out the sleeping form of Misty. He stood up and slowly made his way over to the edge of the pond, causing a rustling of leaves along the way.
Pikachu's ears merely twitched at the faint rustling noises. "Cha," he exclaimed as he snuggled tighter into a ball.
Misty simply sighed in comfort and snuggled deeper into her bag which acted as her pillow.
Ash kneeled down next to the pond and gave off a large yawn. He then lowered his hands into the water and scooped up some water. He then proceeded to slurp up the water from his hands, enjoying the cold liquid down his throat. After he had his share of water; tiredness caught up with him again. He gave off a large yawn as he groggily made his way back to his sleeping bag. He was nearing his sleeping bag when he accidently tripped over a branch sticking out of the ground, causing him to fall forward across his sleeping bag, and land with his head on Misty's shoulder. He was too tired to care and decided to pass out right there in that position.
Misty laid her head gently on top of Ash's out of instinct and the two of them slightly snuggled against each other, with Ash snuggling into her neck for warmth.
Pikachu stretched out because of the sudden extra space and snoozed on, oblivious to what happened along with Ash and Misty…
[END OF FLASHBACK…]
"Hey," Ash started as he looked around their camp site. "Where's Pidgeot?"
"That's a good question, Ash…" Misty said as she looked in the trees around them, suddenly also curious about where Pidgeot went.
Ash, Misty and Pikachu kept looking around in the trees for any sign of Pidgeot, but it was nowhere to be found.
"I guess it had to get back to the Pidgey…" Ash figured with a sad smile as he slowly sat down on the log.
"Cheer up, Ash." Misty tried to lighten Ash's mood as she sat down next to him. "I'm sure that Pidgeot had a good explanation for just disappearing. Maybe the Pidgey needed it or something…" she tried to further reassure him.
"Yeah, I know that Pidgeot has a big responsibility looking after all those Pidgey." Ash said as he looked up at Misty with a sincere smile on his face. "But still, I wish it could have said goodbye before going back again…"
"Ash," Misty started as she gently put her hand on Ash's shoulder. "I'm sure that Pidgeot won't let us leave without saying goodbye." She reassured the boy.
"Yeah, you're probably right…" Ash said. "Thanks, Misty." He said as he looked at Misty with a half-hearted smile.
"Come on," Misty said as she lightly punched Ash on the shoulder. "Let's get moving." She said with a smile as she got up and threw her bag over her shoulder.
Ash nodded and stood up. He looked in the trees around them one more time before putting his backpack over his shoulders.
Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and nuzzled his cheek against his master's.
"Thanks, Pikachu." Ash said as he scratched Pikachu behind his ear, earning a "Cha" from the yellow mouse. "Well," he started as he turned to Misty. "Let's hit the road then." He declared half-heartedly as he started walking into the forest.
'Ash is really bummed out about Pidgeot…' Misty thought as she followed Ash and took note of his attitude. 'I really don't think that it would just leave us like that, it must have had a really good reason…' she figured as she sighed and looked at him a sad smile.
The rest of the way out of the forest went by without much fuss. The group made their way safely out of the forest and was greeted by the bright rays from the sun.
"Wow," Misty exclaimed as she pluffed down on a patch of grass. "The sun sure feels good, doesn't it, Ash?" she added, but did not receive an answer. "Ash?" she tried again, but turned towards the boy this time.
Ash was facing the forest behind them, staring intently into it and not paying much attention to Misty.
"Pikapi," Pikachu softly exclaimed as he tapped on Ash on his shoulder with his tail, with Misty looking on from a few feet back.
"Don't worry, Pikachu." Ash said as he looked down, hiding his eyes under the brim of his hat. "I'm fine." He reassured Pikachu with a sad smile. "Well, goodbye, Pidgeot. Take care, old buddy…" he said as he slowly started walking down the road heading to Cerulean City.
Misty started following Ash with a sad expression on her face, while Pikachu tried his best to comfort his master.
'Poor Ash,' Misty thought as she watched Ash from behind. "This must be really hard for him. He is very close to his Pokemon, so leaving one of them behind probably kills him inside…' she figured as she stared sadly at the boy walking in front of her.
The three of them slowly walked down the road until they heard clapping wings and bird-like sounds from behind them.
"Pidgeeeo," a familiar voice called out from the trees behind them.
Ash, Misty and Pikachu immediately turned towards the source of the noise. Approaching them was a huge flock of Flying-type pokemon, Pidgey. But there were also three bigger pokemon flying with them. Ash, Misty and Pikachu looked on as the flock of Pidgey flew in circles over them.
A Pidgeot landed in front of them along with two smaller versions, namely Pidgeotto. The Pidgeot walked closer and stopped right in front of Ash.
"Pidgeot…" Ash whispered. He knew that this Pidgeot was his. He slowly reached out to Pidgeot, an action which Pidgeot responded to by bowing its head down for Ash to rub its head. He slowly and gently caressed the feathers on Pidgeot's head, causing the flying pokemon to chirp in satisfaction.
"Pikachup, Pika Pika?" Pikachu asked Pidgeot as he jumped on its head.
"Geeeo, Pidgeeeo." Pidgeot exclaimed as it happily smiled up at Pikachu.
Misty looked up and noticed all the Pidgey still flying around over their heads, as if they're waiting.
Ash also noticed the Pidgey above and realization struck him soon after. He then backed away slightly from Pidgeot, which caused the bird to look at Ash out of curiousness.
"Pidgeeo," Pidgeot exclaimed as it turned its head to the side as it looked at Ash with confusion.
"Pidgeot," Ash started as he smiled up at Pidgeot. "You have to stay here to protect the Pidgey and I promised that I would come back for you. But," he stopped and his smile turned into a sad one. "If that means that the Pidgey here will be put in danger again, so I think you should rather stay here on a permanent basis…"he said as he turned around."Goodbye, Pidgeot. Take care." He said as he slowly started walking away.
"Ash…" Misty whispered as she turned to face Pidgeot again. She gave the bird a smile and nod of both understanding and encouragement. She then turned back to Ash and reluctantly started following him.
Pikachu looked at Pidgeot in sadness. "Pika…" he softly exclaimed.
"Pidgeeeo," Pidgeot exclaimed as it nodded in understanding at Pikachu. It then turned around to lead the flock Pidgey back into their home.
Pidgeot was stopped however, by the two Pidgeotto in the flock.
"Pidgeo," Pidgeot exclaimed as it frowned in confusion at the Pidgeotto.
The two Pidgeotto nodded and then motioned it over to where Ash was walking with their heads.
"Pidgeo," Pidgeot exclaimed as its eyes grew wide in surprise.
The Pidgeotto merely nodded again with content smiles.
"Pidgeeeo, Geeeo!" Pidgeot exclaimed with excitement as it took off towards Ash, who had made quite the headway down the road in the meantime.
Ash wasn't paying attention. He walked rather slowly with his gaze fixed on the ground in front of him.
Pidgeot landed right in front of Ash, which caused the boy to abruptly stop in his tracks.
Ash jerked his head up in surprise and saw Pidgeot in front of him. "Pidgeot, what are you doing?" he quizzically asked the bird pokemon.
"Pidgeeeo, Pidgeeeo!" Pidgeot exclaimed with an excited tone as it spread its wings.
"Uh, right…" Ash mumbled as he sweat-dropped, not quite understanding what Pidgeot is saying.
"Ash," Misty started as she walked up behind Ash. "I think Pidgeot's saying that it wants to come with you." She explained to the dense boy.
Ash looked back at Pidgeot. "Is that it, Pidgeot?" he asked the bird as his lips started curling into a smile. "You want to travel with me again?"
"Pidgeeeo," Pidgeot exclaimed with a positive nod.
Ash's face lit up considerably, but the joy was soon replaced with sorrow. "But, the Pidgey, you need to protect them…" he said as he bit down on his lower lip in disappointment.
Just then, the two Pidgeotto flew down and landed next to Ash and Pidgeot. They shook their heads and pointed to Ash with their beaks.
Ash; still confused pretty confused, just sweat-dropped at the three bird pokemon in front of him. "Uh," he mumbled in confusion.
"I get it," Misty said as she came up and stood next to Ash. "The Pidgeotto want Pidgeot to come with you Ash, they feel now that they have evolved; they are strong enough to defend the rest of the Pidgey from danger." She explained to the boy.
Ash slowly nodded as he processed the information. "So, that means you can come with us, Pidgeot!?" he asked in sheer excitement.
"Pidgeeeo," Pidgeot happily exclaimed as it nodded at Ash.
The entire group, consisting out of Ash, Misty, Pikachu and Pidgeot, happily cheered, until…
"WHOA!" Ash yelled out of the blue, which caused Misty, Pikachu and Pidgeot to all fall backwards out of shock.
"What's the big idea, Ash?" Misty irritatedly asked as she rubbed her head in annoyance.
"I don't have Pidgeot's pokeball with me!" Ash yelled in response.
"Now what are we going to do!?" Misty asked, with irritation evident in her voice. "We can't just fly Pidgeot all the way to Cerulean City!"
"That's a great idea, Misty!" Ash excitedly said. "But, you're thinking too far." He further added. "There might be a Pokemon Center closer to us than Cerulean City, so we're aiming for that instead!" he declared. "Once we get there, we can call Professor Oak and ask him to transfer Pidgeot's pokeball to us, since I left there." He finally concluded.
"Ash, that won't work!" Misty aggravatedly enlightened Ash. "We don't even know where the closest Pokemon Center is! It could be in Cerulean City for all we know!" she explained. "So riding Pidgeot all the way to there is out of the question." She finally declared as she crossed her arms.
Sadly; as Misty opened her eyes to look at Ash; she found him and Pikachu already busy climbing up onto Pidgeot's back.
"Are you coming, Misty?" Ash asked as he turned his head to face Misty.
Misty stared at the three of them in disbelief for a moment before sighing in agitation. "Yeah yeah, I'm coming…" she mumbled as she carefully got onto Pidgeot's back.
Once Misty was secure; Pidgeot took off with intent, which caused Misty to involuntary throw her arms around Ash's mid-section in order to stay on the bird pokemon's back. On the other hand; Pikachu was sitting comfortably on Pidgeot's head.
Pidgeot gained altitude until it was flying next to the clouds in the sky and then remained at a constant height from there on.
The clouds were really intriguing Misty and out of curiosity, she stuck her left arm out, albeit making sure to keep a tight grip on Ash with her other arm, and let it swerve thought the clouds next to them. It felt cold and tingled her bare skin, which made her giggle very un-Misty-ish.
"What's up, Misty?" Ash asked over his shoulder when he noticed Misty's giggling behind him.
"Oh, it's nothing, Ash." Misty answered nonchalantly. "Just the clouds." She explained.
Satisfied with the answer; Ash just shrugged and turned his attention back to the front as Pidgeot continued on its trek through the air...
Hey Ash: look!" Misty yelled out after quite a while of flying. "There's a Pokemon Center!" she excitedly yelled as she pointed down below a few yards in front of them.
Ash looked down and sure enough, the red pokeball-shaped roof of the Pokemon Center was clearly visible below them. "Alright, Pidgeot," he said as he looked down at Pidgeot, whom he noticed looked a bit worn out. "Land there over at the Pokemon Center, okay?" he ordered his reclaimed bird pokemon.
Pidgeot merely nodded as it began to make its descent down to the Pokemon Center.
Misty instinctively held on tighter to Ash and closed her eyes as Pidgeot quickly approached the ground below.
Pidgeot landed gracefully and without much trouble, right in front of the front doors of the Pokemon Center.
Misty slowly opened up one eye. "Phew…" she breathed a sigh of relief as she quickly climbed off of Pidgeot's back, happy with the fact that there was solid ground below her feet once more.
"Thanks, Pidgeot." Ash said as he climbed off of Pidgeot's back, followed closely by Pikachu. "You were awesome. You can just wait here. We won't be long, okay?" he suggested.
"Pidgeeo," Pidgeot nodded and flew towards a nearby tree, taking this opportunity to relax.
The group, consisting out of Pikachu, Ash and Misty, then headed into the Pokemon Center.
"Hello, and welcome to the Pokemon Center." Nurse Joy greeted with a friendly smile from behind the counter.
"Chansey Chans," Chansey added from next to Nurse Joy, also bearing a friendly smile on her face.
Ash, Pikachu and Misty all waved at Nurse Joy and Chansey before directing their attention towards the video phones in the corner. Ash made his way over to the phones while Misty took a seat on a couch nearby with Pikachu, who curled himself into a ball to get some rest.
Misty smiled at Pikachu and gently stroked his fur, which earned her a "Cha" in the process.
Meanwhile, Ash had already found himself a seat in front of a video phone and waited for Professor Oak to answer.
A picture of an elderly man with grayish hair and a white lab coat appeared on the screen. "Why hello there, Ash." Professor Oak happily greeted Ash. "It's good to see you again."
"Hey there, Professor Oak," Ash greeted Professor Oak with a smile. "I was just wondering of you could do me a favor…" Ash asked into the screen.
"Sure, Ash, what is it that you want me to do?" Professor Oak asked as he looked at Ash with curiousness in his eyes.
"I was just wondering if you could send over Pidgeot's pokeball to me." Ash asked Professor Oak,
Professor Oak looked quizzically at Ash for a moment. "Sure, Ash," he said after a while. "But I thought that your Pidgeot was protecting the flock of Pidgey in the area? I see the flock in the air from time-to-time." He added
Ash nodded. "It's a long story, Professor. I'll tell you all about it when I'm home again." He assured Professor Oak
Professor Oak nodded and then disappeared from the screen. He reappeared moments later. "Here it is." He said as he held a pokeball up to the screen for Ash to see. "I'll send it to you right away!" he informed the boy.
Ash nodded and sure enough, the said-pokeball materialized in the socket next to the phone. "Thanks a lot, Professor Oak!" he thanked Professor Oak as he held the pokeball up to the screen for him to see.
"No problem, Ash." Professor Oak said. "Take care of yourself!" he greeted before the screen turned black, signaling the end of the transaction.
"Hey, you guys, we're all done!" Ash said to Pikachu and Misty as he showed them the newly-reacquired pokeball of Pidgeot.
Misty and Pikachu nodded and stood up. The gang bid farewell to Nurse Joy and Chansey, and then left the Pokemon Center.
"Pidgeot, where are you?" Ash called out with his hands cupped around his mouth.
"Pidgeeeo," Pidgeot exclaimed as it appeared out of a nearby tree and landed in front of Ash.
"You deserve a nice, long rest, Pidgeot, return." Ash said as he held the pokeball up to Pidgeot.
Pidgeot disappeared into a red beam of energy which was retracted into the pokeball.
Ash then looked at the pokeball for a moment. He then smiled happily and placed it on his belt. He then turned his attention to Misty and Pikachu. "Well, guess we should get moving, you guys." He informed them
"Yeah," Misty agreed. "We can reach Cerulean City by lunch if we start walking now." She figured.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed and jumped on Ash's shoulder.
"Cerulean City, here we come!" Ash excitedly exclaimed as threw his fist in the air as the gang started walking down the road headed to Cerulean City…