Well, uhm…wow. I'm sooo sorry for keeping you guys up for almost 2 months!
Life's just been really hectic these last three months. There was university tests to take, applications to fill out etc. The good news is that I've been provisionally accepted for next year, WHOOHOO!
But, in order to have achieved that; I had to really study hard to get good results. And it doesn't get easier…This coming week is going to be tough because of the final exams here in South Africa. So, I won't get a lot of writing done, since these marks count 75% of my year mark.
That wasn't all that kept me busy, though. After careful consideration; I decided to rewrite most of Chapters 1 – 6! I'm posting them along with this chapter, so the people that have been reading this story from the beginning, be sure to check that out, if you want to.
Anyway, thanks for all the reviews for the previous chapter.
Enjoy!
I do not own any characters or events related to Pokemon, this story is solely fan made.
Changing ways: Chapter 14: Returning conflict:
"PI – KA – CHUUU,"
"WHAAA…!" Misty screeched as she sat up in her bed and fell off the side in shock. "Ugh…what the heck was that…" she mumbled as she groggily sat up on her knees, rubbing her head. She looked around the room for any sign of the disturbance and her eyes then fell on the door of her room, which had an unusual yellow glow shining underneath from the other side. "Hmmm…I wonder what that is…" she wondered out loud as she slowly got back up onto her feet and started walking towards the door. However, when she walked past the mirror, her eyes grew wide and did a double take. Her reflection was staring back at her, wearing a pair of yellow panties and a sky blue strap t-shirt. She cringed as she darted towards the closet situated in the corner of the room and started rummaging through it, in search of some less revealing clothing. "That's better…" she mumbled as she pulled a pair light blue shorts over her legs.
"CHUUUU!" could be heard through the building once more, accompanied by bright yellow flashes of light through the hallway in which Misty's room was situated in.
"Hmmm…that sounds like Pikachu." Misty figured as she stepped out of the room, looking to both sides of the hallway to determine which way the ruckus was coming from.
"CHUUU," the sound once again rang through the halls of the Gym.
"I think it's coming from that way…" Misty mumbled to herself as she turned to her right. 'That leads to the pool!' she thought as she started running down the hall, sparks still lighting up everything…
"That's awesome Pikachu!" Ash yelled from one side of the pool. "Just keep those Thundershocks coming, buddy!"
"Pika Pika," Pikachu obeyed his trainer and then turned back to face his sparring partner, Kingler.
"Great job, Kingler," Ash complimented his loyal crab-like pokemon. "Just keep trying to dodge those electric attacks and I'll guarantee you'll be a whole lot stronger the next time we have a battle!"
"Cookie Cookie," Kingler exclaimed as it shook its giant pincer through the air determinedly, until Totodile tackled it from the side, sending it flying into the pool.
"Hey Totodile, what's the big idea!?" Ash yelled at his crocodile-like pokemon in annoyance.
"Toto-Dile," Totodile exclaimed while it danced on the spot and then its demeanor changed completely as it took a competitive fighting stance, facing a confused-looking Pikachu.
"Pika," Pikachu frowned at Totodile. "Pikapi?" he inquired as he turned to Ash, awaiting his orders.
"I guess Totodile wants to train too…" Ash figured as he stood with his hands on his hips, looking over at the focused Totodile. "Well…I guess you cou-"
"Hold it right there, Ash Ketchum!" a familiar voice called out.
"Huh…?" Ash mumbled as he turned towards the source of the yelling. "Oh, it's you, Misty." He remarked at his traveling companion.
Misty however, had an agitated look on her face as she slowly made her way over to Ash and Pikachu.
"What's up?" Ash asked her as he tilted his head to the side and lifted his brow.
Grabbing Ash by the ear; Misty started pulling the poor boy across the floor.
"Ouw ouw, not the ear, not the ear…" Ash muttered as he got pulled after Misty.
"Now…stand still!" Misty yelled as she forcefully planted Ash on the ground next to Totodile, who was now dancing excitedly because of all the commotion.
"Geez Misty, what gives?" Ash complained as he rubbed his throbbing ear with tearful eyes.
"What gives?" Misty angrily stated as she glared at Ash. "What 'GIVES' is you trying to get Totodile to battle!" she yelled with her hands on her hips.
"I don't really get what the problem is…" Ash plainly stated as he scratched the back of his head in confusion.
"The problem is that Totodile isn't allowed to strain itself!" Misty yelled at Ash. "Don't you remember that Nurse Joy told you to let Totodile rest?"
"Of course I remember!" Ash yelled back, slightly irritated. "But look at Totodile," Ash said as he pointed to the Big Jaw pokemon. "It looks just fine…and besides, a little trainer will help Totodile get healthy again!" he triumphantly stated with his nose pointed into the air.
"Totodile will not partake in any training!" Misty ordered as she folded her arms over her chest.
"But Misty," Ash started his protest.
"No buts." Misty concluded as she glared at Ash. "You heard what Nurse Joy said, Totodile has to get its rest."
"Fine…" Ash muttered out as he pouted, looking away from Misty and crossing his arms in disgust. He turned then turned to Totodile. "Sorry Totodile, I guess you're sitting this one out buddy."
"Toto…" Totodile sadly exclaimed as its shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Sorry, Totodile, but it is Nurse Joy's orders." Misty sympathized with Totodile as she stood on her knees in front of it, gently rubbing its jaw. "Now why don't you just sit and relax. I'll let Politoed out of its pokeball to keep you company if you want?" she politely suggested.
"Toto – Dile," Totodile happily nodded and did a little dance in approval of the suggestion. It has made quick friends with the lovable Frog pokemon because of their sharing love and interest in rhythm and dancing.
"Alright, it's settled then." Misty cheerfully concluded as she got back onto her feet. "As for the two of you…" she said, referring to Pikachu and Ash.
Ash and Pikachu both gulped and rubbed the back of their heads simultaneously.
"Hehe…uh, what's up Misty?" Ash asked with a nervous grin on his face.
"Pika Pika Pikachupi," Pikachu copied Ash's antics and grinned nervously at Misty.
"The two of you better have a very good reason as to why you woke me up at 5:54 in the morning!" Misty agitatedly yelled at the dynamic duo, clearly irritated at the rude awakening earlier in the morning.
"It was his fault!"
"Pika Pika,"
Both Ash and Pikachu turned to the other and pointed at each other, blaming the ruckus on the other.
"Me?" Ash yelled at his yellow partner while pointing to himself. "How can it be my fault? I wasn't the one that made the noise!"
"Pika Pika, Pika Pikachu!" Pikachu protested as he pointed to Ash.
"Well, come to think of it," Misty interrupted the two of them. "I really doubt that Pikachu will attack like that without orders, unless it was some sort of emergency, which it obviously wasn't! So that means…" she trailed off as she turned her attention solely to Ash, who gulped in response. "It was YOUR fault!" she yelled as she pointed to the poor, startled boy.
"Hey, now wait just a sec-"Ash started protesting, walking backwards as Misty slowly and devilishly approached him. "M-Misty…? W-What are you doing?" he nervously stuttered out with fear evident in his eyes.
"Now Ash," Misty said in a playful tone of voice as she inched ever closer to Ash. "You know it's not nice to wake other people up." She sweetly informed him as she gently grabbed hold of the brim of Ash's hat.
"I-I…" Ash stuttered out, feeling very flustered as his cheeks started darkening red.
"Yes Ash?" Misty lifted her brow as she smirked at the stumbling trainer.
"I…uh…I'm sorry?" Ash stumbled out as he carefully watched Misty's movements.
"Hmmm…I'm afraid sorry won't do it Ash…" Misty smirked mischievously. "What you did…was very…RUDE!"
And with that, Misty pushed Ash firmly against his chest, causing the poor pokemon trainer to stumble backwards into the pool.
"GYAAAH," Ash frantically yelled as he made contact with the rather cold water beneath him. His head reappeared rather quickly though, as he spat some water out of his mouth. Looking up, his eyes fell on Misty, who was standing over the edge of the pool in smirking down at him.
"So…how's the water Ash?" Misty asked as she stifled a giggle with her hand covering her mouth.
"Hardy Har-Har…" Ash grumpily mumbled as he slowly started making his way over towards her, until he noticed something. "Hey…where's my hat!?"
"…Your hat?" Misty sweetly asked as she tried to stop snickering.
"Yeah my hat…where the heck is it!?" Ash yelled as he looked around him to try and spot his hat maybe floating on the water. He disappeared in the water again and searched around below the surface for any sign of his precious hat. Sadly, he didn't find any trace of his hat and swam back up to the surface.
"Find anything, Ash?" Misty asked the pokemon trainer as he slowly started making his way over towards her again.
"No…I wonder where it could be…" Ash wondered out loud as he rested is arms on the edge of the pool, frowning deep in thought.
"Hmm…well…" Misty hummed as she put an all too familiar object on her head.
Ash noticed this and looked up at Misty. His eyes grew wide when he saw his precious Pokemon League hat, sitting comfortably on top of Misty's head! "Hey! Give that back!" he yelled as he jumped out of the pool in pursuit of his hat.
Misty smirked at Ash and took a few steps back. "Nuh uh uh..." she informed Ash as she shook her finger in a 'no'- fashion in front of the boy's face. "Not so fast…I think I'll hold onto this for a while…" she said in a singful manner as she drew her fingers along the brim of the hat.
"Hey, that's not fair, Misty!" Ash objected as he lunged at Misty, who in return merely stepped out of the way, causing Ash to fall flat on his face. He quickly recovered though, and glared at her in irritation. "Give me back my hat! It's mine!" he once again tried as he closed in on Misty.
"Oh come on, Ashy-boy." Misty teased and giggled at her own little game.
"No!" Ash yelled as he lunged at her again, becoming more agitated because of the little nickname that Misty gave him. "Now give…it…back!" he yelled as he made a grab for her, but missed her completely.
Unfortunately for Ash, Misty now stood directly behind him. In front of him was the ever-present pool from which he recently just emerged from.
"So, that's how you wanna play, eh, Ash?" Misty maniacally smirked as she put her hands on Ash's back.
Ash visibly gulped as he realized the trouble he currently found himself in. He was facing the pool and was off balance. A simple movement from behind would send him falling right back into the water. So it was safe to say that he was at Misty's mercy. "Uh…now Misty let's not do anything rash…" he nervously laughed.
"Oh Ash," Misty again started in a singing voice. "I'm afraid it's too late for that…" she maniacally said as she applied some pressure on Ash's back.
Unfortunately for Ash; that little pressure was all that was needed as he fell, right back into the cold water. His head quickly reappeared from the water, an agitated look evident on his face as he glared at Misty.
"Having fun, Ash?" Misty giggled as she moved Ash's hat around on her head, making sure that it was in the right position and to further annoy the steaming boy, of course.
Ash growled at Misty, who was giggling at his predicament again. His attention was then attracted by Pikachu however, who was rolling on the floor because of laughter. He slowly and quietly paddled over to his yellow partner, who was oblivious because of his laughing state. "Oh Pikachu…" he said in a playful, yet maniacal tone.
Pikachu immediately ceased his laughing as his eyes grew wide when he looked up and saw his trainer with a devilish look in his eye.
"I see you're enjoying the show, eh?" Ash asked Pikachu with an evil smirk on his face as he hovered over the poor yellow mouse.
Pikachu gulped as his master got closer and closer. "Pika Pikachu," he exclaimed with a nervous chuckle as he held his paws defensively in front of him.
His attempts were futile however, because Ash was now mere inches above him, with a devilish smirk playing on his lips.
"You know Pikachu; the water's actually kind of nice…" Ash started as he looked down at his nervous little pokemon. "I think you should see for yourself!" he yelled as he grabbed hold of Pikachu and pulled the poor defenseless mouse down into the water with him.
Pikachu's head emerged out of the water after a while. "Pika," he complained as he started making his way over to the side of the pool.
"Now, wasn't that fun, Pikachu?" Ash asked as he shook his head to dry his hair a bit.
"Pika Pika," Pikachu exasperatedly sighed as he got back onto solid ground. The yellow mouse didn't really enjoy being in the water. His fur didn't quite agree with being wet. Sure he swam all the time, albeit with his swimming tube, which meant the majority of his body stayed dry. He stood on all fours and started shaking his body to get rid of the excess water in his fur. "Pikapi…" he exclaimed as he turned back to his master in the pool with an annoyed look on his face.
"Hehe," Ash nervously giggled as Pikachu approached him with sparks emitting from the yellow mouse's cheeks. "Now Pikachu, we were having a bit of fun, eh, buddy?" he tried pleading with the yellow mouse.
"Pika Pika," Pikachu stated as he put his paw in the water, intent on giving his master the shock of his life.
Kingler had gotten out of the water in the meantime, for safety reasons.
"Pi – Ka – Ch-"Pikachu started his Thunderbolt sequence.
"Alright, you two, knock it off." Misty interrupted Ash and Pikachu's little "war". "As much as I would want to see Pikachu get his revenge; I'm hungry." She announced. "So, get dry, you two; we're going to town to get some breakfast." She ordered and then headed back upstairs towards her room.
Ash merely sighed and climbed out of the pool, relieved to be safe from Pikachu's wrath for the moment. He now stared another dilemma in the face, however. 'Oh man, my clothes are all wet." He complained.
Ash was indeed soaking wet. The silver however, was that he was still wearing his swimming trunks from yesterday, so he at least had a dry pair of pants safely tucked away in his backpack. He also wore his white shirt with an orange zigzag pattern around the middle, so his black shirt was also safe and dry in his backpack.
"Cookie Cookie," Kingler happily exclaimed as it jumped back into the water.
"Toto – Dile," Totodile added as it happily danced on the floor, or rather above the floor in the air.
"Alright, you two," Ash addressed Kingler and Totodile. "Since we're probably going to a restaurant; I'm afraid that I'll have to put you guys back into your pokeballs until we get back." He explained.
"Cookie Cookie," Kingler nodded in understanding.
"Toto – Dile," Totodile agreed with a little mid-air dance.
"Thanks for understanding, you guys." Ash said as he smiled at his two Water type pokemon. "I promise that we'll play together as soon as we get back." He added as he grabbed Kingler and Totodile's respective pokeballs on the bench next to the pool. "Return, you two," He pronounced as the two Water type pokemon were retracted into their respective pokeballs.
"Ash," Misty called out from the doorway, which caused Ash to turn towards her. "Well," she started as she placed her hands on her hips. "Aren't you going to change? I want to eat, you know." She said as she glared at the boy.
She was wearing her normal attire again today, which consistent of short jean shorts with suspenders and a light yellow sleeveless shirt which exposed her midriff. But, one significant piece of clothing that she was sporting was Ash's hat which was on her head.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Ash said as he sheepishly scratched the back of his head. "Just give me a few minutes!" he yelled over his shoulder as he made his way towards the living quarters.
A little while later, after Ash had gotten dressed, brushed his teeth etc.; he, Misty and Pikachu were walking through the streets of Cerulean City, on their way to some breakfast.
"So Misty," Ash started as he turned to Misty with Pikachu perched on his shoulder. "Where are we going?" he curiously asked, seeing as he didn't have a clue as to where Misty was leading them.
"Well," Misty started as she placed a finger on her chin. "I was thinking that we could eat at that restaurant where we ate yesterday, since it's not too far from here and the food is not too bad either." She suggested.
"Sure!" Ash called out, suddenly excited about the prospect of food. "Come on, Pikachu; let's hurry!" he yelled as he started running ahead, but he soon retraced his steps back to Misty. "Uh, where is the restaurant again?" he sheepishly asked as he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
Misty and Pikachu both sighed in aggravation at Ash's rushful behavior.
"Come on," Misty instructed as she started walking down the road. "Follow me, and DON'T run ahead!" she scowled. "It's rude to leave a lady on her own, you know…" she stated matter-of-factly.
"Whatever…" Ash mumbled as he crossed his arms in annoyance.
The rest of the trip to the restaurant was silent as Ash was grouchy over the pace at which they were moving towards the food the fact that Misty was deliberately walking slower to irritate Ash, still with his hat on her head. They walked into the restaurant, which was again, almost empty, with just two of the many tables occupied.
"Well, I guess we have a lot of seating options…" Ash remarked as he looked around the restaurant.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed from Ash's shoulders, mimicking his master's actions of scanning the crowd.
"Well, we're sitting here, then." Misty concluded as she sat down at a table which was situated relatively in the center of the restaurant.
Ash and Pikachu shrugged at each other before sitting down across Misty.
"Man, am I hungry." Ash declared as he rubbed over his empty stomach.
"Pika Pika," Pikachu agreed as he sat down next to Ash.
"I'm kind of hungry myself." Misty added from the other side of the table.
The three of them noticed the same waitress with the red hair that served them yesterday; approach them, scribbling something in her notebook.
The waitress stopped in front of their table, still scribbling in her little notebook. "Hello, and welcome to th-"she started, before she looked up and saw who was sitting in front of her.
"Hi there," Ash innocently greeted the waitress and waved at her, with Misty and Pikachu also bearing friendly, innocent smiles.
"Uh, hehehe…" the waitress nervously giggled as her forehead started to sweat.
"Are you okay, Miss?" Ash asked as he lifted his brow at the weird-behaving waitress.
"I uh…" the waitress stuttered out as she nervously stared at the two children and Pikachu in front of her. "Here you go!" she quickly said as she put two menus down on the table. "I'll be with you shortly to take your orders!" she quickly yelled as disappeared into the door which led to the kitchen at the speed of light. She came to a halt before her two comrades; the blue-haired waiter and the cat-like chef.
"What's up with you?" James skeptically asked as he stared at Jessie with a lifted brow.
"The…the…" Jessie exclaimed in between breathes.
"Yes?" James urged her on. "Continue?"
"Yeah, spit it owt, Jess." Meowth exclaimed from the other side of the oven.
"It's…the…twerps!" Jessie finally managed to say in between her panting.
"Da twerps…?" Meowth skeptically asked. "Are yous sure about that, Jess?"
"Of course I'm sure!" Jessie yelled as she brought her fist down, connecting it with Meowth's head, causing the cat-like pokemon to splash down onto the floor.
"So, you're saying that the twerps are in this building at this very moment?" James asked, interrupting Jessie and Meowth.
"Yes!" Jessie yelled as she turned to face James. "They're sitting out there!" she yelled as she pointed to the door leading to the tables of the restaurant, as well as Ash, Misty and the "prized" Pikachu.
"Well, what are we waitin' fowr!?" Meowth excitedly exclaimed, seemingly having recovered from Jessie's earlier attack. He then made his way towards the door, intent on grabbing Pikachu as soon as possible, until however; he was grabbed by James from behind.
"HOLD IT!" James ordered as he pulled Meowth back to him. He then turned to Jessie and pulled himself, Meowth and her into a little huddle.
"What gives, James?" a startled Jessie asked as she frowned at James's sudden weird behavior.
"Yeah, Jimbo, what's goin' on?" Meowth also asked.
"Wait a second!" Jessie suddenly exclaimed. "I know what's going on!" she declared.
"Ya do?" Meowth asked as he turned to Jessie.
"Of course, this is the same thing that James ranted on about yesterday!" Jessie informed Meowth. "About how we don't have enough money to keep chasing the twerps around, remember?" she added.
"Oh, that!" Meowth exclaimed. "Yeah, I remember that!" he added as he turned to face James.
"Well, for your information;" James started as he crossed his arms in annoyance. "That was not what I was going to say." He said with a hurt huff.
"Then what did you want to say?" Jessie now curiously asked.
"Well, I WANTED to say that, if we want to capture Pikachu; we would need a plan." James informed Jessie and Meowth.
"So, let's think of one, then!" Jessie excitedly blurted out.
"I'm way ahead of you…" James informed both Jessie and Meowth.
"What do ya mean, Jimbo?" Meowth asked as he looked at James with a raised brow.
"Oh, you'll see…" James said with a maniacal grin, which caused Jessie and Meowth's curiosity to only increase that much more as James started explaining his brilliant, secretive plan to his team members…
Meanwhile, Ash, Misty and Pikachu were patiently waiting for their waitress to return. They had already decided on what each of them wanted and were now just idly chatting away.
"So, Misty," Ash started as he frowned at Misty.
"Yes Ash, what is it?" Misty asked as she stared back at Ash with a raised brow, curious to what Ash was frowning at her for.
"Well, could you like, give me my hat back!" Ash exploded as he glared Misty in annoyance.
"Hmmm…" Misty exclaimed as she slid her fingers over the brim of Ash's hat, which comfortably sitting on her head. "No." was her short, yet powerful reply.
"No?" Ash repeated in disbelief. "But, why not, I mean, it's my hat to start with!" he enlightened Misty with a scowl.
"And your point is?" Misty asked nonchalantly as she played with the point of the menu in front of her.
"My POINT is that I'm going to get sunburn!" Ash explained. "I don't want my brain fried, you know!"
"Pffft…" Misty huffed as she waved Ash's comment off. "Your head is emptier than a Ho-OOOOOOOLE!" she wanted to state before the ground gave away below her, causing the last letters of the word to be dramatically exaggerated as she, Ash and Pikachu all fell into the darkness, accompanied by loud screaming, of a hole below them…
A little cliff hanger, I guess…What will happen to Ash, Misty and Pikachu!? What is this mysterious, yet very unsurprising predicament they find themselves in? Stay tuned!
I hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and the rewritten first six chapters!
Until next time!