Congradulations, Pokemon Master

Disclaimer: See Prolouge...

Chapter 2

Misty exited the ball room of the main hotel building and made her way into the courtyard. The fresh air was a miracle. Finally she was able to retreat away from all those crocked folk. Maybe she could think. What was her problem anyway? Who did she think she was? She kept in touch with Ash for a couple of years and was ecstatic to hear he was going to compete against the pokemon master in this well-loved tournament. She thought it was the perfect time to profess her love. That love that drills itself into your head, the love that turns deadly if not nurtured. She would profess and maybe her daydreams would become reality. She had left early for Indigo, met up with Ash to train and chat and every time she even tried to disclose her feelings, they'd be interrupted, he needed to train, or she'd simply stumble on her own words. When she finally had that perfect moment in a wonderfully romantic Indigo café, she realized the selfishness behind her actions. Ash was going to fight a major tournament, how could she distract him with her own crazed emotions. No, she wouldn't do it, not then, not when he needed to concentrate most. And thus, she was Ash-less, yet again.

"Misty!" A voice in the distance cried out, "Like, what's wrong with you?"

Misty sighed as she turned to face Daisy, "What do you want now, sister?"

"Like, just an explanation as to why you, like, bolted?" Daisy huffed out of breath.

"Because I'm claustrophobic, unlike you Daisy I don't always enjoy the company of hundreds of hoi polloi," Misty snarled.

"Isn't Ash like your friend?" Daisy inquired.

"What? Of course he is!" Misty remarked, "Why would you ask that?"

"Cause you're like kind of like a brat right now," Daisy replied, "You didn't even like talk to him."

"I did!" Misty cried, "Did you not hear my speech, Daisy?"

"That's not what I like mean, little sister, like one on one, y'know?" Daisy prodded.

"Just leave me alone, I'm tired and cranky and in need of some sleep," Misty sighed, pushing Daisy away.

"Listen, love shouldn't have like any excuses," Daisy smirked.

"What? I don't love Ash!" Misty barked.

"Uh huh, c'mon Mist! I am like your oldest sister, I would totally like know!" Daisy giggled, "after all, I am like engaged to that hot stud of a friend of yours."

"His name is Tracey, Daisy," Misty uttered.

"Ha! I like totally know that, sis!" Daisy bellowed, "What I'm like trying to say is I like definitely, totally know when I like see someone in love, and you're like totally head over heels over that boy."

"Leave me alone, Daisy, just go away," Misty said as she turned away from her sister, "Just let me go." And with that Misty went to her hotel room to rest her sore mind.

"Thank goodness they're clearing this room out! I'm too old for all this hustle and bustle," Delilah Ketchum mentioned as she and her son and their closest friends left the ball room.

"Anyway Ash, I think Miss Oak here and I are going to retire for the night," Brock stated as he gave his girlfriend, May Oak, a squeeze.

"Yeah, I think I need some alone time myself," Ash replied as he bid his friends goodnight.

"Misty, made quite a speech, didn't she dear?" Mrs. Ketchum said as she and her son were alone to walk the hotel.

Ash sighed, "Yeah, she always had a way with words."

"Anyway, darling, you should get your beauty sleep, after all you have a whole penthouse suite to enjoy for the night before that press conference tomorrow," his mother suggested.

"I guess you're right," Ash agreed. After kissing his mother goodnight, the young man and his pikachu made their way to his loft suite.

"Pika pi pikachupi?" Pikachu wondered as he entered the suite.

"I haven't seen her since her speech, I don't know where she went," Ash replied as he looked out his penthouse window at the sparkling city. "I wonder if all the pokemon are enjoying their spa retreat." Ash wondered.

"Pika piii!" Pikachu replied happily.

In her room, Misty tossed and turned, she couldn't sleep, not with the guilt she felt. She needed to see Ash, she needed to at least give him her own personal congratulations. After all, the night was still young, and she was still dressed and Ash was probably now by his lonesome relinquished in his thoughts of victory and happiness. In a moment, Misty fled her room and headed towards the penthouse of her best friend, Ash Ketchum.

In his room, Ash heard a faint knock on his door. "Who could be here at this hour?" Ash pondered as he made his way to the door. Immediately upon opening it, there stood the most glamorous girl of the night, Misty Waterflower.

"Um…sorry Ash, but I felt that I needed to…"

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu cried out.

"Hey Pikachu!" Misty exclaimed, "Haven't seen you at all today, congrats my friend, you are a great pokemon aren't you?"

"Piii…" Pikachu blushed. Ash smiled as his friend cooed his pokemon. Pikachu always had a soft spot for his fiery-haired (and tempered) friend.

"You want to come in?" Ash wondered (almost pleadingly).

Misty's eyes shone with longing but she wasn't sure, "I…I guess, um…" she looked back at Pikachu who winked at her.

"Pika pika pikachu chu pi," Pikachu said looking up at Ash.

"Are you sure Pikachu, I mean there is enough room for hundreds of people here!" Ash exclaimed.

"Pi pi pika," Pikachu responded.

"What's wrong?" Misty asked.

"Pikachu said he wants to go and join the other pokemon tonight in their celebrations," Ash responed, "Okay buddy, just remember that you guys should be up and ready to go tomorrow at the crack of dawn."

Pikachu nodded. Misty bent down to address the little one. "Thanks Pikachu, I really needed this time with Ash." The two embraced and parted as Pikachu made its way to its pokemon friends for the night.

"Coming in?" Ash asked.

"Definitely," Misty responded, closing the door behind her.