Chapter 3: A Slip of the Tongue

"Okay, Starmie! Let's finish this with Water Gun!" A smile graced Misty's face as she watched her beloved Starmie defeat her opponent's final Pokémon with a powerful and well-aimed Water Gun.

"Stoutland is unable to battle! Starmie wins, which means the victor is the Gym Leader, Misty!" Daisy announced.

"Alright!" Misty cheered. As Misty celebrated another Gym battle victory Daisy looked on, a smile on her face. In her mind this is what Misty needed, something to help her relieve the stress of dealing with all the problems in her life.

"Thank you, Starmie. I can always count on you in a pinch," Misty praised. The Mysterious Pokémon responded happily to Misty's praise, while on the other side of the field the defeated trainer was trying to console his Pokémon.

"It's okay, Stoutland. You were great," he said.

"I'll say he was," Daisy agreed as she and Misty approached him. "There aren't many Pokémon that can go head-to-head with Misty's Gyarados, let alone defeat him."

"R-Really?" the youngster questioned.

"Yeah. Your Stoutland is one impressive Pokémon," Misty commented. Hearing this not only lifted the boy's spirits but those of his Stoutland as well.

"Did you hear that, boy?! They were impressed with us!" he shouted. His Stoutland let out a chorus of happy barks.

"In fact I wouldn't mind battling you myself," Daisy stated. "I'd love it if you came back to challenge us again so I can have a battle with you." Hearing this the boy jumped to his feet, a huge grin on his face.

"You bet!" he said. "Come on, Stoutland! We've got to get stronger!" With the promise of another Gym battle in the future the boy and his Stoutland hurriedly exited the Gym to begin training. Both Misty and Daisy couldn't help but smile.

"I say he'll be back tomorrow," Misty assumed.

"I wouldn't doubt it," Daisy agreed. "Still, he seemed to be quite the tough little cookie."

"He was. His Stoutland really surprised me with that Thunder Fang," Misty admitted. "The fact it was strong enough to knock out Gyarados in one shot… that really shocked me, no pun intended."

"I can imagine," Daisy commented. "Well, now that all the challengers have been taken care of what do you plan to do for the rest of the day?"

"Before I do anything I'm heading to the Pokémon Center to get my Pokémon taken care of. They definitely need it after that battle," Misty said.

"I'll take care of things here until you get back," Daisy said. Misty nodded and recalled her Pokémon to their Poké Balls.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," she called as she headed out of the Gym on her way to the Pokémon Center.

"Your Pokémon's energy has been restored, Misty," Nurse Joy said, handing the youngest Waterflower her Poké Balls.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Misty said, taking the Poké Balls and placing them in her bag.

"So, how are things going at the Gym?" Nurse Joy wondered. "Are Lily and Violet…"

"Still as useless as ever? Unfortunately yes, they are," Misty sighed. "I'm really beginning to question whether or not they're still serious about being Gym Leaders."

"Just look on the bright side… at least you still have Daisy," Nurse Joy said.

"True, but there's only so much the two of us can do. If Lily and Violet would take their duties seriously the Gym would be so much better off," Misty said. Nurse Joy shook her head. As a close friend of the Waterflower family it pained her to see what had become of the sisters. Before she could comment on things further the Pokémon Center's videophone went off.

"I'll be right back," she said. As Nurse Joy left to answer the phone Misty thought back on how her life used to be, before the tragedy at Pallet Town. Before then she and her sisters, while not the perfect family, were a lot closer. Now though it was split right down the middle with her and Daisy on one side and Lily and Violet on the other. A sad sigh escaped her lips as she once again hoped that things between the four of them would improve.

"Misty! It's for you!" Nurse Joy called. Misty was a bit confused. The only person who knew she would be at the Pokémon Center was Daisy, and the only reason she'd call is if Misty had a challenger, but since there weren't any more challengers scheduled for the day Misty knew that wasn't the case.

"Instead of standing here wondering I should just go see who it is," she said. She made her way over to the videophone and sat down.

"Misty speaking," she said.

"Hey, Red. How's it going?"

"Gary! This is a surprise," Misty greeted Ash's one time rival now turned Pokémon professor.

"It's been a while," Gary said.

"That it has," Misty agreed. "How did you even know I was here?"

"I called at the Gym and Daisy told me you were at the Pokémon Center," Gary explained. "She also said your last challenger really made you work for that victory."

"He gave me a run for my money, but it wasn't anything I couldn't handle," Misty bragged.

"Now who does that remind me of?" Gary commented.

"I know. I guess a little bit of Ash rubbed off on me during our travels," Misty laughed. There was a brief silence before Misty spoke again.

"So, was this a business call or did you just want to catch up?" she asked.

"Actually, Gramps and I need a favor. We're planning on adding a new Water Pokémon habitat at the ranch and we'd like for you to come and supervise," Gary explained. Misty wasn't expecting this, but the fact Gary called for her specifically spoke volumes about her expertise on Water Pokémon.

"I'd be glad to help, but I'll need to clear things with Daisy first," Misty said.

"That won't be necessary," Gary stated, much to Misty's confusion. "You see, it was Daisy who recommended me ask you this in the first place."

"She did?" Misty inquired.

"Yeah. She said Lily and Violet were still giving you a hard time and coming out to Pallet Town for a while would be the perfect getaway," Gary explained. After hearing Gary's explanation Misty smiled. She should have known Daisy would be looking out for her. She made a mental note to makes sure and thank her when she got back to the Gym.

"In that case I'll head out there right away," Misty said.

"Great. See you when you get here." With that the call was ended.

"Guess it's back to the Gym. I've got a long trip to get ready for." After saying goodbye to Nurse Joy Misty left and headed back towards the Gym to prepare for her trip.

It took Misty no time at all to get back to the Gym. Along the way she thought about what kind of help she would need to provide. Even though Gary said all she would do was supervise Misty wanted a more hands-on role in the creation of the new Water Pokémon habitat. After all there was nothing she enjoyed more than helping Water Pokémon.

"This will be a nice change of pace," she mused. "Not that I don't enjoy being at the Gym, but it's nice to do something different every now and then." She had just walked up to the front door of the Gym when she heard what sounded like arguing coming from inside.

"Sounds like Lily and Violet sound something to whine about," Misty sighed. She pushed the door opened and was finally able to hear what the argument was about.

"So why is it Misty can leave when she damn well pleases but we can't?! Do you have any idea how unfair that is?!" Lily griped.

"About as unfair as it was for us to take that world cruise and leave Misty here to run the Gym by herself!" Daisy retorted.

"Hey! It wasn't our fault only three of us could go! One of us had to stay behind!" Violet argued.

"That's no excuse for us doing what we did to Misty!" Daisy replied.

"But…"

"This conversation is over!" Daisy declared, interrupting Lily. "I don't want to hear any more of your whining, understand?! Misty is heading to Pallet Town whether you two like it or not!" It made Misty feel good to see Daisy sticking up for her like that, but at the same time she wished things would go back to the way they were, where the only conflicts were those between her and trainers looking to win a Gym badge.

"I'm afraid we're too far gone for those days to ever return," Misty sighed. By now it was clear that she'd have to deal with Lily and Violet before leaving for Pallet Town. Deciding there was no reason to put this off any longer Misty entered the Gym, attracting the attention of her sisters.

"Well, speaking of the 'special sister'," Lily spat.

"Shut it, Lily!" Daisy chastised. "I take it Gary contacted you at the Pokémon Center?"

"Yeah. I'm here to get some of my Pokémon to bring along for the trip," Misty explained.

"Okay. Which ones are you taking?" Daisy wondered. Misty began to think about which ones would be the best to bring along.

"Let's see… I think I'll bring Marill, Gyarados, Staryu, Corsola, Horsea and…"

"Psy…"

"And Psyduck," Misty sighed. She could hear Lily and Violet snickering in the background.

"That Psyduck is pathetic," Violet said.

"This coming from the lazy-ass that wrote the book on being pathetic," Misty spat. Violet was going to respond, but one icy glare from Daisy put an end to that thought.

"How long do you think you'll be?" Daisy inquired.

"I don't think it'll take too long. Professor Oak and Gary know plenty about Pokémon. I figured they just wanted someone who's an expert on Water types to give them some pointers," Misty explained. Daisy figured that made sense, so after helping Misty gather her things for the trip the two headed to the front door.

"You sure you're going to be okay with those two?" Misty asked.

"It's going to take everything I can muster to not beat them senseless, but I'll manage," Daisy replied.

"Okay," Misty replied. "I'll let you know when I've arrived."

"Take care," Daisy said. With that Misty got on her bike and peddled off. She knew it would take her some time to arrive in Pallet Town, enough time for her to think of ways to help Professor Oak and Gary on their project.

"How's it looking, Misty?"

"Perfect." Just as Misty had figured by the time she arrived the Oaks had much of the new habitat completed.

"That's good. I was afraid it would be a bit more difficult to create the type of habitat we wanted," Gary admitted. "That's why we were relieved when you agreed to help."

"To be honest I was surprised to discover that you wanted to make a swamp-like habitat, but you two really nailed it," Misty said.

"Well you really helped when it came to the finishing touches," Gary praised.

"Glad I could help," Misty replied. Now that the habitat was finished Misty took a look around the ranch. I was just as she remembered. Large open fields, thick wooded areas and plenty of rivers and lakes meant any kind of Pokémon could live here comfortably. And yet, even with all the Pokémon there, the place felt lifeless.

"It's not the same without them here," she sighed. When Ash left Pallet Town his Pokémon went with him. No herd of Tauros roaming through the fields, no Muk to give his usual over affectionate greeting, no Snorlax lounging around in the shade. Without Ash's Pokémon around the ranch seemed to have lost some of its charm.

"Dull, isn't it," Gary commented.

"Yeah, especially without Ash's Pokémon around," Misty agreed. "It just doesn't feel like the same place without them."

"I know what you mean," Gary said.

"I wonder how they're doing," Misty mused.

"Don't know. I'll have to ask Professor Juniper next time I'm in Unova." Unbeknownst to Gary he had Misty's full attention.

"What did you say?" she asked.

"Huh?" Gary inquired.

"When I mentioned Ash you said you'd have to ask Professor Juniper when you headed back to Unova," Misty explained. "Does that mean he's in Unova?" Right then Gary realized the mistake he made.

"Oh shit… I said that out loud, didn't I," he groaned.

"Gary… is Ash in Unova?" Misty repeated.

"I… um…"

"Tell me, Gary," Misty demanded.

"I can't. I promised Professor Juniper I'd…"

"Gary… if you don't tell me right now I'm going to send you on a one-way trip to Unova with my mallet," Misty warned. Gary remembered all the stories he had heard of Misty's Mallet of Doom, and he knew he didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

"Alright, I'll tell you," he relented.

"I knew you'd see things my way," Misty said.

"I'll tell you, but not here. Let's head to the lab." With Gary leading the way the duo headed towards Professor Oak's lab, where Misty would hopefully finally discover where Ash has been the past five years.

A verbal mistake on Gary's part may have provided Misty with her first clue in finding out where Ash is. Where will things go from here? is Ash really in Unova? Find out in the next chapter of Regrets & Redemption!

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