Chapter 4: A Clue to His Whereabouts
Thanks to an accidental slipup by Gary Misty may have gotten her first clue about where Ash has been since the Team Rocket attack on Pallet Town over five years ago. After come persuasion (and a threat from her Mallet of Doom) Misty convinced Gary to reveal what he knew about Ash's whereabouts. However the young Oak convinced Misty to return to the lab before he told her anything.
"So, how long have you known?" Misty inquired as they headed back to the lab.
"I don't know about Gramps, but I only found out a couple of years ago when I ran into him in Unova," Gary replied.
"You met him?" Misty questioned.
"Yeah, I did," Gary answered.
"Did you ask him where he's been staying?" Misty asked.
"I did, but he didn't tell me. He said it was safer if fewer people knew," Gary explained. When she heard that Misty began to wonder about Ash's safety.
"Safer? Just what the Hell have you gotten yourself into, Ash?" Before she could ask Gary that question the two of them arrived at Professor Oak's lab. As they got closer they could see the professor outside with a couple of new trainers.
"Thanks, Professor," the trainers said as they left with their new Pokémon. The elderly professor just waved and smiled.
"Ah, there's nothing like seeing new trainers take the first steps of their new journeys," he said. "Reminds me of the old days." He was about to head back inside when he noticed Gary and Misty approaching.
"Misty. Gary. How's the habitat coming?" he inquired.
"We just finished, Gramps," Gary reported.
"Excellent news. I'm sure the Water Pokémon will be happy to have a new place to call home," Professor Oak said. "I want to thank you again for your help, Misty."
"It was my pleasure," Misty replied.
"Please, come inside. I'm sure you two are exhausted after working so hard." The two of them took Professor Oak up on his offer and followed him inside his lab. As Misty looked around she could see not much had changed. Computers and bookshelves lined the walls, and the tables were loaded down with various research notes. There was, however, something amiss.
"Where's Tracey?" Misty wondered.
"He's running an errand for me in Viridian City," Professor Oak replied. Misty had wanted to see Tracey during her visit, but the fact that he wasn't there meant Professor Oak and Gary were more likely to tell her about Ash.
Can I get you two anything?" Professor Oak offered.
"Actually, Professor, I need some answers," Misty said.
"Answers?" Professor Oak inquired. He wasn't sure what Misty meant, but something in the tone of her voice told him it was a serious matter.
"I'll try to provide the answers you're looking for," the professor said. "Now, what is it you need to know?"
"Here goes nothing." Misty took a deep breath and asked her question.
"Professor… is Ash in Unova?" Judging by his reaction Misty could tell that was not what Professor Oak thought she wanted to know.
"I… don't know why you'd think I'd know," he said. "I have no idea where…"
"Gary told me you may know," Misty interrupted. Professor Oak looked over at his grandson, who looked away in shame.
"Sorry, Gramps. It's just… I didn't mean to let it slip," he apologized.
"In all fairness I kinda pressured him into telling me," Misty admitted. Professor Oak sighed, though it wasn't a sigh of annoyance. Rather, it was a sigh of amazement.
"It's alright. I knew it would come out sooner or later, and I know how persuasive Misty can be," he admitted. With that cleared up he turned his attention to Misty.
"Suppose I tell you he is in Unova. What would you do then?" he inquired.
"The only thing I could do… go find him," Misty answered.
"And what if he doesn't want to be found? Then what?" Professor Oak said. That was something the young Waterflower hadn't considered. She was so focused on finding out where Ash was that she never considered the fact that he may not have wanted to be found in the first place. The doubts creeping into her mind were slowly wakening her resolve. It appeared as though her search for Ash would end shortly after it begun. However…
"I… I don't care," she said. "I don't care if he wants to be found or not. I'm tired of worrying about him! I'm tired of wondering whether he's safe or not! I'm… I'm tired of feeling alone…" The sounds of a lonely heart echoed loudly in Misty's words. It was clear to Professor Oak that this was more about Misty reuniting herself with her childhood friend and less about just finding him. With that in mind he walked over to one of his computers and began typing away.
"Hey, aren't you going to tell her where Ash is?!" Gary griped. With Professor Oak seemingly not interested in Misty's plight anymore it seemed that the young Waterflower would leave without finding any answers.
"When you get to Unova seek out Professor Juniper in Nuvema Town. She'll tell you where Ash is. I'll call ahead to let her know you're coming," Professor Oak suddenly said. He then walked over and handed Misty a plane ticket.
"P-Professor," Misty stuttered.
"And when you do find Ash, tell him I said hello," he added with a smile, which Misty reciprocated.
"I-I will! Thank you!" Misty wasted no time rushing out of the lab to prepare for her trip to the Unova region, leaving the two professors behind.
"You think she'll be able to find him?" Gary wondered.
"If anyone can it's her," Professor Oak answered.
After leaving the lab Misty rushed to the port where the seaplane she would take to Unova was docked. Since there was still some time before the plane would depart she found a videophone and called home. Thankfully Daisy answered, and when the eldest Waterflower heard the news she was almost as excited as Misty was.
"Misty, that's great!" Daisy exclaimed. "This is the first big lead anyone's had in finding him in, like, ever!"
"I know! I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it," Misty replied.
"So I guess this means you're heading to Unova now, right?" Daisy assumed.
"I'm sorry. I know I should be heading back to help you with the Gym and all," Misty apologized.
"Oh no. Don't you dare think about coming back here," Daisy declared. Misty was a bit confused by what Daisy just said, but before she could question her Daisy continued.
"You finally know where Ash is and there's no way I'm letting you pass this opportunity up," she declared. "You're going to Unova to find him. That's what you really want, isn't it?"
"But what about Lily and Violet? What are they going to say once they find out?" Misty asked.
"Who gives a damn," Daisy answered.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," Misty agreed.
ATTENTION! FLIGHT 42 BOUND FOR NUVEMA TOWN IN UNOVA WILL BE DEPARTING IN 10 MINUTES!
"That's my flight," Misty said.
"Alright then. Take care, sis," Daisy said.
"I'll call you once I get to Unova," Misty promised. She quickly ended the call and headed for the seaplane. Once she was onboard she quickly found her seat. While waiting for everyone else she thought about what she would find once she arrived in Unova. As she was occupied with her thoughts the remaining passengers boarded the plane. Shortly after that the plane left the port. Once it had built up sufficient speed it took to the skies. Misty glanced out the window and watched as Kanto became smaller the further away she got.
"There's no telling how long this trip will take. Might as well get some sleep before I arrive." Misty closed her eyes and let sleep take over as she awaited the plane's arrival in Unova.
ATTENTION, PASSENGERS! WE WILL BE LANDING IN NUVEMA TOWN, UNOVA SHORTLY! WE THANK YOU FOR FLYING PELLIPER AIRLINES!
Misty's eyes fluttered open as the announcement repeated itself. She didn't know how long she was asleep, but she did know that she was only a few short minutes away from her destination. Looking out the plane window she could see a large land mass growing larger with each passing second.
"That's Unova down there," she said. As the plane grew closer to the mainland the excitement of exploring a new land began to fill Misty. She couldn't remember the last time she felt this way. Pretty soon, though, she began to think about what to do once she departed.
"I'll have to find out where Professor Juniper's lab is," she said. "Maybe I should have asked Professor Oak about that before I left his lab." Within minutes the plane landed and docked at the pier. As soon as the plane was docked and the passengers given leave to disembark Misty made her way off as quickly as she could. Looking around the Kanto native noticed that, aside from the unique species of Pokémon, there didn't appear to be much difference between Unova and Kanto.
"Of course this is just first appearance, and those can be deceiving," Misty commented. "Still, this looks like a really nice place." She could have looked around at the scenery for ages, but she had business to attend to.
"Gotta find Professor Juniper's lab." She looked around to find some kind of sign pointing to the lab, but unfortunately there weren't any. That left Misty with only one option. Looking around she soon spotted someone who she hoped could tell her where she needed to go.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me where Professor Juniper's lab is?" she asked.
"Sure. Just follow the road and it'll be one your right. You can't miss it." After saying thanks Misty took off down the road. In her mind the sooner she got to Professor Juniper's lab the sooner she would find out where Ash was.
"This must be Professor Juniper's lab." Just as she had been told the lab was hard to miss. Just like Professor Oak's lab it was a rather large building, but unlike his the front was lined with large windows that allowed people to see inside. Looking inside she could see various table and computers lining the walls.
"Well, might as well she if she's in." Misty walked up to the glass doors. Once they opened she stepped inside.
"Hello? Professor Juniper? Are you here?" she called.
"I'll be with you in a second!" a woman's voice replied. Moments later a young woman walked into the room.
"Sorry I wasn't here to greet you," she apologized. "I'm Professor Juniper. How may I help you?"
"I'm Misty. Professor Oak said you'd be expecting me," Misty explained.
"Ah, yes. He did call ahead about you," Professor Juniper said. "He also told me why you're here." Right then the mood took a slightly serious turn.
"I have to find him. Now that I'm this close I just have to," Misty declared.
"And you're sure he'll want to see you?" Professor Juniper questioned. "He's been in isolation for many years now."
"I don't care. I'll find him whether he likes it or not," the young Waterflower said.
"And then what? What do you plan to do after you find him?" Professor Juniper asked.
"The only thing I can do… bring him back home," Misty replied.
"And if he doesn't want to come home? Then what?" the professor continued.
"Then I keep trying," Misty answered. Professor Juniper noticed a familiar determination in Misty's eyes and in her voice.
"You know, you remind me a lot of Ash," she commented.
"Guess some of him rubbed off on me during our travels," Misty confessed. The two women shared a brief laugh together.
"Okay, I'll tell you where you can find Ash," Professor Juniper announced. Misty could barely contain her excitement as she watched Professor Juniper pull out a map of the Unova region. She spread the map out on a nearby table and pointed to a city on the southern end of the mainland.
"There. That's where you have to go to find him," she said.
"Where's that?" Misty asked.
"Castelia City, one of the largest cities in the entire Unova region," Professor Juniper replied.
"And that's where he is?" Misty inquired.
"Not exactly. He actually lives on an island. You'll need to take a boat there from Castelia City to reach him, unless you have a Flying type Pokémon," Professor Juniper explained. Unfortunately for Misty she didn't.
"Then your only choice is to reach Castelia City and take a boat," Professor Juniper said.
"Well there's a problem with that," Misty announced.
"What's that?" Professor Juniper inquired.
"I have no idea how to get to Castelia City from here," Misty said. That was the one thing neither woman had considered. Misty wasn't from the Unova region so she didn't know how to get around from one city to another.
"If only you had a guide," Professor Juniper mused. Then, as if on cue, the doors to the lab opened and a familiar face walked in.
"Hi, Professor!"
"Iris!" Misty gasped.
"Huh? Misty? What are you doing here?" the budding Dragon master asked. Professor Juniper hadn't expected Iris to show up when she did, so she didn't have an excuse ready. Fortunately for her Misty was on the ball.
"Professor Oak sent me here on an errand for him," she lied. "He wanted me to take a look at the different habitats for Water Pokémon in the Unova region."
"Oh. Why could he come himself?" Iris wondered.
"He has a lot of work backed up at the lab, so he sent me," Misty said. "Also, since I'm looking to become a Water Pokémon master I figured this would help me just as much as I'm helping him." Misty hoped Iris would buy her story, and thankfully she did.
"Sounds like you've got some work ahead of you," Iris commented. "Is there anything I can do to help?" A golden opportunity had just been dropped into Misty's lap, and she knew it.
"Actually, I need to head to Castelia City, but I don't know the way. You wouldn't happen to know how to get there from here, would you?" Misty wondered.
"Sure I do. I went there with Ash when he traveled through Unova," Iris said. "If you want I'd be happy to show you the way."
"That would be wonderful," Misty replied.
"By the way, Iris, brought you out here?" Professor Juniper wondered.
"I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by and say hello," Iris explained.
"Well it's a good thing you did," Professor Juniper admitted.
"I'll say it was," Misty agreed.
"So, shall we get going?" Iris asked. Misty nodded and followed the Unova native out of the lab.
"See you, Professor! I'll make sure to make my next visit a longer one!" Iris called.
"I'll hold you to that, Iris!" the professor replied. "And good luck on your task, Misty!"
"Thanks!" Misty responded. After saying their goodbyes to Professor Juniper Iris and Misty continued on out of Nuvema Town.
"It's a long way to Castelia City from here," Iris stated.
"That's fine by me," Misty replied. "It'll give us some time to examine some Water Pokémon habitats."
"In that case I can show you all the best spots along the way." While Iris pointed out the best habitats for Water Pokémon in the area Misty's mind was on her eventual arrival in Castelia City, and her next step in finding Ash.
Thanks to input from Professors Oak and Juniper Misty now knows where to go to find Ash. With Iris guiding her she makes her way to Castelia City. Will she find him, and what will she do if she does? Find out in the next chapter of Regrets & Redemption!
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