Part VIII: Welcome to Kanto
Piplup stretched and yawned as he slowly regained consciousness. The day before had been a long and stressful one for both he and his trainer so he had been out as soon as he hit the bed. They had put in so much effort to get to the final of the Grand Festival and while Piplup had been sidelined for the finals, he had expected them to win.
Alas they hadn't. That bratty coordinator with the frustratingly annoying, wannabe Pikachus, had toyed with Misty and then beaten her. Piplup didn't know how close it was but he had picked up enough to know that it had almost gone the other way and that annoyed him the most, they should have had it.
He had of course wanted to be there for Misty when it was over. He was her protector, her rock, her closest friend and he would do whatever he could to make her happy again. He was going to do just that when he saw Pikachu and knew what was up. The male who his trainer had long ago selected as her mate had arrived to be there for her and Piplup knew that there were somethings a mate could do that he couldn't.
Still, he had been confused by their odd mating ritual. It was too extensive, too complicated, and too confusing to make sense to him. Whatever happened to showing that you were the one who deserved them through strength and skill thus making you a viable mate. That was what he and his rival Oshawott had done with each other over that beautiful Meloetta and that was what Misty should have done for Ash back when they traveled with him and Pikachu.
However, they had been avoiding it for what seemed like ages despite Piplup knowing that Misty wanted Ash badly. They had finally started it, at least he assumed as much given their exchange that Pikachu had rightfully ended, so at least there was that. Humans were certainly an odd species of Pokémon to Piplup, if they were even Pokémon to begin with, and he couldn't understand them most of the time.
Just then, as Piplup felt the rays of sun from the window and alertness was almost on him, Piplup realized that something was terribly wrong. He wasn't cold, his feathers prevented that, but he also wasn't comfortable. He wasn't on the soft bed, being kicked out by Misty after snuggling with her during the night as he did every night. This wasn't right.
Clicking his beak, Piplup opened his eyes and promptly fell off the chair he was on. He could have sworn that he had gone to sleep on the bed as he did every night. Now he was on the floor and not happy at all. His pride was wounded and someone, mainly Misty, was going to pay for this injustice.
Struggling, Piplup climbed back on the chair and then onto the table next to it that Misty had used to draw up combinations so that he could look over to the bed. He was preparing to blast Misty with Hydro Pump, she deserved it, when he saw something that confused him. Misty was in bed as usual and behind her, his arm wrapped around her waist, was Ash. They were both sleeping soundly. Piplup was not happy with this.
In his attempts to get up to the table, he had woken Pikachu. Pikachu, still sleepy, was just as surprised as Piplup to be on the chair as he had been. He had slept there expecting Ash to take him to that comfy looking bed but hadn't. Sensing something was up, Pikachu climbed onto the table and stopped Piplup just in time.
"Piplup, what are you doing?" Pikachu mutter as he put a paw on Piplup's shoulder.
"I am waking them up, what does it look like." Piplup said exacerbated. "They made us sleep on the chair, they deserve this."
"They?" Pikachu muttered rubbing sleep from his eyes and looked to the bed to see his trainer and best friend in the bed, wrapping up Piplup's trainer. "Huh? Is that some sort of human mating ritual?"
"Probably but I am not happy." Piplup grumbled not caring. "They can mate some other time."
"True, they have chosen their mate now." Pikachu said with a nod. "But I think we should let them sleep."
"What but they left us to sleep in the cold." Piplup argued still annoyed.
"You don't get cold in this weather." Pikachu pointed out. "Besides, I have a better idea."
"What?" Piplup asked noticing a gleam in Pikachu's eye that usually preceded a thunderbolt.
"I saw we let them sleep today as they did have a long day yesterday, from what I understood." Pikachu said with a grin. "But this is the last time. I have a feeling that they will be doing this a lot from now on. We will have more chances to wake them."
Piplup thought about that for a moment before he smirked. He liked Pikachu's idea. Lull them into a false sense of security and then when they least expected it, pounce. It had a deviousness that would be good for his justice.
"Alright then let's plan." Piplup said grinning. "We have to make sure that they learn their lesson. Might take a few lessons for it to sink in so we need a few plans."
Pikachu nodded and the two friends hopped down and huddled in a corner to plan. They would get the others involved in time to help them out. For now, they would take the lead. Let their humans sleep, it would be their last pleasant wake up for a while.
Misty yawned as she slowly woke up, keeping her eyes closed and smiling as she did. She felt warm, safe, comfortable and happy despite the heartbreaking loss yesterday. It was because she had just had the most amazing dream. Ash had surprised her at the Grand Festival. He had comforted her in her loss. He had held her tight and she had finally confessed her love to him. Then he had told her he loved her too and they had kissed. It had been an amazing dream. Shame that it was just that, a dream.
That was when Misty felt the arm around her waist. She placed her hand on it and it all came crashing back to her. It hadn't been a dream. Ash had really been there for her; he had really told her he loved her and he was currently in bed with her. They were an item. Misty's dream of becoming Top Coordinator hadn't come true yet but her dreams of being with a certain raven-hair trainer had.
She smiled again as she remembered falling asleep in his arms and how happy she had been. At some point in the night they had changed positions and he was spooning her. It felt right to be like this. She felt safe like this. Warm and cozy in his arms. She sighed in contentment at it.
Then she felt something else. Something very hard and stiff was poking her ass. Misty was still a little confused at that and shifted her ass a little to try, rubbing against it as she tried to figure it out. As she did a low moan came from Ash and Misty went bright red and stopped. She realized right away what was poking her and while she was a little embarrassed, and a little warm, she had to admit she didn't mind it.
Misty knew it would be a while before Ash woke up so she just lay there in his arms, enjoying the feeling of having her love hold her. Eventually she heard him shift and felt him waking. With a smile, Misty rolled over and looked into Ash's face as he opened his eyes. She wanted to be the first thing he saw when he woke up.
"Morning love." She whispered as he blinked himself awake.
"Morning." Ash said groggily. "I guess it wasn't a dream, was it?"
"No, it wasn't." Misty said and lightly kissed him on the lips. "I thought so too at first before reality hit."
"Mhmm." Ash moaned. "I could get used to this."
"Me too." Misty agreed resting her forehead against his. "But we should get up soon. You have to get your stuff and we have to get going. Kanto awaits us."
"True, it does." Ash said with a smile. "I can't wait to get home. Mom will be so happy to see us."
"Well you will have to as I call the bathroom." Misty said as she leapt out of bed before Ash could react. "You also have something to deal with first."
Ash blinked confusedly and then felt it and went bright red. He just fell back on the pillows and groaned in embarrassment as Misty laughed and dove into the bathroom. She would need to get ready and that would take a while.
Ash just lay there, happy and content for the moment. He was with the girl he loved and they were about to go on a journey together. He was ready to start. He just first had to wait while Misty got ready, he knew how long that could take.
As soon as Misty was done Ash had gotten control of himself and hopped in the bathroom taking about half as much time as his girlfriend, a term Ash was still getting used to but one that he very much liked. Soon he was ready and his stomach was demanding food. Misty just smiled as she packed up before they picked up their Pokémon who were waiting patiently for them as if nothing was amiss, smiles plastered on their faces, and went downstairs.
Ash wanted to get a quick start to the day as he needed to go back to the inn in the nearby village to get his own bag and check out there. The plan was for him to do that while Misty had a last moment with her mother. Then they could begin the journey home to Pallet Town.
As such, Ash wolfed down his breakfast at a pace even he was impressed with, and that disturbed everyone in the Pokémon Center who had the misfortune to be present and watch the display. Johanna had joined them for breakfast after running a few errands and caught the end of it, shaking her head a little at Ash's appetite.
"I am going to go and get my stuff." Ash said as he swallowed the last mouthful of pancakes. "I will be back in about an hour."
"Ok sweetie, see you then." Misty said with a smile as he kissed her on the cheek and rushed out, pulling a Poke Ball from his belt as he ran, Pikachu following excitedly.
"He certainly has a lot of energy." Johanna said with a smile as Ash left. "Probably stamina too."
"Mom!" Misty said aghast going bright red at the implication.
"What dear, now that you have a boyfriend I can embarrass you as much as possible." Johanna said with a smirk at her. "It is my right as your mother to do so."
"Boyfriend." Misty muttered enjoying the word. "Yes, Ash is my boyfriend."
"I see you two had a good talk last night." Johanna said and Misty nodded. "Good, I was a little worried when I didn't hear anything. Can I assume you just went to bed?"
"Yeah we did, it was a long day yesterday." Misty admitted. "We had a talk and then passed out; we were both exhausted."
"Good, then I can give you these for your journey." Johanna said as she pulled out a bag from the local pharmacy and passed it over to Misty. "I know how teenagers in love and with rampaging hormones can be so these are to be safe for when the time comes."
Misty quirked an eyebrow and looked at the bag. Her face first went bright red again and then drained as she saw what her mother had bought her. Quickly, she put them in her bag, hoping no one had seen what was inside it.
"Mom, did you have too?" Misty asked quietly looking around nervously.
"What dear, as much as I want grandkids someday you are too young." Johanna said. "That is why I went to the pharmacy for some birth control pills, I still have your prescription from when you were on them for acne, and condoms. You can't be too safe now can you. Just remember, you have to take that pill as instructed for it to work."
"I know." Misty said going red, at least her mom had done this without Ash present. "I remember the talk very clearly."
"Good, just be careful dear." Johanna said. "Now let's go and wait for Ash, I think you will like be impressed by his Pokémon when he returns."
"I am always impressed by him." Misty admitted as she made sure what her mother had bought her were hidden in her bag before getting up.
She would take the pill as she knew that her and Ash would eventually give into their desires so she had to be ready just in case the other protection was unavailable at the time. She couldn't wait for that but they would take their time and do it when they were ready.
Misty and her mom left the Pokémon Center and Johanna directed them to a large open area nearby. This confused Misty a little but she went with it. Her mom then gave her a hug and said goodbye as she had to go, she had a ride waiting for her to Olivine City where her first set of classes were. She told Misty to give her love to Ash and reminded her to stay safe, in more ways than one.
"No need to worry mom." Misty said with a smile.
"But dear, that is when I worry the most." Johanna replied before hugging Misty one last time and heading away while Misty waved.
It wasn't long after Johanna left that Misty spotted a shape in the sky flying towards the Pokémon Center. It was a large, winged, orange and yellow Pokémon flying with the sun on its back but she could make out that it was heading for her. She had to take a step back as it sped in and landed gently a few feet away from her. Misty could only marvel at the powerful Charizard that had arrived with Ash on its back.
"Thanks, Charizard." Ash said dismounting and patting the Pokémon's neck. "I want you to meet Misty, the reason why we traveled so hard to get her. Misty meet one of my first Pokémon, Charizard, though he was just a Charmander back when I first met him."
"Hi." Misty said looking up at the majestic, fully evolved, Kanto starter, Piplup on her head eyes wide at the sight of the powerful lizard.
"Misty's my girlfriend Charizard." Ash said as he met Charizard's teal colored eyes. "She will be with us from now on."
"Pikachu." Pikachu said in support of Misty.
Charizard just looked down at Misty as she smiled and waved up at it, a little nervous given the power of the Pokémon. He smiled back, as best he could with his draconic face, open his mouth and proceeded to douse Misty's face and upper body, and by extension Piplup who was on her head, in a gout of flame.
"He likes you." Ash said with a smile and Charizard roared in agreement.
"He does?" Misty coughed, blinking and still with her hand in the air. "That explains the charred sent I smelt yesterday."
"Yeah it is just how Charizard says hi." Ash admitted. "But only to people he likes. You should be pleased, he rarely does it to anyone but me."
"Pip, lup." Piplup said, coughing out soot.
"You said it Piplup." Misty agreed. "Certainly unique."
"Charizard, can you carry us?" Ash asked as Misty sorted herself out. Charizard had ruined her hair but she would let it slide, this time.
Charizard roared and shook his head. He could probably do it but it would slow down his speed and that would wound his pride if he was seen. He couldn't have other Charizards thinking he was slow now could he. He had a reputation to uphold.
"Alright no worries buddy." Ash said as he returned his old Pokémon. "Take a good rest, you can come out later. Well, shall we get going."
"Lead the way, Mr. Ketchum." Misty said as soon as she was ready. "I am all yours."
Ash just smiled, pulled her in for a quick kiss and then set off at a fast pace. Misty just laughed and rushed after her boyfriend, Pikachu on her heels as he too had been forgotten. She couldn't wait to see Pallet Town and all the adventures on the way.
It took them 2 weeks of walking to reach Goldenrod City. They could have gone faster but after several months of travel and hard training they decided to take their time in Johto. That and the fact that they were able to spend it with each other slowed them down as they enjoyed their new love.
While they always shared a bed, or a sleeping bag when camping out, they still hadn't progressed passed making out, though they were comfortable enough to be in just their underwear while in bed. It just didn't feel right to do so yet so they waited. It also didn't help that often Pikachu and Piplup were in the room or tent with them and that killed the mood. That wasn't the only thing the Pokémon did to kill the mood though.
Apparently, the Pokémon, all of them, had a rotation set up for who got to wake the couple up and Pikachu would release the others from their Poke Balls when they were on call. It was as if they couldn't sleep in or enjoy themselves in the morning. One day it would be Pikachu's thunderbolt, the next Scraggy is headbutting Ash awake or Pachirisu's Super Fang. The worst had been when Mamoswine woke them by creating an earthquake. The last had certainly been an interesting morning.
Eventually though, other than a few scrapes with wild Pokémon, they made it to Goldenrod in one piece. From there it was just the magnet train to Saffron City and they would be in Kanto at last.
In her time in Johto, Misty hadn't come this far west. She had been forced to hit all the contests she could and they had all been in the east of the region. She had also been so busy she hadn't been able to really enjoy herself as her focus had been going to and winning the next contest. As such, Ash had agreed to spend a few days in Goldenrod with her to relax and enjoy it and get dragged on various shopping trips that Misty wanted to go on.
Finally, though, they had to leave and Ash was about to return to his home region for the first time in almost a year. They were also taking the magnet train, something Ash had never experienced before as it had been built after his adventures in Johto but knew that his friend Cilan would absolutely love it when he made his way to Goldenrod, any train connoisseur would.
They booked their tickets, found seats, and snuggled up for the trip through the mountains to Saffron City. Misty was so content that she dozed off on Ash's shoulder for the journey and when she woke, the train was slowing down.
"Come on Misty, wake up." Ash said gently waking her up. "We are here."
"We are?" Misty said a little groggy as she blinked the sleep from her eyes.
Ash nodded as he got out of his seat. Then he helped her up as they got their stuff and headed to the exit, Pikachu and Piplup on their usual perches, and left the train hand in hand.
"Yup." Ash said as they set foot on the platform in Saffron City and Kanto soil. "We are here, welcome to Kanto Misty."
