Part XVII: The Second Rival
Misty reluctantly broke off the kiss with Ash as they were mobbed by all of Ash's friends. Many were amazed that Ash had managed to notice a girl and commented as such which made Misty beam in pride that she had been the one who had broken through Ash's oblivion and into his heart.
Of course, Barry , who had been in the bathroom during their entrance, was now yelling about fining Ash for not telling him but that was too be expected. He was making up for missing the entrance by being the loudest of the gathered crowd.
Misty was also pleased with a few other reactions she noticed in the crowd, specifically those of potential rivals. She saw a brunette with twin braids sticking out at right angles at the base of her neck glaring daggers at her with a broken glass at her feet and smoking slightly though Misty thought that might be a trick of the light. That was one potential rival who knew her place, Misty would have to ask about her when she and Ash had a moment.
She was also pleased to see Conway's jaw on the floor. He had clearly shown an interest in her back in Sinnoh, even Misty had gotten that. He also sent shivers down her spine and creeped her out to high heaven whenever he suddenly appeared behind her. Not this time, Misty's actions had prevented that.
In all honesty Conway wouldn't have been invited but Ash considered him a friend and rival trainer so he had to be invited. When it came down to love rivals, Ash was oblivious to anyone who liked Misty and as such Conway he had been added to the invite list. It turned out that Conway was challenging the Kanto gyms this year so he was nearby anyway hence why he made it. At least now he might stop bothering her but Misty doubted that.
She also didn't see Kenny anywhere. That was to be expected though. Misty knew that Kenny liked her but she didn't like him back, not in the same way he liked her. She hadn't had the time to tell him about Ash as Kenny had been one of the many who had arrived while she was having her picnic with Ash but she knew that he was already jealous of Ash. This would make it worse. Misty would have to keep an eye out for him, she was sure that he would cause a problem at some point and that was something she wasn't looking forward to.
It was as Misty was looking for Kenny so that she could keep an eye out for him that she noticed a two things. Firstly, May and Dawn weren't present. That alone was odd but Misty figured May, being a close friend, was helping her out by taking Dawn away from them and calming the raging Gyarados that lived in Dawn down. The second was what really surprised her.
A girl with short, dark green hair, a 3/4th length light green shirt and dark green sweatpants with a white stipe down the leg had slunk off from the marquee and was walking away from it and into the ranch. At her side was a black, blue and yellow quadrupedal Pokémon. Misty instantly knew who it was, she was one of the few people that Misty actually knew at the party, but she was confused as to why she was not welcoming Ash.
"Now that you have a girlfriend I had better go find one myself, eh Ash." A husky man with thatched orange hair boomed to Ash, clapping him hard on the shoulder. "Can't have you being one step ahead of me in anything now can I?"
"I would expect no less Morrison." Ash replied to the big guy, turning to address his friend from one of his other adventures.
Misty took that distraction to slip away from her boyfriend and the crowd now surrounding them. She wanted to be with Ash all night and meet the friends of his she didn't know but one of their mutual friends was upset for some reason. Misty had to make sure that she was ok.
Quietly walking in the direction the girl had left in, Misty found Angie sitting on a bench a little ways from the marquee, her head in her hands and quietly sobbing. At her side was a Luxio that was nuzzling her affectionately. The Luxio meant that her Shinx had evolved since she had last seen her.
"Angie?" Misty asked hesitantly as she approached. "What's, what's the matter?"
Angie looked up and saw who was there. Misty of all people had come to comfort her. Had she not known Misty and who she was as a person, she would have thought that the girl who had landed the boy she liked had come to mock her. But Angie could see the concern and worry in Misty's eyes and knew that the redhead didn't know how she felt about Ash.
Misty for her part was shocked. She hadn't expected to find Angie crying on the bench after she left the greeting. Misty didn't understand why Angie would be crying. Then she saw a flash of anger and jealousy cross Angie's eyes when their eyes met before it disappeared almost as fast as it appeared and knew at once what it was about.
"Oh Angie." Misty said kindly and sitting down next to her. "I'm sorry, I, I didn't know."
"Neither did I." Angie said with a sad smile. "About you that is. I didn't see it in Sinnoh."
"Likewise." Misty agreed. "Though back then even I was in denial about it, at least to myself that is."
"I wasn't expecting to see that." Angie admitted and Misty knew what she was referring to. "When I got the invite to this I instantly said yes. I was so excited to see him again. It had been so long that I thought they had gone but seeing him brought it all back, until, well…"
"Yeah." Misty said with a sigh. "I know exactly how that feels, same thing happened to me back in Unova. I want you to know that it wasn't my intent to upset you Angie. You're a friend, and a good one at that, I, er, just, got a little carried away and I know Dawn is here and she likes him as well so I wanted to rub it in her face again."
"There are a few us here I think." Angie said. "That like Ash that is."
"I am learning that fast." Misty said with a nod. "I am picking up more rivals than before and this time it is not from contests."
"How, how did it happen?" Angie asked knowing it would hurt but having to know. "I mean you and Ash. From my understanding of him, he redefines the term dense. I mean, he didn't even realize I was a girl at first so I knew he was dense before I liked him like that."
"Oh, that he does." Misty said with a laugh that got a small chuckle out of Angie. "But I got through to him in the end. Well actually it was Iris, the girl with the massive hairdo, who traveled with him in Unova who got through to him not me. She called him out on his feelings after he told her he was coming to see me in the Johto Grand Festival and I think something finally clicked for Ash. By then I already knew he was the one for me, I just didn't realize that Ash felt the same. He came to surprise me at the Grand Festival and after he comforted me when I lost it kinda just happened."
"That is sweet." Angie said with a small smile. "I, I am sorry for heading off like this and during Ash's birthday, he doesn't deserve that. It's, well it's just a little hard seeing the crush you have with another girl."
"I can only imagine." Misty said not wanting to be in Angie's shoes and see Ash with another girl that wasn't here. "If I may ask, when did you start to like him? I never noticed it but then again I was running from Conway at the time."
"Yeah there's a guy who can make a Regice warm." Angie said with a shudder that Misty completely agreed with. "But, well, you know Ash. How do you think it happened?"
"So true about Conway, though he may be broken now." Misty said with a chuckle that got a warmer smile out of Angie. "As for how it happened for you, well if I know Ash then it was probably him doing something stupid and reckless for you that could have hurt him as well that made you realize just who he is. Am I in the ballpark?"
"Pretty much spot on." Angie said rubbing Luxio's head as it comforted her. "As you know, at first we didn't exactly see eye to eye and butted heads, a lot. Then I saw how he was as a trainer and I realized just how good a person he was when it came to Pokémon. The way he worked with that Raichu was amazing he really understands and loves them. After that I respected him and we became friends and rivals. Then, on the night that the Dusknoir showed up…"
"He saved you." Misty said remembering that incident. "You were being pulled into the spirit realm and Ash saved you didn't he?"
"He wouldn't let go." Angie said with remembrance as a light blush graced her cheeks. "He was willing to come with me to certain deal rather than let me go. Me! A girl he had fought with and only just met was suddenly important enough to try and save even if it cost him his own life in the process. It was in that moment that I truly understood Ash and fell for him."
"Yeah that is basically how it happens." Misty said in agreement. "Ash has no idea himself of course but it is almost always the same. At first it is war because of his stubbornness and hard headiness. Then you see him with Pokémon and understand just who he is deep down as a person. You see how kind, compassionate and patient he is. Then as you get to know him, something unusual and potentially lethal happens and Ash saves your life at the risk of his own. He does it because it is who he is. He has no idea the effect he has on people."
"He really doesn't." Angie agreed sadly. "What about you? I know it will hurt to hear because you are the one who succeeded where I failed but I need to know. How did you fall for him?"
"My fall is similar to most but also different in its own way." Misty said looking back to the party where Ash was chatting with a few people she didn't know, happy in the moment.
"Different?" Angie asked. "How so?"
"I had to come to terms with my own feelings first." Misty said turning back to Angie. "I didn't know I liked him until well after I had already fallen for him. That and the whole process took several months, over a year if you include when I realized how deep my feelings for Ash were."
"Huh?" Angie asked a little confused. "I don't really follow?"
"Well I guess my brain just didn't want to admit it for a while." Misty said thinking back over it. "Probably because we were traveling companions so it didn't want to go there and ruin our friendship but the seed had been planted early on. Then a few events occurred that caused it to grow, bloom and take roots, deep."
"So, you butted heads and argued a lot when you met." Angie said and Misty nodded remembering those early days with Ash. "Then you made up, saw him for what he was with Pokémon and who he was to his friends and fell for him. What was the incident?"
"Oh that." Misty said shaking her head. "Man was that an incident. I had to look back on it after I knew that I loved Ash to find that moment but that was the moment the seed was planted and I didn't even know it. It is true that first I found Ash annoying and arrogant but I was just being a brat with no experience and trying to tell a guy with 3 regions worth of badges and 4 years of experience as a trainer what to do. That was sorted out quickly thanks to a guy called Nando and we became firm friends from that moment on. Then we went to Alamos Town."
"Alamos?" Angie asked furrowing her brows. "I've heard of it but never been. It is run by a Duke, right? On a hill with a bridge to it in the middle of a lake? At least I think that's Alamos."
"Yeah that is it." Misty confirmed. "We went there for the Contest being held there. Course we also got there right as Dialga and Palkia were about to fight each other in a different dimension."
"What?" Angie asked amazed. "The Pokémon of space and time were fighting each other there? At Alamos? What where they doing there?"
"Yup they were there." Misty said with a nod. "It's a long story that involves a few other adventures that we had later that cleared everything up but basically they were not supposed to ever meet but did and had an all-out battle. Alamos Town just happened to be in the middle of it all because of their towers of space and time or something like that. They also have a guardian Darkrai there who was thought to be the villain but turned out to be the hero. It joined in the fight to help save the day."
"You have some crazy adventures." Angie said her eyes wide. "I thought my adventure with Ash was crazy but that is a whole new level."
"You don't know the half of it, Alamos was just one of countless adventures that defy belief." Misty said with a laugh. "Around Ash I have learned that literally anything is possible and of course we were right in the middle of it."
"What did Ash do?" Angie asked. "In Alamos that is."
"He saved my life, multiple times." Misty said with a smile as she remembered that fateful day in Alamos Town. "We had to calm down the deities and the only way was to play a song from the center of the towers of space and time in Alamos. Otherwise everyone would die because of Dialga and Palkia's power."
"I can only imagine." Angie said. "I have heard tales of their powers but to see it real life must have been something. How did you manage to play that song?"
"The tales do not do their power justice." Misty said shuddering at the sheer power of the legendary Pokémon. "As to how, we were in a hot air balloon trying to reach the room atop the tower when it was hit by a Draco Meteor meteorite. One side was destroyed and I fell out while Ash tried to save me. He managed to make sure I fell onto something nearby and then leapt after me to make sure we could succeed. He saved me again a few minutes later, this time I would have fallen to my death had he not done so, and I returned the favor pretty soon afterwards. We succeeded in the end and saved the day but we couldn't have done it without the other."
"Wow." Angie said amazed at the tale. "I can't even fathom that."
"Neither can I." Misty admitted. "I wouldn't believe it myself if I hadn't have been there. I didn't know at the time but looking back on it that was the moment I fell for Ash. When he save my life and then we save the city, my subconscious saw him in a new light, I just had to catch up to it."
"But as you said it took a while for you to realize it." Angie said and Misty nodded. "Why?"
"I had never had a crush before so I had no idea what the feelings I had for Ash were." Misty admitted. "I certainly liked and cared for Ash but I kept telling myself that it wasn't in that way because we were just friends. I had convinced myself of that but then, a while later, we ran into a stuck Marill."
"A stuck Marill?" Angie asked confused. "What does that have to with this?"
"More than you would think." Misty said. "Because one thing led to another and we ended up at the Johto festival where one of the organizers was a girl called Lyra, she's here tonight actually, and she took a liking to us. I owe her a lot even if she insists in calling me Dane."
"Dane?" Angie asked.
"Don't know why." Misty said shaking her head. "But after some fun at the festival, a new egg for me, and of course a Team Rocket attack, Lyra and her friend Khoury decided to join us for a bit. While they were with us Lyra revealed that she liked Ash and that I should try for Khoury."
"How did you handle that?" Angie asked. "Cos I probably would have slapped her at that suggestion but that's just me."
"Now I would but back then it was different." Misty said with a chuckle at Angie's words. "I felt jealousy towards her for a moment and didn't want her to be with Ash but back then I just thought it was because I didn't like Khoury in that way. I know now it was my own feelings lashing out. That wasn't the end of it with Lyra though."
"What else did she do?" Angie asked.
"It was a few days later." Misty said remembering the moment well. "That was the day the next piece fell because Lyra said that I should be with Ash. That was the water the seed needed. I thought about it, alone of course, and finally came to the conclusion that I did like Ash like that. However, I was still rationalizing it as just a childhood crush, something that would pass in time, and didn't act on it though I occasionally dropped really subtle hints that were less effective and an electric attack on a ground type."
"Ash doesn't get subtlety." Angie agreed. "But you didn't just have a silly crush did you?"
"No, I did not." Misty said shaking her head. "It took a guy showing interest in me for me to realize it. That was the final trigger my brain needed to fully realize that I had more than a passing crush on Ash."
"What?" Angie asked surprised. "Someone asked you out?"
"Effectively." Misty said. "It was very cliché as it was my best friend from childhood, a guy called Kenny. He is also from Twinleaf Town and right after Ash's last gym battle he asked me to go on a journey with him as we are both coordinators so it would make sense. He then got all macho when I was hesitant to join him and made a bet that if he could beat Ash in a battle I would go with him. It was then that I realized that he wanted to go on more than just a journey with me."
"What did you do?" Angie asked. "I have yet to deal with a situation like that."
"I deflected and tried to put it off but Kenny challenged Ash anyway and Ash of course accepted." Misty said remembering the incident. "Of course, Ash just saw it as another training battle before the Sinnoh League and didn't know what it meant. Kenny went all out and won."
"But you didn't go with him." Angie said.
"I couldn't." Misty said shaking her head. "Even if I wanted to, which I realized after he battled Ash that I didn't. Ash meant the world to me at that moment and he was about to compete in the Sinnoh League. We had been together since his first day in Sinnoh and had been supporting each other all year. I had seen all of his gym battles and he had seen all my Contests. Ash had been there for the Grand Festival and supported me throughout it, I had to be there for the Sinnoh League, it was only right."
"How did you handle it?" Angie asked.
"In a way I thought was appropriate." Misty said. "I left Kenny a note that explained why I had to be there for Ash on Lily of the Valley Island. I also let him know that so long as were both following our dreams to become Top Coordinators then we would meet again. Then I left with Ash and Brock for Lily of the Valley Island."
"That will bite you, you know that right." Angie pointed out. "You have to be direct about that kinda thing. I may not have had to do that yet but even I know that directness is best."
"Now that I am officially with Ash it will." Misty agreed with a nod. "I'm not the only one with rivals after all, Ash will have some. But I will give Kenny credit for one thing, he made me realize that what I thought was just a first crush was deeper. I truly did like Ash and after Sunyshore City I wasn't sure if it would ever leave."
"Clearly it didn't." Angie said.
"It didn't though I thought it did." Misty admitted. "When we first had to separate it was really painful. It was after the Sinnoh League and I didn't know what to do. Ash was going home so I decided to follow him. Then, at the worst possible moment, Buneary got a modelling offer that I couldn't turn down so I stayed in Sinnoh for it. Ash was typical Ash and supported it fully and I knew it was the right choice. It didn't make the separation any easier and I cried a bit after he left."
"But Ash wouldn't want that." Angie said. "I barely knew him, at least not the way you did, and even I know that he wouldn't want you to cry over him leaving."
"No, he wouldn't and I knew it as well." Misty said. "That was why I was up bright and early and training the next morning because that is what Ash would expect from me. I couldn't be some moping mess who's crush had left her because life had taken him elsewhere. That wasn't me, it wasn't the Misty that Ash knew and I wasn't going to change just because he wasn't by my side. That was also the day my Cyndaquil evolved."
"Does Ash know any of this?" Angie asked.
"No actually we haven't really had the chance to talk about it." Misty said a little embarrassed that she hadn't told her boyfriend exactly how she'd fallen for him. "But I will tell him one day."
"He'll like that." Angie said sad at the fact that it was Misty and not her who had landed Ash. "Of course, that isn't the end. Is it?"
"No but I thought it was." Misty said with a small smile. "I thought I had moved on, that my crush on Ash was over. Then I went to Unova for a bit to study a few things there for future Contests and that was when everything changed."
"Unova, that is pretty far away." Angie said thinking on what she'd heard of the far off region. "That's an odd place for it to change."
"Tell me about it." Misty said. "But change it did. While there Cynthia learned I was in the region and invited me to stay at her villa in Undella Town out in the east of Unova."
"Wait Cynthia! As in the Cynthia?" Angie asked incredulous. "The Sinnoh Champion?"
"Yup." Misty confirmed. "We know her from various adventures we had in Sinnoh. Again, it is all Ash's doing that we really know her, he's the one who gets us into these situations."
"How is one person like that?" Angie asked in disbelief.
"No idea." Misty said with a shrug. "But I just thought that Cynthia was letting me stay because she knew I was in the region at the same time and was being nice to a fellow Sinnoh native. Then Arceus smiled upon me. Ash ran into Cynthia all the way on the other side of Unova. He had just gotten his last badge when they had a chance meeting. Cynthia told him of the Pokémon World Junior Cup that was happening near her villa and invited Ash and his new friends Iris and Cilan back with him to stay and train for it because well Ash would want to enter it. Then Cynthia told me who she had run into and that she was bringing him over."
"That must have been a wake up." Angie said. "Hearing that you would see Ash again, it's like a refreshing splash of water. Everything comes flooding back as soon as you know that you'll see him again."
"It was more than that, it was a full-on tidal wave." Misty said. "As soon as I heard that Ash was coming I almost lost it there and then. All the feeling I had had for him came crashing back, that was when I knew that they hadn't left. It took all my restraint not to rush down to the jetty and meet him but to rather surprise him when he got to the villa."
"But you kept yourself in check." Angie said. "He might have been surprised at that."
"Yeah and I felt that sneaking up on him was more fun." Misty said with a giggle at the memory. "After that it was just like old times but with an expiration date. I was heading to Johto after the championship to compete in the Wallace Cup again so I had to make the most of my time with Ash in Unova. It was that parting, that flight to Johto, that made me realize the truth at last. I was in love with Ash Ketchum."
"And he came to you." Angie said happy for Misty but sad that it hadn't been her. "All the way to Johto for the Grand Festival there."
"That he did." Misty said with a smile. "I was going to go to him after the Grand Festival and he beat me. I didn't expect it from him but then again Ash is a master at the unexpected."
"You know you are special right." Angie said and Misty nodded. "Not just anyone could get through to Ash and make him see his own feelings. The girl who can do that, well…"
"Yeah I know." Misty agreed. "I don't know why me but I am not complaining. I know it is hard for the others and if the roles were reversed I would be just like you or Dawn but for whatever reason Arceus chose me. I will do my best to be worthy of it."
The girls sat in comfortable silence for a moment looking back to the marquee. Ash was still greeting his old friends so Misty knew that they had a few minutes before she had to return to his side and meet them. Finally, Angie broke the silence.
"Misty, I, I'm sorry I got upset and ran off." Angie said causing Misty to look at her. "It wasn't the sign of a good friend and neither you or Ash deserve that."
"That's ok, I can understand it." Misty said before a smile graced her lips. "Well I can't understand the way you feel knowing that Ash is with someone else but I can at least understand your feelings for him and imagine what it means to not have them reciprocated. Of course, this does mean one thing."
"What?" Angie asked a little confused.
"We are going to have to have a battle tomorrow." Misty said meeting Angie's eyes. "Not tonight as tonight is for Ash but tomorrow for sure."
"You're on." Angie said with a smile. "I could use the training. Luxio recently evolved and I want to see his limits"
"Oh, it is more than just training." Misty continued and Angie blinked in confusion.
"It is?"
"Yup." Misty said with a nod and a sly smirk. "Angie, I know now that you have feelings for my boyfriend and I know how feelings for Ash work, you won't stop having them anytime soon. I mean you still had them and you hadn't seen him for over a year."
"Yeah true." Angie admitted. "It will take a while for them to go away, if they ever do. I am sure I will move on and find someone but Ash will always have a special place in my heart."
"I doubt it but that is a good attitude to have." Misty said. "It also means that you are now one of my rivals."
"I am?" Angie said as she thought on it and then smiled. "Yeah I guess I am."
"Good then it's settled, we battle tomorrow." Misty said. "Don't expect me to hold back though. I will beat you and assert my dominance over you as Ash's girlfriend. You aren't the first and I am certain that you won't be the last."
"Bring it." Angie said her competitive spirit getting to her. "I ain't no pushover Misty."
"I expect no less." Misty said. "I know how good you were last year, I expect you are better."
"Wait who was the first?" Angie asked realizing that Misty had said she'd done this before.
"Ash took me through Cerulean City to get here and we ran into his first female traveling companion Dawn." Misty said. "It wasn't as pleasant as this talk but in the end I won our little battle and the gym was more or less still standing when we were done. I mean it, I will take on any who threaten me for Ash and I will win. I know Ash will do the same for me."
"Then I will not disappoint you." Angie said. "And Luxio is ready."
"Lux!" The electric type said happily.
"I will have to think of who to use." Misty said though she already knew who to face Luxio with. "But that is for tomorrow."
"Your right, tonight is for Ash." Angie said getting up. "Now I think I have moped enough. I need to reassert my reputation as a tough as nails chick, and see Ash again. Thanks Misty, I know this wasn't easy, for either of us, but it helped a lot."
"Yeah I get the feeling that Ash's reputation will allow for a lot of these talks going forward." Misty said standing up and offering her hand to Angie who shook it. "This time it was pleasant, the last one was not. I wonder who the next one will be and what our talk will be like."
"Probably destructive, not everyone is as level headed as me." Angie said with a laugh before she and Luxio hurried off to the main party.
Misty smiled and agreed with Angie's assessment. She needed a moment to process her latest rival and their conversation so Misty decided to wait for a minute by the bench and just enjoy the scene.
Ash was surrounded by friends from at least 5 regions all trying to talk to him, catch up with him, tell him what they had been up too, and see how he was. It showed just what Ash stood for that he could have such an impact on so many people that they would all come here for his birthday. In hindsight, Misty probably shouldn't have waited.
All the while she had been talking to Angie, a figure had been lurking in the shadows nearby, unseen as the sun set and night set in, the only lights set up by the marquee. Now that Misty was alone, it was time to confront her about everything.
Kenny had been happy when he was invited to Ash's party. Not because of Ash, he could care less about that bastard, but because he knew that Misty would be here seeing as she was good friends with Ash. Misty, his Misty, the girl he had liked for years would be here and he could once again tell her how he felt about her.
This time he would be direct about his feelings, this time he wouldn't take no for an answer and he would get her to realize that he was the one for here. Then they could go on a journey together here in Kanto or one of the other regions that had Contests and all would be good.
Then he had seen the sight he had feared ever since Misty had turned him down for Ash in Sunyshore City. Misty holding Ash's hand and looking at him the way he looked at her. Then she passionately kissed Ash, in front of everyone. It was clear in that moment that Ash and Misty were a couple.
Kenny had always known that Ash was a threat from the moment they first met in Sinnoh. Misty wouldn't go traveling with some random asshole who had just come to the region for the first time unless she felt something for him and that threatened Kenny's plans for them. Plans that had been delayed due to him setting out on his journey before Misty because he was a month or so older than her.
Then Misty had the audacity to turn him down for Ash when he asked her to go on a trip with him back when he at least alluded to her how he felt about her. She had turned down her oldest friend for some guy she barely knew. That had been what had confirmed to Kenny that Misty had feelings for Ash and not him.
Tonight, she had thrown those feelings in his face by revealing to all that she was with Ash when she kissed him. Well Kenny was not going to let this stand. He was going to confront Misty and make it clear that he was the right one for her. Then he was going to challenge Ash and show her that he was the guy for her, not this backwoods Kanto hick.
Slowly coming out from his hiding place, Kenny made his way to where Misty was still standing alone for some reason. She was looking towards Ash lovingly and it made him sick that she was looking at Ash when she should be looking at him that way. Time to let her know he had heard everything.
"Hello Misty."
Misty stiffened as she heard the voice from her side. She knew that voice very well, even better than she knew Ash's. It was the one thing that Misty had been dreading but she knew that she would have to address it sooner or later. She may as well deal with it now. Best to get this over with rather than let it fester.
"Hello Kenny." Misty said turning to look at her oldest friend, her heart racing at the thought of the impending argument. "I had a feeling that you would try to talk to me tonight."
Kenny looked as Misty expected, pissed. He wasn't crying which was a little surprising but his face was contorted with anger. Misty could see the hurt, pain and betrayal in his eyes and felt bad for it. Evidentially she had not been clear enough with him when she had rejected him and now his fears about Ash had been confirmed.
"I take it you heard everything." Misty said after a moment, guessing that he had been around while she and Angie had been talking. "At least everything regarding my feelings."
"I did." Kenny said gritting his teeth. "And I saw everything earlier."
"Well, then you know." Misty said trying to sound sympathetic but feeling her own anger begin to boil. "I'm sorry Kenny."
"Don't." Kenny snapped. "Don't patronize me."
"I'm not." Misty said taking a step back at Kenny's tone, a little fear creeping into her. "I really am sorry. I, I should have been more clear with you back in Sunyshore. You deserved it back then, I know that now. Kenny, you are my oldest friend but that is all you are to me, a friend."
"I can see that." Kenny snarled. "I just don't get it, why him? Of all people why that guy?"
"Ash?" Misty asked confused.
"Yes." Kenny spat venomously. "What is so special about him that he could make you fall for him in less than a year when I have loved you for years and could never get through to you."
"You did?" Misty asked confused, this was not what she had been expecting.
"Yes I did, ever since we were kids." Kenny said, the pain clear in his voice. "Since long before we became trainers and coordinators I have known that you are the one for me."
"Yeah well you had a funny way of showing it." Misty snapped angrily, the anger beginning to build inside. She didn't want to deal with this now but if Kenny was going to air it out then she would have it out with him. "How was I supposed to know you felt that way after how you acted around me?"
"What do you mean?" Kenny asked for the first time his anger dissipating slightly, replaced by confusion. "I thought I was obvious. It was clear I liked you."
"Oh, I don't know, how about that whole Dee Dee shit you did for years." Misty said as her anger at that particular annoyance finally burst forth, something that had been threatening to happen for years. "You knew I hated that nickname; you knew I didn't want to be called it but you kept it up no matter how much I told you to stop it. If you really did care for me then why didn't you listen and stop it? I was clearly upset and if I meant that much you would have dropped it."
"I, I," Kenny stammered on the defensive for the first time. "I was young and stupid back then, I didn't know better. I am sorry for that. I promise I won't call you Dee Dee anymore. I didn't mean it as an insult or in any negative way but you are right, I should have listened to you and stopped. Forgive me for that."
"Little late there." Misty snapped. "I am over it and its thanks in part to Ash that I was able to face my fears that stemmed from that incident and overcome it, not you."
"Yeah well if you had actually seen me the way I saw you then it would be different." Kenny snapped back, Misty's refusal to accept his apology reigniting his anger. "I could have been the one to help you with it when you faced Ursula and her Plusle and Minun. Instead you decided to run off with Ash as soon as he got to Sinnoh before we could go on our journey together."
"You had already started your journey." Misty pointed out. "And you had never told me you wanted to be a coordinator otherwise I may have actually asked you to wait for me so we could hit the circuit together. I would have liked that. However, you didn't, so I starting out alone. I ran into Ash's Pikachu, hurt and in need of help so after a little confusion I did just that. When I finally met Ash, I saw a trainer who I could learn from and asked to join him on his journey. While we had issues at the start, I realized who Ash was quickly and by that point I wasn't going to leave his side."
"You are right, I should have told you from the start." Kenny growled knowing that he should have done that. "I know I fucked up back then. That is why I tried to correct that in Sunyshore. We could have had that journey ourselves if you had come with me then. We could have gone to Hoenn or Johto and hit the Contests there. I even beat Ash in battle to show you that I was the right one to travel with."
"You call that a battle." Misty scoffed. "Ash had no idea what it was for so he didn't understand how to view it other than as a . That isn't a battle, that is a deceptive trick to get what you want."
"It still worked and I showed I was better than Ash." Kenny said smugly. "Doesn't matter how I won, just matters that I did. I proved my dominance over Ash then, even if you didn't accept that."
"You call that dominance?" Misty asked incredulous, her voice rising but because of all the chatting around Ash they wouldn't hear her argument with Kenny. "Unlike you, I have actually been in a battle of dominance with a love rival, I know what it is really like. Both of you have to know what the battle is about, both of you have to see the truth and know who you are fighting over. Back then Ash was as clueless as he always is. He just thought you wanted to train, that's why he faced your Empoleon with his Buizel, a clear mismatch that was heavily in your favor. If Ash had known that it was a serious match then he would have wiped the floor with you."
"I doubt that." Kenny said though Misty heard the doubt in his voice. "Besides, I won. You should have come with me."
"I never agreed to do." Misty said angrily. "You tried to force me to join you if you beat Ash."
"You never said no." Kenny pointed out. "To me that is tantamount to agreement."
"Yeah because you surprised me." Misty almost yelled. "And if I am being honest, you really upset me with that Tauros shit. You are my oldest friend so I didn't show it but I was really hurt when you expected me to just come with you because you beat Ash in a battle."
"What?" Kenny asked taken a bit aback by her words. "I would never hurt you."
"Intentionally maybe not." Misty said as she finally gave into her anger and frustration and let Kenny have it. "But you didn't think about how I would feel back then did you? If you had, did you really think that I would abandon my journey with Ash then and there to be with you? I had been with Ash since the start of both of our journeys and we were nearing the end, did you really think I would leave him at the last minute? After all we had been through? After he had been there to support me through all of my Contests, the highs and the lows of that season, Ash was there for me."
Misty paused for breath. Kenny opened his mouth to speak but Misty silenced him with a glare. She was going to finish her tirade and then Kenny could try and defend himself, if he could at all.
"Ash was there for it all, supporting me, cheering me, encouraging me and challenging me each and every day to do and be better." Misty said forcefully. "I had been there for him when he needed me, it was the right thing to do and you must have known that. I had been there for all of his gym battles. I was there when he was dealing with that sadist Paul. I was the one who cheered Ash up and got him back on track when he was at his lowest just as he had done when I was at my lowest. I was by his side throughout it all just as he was by my side."
Again Kenny tried to interrupt her but Misty wasn't done. She was in full swing now and continued plowing on, finally letting it all out at Kenny for what he had tried to pull in Sunyshore.
"Did you really expect me to just ditch Ash right after his last gym battle and before he competed in the Sinnoh League?" Misty asked. "After he had been there for the Grand Festival when I needed him there, he needed me there for the Sinnoh League and I was going to be there for him Did you think at all?"
"No." Kenny said darkly when Misty paused to show Kenny that she was done talking. "Your right, I didn't think and frankly I didn't care about any of that. I especially didn't care for Ash. I was supposed to be more important to you. I was your oldest and closest friend. I was there first and I expected you to come with me when I asked."
"You weren't there when I needed someone the most but Ash was." Misty countered. "When I was losing in the first round of Contests you were nowhere to be seen but Ash was there. He may not have said much but I knew he cared and he showed me, through his actions, to never give up. After that, I was never going to abandon him when he needed me the most. I tried to let you down easy, show you that we were still friends and reassure you that we would meet again but clearly you didn't get it."
"Yeah I didn't get it, I still don't." Kenny said. "You chose Ash, some hick from bumblefuck Kanto over me, I will never get it."
"Yes I chose Ash because I love him." Misty said seeing the hurt in Kenny's eyes at her words but not caring, not after all Kenny had expected from her and his constant insulting of Ash. "I love Ash with all my heart and he loves back. I do have to thank you for one thing though."
"What?" Kenny almost yelled, his anger growing.
"Had you not asked me to abandon Ash and shown your true feelings for m I wouldn't have realized my own for Ash." Misty said. "Even then I wasn't certain I had truly fallen for Ash beyond a silly little crush but you made me realize that yes I had in deed fallen for him. I was probably in love with him even back then though that realization came later. For that I thank you Kenny. Without you, I might not have ended up with Ash in the end."
"You know how to hurt don't you." Kenny snarled.
"So, do you." Misty shot back. "I don't want to lose you as a friend Kenny, you are my oldest friend and that does mean something but I will never be with you the way you want to be with me. I love Ash and he loves me and that is final."
"Yeah well that may be but I can still show you how good I am for you." Kenny said venomously. "I will go and challenge Ash right now to a battle for you heart. It will be a full 6 on 6 and the winner gets you."
"You can do that but I won't honor it." Misty said folding her arms. "Other than Ash destroying you with his best team once he knows what the battle is truly about, that is not how to get me even if you had a chance, which you don't. I am with Ash, hopefully forever, and that is final. If you can't handle that and celebrate his birthday then leave, you won't be missed. I won't have you and your jealousy ruining Ash's day."
"Too late for that, Dee Dee." Kenny said and Misty winced a little at the hatred Kenny put into her old nickname. "It's going down tonight whether you want it to or not."
"Misty said leave so I think you should do just that." A cool, female, voice said from behind Kenny. "Tonight isn't about your unrequited feelings; it is about celebrating a great and amazing young man and all those who he has influenced over the years."
"Butt out." Kenny said whirling and Misty saw Dawn and May approaching from deeper in the ranch. Misty could have actually kissed Dawn this time for her saving the day, Kenny had no idea what was in store for him if he pissed her off. "This doesn't concern you ginge."
"Actually, it does." Dawn said her eyes narrowing slightly and Misty noticed that she was holding Piplup who was mirroring her actions. "Because you see, that battle of dominance Misty mentioned, yeah I was the one who lost it."
"What?" Kenny said thrown off.
"You heard me." Dawn said her eyes narrowing even further. "Misty has rivals for Ash just as he now has rivals for her but you don't see me trying to ruin this day for him. Sure, I am not thrilled that I lost Ash to Misty, when you love someone it hurts to see them with someone else, especially without any warning, but I accepted it, after a little convincing. You can have your macho match with Ash another time if you want but I agree with Misty, you will lose badly to a trainer of Ash's caliber. Now leave. You aren't welcome as you clearly aren't here for Ash so go."
"And you think you can make me." Kenny scoffed. "Just who do you think you are? You sound like another one of these inbred Kanto hicks out in the boonies to me."
"I am the leader of the Cerulean City Gym." Dawn said as fury began to take over while May not so subtly inched slowly away from her. "And let me tell you, I am not known for my level headedness or my anger management skills. In fact, it is quite the opposite. So if you don't want to see a human embody her Gyarados and rip you apart limb from limp I would suggest leaving. Now."
"Piplup." Piplup agreed with a stern nod of his head.
Kenny gulped. Dawn wasn't kidding and he could see it in her now burning eyes. He was out numbered and really he didn't want to deal with this. He would get his own back when the time was right, he knew it. He just had to find the right battlefield.
"Fine." Kenny growled before glaring at Misty. "But this isn't over, Dee Dee."
With that Kenny turned and left before anyone could reply, walking away into the night and away from the party. Misty let out a breath and collapsed onto the bench breathing hard as her emotions finally came crashing back when her control left her. She had been terrified the entire time, it had taken all her willpower not to show it. Kenny had shown her a side of him she had never seen and it scared her.
"Thanks." Misty said when she recovered from her sudden emotional overload. "I don't know what I would have done if you two hadn't have shown up when you did."
"Kicked his ass." Dawn said and Misty laughed. "He's doesn't look like he could hold his own in a fight, especially against you after he's pissed you off."
"Or watched Ash do it." May added speaking for the first time.
"May!" Misty said remembering that her close friend was here and getting up to engulf her in a crushing hug, noting that May had developed in a certain way that made Misty a little jealous. "So good to see you. I am sorry I missed you earlier."
"Hey Misty." May said kindly as she hugged Misty back almost as enthusiastically but struggling to keep her own feelings in check. She managing it, barely. "Good to see you again."
"Now why don't I get that kinda greeting." Dawn pouted. "After all we have been through Misty, I deserve it as well."
Misty ignored Dawn's words as she disengaged from May and looked at the two other girls. May was holding a small, slightly ruffled and annoyed from the hug, blue Pokémon that must have been Dawn's seeing as Piplup was with Dawn at the moment, something Misty would address in a moment.
"What brought you two here?" Misty asked after a moment. "Not that I am complaining mind you, your timing was perfect I am just a little surprised that you aren't with Ash."
"We heard raised voices and it didn't sound pleasant so we came to check it out." Dawn said with a shrug. "I recognized one as your sultry tones and I'm glad we did, he was getting bad."
"Yeah Kenny is my oldest, and at one point closest, friend but I never knew how he felt about me until near the end of my Sinnoh journey with Ash and Brock." Misty said with a sigh. "I never thought of him in that way and I probably wouldn't have but by then I was all in on Ash even if I didn't notice it myself."
"Rejection hurts." Dawn said with a nod. "I've done it a few times and it is never pretty, even if Psyduck laughs at me whenever a guy likes me. Plus after the other week I know what it is like first hand to be rejected, albeit in a slightly different way."
"Yeah." May agreed quietly. "Some guys handle it well, some don't. Clearly he was in the latter category."
"True." Misty agreed. "Wait, May where did you go? I never got to say hi to you when we arrived because you got in today while I had to distract Ash to maintain the surprise. I don't think Ash has seen you yet either, though knowing him you can say you were there the entire time and he'd believe you."
"Oh yeah, sorry about that." May said hesitantly while trying not to look at Misty. "Well, you see…"
"May was a little sad and seeing as I didn't want to see you and Ash make out again I offered to help her." Dawn said quickly. "So I took May into the ranch to help her out while Ash greets everyone else."
"Oh, I am sorry to hear that May, what's up?" Misty asked concerned for her friend and not knowing the true reason for May's sadness. "And Dawn I am surprised, surely you would have enjoyed the show between me and Ash. You were such a fan back in Cerulean after all."
Misty was teasing Dawn a little and it was working as Dawn's eye twitched slightly while the vein in her forehead throbbed. Dawn recovered through and nodded to Misty to show that she had won this round but that Misty should be careful, the next one would go to her.
"It's nothing Misty." May lied. "I just, well, I just needed a moment to clear my head. Bad memories and all."
"May, you are my friend." Misty said taking May's hand and not feeling the stiffness at the touch before May returned the grip and squeezed Misty's hand. Regardless of the reason, it meant a lot to May that Misty still cared about how she felt. "Tell me. If you are comfortable with doing so that is."
"Well, you see." May said deciding that it was best to go with a partial truth, she wasn't going to admit the full truth to her crush's girlfriend but Misty deserved to at least know about her breakup with Drew. "Seeing you happy with Ash and successful in landing your crush reminded me of the good times with Drew, back when we both admitted our mutual feelings for one another. That led to memories of the bad times and how it ended and, well, I needed a moment. Dawn was there and helped me out so that I didn't ruin anything for you and Ash, I could never do that to him."
"Oh May." Misty said pulling May into another hug. "I'm so sorry to hear that. I didn't mean to cause you any grief, I was just so happy for Ash when we all surprised him that I just kinda lost myself in the moment."
"I'm better now, thanks Misty." May said breaking the hug and smiling at Misty. Despite everything, Misty was a true friend and May could never hate her for being with Ash, no matter how much it hurt that Ash wasn't with her. "I talked it out with Dawn and it felt good getting it off my chest, I didn't know how much I needed it until after it had happened. It was a bad breakup with Drew but that over a year ago and I am glad it is over. Now it is just memories."
"I understand." Misty said sympathetically. "I just had to deal with that to an extend though this is likely the end of a longtime friendship with Kenny and not a breakup."
"We heard." May said. "Sorry that you had to deal with that."
"It was inevitable." Misty said with a sad smile. "I can deal with it when it comes up again. It hurts a little to lose an old friend like Kenny but if he can't accept me and Ash then so be it. Also he kinda scared me."
"You should at least tell Ash about this." Dawn said. "He needs to know that there is a rival out there and to be prepared for his own battle to defend Misty's honor."
"Yeah I can't really keep this from him can I, unlike other things." Misty said and Dawn smirked knowing that there was something that Misty was keeping from Ash while May just looked a little confused. "I'll tell him tomorrow about this and another potential rival. Tonight is for Ash, no need to bother Ash."
"True hence why I had to take a moment." May said with a smile. "Ash deserves to be happy tonight, no matter what else is going on."
"That he does." Misty agreed before remembering something May had said about Misty's feelings that had caused her friend's sudden sadness. "Wait how did you know of my crush May?"
"Because you barely shut up about Ash at the Wallace Cup." May pointed out and Misty blushed. "It was pretty obvious."
"Sorry." Misty said. "I had just seen Ash in Unova and realized how I felt about him so I was kinda a little giddy at the time, while also missing him."
"Don't be." May lied as she hoped the smile on her face didn't come off as forced. "It was cute and nice to hear how Ash was doing, I hadn't seen him since Sinnoh so I liked being able to hear about his latest adventure."
"Well I am glad you are ok now." Misty said. "And that you are at the party, Ash will be glad to see you."
"Thank Piplup." Dawn said holding up the really smug Pokémon. "He came to find us. If he hadn't, I may have ended up swimming with this new water type I saw on a pond. It was a beautiful, dark blue armless Pokémon with light blue sacks of sorts and a cream belly. If I wasn't helping May out I would have dived in and played with it."
"Oh that is Ash's Palpitoad." Misty said. "There's only one Pokémon here with that kind of appearance so it has to be him."
"Palpitoad?" May asked as she mulled over the unfamiliar name. "I take it that it's a Unova Pokémon cos I've never heard of it."
"It is." Misty said with a nod. "Though I didn't meet him until the other day when Ash showed me around the ranch and introduced me to all the Unova Pokémon I hadn't yet met. He's a second stage, water/ground type Pokémon according to Ash. I think he was a pond boss or something that tried to prevent Ash from getting a healing herb from underwater. He was strong enough to be a challenge for Ash, so much so that Ash decided to catch him."
"Really." Dawn said her eyes shining at the Pokémon's typing. "How rare and amazing. I must see if Ash will let me borrow him for a bit so that I can train him a little. I could use it in the gym against some of the cocky asses who show up with electric types."
"I am sure if you ask him he will say yes." Misty said. "This is Ash we are talking about, he will help out so long as Palpitoad isn't in his active rotation and you return him when Ash needs him again."
"Very true." Dawn said. "And of course I will return him as soon as Ash needs him."
"Dawn?" Misty asked realizing something that could help her later. "Can, can I ask you a favor?"
"Depends what?" Dawn said with a smirk. "I am sure there are a few things I can teach you about being a woman that Ash would love to learn."
"It's about Piplup." Misty said getting both Dawn's and Piplup's attention while also ignoring Dawn's attempt to annoy her. "Not anything else."
"Sure, what?" Dawn asked.
"Can you look after him tonight." Misty said fighting down a blush knowing that Dawn would at least have a guess as to why Misty didn't want Piplup around. "I, er, want to be alone with Ash tonight, you know seeing as it is his birthday, and not have to worry about Pikachu and Piplup. It is just for the night and you did promise to spoil him today."
"What do you say Piplup?" Dawn said looking down at the now slightly confused Penguin Pokémon and ignoring that Misty had talked about alone time with Ash as best she could. "How about it? Shall we spend the night together by the water, camp out under the stars, maybe chat with that magnificent Palpitoad and chill with all the other water types."
"Piplup." Piplup said with a nod of agreement, this human praised his ego more after hurting it so he could accept that. He wasn't sure why Misty wanted this girl to look after him for the night but he didn't mind, it was only one night. "Pip, Piplup."
"Deal." Dawn said with a smile. "But I want all the details Misty, all of them. No holding back, not censorship, all the juicy details."
"You will get what you get." Misty countered before looking sternly at Piplup. "And Piplup, this is it. After tonight no more being pissed at me. No more special treatment. No more attacking me to get me up or to stop me and Ash having a moment. I am sorry for what happened to you, you were thrust into the middle of me and Dawn when we were at our worst and didn't deserve that but this ends now. We have spoiled you so now you can forgive us."
Piplup eyed Misty for a moment trying to see if she was really being serious. He had already forgiven Misty but he had been milking it for as long as possible but he knew he couldn't keep it up for ever. He guessed he could end it, for now. He wasn't going to promise to not attack her when she needed a wake up or a cool down while with her mate though, that was non-negotiable.
"Piplup." He said with a nod after a moment.
"Good." Misty said. "I can't promise you that I won't put you in another battle like that, though I can promise that you will be sitting out the next one. That will be tomorrow and Angie has a Luxio so I can't use you against an electric type."
"Angie?" May asked confused. "Next one?"
"Angie is a friend of ours from Sinnoh who's family runs a Pokémon daycare there." Misty said looking at May. "We met her at a camp run by Professor Rowan while we were taking a bit of a break from our journey. She and Ash butted heads at first but then became friends because well this is Ash we're talking about, he was himself and Angie saw that. He then saved her life, literally, and risked his own in the process."
"Say no more." Dawn said holding up a hand to stop Misty. "She fell for him just like we did."
"Yup." Misty said not realizing that Dawn meant all 3 of them and not just her and Dawn. "She was invited cos she's a friend but when she saw me and Ash together. Naturally she got upset and came here to clear her head. I saw and came over to comfort her and that was when I learned about her crush on Ash. We had a civil, respectful, and nice talk with no property damage and worked it all out like civilized adults."
"You can have those?" Dawn asked confused. "Who'd have thought."
"Surprisingly, some of us can control our tempers." Misty said with a smirk and Dawn just shrugged. "Anyway, I acknowledged her as a rival and challenged her to a battle tomorrow. I have a feeling that there will be many battles tomorrow given the number of trainers present and well this is Ash's party, he will want to challenge everyone he hasn't seen in a while."
"Max is first, he will make sure of that." May said referring to her youngest brother. "He's been training for a year on the off chance he could face Ash and can't wait."
"He's first but then I am facing Angie next." Misty said with a wicked grin. "I have to remind her which one of us got Ash in the end."
"I look forward to that." Dawn said with a smirk of her own. "Another battle of dominance for Ash, always fun. Maybe I won't be alone…"
Dawn was going to continue when the sound of a Poke Ball opening of its own accord was heard. Dawn groaned as a flash of white light escaped from her bag and formed on the ground next to her. There was only one Pokémon that she had that came out without her command.
"Psy?" A very confused looking Psyduck said wondering why it was where it was as it looked around holding its head. "Psyduck?"
"Does that happen a lot?" Misty asked confused as she looked at the Duck Pokémon.
"More than I like." Dawn grumbled. "Never figured out why. Psyduck is one of a kind. I have never met a Pokémon like him."
Psyduck then raised its bill and sniffed the air. A smile appeared on its dopy face and it ran straight for the marquee. Dawn blanched at that.
"Psyyyy." Psyduck yelled in joy as ran.
"Oh no you don't." Dawn yelled running after it still holding Piplup. "Get back her you damned duck. That food isn't for you."
Misty and May just laughed as they watched Dawn run after the Pokémon.. There was a brief, slightly awkward silence between the two that May noticed but Misty didn't seeing.
"Well I guess that is something to add to the party." Misty said shaking her head. "I am sure Ash will be amused."
"It is." May said before pausing and adding. "Misty, I am sorry for not saying hi."
"It's ok, I understand." Misty said turning to her friend. "Ash will as well, though he probably hasn't even noticed. There are a lot of old friends here."
"It's Ash, I doubt it." May said and the girls chucked. "He is probably fully catching up with everyone at the moment."
As they were talking a dark haired girl with short hair and shades on her forehead came over to them, a Glameow at her heals. Misty noticed Zoey and smiled as soon as she saw her, going over to hug her friend and rival.
"Zoey!" Misty said happily when they broke apart. "Sorry I haven't seen you yet, it has been a bit eventful already and I had to deal with a few things."
"This is an event for Ash." Zoey said with a shrug. "It wouldn't be one if it wasn't eventful in some way. Anyway, I came over to find you and bring you back to the party."
"Oh yeah, I should probably get back to Ash." Misty said embarrassed. "He may actually notice I am missing if I am not by his side."
"That and Brock and this Cilan guy are having a cook off." Zoey said. "And Ash's stomach is going to be the primary judge."
"Oh, I am not missing this." Misty said as she saw the party head into the marquee. "This is contest I want to taste. Both are amazing cooks, only Ash could decide who wins it."
"You, er, might also want to run." Zoey added. "There's some girl with odd pigtails who hasn't spoken yet but has spent the entire time eyeing Ash for a while with a hungry look in her eyes."
"Oh hell no." Misty said as she began to head off towards the marquee. "I am going to get sick of this aren't I? Where is she? She is not getting near my boyfriend."
Zoey and May just chuckled as Misty headed off before breaking into a run to get there faster. It was going to be interesting night for sure.
"Hey May." Zoey said turning to the other coordinator who hadn't yet headed back to the party. "How's it going?"
"Alright I guess." May said with a sigh looking to where Ash was with a wistful look in her eyes. "Just hard, you know, seeing a crush with someone else. Not an easy thing to suddenly see but I'll be alright."
"Yeah I know the feeling." Zoey said looking wistfully over as well. "But we just have to deal with it when it happens. Come on, let's go and join in. If this Cilan is as good as Brock then I don't want to miss it. After the low level drama I just heard, this will get good."
May just nodded and the pair headed back to join the party, putting their heartaches to the side for the sake of the event. The only thing that May didn't notice was that it hadn't been Ash who Zoey had been looking at with sad longing like May had been doing, Zoey had been looking at Misty.
