Misty:
I could see how down in the dumps he was. I felt heart-sore for him. Delia stared up the stairs and whispered tiredly, "He hasn't been out of his room in two days. Not even for food! I'm getting really worried about him, Misty! That's why I called you." She glanced at me hopefully and said in a whisper, "Please would you go and talk to him for me?"
I grimaced and muttered, "Sure Mrs Ketchum. But please tell me why he's like this? I need to know what I'm getting myself into." Mrs Ketchum nodded and gestured with her head towards the table in the kitchen. She sighed and said softly, "This might be as much of a shock for you as it is for Ash. Be warned." I nodded cautiously and said comfortingly, "I'll try not to judge your Mrs Ketchum."
She nodded and sighed before continuing, "Well…Giovanni and I dated once."
I felt my jaw drop and immediately felt bad. I stammered, "I…I'm sorry. That was a shock." Mrs. Ketchum smiled bleakly and said, "I know. That's not the worst of it though." I swallowed…and whispered breathlessly, "Don't tell me Ash…" I trailed off and hoped to the heavens she wasn't about to tell me something that I felt she was.
I silently cringed when she stuttered out, "I…I…um…he's Ash's father." It had been Ash's eighteenth birthday only a few days ago. They'd had a massive party for him in Pallet and of course I'd attended. Mrs. Ketchum continued before saying sadly, "Ash is heartbroken. I feel like a huge letdown of a mother." I smiled sweetly at her and pulled her into a hug, "You're not though, Mrs. Ketchum. You love him with all your heart."
Flashback:
I had just arrived at Ash's eighteenth party. It was my first time seeing Ash in two years- since his sixteenth. The party was being held in a hotel ballroom and the theme was…needless to say… "come as your favorite Pokemon." It had also said bring a plus one. I had messaged Brock and asked him if he'd be my plus one. He'd readily obliged.
When we pulled up, someone ushered us to the parking lot. I laughed at all the extravaganza and Brock asked curiously, "What's so funny?" I smiled genuinely and replied, "All this hullabaloo doesn't seem like something Ash planned, does it?" Brock grinned and nodded as he pulled into the nearest parking bay. The lot was empty and so there were surely thousands of people inside! He replied, "No…all the glitz and glamour does not seem like an Ash type of event to me. I sighed, "It must be all Delia's planning then."
I was dressed as a Starmie, although the outfit was particularly uncomfortable- all these spikes sticking out of the costume! I had worn a dress underneath so that I could pose for pictures and change quickly afterwards. Brock had made himself some Onix sized rocks that fitted around his body. It had been a struggle getting into the car!
When we walked in, there was a red carpet leading through the front lobby, with balloons adorned with Ash's face and the letters: "Happy 18th Ash!" I laughed and said to Brock cheekily, "Let's take a picture with one! These are too good to be true!" He chuckled and we took a quick selfie with the Ash balloon beside us. I giggled and said quickly, "Take a picture of me kissing the balloon!" Brock rolled his eyes and commented, "Such a girl!" I rolled my eyes and placed my lips to balloon-Ashes' cheek.
Many people began filing in after us now. We got to the entrance of the ballroom and the bouncer said, "Tickets please?" I sighed and shook my head as I handed the bouncer our tickets. He nodded swiftly and I muttered to Brock as we were let in, "How annoying is this?! We're Ash's best friends and we have to show the bouncer how ticket!" I grumbled over the pounding music that hit our ears. Brock shrugged and said carelessly, "Yeah…but I suppose it comes with the nature of being a Pokémon Master. I sighed and shook my head at this, "Pokémon Master…" I whispered, almost inaudibly. I still couldn't really believe it!
The room was dark, but it had strobe lighting pulsating everywhere. It was only six thirty and already people were buying drinks and dancing. I said to Brock quickly, "Let's go and see who we're sharing a table with." On our way over to the tables, Delia bumped into us. I grinned and said, "Hey Mrs Ketchum! You look amazing!" She was wearing a Mr. Mime outfit. Go figure! She beamed and said happily, "Thank you dear! I suppose you're looking for Ash?" I nodded, as did Brock and she pointed to the DJ booth.
We walked up to him, butting our way through the crowds. It took what seemed like forever. Finally we reached him and I placed my hands around his eyes, shouting, "Guess who!" in his ear. He paused for a second before replying, "Misty?!" I laughed and released my hands. He spun around and pulled me into a massive hug, "I missed you so much!" he shouted. I grinned and replied, "I missed you too!"
Then he let go of me and hugged Brock, "Hey buddy! What's up?!" Brock grinned happily, "Great thanks, and you?" Ash was of course, dressed as Pikachu. He was wearing a tux, but on his head he wore Pikachu ears. I giggled and luckily he couldn't hear me laughing at him over the music. He was at least a head taller than me now, and he'd lost a lot of his babyfat.
Ash moved his head sideways, to gesture that we should follow him outside. There was an area outside where people and Pokemon sat and chatted away amicably. That's when I spotted Pikachu, chowing down some fries and ketchup, surrounded by Squirtle, Bulbasaur and Charmander. Pikachu heard us approaching and spun around, a massive smile on its face, "PIKA!" he said loudly, then jumped from table to table, finally reaching us and throwing itself into my arms.
I laughed loudly and hugged the little electric mouse, "Good to see you too, Pikachu!" Pikachu beamed up at me and Ash chuckled, "Like I said, we really missed you!" I felt myself blushing and smiled at him warmly, "Like I said, I really missed you guys too."
We sat down at an empty table and Ash sighed, "I told my mom not to make my birthday such a big deal. Do you think she listened?" Brock and I laughed, and Brock replied, "Your mom is just really proud of you, Ash. Being a the youngest Pokemon Master in the world is kind of a big deal." Ash rolled his eyes and then spoke softly, "I know…I just don't know how we are able to afford all of this! It's not like she has a high paying job. She told me she's been saving up for years, but somehow I don't believe her."
Ash being so concerned about money was something new for me. In all the years I'd known him, he'd only really cared about Pokemon and when his next meal was. I grimaced and replied, "Ash maybe she has just planned and saved for a really long time." Ash shrugged his shoulders and smiled, "Enough of me, how have you guys been? How are you gyms? Also if you want them Pokemon to have a snack, you better let them out now before all the food is gone."
I nodded in agreement and let out Staryu and Starmie. Then I released my Azurill and Psyduck. Brock released Geodude, Vulpix and Goldbat. I spoke to them and said, "Guys, go and join Squirtle and Bulbasaur. They have plenty of food at their table!" They all nodded and followed my pointing finger. I turned to Ash and smiled, "I've been good thanks. The gym is running smoothly and you won't believe who came and visited me for a battle on Thursday!" Ash frowned and replied, "It could be anyone. Who?" I grinned and said smugly, "Gary Oak."
Ash scowled and said, "Gary?! I hope you beat the crap out of him!" I nodded rather smugly, "I did. Gary wasn't expecting it." Ash nodded proudly, "That's my girl!" he said with a grin on his face. This statement caused me to blush again.
That's when I heard a familiar voice behind me, "Bragging about your victory, are we?" It was Gary! I turned and nodded, "Yeah. Of course!" He released his Nidoking, Krabby and Archanine, "Ok guys, go and help yourself!" They did so and Ash stood up, coming to stand beside me. I said with a frown, "What are you doing here? You and Ash aren't exactly friends." He was dressed as a Nidoking and was wearing purple. Gary smirked and said, "No we're not. But don't you know? Delia and my grandfather are dating."
I blanched and turned to Ash with a raised eyebrow, "Is that true?!" Ash grimaced and said painfully, "Yeah unfortunately it is. So my mom insisted on inviting this loser here." Brock interrupted and said quickly, "Guys! They're calling everyone inside." Ash sighed and shook his head, "Here goes nothing," he muttered. I frowned at him. He wasn't the Ash I used to know.
A/N: Hey guys! So this is my just the beginning! There is so much more to the story than this. Hint: Giovanni will be a large part of the story and will be introduced in the next chapter/ Please let me know your thoughts? The next chapter will be a continuation of this flashback.
Also characters ages:
Ash: 18
Misty: 20
Brock: 23
