Hello Fanfiction Readers! Here it is, the moment when Ash and Misty reunite. After reading some comments and other fanfictions written by other people, I decided that "To Tartarus with it, I'm going to see if I can rewrite this chapter from what it was before and see if I can make it satisfactory." Darn you people! Why must you put the pressure on me? I suppose though that if this chapter is any good then it would be worth it. Just don't expect much. As I told myself before I attempted this, I am no Shakespeare.
Disclaimer: The Disclaimer is out to dinner.
Pokémon Black and White
Chapter Fifteen
Ash's Point of View.
"I can't believe she's here." I said, shocked to see my first human traveling companion standing in front of me. I wondered if I was hallucinating or something. Perhaps my victory of getting my second gym badge and the satisfaction it brought is making me delirious? "Ouch, okay, I'm not hallucinating." I said, wincing after I slapped my cheeks.
"Pika Pikapi, pika pika pika pi pika pi chu." ("Well Ash, are you going to stand there all day?") The Mouse Pokémon inquired, his cheeks sparking slightly in a silent threat. "Pikachupi pika pi pika pika chu pikachu." ("Misty didn't come just for you to gawk at her.")
"You're right Pikachu." I said, sweat-dropping. Sometimes I wonder if my mom wasn't too far off when she said that Pikachu would have to take good care of me. I chuckled a little at the absurdity of how that sounded. I then resumed walking over to the person in front of me. "I should go and talk to her." I then noticed something else he said. "And I am not gawking at her!"
As I neared her, even from just looking at her back, she was unmistakable. It was Misty. In the flesh and standing in front of me. I felt a slight smile tug at the corner of my mouth.
She seemed to be lost in thought, as if she was contemplating something. Deciding there was no time like the present, I spoke up. "Misty, it's good to see you again."
Her posture then stiffened, as if she wasn't expecting me to come up behind her. To be honest, I probably wouldn't have expected her either.
"Ash?" Misty asked, turning around slowly. As I saw her face more clearly, any doubt that remained vanished as I saw that it was Misty. The fiery-tempered Water-type Pokémon Trainer with hair to match. When she saw that it was me, she looked surprised. I took note of how she looked very much like her eyes couldn't believe what they were seeing. As she blinked, recognition adorned her features. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has been." I said. I couldn't help but be taken back to that fateful day sometime before I left for Hoenn. I remember that it saddened me to see Misty and Brock go. Well, Misty anyway. It wasn't that I didn't like Brock, it was just that he would soon rejoin me on my journey in Hoenn and Sinnoh. To my slight confusion, I noticed that a tear had escaped from her left eye and was trailing a watery path down her cheekbones. I also felt the strange urge to comfort her again. I mentally chided myself though. It isn't strange to want to comfort your friends when they seem to be in pain, no matter how severe.
"I honestly can't believe it though." Misty continued as another tear fell. Soon, a tear also escaped from her right eye. It seemed though that she wasn't bothering to wipe them away. "I knew that the best place to reunite would be at a city with a Pokémon Gym. I also admitted to myself that it was just as likely that, giving the setting sun, you'd be on your journey to the next gym already."
"Well, you're probably right Misty." I replied sheepishly, scratching the back of my neck. She can sure see right through me sometimes can't she? I probably would've continued on my journey had it not been for something that I saw. Or more specifically, someone. "But I was distracted when I saw a familiar head of orange hair."
"I'm glad you were." Misty said, a few more tears coming from her eyes. I wonder why see seems so emotional? "It's been too long since our last adventure together."
Misty says the last word like there is some hidden meaning behind it. Perhaps there was. Misty and I were really close on our travels together. Once again though, looking at her slightly tear-streaked appearance, I couldn't help but feel the urge to comfort her again. Only this time, it seemed to come on much stronger.
"Hey." I said gently, fiddling around in a pocket of my pants. While I hadn't used it exactly in a while, it always carried with it a special place in my heart. I then gave a triumphant "Aha!" inside my head when I found what I was looking for. I then started to clear Misty's face of the few tears on it. "No need to cry." Or was there? I had to admit that seeing her again were drudging up some feelings inside of me.
Despite my assurance of there being no need to cry, Misty seemed to be crying more than she had previously. This caught the attention of a few odd looks around us. Around two or three people even glared at me when they saw the scene and probably thought I had hurt her. As I pondered that, I couldn't help but wonder that maybe I did hurt her in some way.
"Misty, why are you crying so much?" I asked curiously, dabbing her eyes with a gentleness I didn't even know I had possessed. Misty then smiled through the faint tears and it hit me like a Hydro Pump. Those weren't tears of sadness on her face, they were tears of joy. Her smile also seemed to take my breath away.
"It's just that," Misty began, rubbing her eyes with her left sleeve. "Seeing you after all these years up close and in person and seeing that you still have my handkerchief I gave you before we parted ways, I guess I just couldn't control myself."
"I also kept your special lure." The words seemed to come out of my mouth by their own volition. While it's true, and I suppose relevant to the conversation, I wondered briefly why I brought that up. It seemed though that now it was my turn to cry as I felt a few tears start to drip down my face. Out of my own volition, that day came back to me in full. "Yeah...I remember that day." I then felt myself become enraged and saddened at the recollection; enraged that I would have to say goodbye and saddened that I would soon miss Misty so much. I also noticed how my tears seemed to be of joy too. After all, it isn't everyday that you are reunited with your best friend.
"If I could go back to that day, I'd try to convince you to stay." I said, not caring if my tears flowed freely. As few tears there were anyway. "I'd try to do anything to get you to travel with me again. You were my best friend."An image of a tranquil lake flashed across my vision from that dream I had. A small voice at the back of my mind seemed to be curious as it spoke. Just best friends? Or perhaps...something more?
"It wouldn't have mattered." Misty said sullenly. "My sisters were leaving and if I didn't take over the gym, the gym would be closed. And I couldn't live with myself if that happened."
"Given how I was back then I don't think I would cared." I replied genuinely. And it was true, while back then I would've given anything to be able to travel with her, I vaguely understood at the time that she had responsibilities of her own. That vagueness only gave way to clarity as I fully understood that she did need to manage that gym. "If only to keep traveling with my best friend again."
Misty raised her eyebrow and looked ready to speak, but seemed to decide against it. Although, she seemed to settle for something else. She's so cute when she thinks. I was then taken aback. Where did that thought come from?Most likely the same place where that dream of the lake originated from.
"On the bright side though," Misty added, offering a small smile as her the few tears that were coming out evaporated. "I managed to tame that Gyarados that was rampaging through the gym." She looked content, looking back on the memory.
"And now he is one of your most capable battlers and friends." I said, smiling slightly as I remembered how strong the Atrocious Pokémon is. My tears of rage, sadness, and happiness also slowing in frequency.
"Yeah." Misty said, smiling as she looked to be remembering that day too. I wasn't there when it happened, but she told me about it. I also heard about it from meeting a Nurse Joy as I traveled through the Hoenn region with Brock, May, and Max. Brock of course was flirting with Nurse Joy, saying something about how his heart beat for her and her alone. This was met with Max pulling him on the ear away from her. I couldn't help but be reminded of Misty since that was usually how she got Brock to calm down. In fact, I think that Misty had passed it along to Max.
It then struck me like a Thunderbolt attack when I remembered she was talking about the gym earlier. If she's here, then who is taking care of the gym and its Pokémon? "Hey, Misty." I began conversationally as she seemed to be coming out of any thoughts she might've been having.
"What is it Ash?" Misty inquired.
"Well, don't take this the wrong way, but how are you here?" I finished.
"Oh, well, it turns out that Daisy, Violet, and Lily have been battling in their free time." Misty replied. There was an air of nonchalance to her, as if she was discussing something as simple and innocuous as the weather.
"Daisy, Violet, and Lily are battling?" I asked, incredulous. Many people fitted names to Misty's three older sisters. The Sensational Sisters were called beautiful. Enchanting. Radiant. Stunning. Beautiful. Intoxicating. Beautiful. It seemed a lot of people were focused on their beauty. Well, except for Tracey. He cared about what was inside of Daisy. Her substance. Her intrinsic worth. He never really cared for her beauty. Tracey loved everything about Daisy. The feelings were also reciprocated. The blonde-haired model loved everything about the artist. The main thing they cared for though, was each other and their substance on the inside. "The Sensational Sisters, who would rather give out a badge and focus on putting on a show, are actually battling?"
Misty had a rueful smile on her face. "Yeah, I couldn't believe it myself either." She then shrugged. "I guess though that they were tired of seeing me be miserable when I would occasionally sulk around the gym sometimes."
"Oh, Misty..." I began sympathetically, feeling a tear fall loose from my right eye as I heard about how she felt. Probably alone in that gym aside from her Pokémon. Honestly, it hurt me a little. "I'm so sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Misty asked curiously, her eyes finally dry. "It wasn't your fault I was stuck battling challengers in the gym. My sisters won a cruise and I had to take over the gym."
Her logic made sense. Why was I feeling so apologetic? "I know, but still, I should have tried to contact you while I was on my travels." I said, now feeling like I was the one who couldn't control their emotions as several tears began to fall again. "But instead I was too busy training Pokémon, having battles, and eating food." I couldn't help but notice that Pikachu seemed to be exceptionally quiet right now. It was as if he wanted to give Misty and I some quiet time to talk.
"Ash..." Misty began, sounding as if it was her turn to be sympathetic. "Does it really tear you up that much?"
"I-I-I don't know." I stuttered. Man, I was acting like a wreck. I felt unsure of myself. Usually I only felt unsure when it came to battling. The time I went up against Candice in the Snowpoint Gym came to mind when I faced off against her Abomasnow. "It's just, you sounded so unhappy while you were at the gym and I did nothing to help you." I then decided to lift the somber mood a little by letting loose a light chuckle. "Look at us? We must look like emotional trainwrecks."
Misty also chuckled. I couldn't help but notice that my day brightened. That I felt, that my heart felt lighter. "Yeah, we probably do." Misty then seemed to become solemn. Well, at least I tried to lighten the mood. "You couldn't have know." Misty said, placing an arm on my left forearm. It sent shivers up and down my arm. This was confusing me a little. "You were busy trying to fulfill your dream of becoming the world's greatest Pokémon Master."
"Yeah, you're right Misty." I said, offering a small smile as she dabbed any tears on my face with her handkerchief. "But my friends are so much more important to me than some title." And it was true. The Pokémon companions and the humans I met brightened my days and lifted me up. After all, the most important thing to a Pokémon Trainer is friendship. Well, that and determination. Lots of determination. A vague speech that I made at the Snowpoint City Pokémon Trainer School filtered into my mind. The memory was solid enough for me to know that it happened, yet it seemed indistinct enough for me to wonder if it indeed did happen. Talk about your contradictory sentence.
I was then took by surprise when I felt Misty's arms around me in a hug, and surprised a little more at the fact that she seemed shorter than me. The difference was not enough to be fairly distinct, but it was significant enough to be noticeable. I guess after all these years I had my growth spurt and passed Misty's though. I then thought wryly as I reminisced on a time when I had to look up slightly at her. As several minutes of silence, I decided to break it.
"Uh, Misty?" I asked. I couldn't help but feel my face heat up a little at such intimate contact. "What, um, what are you doing?"
Misty then pulled away to look into my eyes. I couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed at her letting go. Yet I couldn't place my finger on why that was exactly. "You just looked like you needed some comforting. I then observed how a faint shade of pink was on Misty's cheekbones.
It was true though. I actually did need some comforting. I feel though that there was a hidden meaning to that hug. "Yeah, I did. Thank you."
Misty smiled. When she did though, I felt the breath knocked out of my gut as if someone punched it. The heat on my face increased slightly. "Anytime Ash, anytime."
"So, what are you doing here in Unova?" I inquired, curious as to why Misty was here after we had a firm grasp on our emotions and stopped crying.
"Well," Misty began rather hesitatingly. Odd. Since when has Misty been one to hesitate about anything? Again, the blue lake flashed in my mind. "Honestly I came here because I wanted to travel with you again."
When she said that, I think my face got even hotter than it was before. "Really, that's why you came here?!" I inquired. I don't know why, but I couldn't help but beam at her. Most likely I had a goofy smile on my face.
"Yeah, it is." Misty replied. The pink shade of color on her face seemed to increase slightly. "I've missed traveling with you."
"Yeah, I've missed traveling with you too." I said. No matter how many Pokémon or humans I befriended, my mind would always go back to Misty, Brock, Pikachu, and the Pokémon I met in Kanto and Johto.
I then leaned back in my chair at a café we decided to sit down at earlier. Standing in the middle of the street and crying and talking was getting a few odd glances from those passing by.
"That would just be great though." I said. A small content smile was on my face. This opened up new possibilities that could be had with my best friend traveling with me again. As I did though, I couldn't help but notice some warmth spreading through my abdomen. I wonder if it's something I ate.
I then remembered how I had a dream earlier before Cilan caught his Dwebble. About how me and Misty were relaxing by a lake and it looked like she was about to tell me something important. I wonder if it is just my subconsciousness trying to tell me something.
"It would be nice." Misty commented. "Just like old times.
"Yeah, like old times." I looked back at the arguments we had. We seemed to fight a lot, but we both knew we cared for each other. To some people though, they thought that we were more than friends. A couple in fact. Back then I was too dense and naïve to understand. But now, I wonder...
I then looked back at Misty and caught her staring at me. As she did, I took in my first real look of her since I saw her. I was taken aback by appearance when I did.
By no stretch of the imagination could I call her scrawny anymore. She looked like she had been working out. I attributed that to all the swimming she engages in. And the training of her Pokémon and her duties of being a gym leader. Her hair was up its usual style of a side ponytail. It seemed to be somewhat longer now. She was wearing a simple black t-shirt with a design of a Tentacruel on it. I chuckled faintly to myself. I remembered back in the town of Porta Vista and how Misty said that Tentacool and Tentacruel were all so cute. I also remembered how Misty had called the red spot on their heads the Ruby of the Sea.
She was also wearing a dark blue jacket that looked good on her. She was also wearing dark blue jeans and her signature white tennis shoes with red coloring on the sides with a yellow line arcing slightly. To me, she was...she was...I don't even know. And after all these years, she's as much a tomboy as I remember her being.
The coloring on her face seemed to increase from me catching her staring at me.
"So," I said, trying to break the silence that surrounded us. "I think we should get back to the Pokémon Center and get ready to continue my journey."
"Sounds good Ash." Misty said, the coloring dimming slightly.
"Okay, then let's go!" I exclaimed, grabbing her by the wrist. I couldn't help but feel a slight electric current. Strange given how I don't think that Pikachu hit me with any of his electricity. After we almost neared the Pokémon Center for the night, realization dawned on me. It was like I was on the receiving end of one of Charizard's Flamethrower attacks. Could...could it be that I have a crush on Misty?
Changing the topic in my mind, I noticed that the Marill in Misty's arms seemed to be as quiet as Pikachu, as if Marill wanted to give them time to talk. I also decided then and there that I would have to mill over this for some time. But what I did know was that, regardless of any feelings I may or may not have, I was ecstatic to have Misty traveling with me again.
Misty's Point of View.
"So Ash, care to introduce us?" The green-haired man in front of me inquired. He seemed to be curious about my arrival. I myself was curious about why he was wearing a tuxedo.
"Yeah Ash!" The purple-haired girl next to the man piped up. "Don't be such a little kid and introduce her!"
Little kid? I thought with a chuckle. Ash, what have you been doing?
"Well, you see," Ash began." Misty Waterflower was the Cerulean City Gym Leader back in the Kanto region."
"And I also traveled with Ash when we went through Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto." I added as I stood next to Ash. As my hand accidentally grazed his, warmth came to my face.
"Well, it is nice to meet you Misty." The green-haired man said respectfully. I couldn't help but notice the man's polite demeanor. "My name is Cilan, one of the leaders of the Striation City Gym along with my brothers Chili and Cress. And I strive my hardest to becoming a premier Pokémon Connoisseur."
"A gym leader, huh?" I asked. From what I had heard from Mrs. Ketchum, Ash had several other traveling companions. None of them, aside from Brock, were gym leaders though. In Hoenn he traveled with May and Max Maple and in Sinnoh with Dawn Berlitz. Both times Ash also traveled with Brock Slate. I must admit, I miss the guy, even if he did go off chasing after any pretty girl he saw. This of course prompted me to pull on his ear.
"And my name is Iris." The purple-haired girl added as a Pokémon burst from her hair, "And this is my partner Axew."
"It's nice to meet you." I said. I then reflected over the difference I saw in Ash. He seemed to have grown over the years we've been apart. I'm so glad that I'll be able to travel with him again. He was my first traveling companion, and even if he didn't return my feelings, I knew that our friendship ran deeper than most. We had been through a lot together. A faint memory then grazed my mind. It was when we were at Shamouti Island.
And Ash is never really alone because he's got...me.
I felt myself flush a bit at the memory. No matter what, Ash and I will always be friends. There was a bond between us that was unbreakable.
I noticed how he seemed to be taller than me by at least a few inches. I guess I no longer have to look down at him. He also seemed to be working out. Probably from all the Pokémon Training he does. There seemed to be slight muscles forming on Ash's arms.
"Sounds like you two have been through a lot together." Cilan assumed. That is putting it midly. "What a timeless recipe for a truly delicious meal!"
At the man's exuberant behavior, I was taken aback. Traveling around with Ash and Brock, we met up with a lot of people. Although, I don't think any of them were quite as unique as Cilan. I leaned over to whisper in Ash's ear. I strained to make sure Cilan didn't overhear. "Does he do that a lot?"
Ash seemed to be pondering this for a moment before responding. He looked kind of...cute when he was deep in thought like that. "Yes, yes he does." As he spoke, my ear felt his warm breath. Again I felt myself flush again before shaking my head to clear it.
"I suppose we should go to bed now," Cilan suggested. "The earlier we begin the day the earlier that we can get to Castelia City."
"Right!" Iris exclaimed. And with that, she jumped into her bed. Axew got out of her hair and snuggled up against her. The girl's enthusiasm reminded me a bit of Ash when we were traveling in the past. I heard Ash mumbled something about "Iris" and "Such a kid" as Cilan went to fall asleep in the bed underneath the one occupied by Iris.
"So, I see you're Azurill evolved after all this time." Ash commented. I saw that Pikachu and Marill were quietly playing together, as to not to wake the sleeping teens.
"Yep." I said, beaming. "And I couldn't be prouder of my Marill."
"When did it evolve?" Ash inquired. Truth be told, the memory was kind of hazy. So many gym battles and Pokémon kind of blended together in my memory. Eventually I found the memory, although it seemed to be a bit foggy.
"After battling with Azurill for a while, it evolved into Marill while I was facing off against this guy and his Raticate." I said, vaguely remembering the occasion.
"Did you win or end up giving a badge out then?" Ash asked. Again, the memory was foggy, but it wasn't indistinct enough for me not to know that bit of information.
"I won of course!" I declared triumphantly, holding two of my fingers up in the "V" symbol for victory. It was a pose I had gotten from Ash and first used it after I caught my Horsea while we were in Porta Vista. It still boils me up a little to know that Nastina wanted to get rid of those Tentacool and Tentacruel. Although, the memory was also a bit humorous as Ash got all indignant when I first used the pose. "All thanks to a well-executed Water Gun on Marill's part."
Ash seemed to be smiling to himself. I wonder what was going on in that head of his. I wonder if he too was thinking of when I used his pose. Either way, I decided to break Ash out of whatever he was thinking about, I interjected into the conversation. "That was a great gym battle you had today. I honestly thought that both Herdier and Tepig would faint, ending the gym battle in a tie." In all fairness, had Tepig been just a little more winded, it probably would have.
"Yeah, but Tepig gave it his all and stood strong!" Ash said. Again he seemed to be lost in thought. Aside from Pokémon Battles, I don't think I ever saw him so contemplative. As he continued, I couldn't help but notice a suspicion tone lacing his voice. "Hey, one of the Pokémon Battle Club Members came by before I could challenge the gym and said that someone had come there to ask them to help me win my gym battle." He then narrowed his eyes. "Any idea who that could be?"
I remembered that. After talking with Lenora after I retrieved the Dragon Skull, she seemed to be a ferocious competitor for Ash to go up against. So, what was I to do but to help him? "That would be me." Upon saying that, Ash's eyes seemed to return to normal. "I decided that you needed as much help as you could get."
"So it was you!" Ash said, a slight smile on his face. "Thanks."
"No problem." I said, feeling myself flush once more. I really need to get a firmer grasp on my emotions. I then composed myself. "Anything for yo- a good friend." As I spoke, I realized I was about to say "Anything for you". As I wondered if Ash acknowledged that, it didn't seem he did. He seemed to notice something though as his eyes narrowed again.
"What is that suppose to mean?" Ash asked. "That I need as much help as I can get?"
"Well, you being you, you probably would've had trouble defeating her." I said. "It isn't like every gym leader you go up against can be an instantaneous success."
Ash seemed to be lost in though at that.
"Hey!" Ash exclaimed indignantly. I couldn't help but notice that Iris and Cilan started to stir. "I think I could've won regardless of if you went to seek assistance."
On one hand, I suppose Ash was right. On the other hand though, there was no way I was going to give him that satisfaction.
"Riiight." I began sarcastically. "Funny how the only reason you won is because of the assistance you received."
"Oh yeah?" Ash said. I noticed that his face seemed to be getting closer to mine.
"Yeah!" I replied, crossing my arms. My face seemed to be getting closer to Ash's.
"Oh yeah!" Ash shouted. It looked like he was mere inches from my face now. I wonder if we ever got this close before?
"Yeah!" I shouted back. My nose was against Ash's as we stared each other down.
However, before we continue on what we were going on about, we both heard Cilan and Iris waking up.
"What's going on?" Cilan asked groggily as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
"What's with all the shouting?" Iris wondered aloud, she too was rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Pikapi pika Pikachupi pika pi pika." ("Ash and Misty are at it again.") While I most likely wouldn't understand Ash's Unova Pokémon, talking with any of the Pokémon he caught in Kanto and Johto was simple. Especially Pikachu.
"Ma rill marill marill." ("Sure looks like it.")
Even though that my Marill wasn't along for my travels with Ash, Marill learned of my disagreements with Ash over the years from my other Water-type Pokémon. They mainly spoke how we argued. A lot. Sometimes even over the most trivial of things.
As I stared Ash down, I saw a familiar shade of crimson on his face as mine grew warm. I then couldn't help but to burst out laughing.
"Did I miss something?" Iris asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Cilan said, shrugging.
"Just like old times," Ash said after we stopped laughing. "Am I right Misty?"
"Yeah," I replied. It had been a long, long time since arguing with Ash over things. I have to admit it though, I missed it. I missed his Pokémon and how he infuriated me. I missed him. "Just like the old days."
Iris and Cilan seemed to not know what to do about our change in attitude. They most likely haven't seen two people look ready to throttle each other before talking casually. Iris and Cilan then went back to bed. I heard someone – Iris – mumble something about "What kids!" before they fell back asleep.
"We should probably got to sleep too." Ash suggested.
That sounded like a good idea. After such a exhaustive day, I could use some rest. Only, there was one problem.
"Yeah, only one problem." I said.
"And what would that be?" Ash asked.
"There are only three beds in here." I replied. "There are four of us."
"Oh, well, that's..." Ash began. It looked though that an idea crossed his mind. "Hey! How about I just sleep on the floor?"
"You sure about that Ash?" I inquired. "Knowing you, you'd most likely want to sleep in a nice and comfy bed."
"Hey!" Ash shouted, looking to be half-offended by the comment. He yelled at a quieter tone though so as to not wake up either Iris and Cilan again along with the now-resting Axew, Pikachu, and Marill. "While your somewhat right about that, I have no problem sleeping on the floor."
"Okay then, thanks Ash." I said. He really has grown into something of a gentleman, hasn't he? At least a little. I then slipped into the bed after I went into the bathroom to change into a simple blue-shirt with a yellow swirl extending from the center. Small red dots were interspersed haphazardly throughout the design. I was also wearing dark blue pants. "I couldn't slept on the floor though."
"No problem Misty." Ash said as he looked to be getting as comfy as he could on the floor after he changed into a simple light blue t-shirt and decided to sleep in the pants he wore during the day. From what I saw from when his shirt was up slighlty, he looked to have dark blue undershorts. "Besides, I am a gentleman."
"Sure you are." I said, only half-sarcastic as I threw a simple white pillow down at his face. As much for his comfort and for the intent I was aiming for. "Whatever you say Ketchum."
"Hey, I can be on when I want to be." Ash said indignantly before he fell asleep. "Good Night Misty."
"Good night Ash." I said. I then added softly "Sweet Dreams." It seemed it wasn't softly enough through.
"Did you say something Misty?" Ash inquired sleepily.
"Me? No, nothing!" I said hastily. "I-I didn't say anything Ash."
"If you say so." Ash said. And with that, he was out like a Snorlax after eating a lot of food.
"Good Night." I said. When I was sure he was asleep, I spoke again under my breath. "I love you."
Normal Point of View
As Ash was quietly sleeping, the castle in the desert made a reappearance.
I wonder if that place has any significanece." Ash thought to himself as the scene changed to a brightly shining stone of white."
That stone reminds me of the one I dreamed of in the Nacrene Museum! I wonder if these two stones are related to Zekrom and the other dragon of legend.
As Ash looked around, he was wondering about something strange. Are these walls...snickering?
Ash was then woken up. And rather rudely as well. When he blinked several times to get up, he saw a devious smile on a certain orange-haired Pokémon Trainer.
"Good Morning Ash!"
"Hey Misty!" Ash exclaimed. "What was that for?"
"I was trying to wake up up but you wouldn't hear me." Misty replied. Ash then noticed the Aqua Mouse Pokémon in her arms. The Pokémon looked very pleased with what they had done.
"Okay." Ash said, calming down. He then felt a trickle of water go into his face. "I'm up! Tell your Marill to stop firing Water Guns at me."
As Ash dried himself off with a dark gray towel, he noticed that the room seemed to be missing something. Or rather and more specifically, someone.
"Where are Iris and Cilan?" Ash asked.
"They've already got up, dressed, and went to have breakfast downstairs." Misty replied, then added a thought crossed her mind. "In fact, after how long you've been sleeping, I think they might be done and ready to get on the road."
"What?" Ash exclaimed as he ran into the bathroom to change. "What time did they wake up?"
As Ash came back into the room, he was struggling to put his shirt on as he was in a hurry.
"About eight o'clock." Misty replied. A faint blush was on her cheeks as she looked quickly down at her watch. Before she did, she saw the very faint beginnings of muscles forming on his stomach before he pulled the shirt on completely. The design on the watch were several waves washing over a picturesque shore. "And it's nine-thirty right now."
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner!" Ash demanded, putting his shoes on as Pikachu jumped onto his shoulder.
"I'm not your mother Ash." Misty said as she stood inside the doorway.
"I know you're not." Ash said. His arms were crossed as they were walking towards the Pokémon Center Lobby. "But still, I would've appreciated it."
"Whatever." Misty said, rolling her eyes before adding off-handedly. "I'll be sure to keep that in mind."
The two humans and their Pokémon then met up with Iris and Cilan.
"Well, look who woke up." Cilan commented civilly. He was stating a fact more than raising an accusation.
Iris however, wasn't exactly as civil. "Yeah! Only a little kid would wake up so late!"
"Now calm down Iris." Cilan said with a sweat-drop. "Besides, let's get on the road."
"But I haven't had anything to eat!" Ash whined, his stomach grumbling quietly.
"Well, maybe if you woke up earlier." Iris muttered under her breath.
"Don't worry about it Ash." Misty said.
"But-" Ash started, but was interrupted as Misty pushed an red apple into his face.
"Thanks...Misty." Ash said gratefullly in between bites of the apple. "This is...delicious."
"No problem." Misty said, amused by Ash's behavior. Marill then held up a green apple for Pikachu to take. The Mouse Pokémon accepted it gratefully.
As Ash looked happy, the contentment turned into into embarrassment. His stomached grumbled again as he sweat-dropped. "I guess I'm still hungry."
Misty chuckled. "It would appear so."
Misty then pushed another red apple into Ash's face as Marill held up a another green apple for him to take.
"Thanks again Misty...Marill." Ash said as he took the apples and quickly devoured them.
"Better?" Misty asked, an eyebrow raised. Ash had his hands splayed on his stomach.
"Much." Ash replied. He then fist bumped the air with enthusiasm. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get on the road so I can get my third gym badge!"
And with that, Ash rushed excitedly out of the Pokémon Center.
Misty, Iris, and Cilan sweat-dropped at Ash's exuberance.
"Oh Ash." Misty said, shaking her head. "Do you even know where you are going?"
"He's probably going to get himself lost." Cilan commented.
"Just like a little kid." Iris added.
"Sometimes, that Pokémon Trainer..." Misty said, a fist raised in front of her. Cross-popping veins appeared on her forehead before she composed herself. "Well, we better get going before that happens!"
Misty then ran after Ash out of the Pokémon Center.
Iris and Cilan sweat-dropped and looked at each before following Misty.
"Ash?" Ash?" Misty shouted, a hand to the side of her mouth. "Where are you?"
"Ash?" Iris shouted, mimicking Misty.
"He's got to be around here somewhere." Cilan said.
"Hey guys." Ash said sheepishly as he came up behind them. He was scratching the back of his head.
"Ash, there you are!" Misty said.
"Did you even know where you were going?" Iris asked exasperatedly.
"Of course I did!" Ash shouted proudly before pointing off into the distance with his left hand. "I was going to Castelia City!"
"Uh, Ash." Misty said as she got out the Town Map she had brought when she first arrived, that's the way back to Striation City."
"Oh, well..." Ash with a sweat-drop. He then recovered and pointed into the distance with his right hand. "I meant to say that way."
"Had a feeling you wouldn't know how to get there." Iris said. Although, the usual biting criticism was replaced with something more akin to a local giving directions to a tourist.
"Well, I've never been to Unova before." Ash said, crossing his arms.
"Follow me then." Cilan said, looking at his Town Map. "And we'll be on the way to Castelia City in no time."
"Yeah!" Ash exclaimed. He looked over Cilan's shoulder, saw the route to Castelia City, and then promptly ran in that direction. "Castelia City here I come!"
"Ash." Misty said, shaking her head before she soon chased after him.
"Those two certainly are a pair, aren't they?" Iris commented.
"They definitely look like good friends to me." Cilan agreed.
After Iris and Cilan caught up with Ash and Misty, the teens then walked out of Nacrene City. They were now on their way to Castelia City and Ash's third gym battle challenge in Unova.
Author's Notes: So, what do you think? I have got to say, I'm actually quite satisfied with this chapter. It certainly is significantly better than my previous one. I hope you all enjoyed it. Who knows, I might even post the other chapter that you would've received. Perhaps. Who knows? Anyway, I like the interactions between the characters. The way they tend to sometimes bounce off one other. On another note, read and review. Criticisms – not Fire-type attacks – are always welcome. How else am I suppose to try to temper my writing? Either way, farewell!
Also, somewhere in the story is a reference to EchidnaPower's AAML: Diamond and Pearl Version. What is it? Well, it involves Snowpoint City. And that is all I'm saying on the matter.