Hello and blessings to you all! Welcome back to another chapter. This is the longest chapter yet, so I don't want to waste too much time, but I do have a few quick notes. First off thank you to everyone who left reviews last chapter. The chapter had far more views and engagements than any previous chapters and I'm truly blessed and humbled with the support. This chapter is going to show a new theme that will appear in my story going forward. I hope you all pick up on it, but I'll discuss it after the chapter. Without further ado, lets jump in.
Chapter 12: The Lighthouse
The sun was now starting to sag in the sky as Ash, Serena, and Brock trudged north towards Bill's lighthouse. In the past these walks would have been filled with jokes, witty banter, and conversations about pokemon. But there was none of that now, only silence. Brock marched slightly ahead of the group; he was the only one really moving with any purpose. Though he remained silent and stone faced. Ash walked behind him, absentmindedly scratching Pikachu as they went. Finally Serena took up the rear, nervously eyeing her two companions. A few times she wanted to start a conversation but the words became trapped like a lump in her throat. This was because her thoughts always traveled back to the same person. The person Ash and Brock were thinking about: Misty. Sure the girl could at times be too blunt and hotheaded. But she brought an energy to the group that was electric, something they just seemed to miss. In the long run Serena knew the three would be back to themselves. For now though it just felt like the group was missing a key piece.
Seeming to finally grow tired of the silence, Ash finally cleared his throat and said, "So how far do you guys think we are to the lighthouse?"
"Based on what Prof. Oak said it should be another 4 hours till we get there. So we should be there around 8:00." Brock responded.
"I really hope Bill has some dinner." Ash said as he rubbed his stomach.
"I wouldn't get your hopes up Ash." Serena added in, "Remember what Prof. Oak said? Bill is probably locked in on some project. I'd bet he's been eating nothing but snacks and microwave food."
"I knew we should've stayed one more night with Webster." Ash complained, "I'd kill for some more pizza."
Serena giggled, "If only he kept the place more clean like Mis-" She cut herself off. Ash seemed to recoil at the name and went back to petting Pikachu on his shoulder.
Seeming to not want to go through another bout of silence Brock called out, "Ok, we're almost to the spot!"
"What spot are you talking about Brock?" Serena asked. It was only now that she realized the spiky haired teen was about 15 feet in front of them.
"It's something I 've wanted to see for a while. Come on, I'll show you!" For the first time since they'd left Misty a grin broke out across his face as he rushed ahead. Ash and Serena followed after for a short while until they came face to face with an expansive beach.
"Did you want to walk on the beach, Brock?" Ash asked, "I mean I wanted to see it too but I don't think the running was really necessary."
"It's not just any beach, look." Brock responded pointing to the group's right. Sitting there was a large stone statue. It was of a man in traditional Kanto samurai armor riding a horse. In his hand was a Katana pointing forward as if he was charging an enemy. As the group approached they noticed an inscription on the front.
It read: Here marks the charge of Mozuma's riders. "Freedom is only lost when you refuse to fight for it."- Hideki Mozuma.
"Hideki Mozuma." Serena said thoughtfully. "That name sounds familiar…"
"I've never heard of it." Ash added bluntly.
Brock turned to them in shock, "You don't know about the charge of the freedom riders? It was such a famous event."
Ash and Serena both looked at him apologetically.
Sighing, the older teen explained, "As you should be aware, a thousand years ago Kanto was a part of the Norse Empire. The Norse were a people from the Hisui region, or what we call it now, Sinnoh. They didn't have an empire in a traditional sense, but instead held areas where they would show and demand huge amounts of tribute. The Norse were fierce warriors and had many powerful pokemon. So nobody could resist them. They raided many region like Kalos, Galar, Fiore, and of course Kanto and Johto. The story goes that Hideki Mozuma's father, the daimyo of Cerulean, had just died when Norse raiders showed demanding tribute. Mozuma was deep in grief at the time and told his men to let the Norse know that they'd get their treasure in a few days when the funeral was over. The Norse refused and killed one of the messengers, telling the people of Cerulean they had only a few hours to gather the ransom or more would die. Mozuma was furious. He led an attack that killed many Norse. He let the survivors go but he had them return a message to Hisui. He had them tell everyone that Cerulean would not give any more tribute to Norse raiders. The leader of the Norse was a man named Gudrun Baldur. At the time Hisui was divided into many small kingdoms, just like Kanto, and Baldur hoped to unite the entire region into one unified kingdom. He planned for this new kingdom to truly conquer all regions that paid them tribute and build a real empire. When he heard what happened at Cerulean he was ecstatic. He saw this as an opportunity to bring the small Norse kingdoms together and demonstrate his leadership. So he sailed for Kanto with over 15,0000 men from all over Hisui and 700 pokemon, an incredible number for the time. Mozuma was quick to send letters to all the other Daimyo of Kanto letting him know of what he'd done. He implored them to send reinforcements to fight the invaders off once and for all. Many disregarded his letter, fearful of the Norse. But others did respond. Saffron was one major Daimyo that sent an army to help while a few other small ones in the area sent there as well. In all though the allied Kanto forces only had about 8000 men and 200 pokemon. When the Norse landed on this beach they didn't attack but instead set up a camp. You see, the Norse were such feared warriors that no body dared meet them on the field of battle. The Norse thought, like all armies before, that the allied forces would stay in the Cerulean fortress to defend it until the Norse had to give up and return to Hisui. This wasn't a bad thought as most of the leaders on the allied side wanted this as well. Mozuma didn't though. He gave a passionate speech about dying for freedom where he said the famous line "Freedom is only lost when you refuse to fight for it." The men were so inspired that they set out immediately to fight. The Norse were so sure this wouldn't happen they didn't even have scouts or men taking defensive positions. The Mozuma's riders' charge was so sudden and so brutal that before the Norse army even knew what was happening half their men, including Baldur, had been slaughtered. They gave no resistance and were forced to retreat to their boats and head home. On the way they were caught in a brutal storm that took even more lives. When they finally returned home only 4,000 of the original 15,000 men returned. Afterwards with Baldur gone, Hisui fell in a series of brutal civil wars. They're Norse Empire collapsed and they never threatened the world again!"
When Brock finished he looked expectantly at Ash and Serena but noticed their eyes were glazed over, "Well don't you see?" He shouted getting his two friends' attention, "The battle on this beach changed our world. It caused the most powerful region of the era to collapse and the story of this battle was a major force in the eventual unification of Kanto!"
Serena rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, "It sounds interesting Brock but that's just a really long story."
"Yea I'm more interested in hearing stuff about pokemon." Ash responded with a smile.
Brock hunched over in disappointment, "Well I hope other people appreciate it."
After a few more moments the group headed east across the beach.
"I didn't know you were such a big fan of history, Brock." Serena said.
"It's always been one of my passions." Brack said with a hint of embarrassment, "This world is full of so many amazing stories. When I was getting ready to leave on my journey at 16 I mapped out all these different historical sites I wanted to see in Kanto, really see the places that made this region what it is today. I'm just so glad I get to finally follow through on visiting them."
Ash smiled as he listened to Brock speak. In truth he had never cared in the slightest about history but he knew what it was like to have a passion and didn't want to dampen Brock's any more than he had. Suddenly Ash was snapped back to reality by a strange clicking sound. Looking down he saw a small red crab scooting across the beach.
"Oh awesome, a Krabby!" He shouted.
"You should catch it Ash, water pokemon that can walk on land are super useful." Brock said.
"You're right, let's do this!" Ash said as he instinctively turned his hat backwards.
"Watch out Ash, those pincers look sharp." Serena warned. She stepped behind Brock as they prepared for the intense battle that was about to take place. Ash narrowed his eyes as he stared down the wild pokemon. Pikachu jumped to his side with it's cheeks sparking. Then Ash swiftly took a pokeball from his belt and threw it towards the Krabby. The ball absorbed the pokemon in brilliant light, blinked a single time, then clicked confirming a catch.
"Well… that was easy." Ash said with a sweat drop as Serena and Brock fell over in exasperation.
"It didn't even fight back!" Serena exclaimed.
"Well… I guess a catch is a catch. Congrats Ash." Brock added.
"Well whatever. That's three pokemon. We're only two behind Gary now!" Ash said, pumping his fist at Pikachu who cheered along.
The group continued walking for another couple hours. The sun was now setting below the horizon when they arrived at their destination. From a distance all they saw was the lighthouse. It was pure white and shot high into the sky as if welcoming visitors from all over. As they came closer they realized there was a small, two story, house attached to the back of it. The group approached down the walkway to the house.
"So what do you guys think Bill is like?" Asked Ash.
"Based on what Prof. Oak said I'll bet he's pretty eccentric." Serena mused.
"People who live in lighthouses are known for not having the best people skills." Brock whispered, "They just spend far too much time in isolation. So let's all make sure to be very calm and relaxed, regardless of how Bill acts."
As they approached the trio spied a doorbell next to the handle. Shrugging, Ash decided to push it. There was a loud ring from inside the house but no response. After waiting about 30 seconds Ash decided to give the bell another try. Again they heard the bell ring but no one came. Growing a little frustrated, Ash disregarded Brock's earlier advice to stay calm and began banging on the door while shouting, "HELLO! IS ANYBODY THERE? Bill? Prof. Oak sent us!"
This carried on for a few minutes until he gave up.
"Maybe he isn't home." Serena offered.
Brock rubbed his chin, "Could be the case. I guess we'll have to move on."
"And tell Prof. Oak what exactly?" Ash replied, "Hey Professor. We know you gave Bill an important project and asked us to check on him. But he didn't answer the door so we just left."
Serena sighed, it was now getting very dark outside, "Maybe we could just camp out front. See if he comes back tonight or tomorrow."
"It's unlikely that he just ran to the store or something at this hour. If Bill's not home he probably won't be by the morning." Brock responded, "But what I don't understand is if he was planning on taking a trip why would he accept a project from Prof. Oak?"
"Hey look!" Ash said. Serena and Brock turned to see he had opened the door. "I doubt he'd leave the front door unlocked if he wasn't home."
"Ash, are you really thinking about just walking in?" Serena questioned with shock.
"Prof. Oak sent us to get answers. I don't want to let him down."
Serena looked to Brock for help but the older trainer just sighed, "Well I don't really see another choice."
Upon entering the group noticed that the lights were completely turned.
"Hello, Bill? Prof. Oak sent us!" Ash shouted. It was now the boy first realized the sun was completely gone outside. With no lights he was unable to even make out Serena and Brock. Luckily the two were prepared with Brock pulling out a flashlight and Serena shooting a flashlight out of her pokedex, something Ash was stunned to learn it could do. As the group looked around in the dim lights of their devices they realized that while it looked like a normal house on the outside the inside was anything but. The entire first floor was devoid of any walls separating different rooms. Outside of a small kitchen in the corner there was nothing that gave any indication somebody actually lived here. Instead the room was covered with heavy lab equipment and desks that housed paperwork and what looked like small experiments.
Suddenly Serena gave a scream of terror causing Ash to nearly jump out of his skin.
"I just saw something move." She whispered in fear as she frantically waved her light around where she'd been looking.
"Relax Serena" Brock said, "It doesn't look like anyone is actually living he-"
Suddenly there was a loud crash behind them causing the entire group to jump. Serena dropped her pokedex and hid behind Ash. Pikachu leapt from his trainer's shoulder and took a defensive position, his cheeks sparking with deadly electricity, while Brock instinctively reached towards his pokeballs while flashing his light around the room. Then suddenly they saw it. It was a massive round creature with many arms and two small yellow eyes that glowed at them. The three trainers screamed in fear while Pikachu didn't wait for instructions and let loose a thundershock. The creature shouted in pain before collapsing to the floor.
"What is it?" Serena shrieked.
"No clue but let's get out here!" Ash responded as he made for the door.
"Wait!" Brock shouted, "Do you hear that?"
Stopping for a moment the two heard what sounded like muffled groans before the creature said, "Please help me."
"No way, that pokemon talks!" Ash shouted in fear.
"Not a pokemon." The voice responded.
"Ash, I think this is a person." Brock said.
"No way. What kind of person looks like that?"
"Help… trapped. Press the button on my back." The voice struggled to say.
Looking at his friends in confusion Ash slowly reached down towards the face down creature. He ran his fingers across it's back until he felt a distinct metallic circle. Pressing it he heard what sounded like gears turning before a clear voice rang out, "Oh! Thank God! I thought I'd be stuck in there forever!"
Suddenly a man began crawling out of the large creature, or what Ash was now beginning to realize was a costume. The man pressed a large button on a table and lights shot on in the house. Finally the group got a good look at the man. He looked to be in his mid 40's with wavy brown hair. He was wearing a white shirt and jeans but was noticeably drenched in sweat.
"Ar-are you Bill?" Serena asked, still hiding behind Ash.
The man didn't respond for a moment as he stumbled over to a bottle of water sitting out. The man drank the entire bottle in front of the group before exhaling and smiling at the group, "That's right! I'm Bill. And who might you be?"
"I'm, uh, Ash and this is Serena and Brock." Ash said apprehensive. "Prof. Oaks sent us to check in on the project he sent you."
"Good old Oak." Bill said with a relieved smile, "The man is always giving a helping hand."
"What is that thing that you were in?" Brock asked.
"I call it a pokesuit." Bill responded, "I've been trying to research pokemon a bit, it's kind of a hobby. I made these suits to give me the anatomy and senses of pokemon so I could see what their lives are actually like. This suit is my first one and it's simulating the fossil pokemon Kabuto. Unfortunately in my excitement to try it out I completely overlooked the fact that the only way to get out of the suit was to press the button on the back."
"Well why didn't you just tell us when we came in. Why'd you have to sneak up on us like that?" Ash asked.
Bill grinned sheepishly, "Well as I said, the suit is designed to mimic the senses of the pokemon. Kabuto was known to live in isolated dark environments so they had a terrific sense of touch with their many appendages, but their sense of sight and sound were very minimal. I thought I heard someone shouting so I went closer to check it out.
"So how long have you been in that costume?" Brock asked.
"I believe it's been about 6 days."
"6 days!" The group shouted in shock.
"How did you eat?" asked Ash astounded.
Bill nodded towards the corner where there were plants and water sitting in bowls on the floor. "This test was to give me the sensation of being a pokemon. So I left food and water out to eat like a pokemon. Once I realized I might not escape for a while I had to begin rationing. Speaking of which I'm starving, would you kids like something to eat? Happily the trio followed him to the kitchen.
"So if you were stuck in there for 6 days how did you use the bathroom?" Serena asked before stopping herself, "On second thought I don't think I want to know."
Moving the discussion forward as Bill cooked the group some dinner, the trio told him about their respective goals. It turns out Bill was a massive fan of all things pokemon. He enthusiastically talked to Ash about the last Kanto league. Brock shared his career goals to Bill as well who told Brock about some inventions he'd been toying with to improve the lives of pokemon. Finally Serena was able to share her new goal about becoming the Kanto queen. Bill's eyes widened in enthusiasm at this, "Oh my, I just love pokemon showcases!"
"I'm a bit surprised." Serena responded honestly, "From everything I've heard showcases aren't as popular in Kanto because of contests."
"That is true." Bill responded, "But I always found that showcases were a better way of demonstrating the natural relationship between a trainer and pokemon. So have you competed in a showcase yet?"
"No," Serena responded sheepishly, "I actually only found out about them yesterday."
"Well if that's the case I might have a recommendation for you. There's a showcase in Vermillion City little over a month from now. It's a pretty major event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first pokemon showcase. I believe you would have had to sign up already to take part but I can pull some strings to get you in."
"Wow Bill, that's amazing! But I'm not sure if I'll be ready for such an event." Serena said apologetically.
"There isn't ever an easy way to start with things like showcases, Serena," Brock interjected, "Win or lose this would be a great chance for you to get an up close look at other performers."
"I think you'll do great!" Ash added.
Serena blushed slightly at the words of encouragement from her crush before turning back to Bill.
"Alright I'm in." She said confidently.
"That's the spirit!" The man beamed before turning to Ash and Brock. "The two of you will need tickets. I was sent a complimentary pair by the Showcase Organization for my support of them but you can have them."
"Are you sure Bill? We'd hate to impose." Brock said.
"Yes we can always get tickets when we get there." Ash added.
"This event will be… special. The Showcase Organization is going all out to help get attention for showcases in Kanto. I don't want to ruin the surprise but let's just say tickets will be really tough to come by. But I must insist you take mine. I owe you greatly for helping me out. And after my, uh, absence the past week I'm afraid I'll have much work to makeup. Starting with that project from your professor."
"Well thanks a lot Bill we appreciate the tickets. So what did Prof. Oak ask you to work on anyway?" Ash asked.
"Would you like to see it?" Bill asked, a devious glint appearing in his eyes. The group walked over to a workbench in the center of the room. Bill opened one of the drawers with a key to reveal a pokeball. Well, at least it looked like a pokeball. The ball lacked any of the metallic appearance of pokeball's Ash had seen but instead looked more natural… Maybe wood? Ash thought. What was also notable was its appearance. The ball was gold and white with the letters "GS" inscribed on the front.
"The GS ball." Bill explained, "I guess an old student of Oaks found it in some tomb he was researching in the Almia region."
"Is it an actual pokeball?" Serena asked as she squinted her blue eyes to get a better look, ""I've never seen one like that."
"It looks very old." Brock said as he leaned closer.
Bill chuckled, "Well it certainly is old but that's not what's strange about it. You see, pokeballs are actually much older than people realize. The oldest known one was from the Orre region, created nearly 600 years ago. This appears to have been built about 400 years ago. What is truly strange is that when the researchers ran some tests the pokeball gave off some rather abnormal energy readings. What's more there doesn't appear to be a way of opening it."
"So how do you know it's a pokeball and not just something shaped like a pokeball?" Ash asked.
"Well from the outside it appears to have all the features needed for a properly functioning pokeball. But that was why Prof Oak sent it to me. My claim to fame was the inner workings of pokeballs, after all. I've been able to run some tests to confirm without a shadow of a doubt this is a pokeball. But sadly I haven't learned scant more than that."
"So what did you do with pokeballs that made you famous?" Serena asked.
"Oh, Oak didn't tell you?" Bill said in surprise, "Well it was I that created the pokeball teleportation system."
"What?" The three explained in shock.
Bill laughed, "That's right! It's been about thirty years since I had that breakthrough. I created it while finishing up grad school. At the time I didn't really understand the big deal. I mean it was always known that the apricots used to make pokeballs could defy standard laws of physics. I mean that is why they can shrink to a smaller size when held on a trainer's belt. But within a year of my invention every pokemon center in the world had the device."
"Well of course it was a big deal! Before trainers had to have pokemon fly pokeballs to and from locations. Your invention allowed trainers much more flexibility in how they switch teams. And it also allowed pokemon to get to larger hospitals if necessary."
"True but at the time I was hoping it would be a mere stepping stone to my main objective. Full working teleportation devices. Unfortunately that wasn't the case. Pokeballs can only hold pokemon in most cases. And as I said, only special apricorns can be teleported. I was fifteen when I first created my invention. I tried various methods for the next seven years to increase the scope of it but to no avail. Unfortunately somethings in this world are beyond the limits of science, even if men like me don't want to admit it."
"Wait, fifteen?" Serena repeated, "You were in grad school at fifteen?"
Bill smiled sheepishly, "You see as a boy I was always, what's the word, academically gifted. I graduated primary school four years early at the age of twelve and had completed my post-grad in a school in Johto by the age of fourteen."
"So you never got the chance to go on a pokemon adventure?" Ash added.
Bill still smiled but it seemed a bit sadder now. Ash quickly regretted saying this at the man's look.
"No I didn't. I was able to revolutionize the pokemon world and become fabulously wealthy because of it before most even entered graduate school, but I never got to see the world of pokemon with my friends by side like you three. Sometimes I wonder if it would have been better to simply delay my college career and spend my teens like any normal kid, but it's too late to change things for me. If you three take anything from meeting me please take this, life is certainly short but not as short as we sometimes think. Enjoy your travels. See the world and have fun while you can. There's plenty of time to be a grown up but these moments will be gone in the blink of an eye if you aren't careful."
The three nodded at these words. After this the group prepared for bed. Bill only had one bed, as he rarely had visitors, so the three slept on the floor. Bill tried to give Serena the bed since she was a girl but after six nights sleeping in a pokemon suit Serena insisted Bill was the one in the most need of a good night's sleep. The next day the trio departed at dawn. Bill told them there was a small town due east that had a boat service. The boat would ferry them due south of Cerulean City to another small town where they could begin their walk to Vermillion City. After some final goodbyes they were off. Arriving in town they learned that the boat left at noon so they had a couple hours. Ash spent time with his new Krabby and did a little light training while Serena spent time with Eevee and Clefairy while reading her pokepuffs book. Brock did a little shopping since the road to Vermillion had very few towns on the way. Finally they were on the boat.
"Well, it looks like everyone just boarded." Brock said as he sat down next to Ash.
"Yea" Ash said absentmindedly as he looked over the railing as the boat pulled away from the port.
"It's hard saying goodbye to people." Brock said, somehow able to read Ash's mind, "But you've got to remember that sometimes what's best for someone is letting them go a different path."
Serena watched from her seat in equal sadness. This was truly the point of no return. From now on they'd only be moving further and further from their friend. As the boat pulled further and further away Ash could almost hear Misty calling them. Telling them to stop, to come back. Suddenly, Ash realized he wasn't imagining that.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Came a redheaded girl who dashed across the docks as it pulled further and further away.
The previous day:
"Starmie is unable to battle. That makes Sandshrew and the challenger AJ the winner!" A ref announced. Misty smiled as she returned her Starmie and walked over to a stocky green haired boy with a large smile on his face.
"That was very impressive." She said, "I've never seen a Sandshrew that's comfortable swimming in water. You must have trained it very well."
"Thank you so much, that was the hardest battle I've ever had!" AJ said with a bow before turning and leaving. As the boy walked away Misty's smile faltered. As soon as the showcase had ended and her friends had left Misty had reopened the gym. She was hoping a good battle would shake her from her funk. The first two had been fairly easy wins for her but this last boy… A somewhat overconfident boy who beat her with an unorthodox tacit. Not the kind of reminder she needed right now.
"You seemed a little distracted at the end." Said a voice from up in the stands. Misty looked up to see her father sitting there with his arms folded casually. "There was a moment there that his Sandshrew faltered. You could've beaten it but your mind looked like it was elsewhere."
"I thought you were fishing today?" Misty responded. There was a slight hint of annoyance in her tone. Webster seemed to ignore the question entirely and gestured for her to sit up in the bleachers with him. Begrudgingly Misty obliged and sat next to him. There was a moment of silence between the two before Webster finally spoke.
"Do you know why I let your sisters be the gym leaders?" Webster asked.
"I hadn't really thought about it." Misty replied with little interest.
"Because I knew they'd be good at it."
Misty raised an eyebrow at her father in shock about this causing him to burst into laughter.
"Don't get me wrong, your sisters are terrible gym leaders. But they're also really good at it. Does that make sense?"
"Not at all. Did you uh, stop by the bar before coming over here?" Misty asked half seriously.
"Very funny." Webster replied, "You know everyone thinks that being a gym leader is all about battling. The honest truth is most of the trainers you battle are amateurs. It's not like professional battling. You could win every gym battle or lose every one. Nobody keeps score, nobody cares. Do you know what does matters though."
"That you teach every trainer that comes through the door." Misty said with a lethargic tone as if she was reading from a textbook.
"Well that's what the league says but honestly it's a load of baloney. I mean I've known long time gym leaders that will blow challengers away without even a hello first. Not a single gym leader will ever be fired for not being a good enough teacher. No, what really matters in gym leaders is how they act in the community. Do they step forth to help the city in a time of crisis? Do they do well with the kids when they visit schools? Do they organize events for the city? Do they make the city feel proud that they're the gym leader? That's the real question. Your sisters are awful battlers. And what's worse is they are often lazy and disinterested when challengers show up. Now don't get me wrong for a second, that's bad and it needs to change. But everything else that a gym leader requires they do great. They love going to events and helping the city. Just last week Lily cut the ribbon for a new hospital. They do great with kids and the people of Cerulean City love them. And did you see the amount of people here today for the showcase? I don't think we've had that many people in this town in my entire life. Those three sat with the mayor on every meeting for the rights to hold the showcase and after we got it they spent months planning it."
"What's your point dad?" Misty said with a little more venom than she intended.
Webster ignored this though, "My point is I made your sisters gym leaders because I knew they'd do great. And I knew they'd do great because of how passionate they'd be about all the work that people don't think about with gym leaders."
"And you don't think I will be?" Misty said with hurt in her voice.
Webster smiled softly, "You know I see so much of myself in you. It's why your sisters give you such a hard time. Those three took right after their mom but you are just like me. It's not right and I'd never admit it, But you've always been my favorite for that reason. Your sister know this and I think it makes them jealous." He then took Misty's hand, "Misty I don't think you'll like being a gym leader because I hated it. I retired from the elite 4 to take it easy and do what I liked while also getting in some battles but I hate all the nonsense that comes with the position. And the battles were mostly not that great. You've always wanted to follow in my footsteps and it made you want to take my place. Then when your sisters took it you became jealous and wanted it even more. Now you finally have it and you haven't been happy for a single moment. Why is that?"
Tears formed in Misty's eyes, "Because… because I don't know if I really want to be a water pokemon master like you. Sometimes I think I want something else and that scares me because I have no idea what that is."
"Yes!" Webster said proudly, "And to compensate for your fears you've clung to a dream that's drifting away. But Misty listen to me, you don't have to. You've got the chance to see the world with friends who care about you. Friends who are going through the same struggles you are. Maybe you'll go out there and discover that being a great water pokemon trainer is exactly what you want to be. And if that's the case I'll support you every step of the way. But I think you'll go into the world and find a new purpose. And the world will be a better place for having a passionate Misty Waterflower in it! Misty, go find your friends. It's where you are meant to be right now."
Misty was now sobbing uncontrollably. She wrapped her arms around her father and in between deep breaths said, "I love you daddy."
"I love you too sweetheart." Webster said as he hugged her back.
Afterwards was a blur for Misty. She walked deep into the night down the road to Bill's lighthouse until finally she had to sleep. The next day she got up at the crack of dawn and finally reached the lighthouse at around 10:00 am. An apologetic Bill told her that her friends had left already and would be catching a noon ferry ride south. Misty began sprinting at this. Past the beach, through a forest with pokemon watching her curiously, and finally through a small town, she ducked an weaved through crowds to get to the docks when, to her horror, the boat was already pulled away.
"Hey! Wait for me!" She shouted desperately, "Stop!"
But it was to no avail. The ship was disappearing faster and faster over the horizon. Then a voice cut through, "Misty! Come on, you can make it!" It was none other than Ash waving his arms frantically at the girl from the back of the boat. Without even thinking Misty dove in. Releasing her Starmie the water type swam at a rapid rate towards the boat with Misty hanging on. When they arrived at the back of the boat a rope was hanging over the edge.
"Grab on!" Brock shouted as he pulled the rope and Misty aboard. Misty barely had time to rest when a certain honey blonde haired girl broke in tears and threw her arms around the redhead. Misty smiled and hugged her back before looking up at Ash.
"I thought I'd take you up on that offer to come back. If it still stands of course."
Ash smiled and stuck his hand out to help Misty up, "Welcome back Misty. We missed you."
Alright and that's a wrap. From the reviews I got, I'm glad I was able to fake a few of you out into thinking Misty was gone. She is back going forward though. I never liked Misty's goal in the anime, and I didn't ever think she seemed like a gym leader for the reasons Webster described. I have an idea of how Misty will end up but it's a long ways off and I kind of like the idea of Misty just enjoying the ride. Everyone doesn't need to know what they're dream is early on in life! She will still be an exclusive water pokemon trainer though. The GS ball has made its first appearance. I've already planned its story line but don't expect to see it again for a while. Krabby will be on the team. Krabby was one of my favorite members of Ash's team in the anime but like the anime don't expect to see much of him. Finally, the biggest moment in this chapter for me was Brock's little history lesson. I'm a huge fan of history and want to try and sprinkle little tidbits of history like this throughout the story. I tried to share a link to the pokemon world map I'm using in this story for those of you who are curious about it, but I couldn't get it to work. If you search "pokemon world maps" on google and go to images though you'll see one of the images is of a massive landmass with Sinnoh as an island to the northeast and Kalos in the northwest. Maps like that are the general layout of the world. Anyway thank you again for the reviews and favorites. I'll be back real soon!