Cerulean Woman originally Life's Zenith by AideenCato004 PART TWO It was awkward, sitting in the kitchen alone with her. Ash couldn't help but feel that Misty had the ability to read him as if he were an open book. The silence between them was agonizing; each of them wished to speak but the words would not come for them. It hadn't been so hard just a while ago. Perhaps it was nervous flirting? "Things have changed around here." Misty began. Ash didn't answer, just stared at her. "Something wrong?" "Hm?" He focused and adjusted his stance. "No, everything's fine. I'm just thinking..." "About what?" He became unfocused again. "Nothing important. My mind must be wandering." His eyes studied her. "To where... exactly...?" Misty laughed nervously and shifted to her other leg. Ash shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm not being a good host." "Host or not... what's up?" "I dunno. It's a big day. There had been a lot of changes I was not prepared for." "Did I grow up too fast for you, Ash?" Ash looked to her again. Misty brushed the ends of her hair against her cheek while she examined the changes in the room. Her eyes then found him abruptly, she could probably feel his eyes upon her. "Or is something wrong?" She asked. "No! Nothing's wrong." Ash adjusted his posture. "How have you been these past few... years?" "I've been alright. Kinda miss being around friends." Her smile was soft with the memories. "I guess the gym just makes me lonely." "Needing a vacation?" "A nice long vacation..." She laughed a little. Ash liked that laugh. He was beginning to find a lot of things he liked about her. "Well, it's about bedtime now, I guess." Ash thought out loud. "I'm not tired yet, but I'll go to bed sooner or later." She sighed. "I don't have work for about two months. I could stay up with you, it's not a problem." "Two months? Why that long?" "I work a lot. Sometimes I stay up in Goldenrod for days, working constantly. My boss told me to take some time off for myself. Since things were going smoothly, I realized it couldn't hurt to take him up on his offer." The two old friends stayed up well into the night, trading stories from long ago. Ash thought it was nice to have Misty around again. He finally realized just how much he had missed her company. They both fell asleep in the living room; Ash was sprawled out on the floor where the coffee table had once been and Misty was nearly halfway off the couch. The phone, sitting near Misty's head on the side table, rang aloud in her ear. "Uugh...." Misty whimpered groggily, rolling off the couch onto Ash's back. "UMPH!" "Go 'way... the gym's closed today..." Misty mumbled and kicked Ash in the head. "Dammit, Pikachu." Ash groaned under her and inched for the phone which had tumbled down along with Misty. "Hullo...?" He muttered lazily into the receiver. [Hello, Ash, and good morning to you!] "Mornin'..." [Sorry to call and bother you but I heard you were back in town. I was wondering if you'd come down to the laboratory today?] "Sure... as soon as I can." "Who is it?" Misty yawned from Ash's back. [My who is that?] "It's Misty. She's come to stay with us for a while. I'm surprised my mother hadn't told you yet." [Delia and I haven't spoken a lot recently.] "Why? Something wrong?" [No. Just busy-busy, you know. I am glad she has Dan to keep her company.] "Well, Misty and I will be there soon." [Alright, I'll see you then.] "See ya." Ash hung up the phone and tossed it aside. He tried to push up and noticed Misty was on his back. "Misty..." "Hmm?" "You do know you're on me... right?" There was an uneasy silence. "... I did not know that." Misty muttered and immediately returned to the couch. Ash got up and left for the bathroom. "Thank you." "No problem." Later that afternoon at the Oak Laboratory, the doorbell rang out into the empty halls. Abraham Oak walked briskly to the entrance of his lab and opened the door to two familiar faces. "Why hello!" Oak smiled back. "Come in, the both of you." He opened the door wider and allowed the two friends to walk inside; then closed the door behind them, turning back with a laugh. "It's good to see you both!" "It's great to see you too, Professor" Ash asked. "Is this Misty Waterflower?" The Professor gasped. "My how you've grown!" "You look pretty much the same, Professor." Misty responded uncomfortably. "Whoa... my my..." He looked her up an down. "Professor!" Ash bellowed. "What man wouldn't lay his eyes on her?!" "Hypocrite..." Misty grinned at Ash mischievously. He blushed furiously. "So what'd you need us for?" The Professor shook his head and focused on Ash. "Right! IÕm coming up with a new pokemon healing remedy." "WhatÕs it called?" "Its called HAPT..." "HAPT?" Misty asked. "Heal All Pokemon Tablets!" "HowÕs it work?" Ash asked. "IÕll get to that, Ash, please allow me to explain. If I decide to bring it out to the public, you will be able to buy this at pokemon marts around the globe! They come in these little plastic packages which contain up to six chewable tablets. Just one tablet, can heal all your pokemonÕs hit points and heal any ailment!" "Think of how easy trainers could get through towns without stopping at a Pokemon Center!" "What are you thinking of initially setting the price at?" Misty asked. "2Õ500 yen a package." "That costs more than the meals at the Pokemon Center!" Ash exclaimed. "Ah, but for you and Misty-a free sample!" Professor Oak handed Ash two palm- sized plastic packages. "Whoa! Thanks, Professor Oak!" Ash grinned as he handed Misty one of the packages. "That is a sample of the new remedy, HAPT! There are 3 servings in each of your packages, so you can heal 36 pokemon between the both of you. But of course good old fashion Pokemon Center TLC is still the best!" "Professor, I think this is more than enough." Ash continued unsure. "Are you sure about this, Professor?" Misty asked. "Sure I'm sure! And I need you both to test it for me too. I just worked out all the kinks and now I'm positive that it is ready for use." "You want us to test it? That sounds interesting." Misty murmured reluctantly. "Could I ask you two to battle each other?" "Battle?" Ash asked. "Yes! It'll be good fun and we could test the tablets." "You want me to battle Misty?" "What's wrong with battling me?" "Nothing... I just didn't know if you wanted to is all-really!" "Admit it, you think I'm a weakling." "I don't think you're a weakling, Misty." Ash rubbed his neck nervously. "C'mon, out with it! You're afraid to battle me because you think I'm too weak." "Er..." "Well, you're wrong!" Misty put her hands on her hips and got up into his face. "I'm so much stronger than last time I've probably passed you up by now." "What?!" "You heard me..." Misty smiled and returned to her normal height. "Oooo.... it's on." Ash's heart jumped with excitement. He couldn't resist a challenge like that. Someone as strong as himself or more? Oak led them out into the backyard of the lab where, right outside the back door, there was a small makeshift battle field ready and waiting for them. "I'll judge the match. Three on three and no time limit. Keep it clean. Agreed?" "Agreed!" Ash and Misty answered in unison, each taking their place on opposite sides of the field. "Begin!" Misty: I haven't introduced you to a new friend of mine, have I Ash? Go Arcanine! Arcanine appears! Ash: Not really. But would you like to meet an old friend? Go Muk! Muk appears! Misty: Arcanine, use your Leer attack! Ash: Muk, use Disable! Muk lunges for it's opponent, but Arcanine dodges and lands itÕs Leer! Misty: Now, Fire Spin! Ash: Use Minimize! Muk shrinks and dodges ArcanineÕs attack. Misty: Roar! Ash: Poison Gas attack! Muk sprays the air with poisonous gas and it hits Arcanine. Arcanine isn't poisoned but has trouble finding Muk. It roared forcefully into the gas. Roar has no effect. Misty: Try Fire Spin again! Ash: Use Screech! Muk screeches aloud, but Arcanine is unaffected! Muk is trapped by ArcanineÕs Fire spin! Ash: Hang in there, Muk! Try Disable! Misty: ... ArcanineÕs attack continues. Muk is unable to launch any attacks! Ash: Use Harden! Misty: ... Muk still is unable to attack. Arcanine's attack continues! Ash: Muk, try Disable again! Muk breaks free and disables ArcanineÕs Fire Spin attack. Misty: Alright, time to get serious. Arcanine, use Fire Blast! Arcanine takes a deep breath and blows a huge fiery X flame at Muk! Ash: What the... The attack ends. Muk sinks into a giant blob, unconscious. Prof. Oak: Muk is unable to battle! Arcanine is the victor! Misty: Yes! Way to go, Arcanine! YouÕre the best! Misty runs over to hug her Arcanine, it cooes happily into her chest. Ash: Return, Muk! Muk returns to itÕs ball. Ash: Go Venusaur! Venusaur appears! Misty: Take Down! Ash: Venusaur, Sleep Powder! Venusaur unleashes a veil of sleep powder in the air! Arcanine charges and body slams the Venusaur. They are both damaged. The sleep powder seems to be getting to Arcanine! Arcanine falls and is asleep in seconds. Misty: Wha? Arcanine? Wake Up!! Prof. Oak: Arcanine is asleep! Venusaur wins the match! Misty: Return Arcanine! Arcanine is returned to itÕs ball! Misty: Ok. Now I'm just going to have to show you how to really fight. I choose you, Golduck! Golduck appears! Ash: Venusaur, Razor Leaf! Misty: Golduck, use Confusion! Venusaur tossed tons of razor leaves at Golduck! Golduck sidesteps the attack and lands itÕs confusion! Venusaur is confused! Ash: Venusaur stay focused! Use Solar Beam! Misty: Golduck! Use Disable on Venusaur! Venusaur powers up for itÕs Solar Beam attack! GolduckÕs Disable attack lands and disables VenusaurÕs Sleep Powder attack! Ash: Finish it, Venusaur! Now! Venusaur launches itÕs attack but is confused and attacks itself instead! It is terribly weakened by the Solar Beam! Ash: Damn! Misty: Bad luck, Ash. Golduck, use your Fury Swipes! Golduck scrapes itÕs claws across VenusaurÕs weary body repeatedly! Venusaur soon gives up and faints! Prof. Oak: Venusaur has fainted! The match goes to Golduck! Ash: Return Venusaur! Venusaur is returned to itÕs pokeball! Misty: Golduck! Get ready for a Hydro Pump! Ash: Go! Pidgeot! Pidgeot appears! Misty: Now! Ash: Use your Agility, Pidgeot! Golduck attacks Pidgeot before it uses agility! But Pidgeot manages to speed up! Hydro Pump misses. Misty: Damn! Golduck, use your Disable! Ash: Use Sand Attack, Pidgeot Pidgeot uses Sand Attack on Golduck! Golduck is blinded and is unable to land the Disable attack! Misty: Focus, Golduck! Confusion! Ash: Wing Attack! Golduck uses Confusion on Pidgeot! Pidgeot is confused and attacks itself! Misty: Now use Hydro Pump! Ash: Mirror Move! GolduckÕs hydro attack hitÕs Pidgeot! Pidgeot recovers from confusion and Mirror Moves GolduckÕs Hydro Pump! Golduck is injured badly! Misty: Hang in there, Golduck! Fury Swipes! Ash: Quick Attack, Pidgeot! Pidgeot betters in speed and knocks out Golduck with Quick Attack! Prof. Oak: Golduck is out cold! Pidgeot Wins this round! Misty: You tried, good job. Return... Golduck returns to itÕs ball! Ash: Good so far, Misty! But where's this improvement you spoke of? Misty: Oh, you haven't seen anything just yet, Ash! Go Blastoise! Blastoise appears! Ash: Let's get a head start, Pidgeot! Agility! Misty: Ready your Skull Bash! Pidgeot speeds up! Blastoise lowers itÕs head! Ash: Sand attack! Misty: Execute Skull Bash! Pidgeot flings sand into Blastoise's eyes!! Blastoise recovers immediately and rams Pidgeot! Pidgeot is weakened to an alarmingly low health level! Misty: Finish it off, Blastoise, use your Bite attack! Ash: Agility! Pidgeot is too weak to do anything! Blastoise Bites Pidgeot! Pidgeot lets out one last squawk and faints! Misty: Yes! Gotcha! Ash: WHAT?! NO WAY!!! Prof. Oak: Pidgeot is out of the match! Misty and her Blastoise are the Winners! "Great battle, Misty..." Ash as he walked over to her and reached out his hand for a shake. He looked up at her, his eyes reflecting defeat. But there was still hope in those eyes. "That was the best battle IÕve ever had, Misty." "Oh, Ash!" Misty tackled him, knocking him to the ground. She hugged him tightly and looked him in his eyes. "You've grown up so much. I'm proud of you." "..." Ash was blushing. Then after an uncomfortable second Misty blushed a deep red and got up off him. "Sorry..." She murmured and helped him to his feet. "No, don't be sorry." Ash stumbled attempting to regain his balance, but he was too head over heels for her. What she had just done to him had to have been the most wonderful feeling in the world. "You only did your best." He finished smiling proudly. "I'm proud of you." "You've always gotta one-up me, don't you?" Misty smirked. Professor Oak jumped in between them. "Not a bad battle! Call out all of your injured pokemon. It's time to test the HAPT!" Professor Oak took six green tablets out of a plastic bottle. Ash and Misty called out their weakened pokemon. Professor Oak gave one to MistyÕs Arcanine, Golduck and Blastoise. All pokemon were fully healed seconds after. He then gave one to AshÕs Muk, Venusaur and Pidgeot, they too were healed in seconds. "Wow, Professor Oak! They look a lot better! ItÕs like having a whole Pokemon Center in your pocket." Ash exclaimed. "If I were to give the HAPT a slogan-it'd have to be what you've just said, Ash." "What if Team Rocket should ever get a hold of it, Professor Oak?" Asked Misty. "There are side effects from overusing HAPT. Your Pokemon become irreversibly weak." "That'll keep them at bay." Ash smiled. "Need us for anything else?" "Not really." Oak looked up at the evening sky. "You ought to get home anyway. It's getting dark out now." "Sounds good to me." Ash walked up to him and held out his hand and Oak recieved it. "Good luck with your HAPT tablets." "Thank you, Ash." They shook hands and smiled at one another, like old friends do. Misty noticed that most people held strong bonds and did not need too many words to thank one another or to just say hello. Sometimes all you had to do was smile or connect eyes to let your friend know what was going on. Misty hoped to one day have a relationship like that with someone someday. Ash turned back to her and flashed a smile that reminded her of what she still had with him. Wasn't as close but it would be someday. Misty found new hope in their friendship. "(Maybe I will know Ash so well one day that all we had to do was look into each others eyes...)" That thought resurfaced the deep feelings she had for him. She didn't know that she had still felt that way about him. Maybe there was hope for them after all. "Let's go home, Misty." Ash told her softly and rested his warm hand on her cooled shoulder. She allowed him to guide her to the gate, where they exited the Oak residence and headed back to the house. Ash's words warmed her, even though she was sure she could feel goosebumbs starting up and down her arms. Was the evening getting cool or had his touch affected her more than she meant for it to?