Follow Me, Set Me Free

*****

The life of the gym seemed to have left with Ash. Brock, Tracey and Max had nothing to say each other and starred around the whole room noticing how dusty the place was. It was true, the place hadn’t been dusted or even been kept for at least two years since the Sensational Sisters had a guest. Daisy was meaning to clean the room or at least send one of her sisters to do the job, but she never seem to get to doing so.

It was the same with Misty, Violet and May gathered in Violets room. She had slept after the experience and had nothing to say to her sisters who asked if she had felt well. She didn’t answer them at all. Violet dressed in bountifully feeling violated. She felt tired of the whole experience and went to sleep.

Lily arrived upstairs and visited the boys first. She bursted into their room.

Brock and the others jumped as the door quickly opened and slammed the door knob to the side.

“He, like, why didn’t you guys stop Ash?” Lily asked disappointedly.

“Ash didn’t deserve it,” answered Max.

“Like, Max, you’re the one who most defended, Ash. Why are you so turned on him?”

“Lily, Ash is different, now,” Brock answered for Max knowing that Lily’s logic would fall to him next if he didn’t quickly act seeing that he was second in Ash worshiping.

“I’m sorry, Lily, but Ash did something the old Ash would never do,” added Tracey.

“You jerks!” Lily spurted, “how dare you call yourselves Ash’s friends?”

“Lily!” exclaimed Tracey shock along with Brock and Max in the background, “you being Violet’s sister should be angry than most of us in this room.”

“Like, you idiot! I knew that Ash was in my room. It was just a horrid misunderstanding.”

“What?” exclaimed the three.

“Yeah, Ash was just, like, taking a nap. It was my sister’s fault for going in my room without looking who the person was under the cover.”

“Are you serious?” asked Brock with a heightened enthusiasm.

“Yes!”

Max had believed that his hero had turned into a villain, but truly his hero stayed the way he was. “We have to get Ash back!”

“That’s fine,” Tracey acknowledged, “that’s just great that Ash isn’t that way, but it’s not up to us to take Ash back. It’s Misty’s wedding, it’s up to her.”

“Okay, like, let’s go and tell her.”

“Lily, it’s not that easy,” Brock informed remembering how angry Misty was and what Ash and her had revealed. “If Ash were to come back, things would all be different.”

*****

Lily and the boys headed to Violet’s room where Violet, May and Misty had settled.

Along the way, they met Daisy and quickly informed them of the misunderstanding. Daisy’s mind was changed as she heard Lily tell her story of Ash’s bargain with her and followed along with the crowd to Violet’s room.

The door quickly snapped open as did the guestroom had earlier.

“Lily!” exclaimed Misty pointing at Violet asleep.

Lily walked up to Violet and shook as hard as she could waking her up.

“Lily, what are you doing?” ask Misty in surprise.

“I have to tell you and Violet something,” Lily answered.

Lily explained the whole misunderstanding and blamed it on herself and some to Violet who didn’t have the common sense to see who the person was. Violet, who had felt as if she were violated, had cheered from her earlier self now knowing that it was all an accident. In fact, Violet had laughed about the whole situation and considered it a plus that Ash had seen a glimpse.

“... and that’s all that happened,” finished Lily.

“Oh,” answered Misty feeling stupid. “I didn’t even give him a chance to explain things. Maybe he’s right and it’s me who changed?”

“Well, aren’t you going to tell us that it’s okay for him to comeback. You better hurry, he was moving pretty fast the last time I saw him.”

In the background, May laughed her lungs off as she realized that Ash was the same as he was ever. The others looked at her and realized themselves that they had thought Ash to be a lecher. They too laughed and the gym became alive again with the talks of Ash. Everyone laughed, except for Misty.

“I’m not going to do it. I can’t do it. I forced him to go,” Misty said regretting all she said.

“Oh, no,” said Brock who had just realized what he didn’t do when Deliah had asked him to go after Ash, “what am I going to tell Mrs. Ketchum. I need to tell her I’m sorry.”

“I’m just going to let things be and let him go,” Misty said to everyone’s surprise.

What possible reason does Misty have to not get him back? everyone thought. They all heard what Ash said and things would be different. Things would be tense and awkward from now on, but the principle of friendship had to take president over everything else.

“Misty, you can’t just let Ash go,” Max stated.

“Yeah, Ash came over here all the way from Orre just to see you,” Tracey said agreeing with Max. “You can’t send him home just because of something you’re embarrassed for.”

“Embarrassed for?” asked Lily uninformed of the whole transaction that had taken place. “What does she have to be embarrassed about?”

“Like, Ash and Misty let loose and had the ultimate battle of words,” Daisy explained, “and during the banter, Ash had somehow blurted out...”

“Oh,” Lily said remembering why Ash was so stubborn about staying.

“Come on, Misty,” May said pleading with her, “I’m in the same boat.”

“Yeah, Misty,” said Max remembering what Ash had told him last night when Max asked why May was so upset, “May is in the situation, but she was able to keep her head up as Ash walked by.”

“What!” said May shocked and furious, “Ash told you about that? I’m going to kill him when I see him!”

“Calm down, May.” Max had accidentally blurted out a promise he gave to Ash and was now sorry for doing so.

“So May, you too?” said Brock trying to be slick and funny at the same time eyeing May.

“Well, Ash and I have been friends for a long time, too,” May explained.

“Okay, like, that’s enough of that!” Lily shouted, “Misty, it’s up to you if you want to have Ash back. But, here.” Lily took out the picture that Ash had made her promise to give to Misty.

“What’s this?” asked Misty.

“Ash told me to give it to you. And also to tell you that it’s for whatever you think of him. The girl in the picture is Kasumi.”

“Kasumi...,” said Misty studying the girl in the picture that reminded her so much of herself. “She’s...” Misty took a look at the picture closely keeping it covered so as nobody else would see. She couldn’t help but feeling a lot more embarrassed. She felt more embarrassed that Lily knew what Kasumi looked like.

“Isn’t Kasumi the girl that Ash told us about last night?” asked Tracey.

“Yeah,” answered May, “but Ash said that he didn’t have a picture of her.”

“He... lied,” answered Misty as a tear slid down her cheeks.

“Can we see it?” asked Max curious to see what the girl looked like.

Misty kept the picture away from them keeping it by her chest. She looked at everyone and quickly gone out of the room.

*****

Location and Setting: Ash had walked a fast pace and has reached the outskirt of Cerulean City. He stops at a familiar sign feeling nostalgic as he read a not that someone had carved on the sign. It had said: “Gary was here. Ash is a loser.” After all these years the sign had been true.

Ash remembered how mad he had gotten and how bad it had put him down when he had first read it. Now that he reads the sign again, he didn’t feel angry, but happy as he reminisce about Brock and Misty being by his side when he had read it. He also remembered the way Misty had been evasive on why she didn’t want to come to Cerulean City. Later on, Ash would find out just why.

Rustling was heard by the bushes that seemed as a Seviper and a Zangoose might have been fighting. Then the familiar voice.

“Prepare for trouble!” said a feminine voice.

“And make it double!” said another familiar voice that sounded masculine.

“To protect the world from devastation...” said the feminine voice again.

“To unite...” said the voice being cut off by Ash.

“You two!”

“That’s right!,” said a human speaking meowth who jump out of the bushes.

“Wow!” said Ash excitedly, “I haven’t seen you two in five years,” he said almost happy to see them.

Pikachu snapped out of Ash’s shoulders and on to the ground ready to pounce if any of the three try anything. But, despite how vigilant Pikachu was, he was anxious to give another go at blasting them away.

“Hey kid, what have we told you about interrupting us when we’re doing the motto?” ask the fire-headed woman.

“Jesse, I hate to admit it, but I missed you,” said Ash remembering the last time he had seen them fly to where ever they blast off into. Pikachu was surprised that his friend would have the same sentiments about seeing the trio again. Before, Ash would have never mention the three in such an accepting manner.

“Pika,” said Pikachu eyeing the three.

“The kid isn’t a kid anymore,” said a lavender haired man. “Oh, and hello to you to Pikachu.”

“James, it’s good to see you to,” said Ash greeting him.

“Wow, twoip, I didn’t thing you’d ever says a thing like that to us,” said the human speaking meowth. “Don’t get yourself into bunches Pikachu, pal.”

“It’s nice to see you too, Meowth.”

“Geez, thanx kid.”

“Now, are you guys going to try to steal Pikachu? Because I’ve been waiting to send you flying for such a long time.”

“Is that what you say to someone who want’s to thank you,” said Jesse.

“You want to thank me?” asked Ash confounded by the development.

“Yeah, we like to thank you for everything,” confirmed James.

“For what?”

“You think we’d steal that crummy little pikachu of yours?” asked Meowth. “No offense, Pikachu.”

“Pika pik pik.”

“Well, yeah, that’s what you’d usually do,” answered Ash.

“Huh,” smirked Jesse, “we don’t need to steal anything, we’re filthy stinking rich. We don’t even work for Team Rocket anymore.”

“Yeah, kid, thanks to James,” said Meowth.

“Well, it wasn’t all my doing. Jesse help.”

“Yeah, those twos are rich now because they got married to each other,” explained Meowth.

“Really?” asked Ash surprised. “I always had a feeling about you two.”

“Don’t think it happened that way kid!” said Jesse a little offended.

“We had to get married,” said James.

“How in the world would you two get in that kind of situation.”

“Well, it’s simple,” said Meowth, “it all happened when you left for Orre. Seeing that we had no way to get to Orre without a person who has earned the right to go, we couldn’t follow you.”

“Oh, that’s why I haven’t seen you seen in so long.”

“Yeah, well,” said Jesse picking up the story where Meowth had left off. “Since we couldn’t follow you, we had stayed in the same place for too long and Team Rocket had caught up with us.”

“Since we couldn’t pay for memberships fees, our membership was rejected and we were out of Team Rocket,”explained James taking over for Jesse. “We had nothing and no support from Team Rocket. We couldn’t follow you anymore, so we had to put our capturing Pikachu on hiatus.”

“Yeah,” said Meowth taking over the story again. “Me and Jesse had nowheres else to go, but James did. Jesse was hesitant in giving up so she stayed to where we last saw you and Jimmy boy and I went back to his parent’s house. I was treated like a king being fed grapes by Jimmy’s butler while Jimmy here get whipped by his crazy fiancee, Jessebell. It was hilarious. I almost wasted all of my nine lives just watching him squirm.”

“That wasn’t funny!” yelled James remembering the girl forcing him to do six more push ups.

“Yeah, well it got worst when he found out he had to marry her the following day he arrived with Me,” said Meowth.

“Yes, I remember,” said James, “I was going to marry her, but then Jesse came. She never told me why she did.”

“I came, because I needed the money,” explained Jesse. “I was just going to steal a few things from your parent, but when I saw that you were serious in marrying that girl, I had to get you out of it.”

“You wouldn’t believe what Jesse did,” said Meowth setting up the next part of the story. “Jesse punched out Jessebell and offered to keep James inline to replace Jessebell. Jame’s parents were hesitant in letting Jesse have charge, but she proved it when Jesse had James on all four playing dead in his best suite.”

“My parents were so impressed on how Jesse took control that they gave her a chance. But, only if she married me,” said James filling in for Meowth.

“My options were to go out on my own and find a man that was rich and handsome, but that was too much work so I settled for someone who was just rich,” said Jesse turning her head away from James as if she could have better.”

“And that’s how it happened,” concluded James.

“Wow, that’s a great story, but why are you guys thanking me?” asked Ash again.

“We want to thank you for the adventure,” answered Jesse.

“If it weren’t for you, we’d have had ended our journey a long time ago. And now, despite where we are in our lives, we’re happy.”

“Yeah kid, and my talents in speaking in humans tongue would have gone into nothings,” said Meowth sticking his tongue out.

“That’s great. Hey, I’ve been meaning to tell you three..., I’m sorry for blowing you three so many times.”

“Don’t mention it, kid, we were trying to steal Pikachu,” said Jesse as she turn her head back at James smiling.

James came up to Ash and offered a hand. Ash took it and shook. Over the years, the trio had performed good and bad deeds, but this one was one that Ash thought of as honorable.

Meowth did the same as James and stuck out his hand and Ash grabbed on shaking a firm shake. “I guess that’s what yous humans do,” said Meowth feeling unsettled as he gave his first hand shake.

Jesse was hesitant about it, but she walked up to Ash and wrapped her arms around him. It felt weird hugging the twerp. He’d been smaller than Jesse most of the time she had known him and it different from what she had expected hugging Ash would be like. “Thank you,” she whispered quietly into his ear, “I am truly happy.”

“I have to thank you guys too,” said Ash trying to offer the same condolences, “if it weren’t for you three, I’d wouldn’t be as good a trainer as I am if it weren’t for constant attempts at catching Pikachu.”

“Well, we try,” said Jesse playfully.

“Hey, yous two, we have to get going,” said Meowth as the looked at his expensive looking watch.

“Where are you two going?” Ash asked.

“To the wedding,” Jesse answered.

“You know about the wedding?” Ash asked in surprise.

“Yeah, we were there when you arrived. We were the old couple,” said James as he mimicked the way he looked two day ago.”

“Oh, I remember. You guys ate a lot.”

“Yeah, it was free,” answered Meowth.

“We would’ve told you it was us, but there were a lot of people who didn’t much like us because were the past.”

They all laughed. Ash had remembered all the times they had tried an attempt and could place what the trio did with every look on the guest’s face.

“So, kid, where are you going?” Ask Jesse.

“...I ... I’m going back to Pallet Town to get pokemon and back to Orre,” Ash answered the trio.

“But, aren’t you going to your friends wedding?” asked Meowth.

“That’s strange,” stated James, “I always thought you two would be the ones together. You two always looked so cute together.”

“Haa!, shows what you know. The kid is a big star now. Why would he want that scrawny little red-head? Or, maybe it’s the other way around? Huh? What about it?” Jesse was right about the second part. It was that way. He had lost his chances along time ago for the prize of recognition in the pokemon world. It was a vie of whether the winner would be self gratitude for his accomplishments or the lost of many of his friends. To tell the truth, if the manner presented itself again, the choice would be that dream he’d had at the very beginning.

“You’re only half right, Jesse,” Ash corrected.

“We really must going.” James reached down his pocket and pulled a remote that only had on button. As James pressured the button down, from the bushes that the trio had leaped out of inflated a familiar meowth like balloon.

“Before you three go, I was wondering why you guys still used that silly motto on me?”

“It’s not silly,” defended Jesse.

“For old times sake,” answered James. “If we had said hi as we met with you, it’d just be too different.”

“Yeah, and like why mess with something that woiks,” said Meowth as his stuck out his claws.

The three climbed in and began to pull the rope that breathe fire into the balloon. The balloon raised and as it did the trio waved goodbye. Ash knew it might be the last time he would see the trio and waved too.

It was nice seeing the three again. And... dare Ash say it? Was it really true? Yes, it is true. “I can’t believe I’m friends with those three. It’s better than being attacked by them.”

*****

Location and Setting: Ash continued on and finally slowed his pace as past the nostalgic scenery. It was the same route he’d taken to get to Cerulean City in the first place.

Pikachu also enjoyed the scenery as much as Ash did. He was there when Ash had first strolled the route along with Misty and Brock. It was bittersweet as they relived their past. It was a completion to what they had face. Ash remembered the saying about coming full circle. He really believed it was an end of an era and the beginning of a new; a new without his friends; a new that consisted of himself and his pokemon friends.

During Ash’s travels in the Orre Region, he learned to be vigilant and know his surroundings. The moment had turned into a time when such talent was needed as a shadowy figure, who seems to be riding a bike, come ever closer from afar.

“Pika pika pi...,” said Pikachu trying to alarm Ash of the person from afar.

“Yes, I know. Let’s just ignore her,” said Ash knowing exactly who the person was.

It took some time for the person to catch up, but was already in a distance of five feet, yet, Ash acted nonchalant of the person.

She too was nonchalant as she slowed her pace to Ash’s. She had looked around town for a while before realizing that Ash would have already be by the outskirts of the town, so she pedaled as fast as she could til she saw his image from afar.

Pikachu had not pretended to notice who the person was and tried to snap Ash out of his stubbornness. Pikachu tried as mush as clawing Ash just to get his attention, but he was too stubborn and walked on.

To tell the truth, Misty had no idea of what she would say. She met this side of Ash many times during their itinerant journey with each other. This side of Ash was the most stubborn. It was a mixture of denial and monk like discipline. Whatever was thrown to him, he’d brush it off and act as if nothing ever happened.

“Was it just me, or did you see the Team Rocket balloon?” she asked trying to break the ice and get him to talk to her. No use, he just kept on walking. Pikachu waved at her and she returned it, but Ash still made no such move in response. “Come on!” she said sternly.

Ash had moved his left arm and surprised Misty making her think he would respond, but all he did was picked his nose.

Misty was angered, “Hey, I’m talking to you! Don’t act like you don’t hear me!” still now response. She didn’t think yelling at him would work so she tried another angle. “Ash, if you talk to me, I’ll be your best friend.”

Pikachu laughed and tried to get Ash to do the same, but it didn’t work, though inside he really thought it was funny.

As Ash walked on and her following, she realized that it was much more serious than what she had thought it would be like. “Ash...” she said blankly. “I know why you’re doing this. You’re doing it because I yelled at you. I said things I didn’t... well, actually I did mean it. And for that, I’m really sorry. I had no right putting you down like that. I didn’t even give you a chance to explain.”

She had thought there was a response, but, again Ash had just sneezed enforcing false hopes.

Questions popped into her mind about the whole situation; was this how it’s going to end? Is this friendship of over ten years just going to go the way of wind? It was once strong and solid as the Great Wall of China; long lasting, full of history and impregnable to outsiders.

“Ash,” she called out his name softly, “is this how it’s going to end? I want to know now before we go too far. Years ago I’ve waited for two years for you to answer me..., but in time, there was no answer. Well, if you think I’m going to make the same mistake by waiting, you’re wrong. I’m not going to wait for you anymore. So, it’s up to you if you want to end it here. I’ve waited too long for you and I’m not going to wait another minute.”

Ash stopped dead in his track. Did he really want to end it? Years of friendship would end in just one afternoon, after a fight. How many times did the two share a moment of honest friendship. A friendship that didn’t consist of idle rewards from each other, but the purest form of friendship. Did he really want to end the special bond and create a void that no one would ever be able to fill? The answer was...

“I was ready to move on with my life, ya know!” said Ash as he turn to her riding her bike. “I had pretty much ruined my life here in Kanto and was ready to settle into a life of itinerant living, no destination, but with one goal. I was ready to become the miser of glory as I take my place on the highest of honors as one would be placed for their skill as a trainer. I was ready to let go..., but... I really don’t want to.”

Misty smiled.

“Ash, please come back,” she asked wholeheartedly with a sparkle in her eyes.

“Yeah, I’m done walking, my feet are starting to hurt.”

*****

Location and Setting: The hour had turned into 7 and the day was cracking into night. With Ash walking and Misty on her bike, in the same route the two had walked a long time ago, Ash and Misty enjoy each other’s company. Both reliving a time in their lives where they had been best friends and in hopes, it might have been the same thing. With all the excitement and the feeling of security, Pikachu loafed off to wonderland and fell asleep inside Ash’s backpack. Inside, Pikachu fit snugly along the shirts and unmentionables Ash packed along; only his ears popped out of the pack.

“Hey, Misty, remember the time I first caught Caterpie?”

“Don’t even remind me,” she answered.

“No, I want to remind you. Despite how you felt about bug-type pokemon, I have to say you really took to Caterpie in his Butterfree form.”

“Well, there’s a difference, Ash. Caterpie was an ugly, slimy, and ugly looking bug, but Butterfree was beautiful and majestic. He flew in the air as if he were to make rainbows from his wings.”

“It’s also funny, you know, that you wouldn’t like that vegetable.”

“What vegetable?”

“You told me you hated three things: carrots, bell peppers, and bugs. Now, seeing that you’re a red-head, how can you not like carrots?”

“Well, I just do. I can’t believe you remember that. Just because my hair color is orange, of sorts, that doesn’t mean that I live for everything orange. Daisy’s hair color is blonde, do you thing she like everything related to the color yellow?”

Knowing he was defeated by her logic, Ash knew when to give up. “You got me there. It just seemed weird to me.”

“Why did you say that, anyways?”

Ash looked at the scenery involved with their route, “Look around you. I haven’t been in the Kanto Region in five years and everything reminds me of the first journey I... we three traveled.”

“I guess you’re right, I haven’t really been traveling around as much as I did when I was with you. I spend all my time in the Cerulean Gym, defending and keeping care of all the pokemon.”

“That must be fun. You know, taking care of pokemon and performing for visitors.”

“Yeah, but I’d rather be out in the world finding out about pokemon - like you.”

Ash felt a lot more responsible for her not doing so. If he had asked her to come to Orre with him, she might have had a different life than just a caretaker for the gym.

“It’s not all that glamorous, you know what I mean. The constant walking, and running, and jumping over hills, and sleeping in the middle of nowhere, living on anything that you can.”

“Wow, Ash, you make it sound like you’ve gone through the worst things in life. But, you wouldn’t live any other way, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. It serves it’s purpose at times. You learn a lot about yourself and the world. You meet a lot of interesting people and you make new friends.”

Misty had the picture of Ash and the girl, Kasumi, in her pocket. She thought about it when Ash had mentioned making new friends. She knew why she decided to come after Ash. It was more than because they were old friends. It was because...

“In speaking of making new friends, Ash,” Misty pulled out the picture, “is this the new friend you made in Orre?”

Ash knew where the conversation was leading to and was hesitant to answer. Yes, it was the girl he had met in the Orre Region. Kasumi had caught Ash’s eyes when he first saw the girl. He had no idea why he did before, but deep inside he knew. This was the time before Ash became perceptive of his surrounding and the obvious happenings around him.

“I knew this would come up sooner or later. Yes, that’s Kasumi.”

“But last night, you said that you didn’t have a picture of her. Did you lie about that?”

Ash almost choked as he answered. “I lied. But, you know why I lied.”

“Yes, I do and I have to say it’s flattering.”

“Don’t buy too much into it. It’s just a coincident that she happens to look fetchingly like you. It was all an accident. And beside, the story I told last night was her courting me, not the other way around.”

“You’re to tell me that you had no idea that she had looked like me?” Misty asked in disbelief. “You are to tell me that you were that thick?”

“Well, I haven’t gotten why she reminded me of someone til a few days later when she had kissed me. And I told the story last night just to tell a juicy story. Beside, I know you like it.”

“You think I liked it? If you think that, you’re as thick as ever.”

“No, I’m not. Besides, those are the stories you’re always reading.”

Misty ran through head of the many volumes she had read with her spare time in the gym and remembered a story much like the one that Ash had told last night. “No way, most of the books I read have well written work. Not just a male chauvinistic theme like yours.”

“You still think that I lied about that. It’s true. Do you want me to prove it to you?”

Misty was certain that Ash would never be able to prove such a think; one: because the girl was all the way in the Orre Region; and two: Ash was probably lying. “Yeah, prove it.”

“Once we get back, I’ll call her up. Would you let me make a long-distance call?”

“No, you have to pay me.”

“You’re mean,” said Ash squinting his eyes at her.

For a moment the two found themselves in silence not knowing what to talk about next, til.

“Ash, why did you leave the picture with me?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it was just because... I don’t know.”

“You must have had a reason why you left it with me. Maybe because you wanted me to see the girl you had been with to make me jealous. Or maybe...”

“Wait!” objected Ash, “I was not trying to make you jealous. Didn’t Lily tell you that it was for whatever you think of me?”

“Yeah, she told me, but I don’t get what you mean by that. What did you mean?”

“Misty, ever since I’ve come back here, I’ve been told that I was different from the person who I was before the Orre Region. Even you told me that I was different from the person you knew five years ago. And this was my way of telling you that I’m still the same person.”

“But, you aren’t the same person, Ash. You’re someone else. You can take care of yourself. You have even made a name for yourself.”

“But, I haven’t changed,” said Ash close to pleading his case. “I still get lost in the forest. I keep forgetting to clean the dishes like before. I get excited when I learn about a new pokemon. I get embarrassed when I get interviewed and just start babbling about myself. And most of all, I still feel the way I did when I was traveling with you. And if you don’t remember what I had felt, not that I ever told you, but I feel the same way now.”

“Don’t mention things that can’t be helped,” Misty said with her head down solemnly.

It was true, what can be done. It wasn’t the same as before and will never be the same. It’s as the withered flower. It has seen the gorgeous glory of the sunshine and the spring of rain, but in time it never gets another chance to bloom.

*****

Location and Setting: The two finally reached the entrance to Cerulean City and viewed the scenery of lights that flashed in the water flower city. Ash shook his backpack to try to wake up Pikachu but with no luck. Ash had remembered the night before and how Pikachu had stayed up along with him. Even during the day, Pikachu was with Lily after Ash had gone to sleep in her room. Only now was Pikachu acquiring his beauty sleep.

With chasing Ash throughout the city, Misty had not noticed that she hadn’t eaten since she woke up and was paying for it as her stomach grumbled.

“I’m hungry,” Misty stated, “want to get something to eat?”

“Why not just go home? I bet Brock cooked something good to eat.”

“Are you sure you just don’t want to get an old fashion burger, Ash?” Misty suggested. “Besides, it’s just right there and we’ll have to get a cab back to the gym.”

She had a point. He was hungry now and didn’t really want to wait to get home. “Sure, why not?”

Burgers, Ash remembered, were a rare commodity along the trampling roads he’d travel. To him and his companions, burgers weren’t fast food, but rather a delightful reward from a long trek of soup and fruit sandwiches he’d have to scramble down his esophagus. It was the same along his travel’s now, but recently the taste was lost as he engulf the work of his mother and Brock’s accentual cooking.

The two entered the burger place to find familiar faces. There were friends from the past that were invited to help out there. Some of them were with friends that they had not met before. It seems like most of them got to know each other during the time they had been working for the Sisters.

“Hey, Ash,” said Osamu who was sitting next to Luka. It was an awkward wave, too that followed. Ash waved back with the same awkward wave trying to be tangible at the same time. Luka had pretended not to notice, but when Osamu decided to acknowledge their presence, she thought it would be rude to not say hi. So, Luka did as Osamu did and waved too. This made things a lot more awkward as Misty took the wave and sent it back.

The two finally sat at a table next to the window that looked over the parking lot. Misty noticed her bike was in one of the parking boxes and wasn’t chained into anything. She found the idea of her bike getting stolen humerus. It would be too ironic if it would. She wasn’t too worried, though. With the new and improved-like pokemon trainer next to her, it more than likely that no one would be able to steal it.

The waitress came by and offered Ash and Misty a menu. They took it and scrolled down the list of ‘fine dinning’. It didn’t look like any of the food were as good as his mother’s or Brock’s and wondered again why Misty had preferred going there than home. “I guess I’ll just have a burger and a cola,” Ash said trying to ignore the accusing eyes that pointed needles into him.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll have the same,” said Misty handing the menu back to the waitress.

The waitress happily took the menus and headed to the kitchen. She wondered why the girl next to the guy looked so familiar, but then just dismissed it as one of those common faces you see around.

“Hey, Ash,” started Misty, “can you keep an eye out for my bike? I have to go to the powdering room.”

“Yeah, sure, but why do you call it the powdering room? Is there really a powdering room, or is that code word for something else? Another thing, when we use to travel with each other, you would always go to the powdering room. Is it because your hands were always dirty before you eat, or is it because of some girly stuff?”

“One thing; no there isn’t really any powdering room. Would you like it better if I refer the powdering room to the restroom? Two; you should always clean up before eating. Of course I know that you mother taught you that. But then, I guess you don’t do everything your mother tells you. And three; why are you asking so many questions?”

“I... never mind. I’ll just tell you when you get back.”

She did go and afterwards Ash wondered if he should go, too. She had a point, he had been out for a while and hadn’t had a chance to clean his hands. Ash began to stand up, but remembered she asked him to keep an eye out for her bike.

From time to time, Ash would stare at a few of the other customers. He knew most of them and they knew of him. Some would stare at him, too, but would turn away every time Ash would catch them. It was uncomfortable with everyone starring at him.

Misty finally came back and it didn’t look like she had powdered herself at all. Ash was going to say something about it, but decided not to waste time. The burgers would come any time soon and he still needed to clean his hands.

“Misty, I need to go to the powdering room. Just wait here.”

“Are you going to start calling the restroom the powdering room, now?” Misty ask slyly.

“Would you prefer I call it the little boy’s room?” Ash headed towards the back to the restaurant and tried to keep his eye on the price. Each time he would walk close to someone he knew he looked away trying not to have eye contact.

Ash finally reached the ‘powdering room’ and was relief to. He went to one of the stalls and did his business. Afterwards, he came out walked over to the sinks. He remembered what Misty said about having clean hands just before you eat. He pushed the button that released the liquid soap and began lathering. Ash took a good look at himself in the mirror and found his hair was in it’s usual jumble. Unconsciously, Ash wet his hands and was about to fix his hair, but remembered he was going to eat -not going to work.

When Ash finally came back, the food was already there. Misty had not begun eating and was waiting for Ash to come back. “What took you so long... never mind. I don’t want to know?”

“Was I gone that long?”

“No, but the food’s here.”

“Why didn’t you just start eating? I would have understood. I’m pretty hungry myself.”

“I just wanted to wait for you. What’s another two minutes when it come to food?”

Ash was surprised. She had said it before, but this was contrary to that. “I thought you weren’t going to do that anymore.”

Misty didn’t know what Ash was talking about. “Do what?”

“I thought you said that you weren’t going to wait for me anymore?”

“Oh, that. Well,...” Misty took her time trying to find an excuse, “... well,... like I said. This is food. No,... I’ll wait for you sometimes. But, not forever.” Ash gave her a smile and she clumsily did the same.

And it was off. The two began to gobble the food down. I should have ordered two burgers. This is actually really good, Ash thought to himself. “So, I was wondering.”

“Wondering what?” ask Misty just swallowing the bite she just took.

“Why, again, did you urge for us to come here instead of going back to where we had Brock’s cooking? Not that the food here is bad.”

“No reason. It’s just that this place was closer. That’s all.”

“Yeah, but don’t you feel a little uncomfortable? Ya know, with everyone here knowing who we are?”

“I’m not really thinking about them right now. I’m just enjoying my time here.”

“Is the food really that good for you to say that? I’m eating the burger, but I’m not enjoying the place with all it’s eyes starring at us.”

Misty looked around and pretended not to care, but inside she really was feeling naughty. Naughty? Naughty for what? Whatever it was, it was fun to her.

“Oh, don’t question everything, Ash. You always were curious, but it was always about pokemon. Never about being embarrassed. If you were, you’d never have dressed up like a buffoon so many times before.”

“Hey, when have I ever dressed like a buffoon? I was never stylish, but I never looked like a buffoon.”

“Oh yeah, what about Viridian City. The time when you and Brock dressed up like old 40's hipsters. Now that was buffoonish.”

“That? It was only joke. We knew we looked goofy.”

“Okay, if you say so,” Misty took another bite and followed off with a drink from her cola. It went down smoothly.

Ash and Misty seemed to gobble the food with rapidash speed. At the middle of eating, the two looked into each other’s eyes and knew one thing. It was a race to the finish. Misty ate fast, yet delightfully prestige as she chewed. Ash in the other hand had his own tactics. He wasn’t fast, but he was quick. It was as if he had stuffed the food whole in his mouth, but at the same time it was as if it were immediately shredded as it hit the gear that tore everything. When it came to the finish, the two seemed to have crossed the ribbon at the same time. Afterwards, both had helped themselves with a drink to shove the food down their throats.

When their drinks were slammed down on the table Ash raised his hand to get the waitress’s attention. “Miss, we’d like to have the check now.” The waitress came over and wrote them a price.

“Ash, I’ll go outside to check if my bike is ... warm.”

“Warm?” After a second of thinking, Ash knew exactly what she intended to do to him. “Oh no you’re not, Misty! You’re not sticking me with the bill.”

“Okay, fine. I guess you got a lot smarter along your journey.”

Ash was conflicted with her. In one hand, she was a kind and loving friend. She would be there when he needed her. He loved her as much as he loved his mother or any other of his friends. To Ash, she was gold. In the other hand; she’s so out of reach. Now more than ever is she fallen from grasp. Ash had wanted to somehow reach to her as she slipped outside to leave him with the bill. Is Ash angry at her for sticking him with the bill? -no. It was the way she had slipped him the old dine’n’ditch. As she walked off, she gave him that same sly smirk she’d given him so many times she had in the past. Was there something in that smirk?

Misty waited outside as Ash paid the bill. The door to the dinner swung open and Ash had a smile on his face as he stepped outside. Misty notice the smirk and remembered the times she had played that trick on him. Before he’d get angry and start an argument with her. The argument would go on for hours and afterwards the two would forget whatever started the argument in the first place. But, no. It wasn’t like that this time. Ash was smiling at her and she smiled back confirming that little joke. That was different, too. In the past, Misty would have never admitted to leaving him with the bill. Rather, she would play dumb and wait for Ash to start things off.

“I guess that was your plan from the beginning, huh?” questioned Ash. “I have to admit, I fell for it again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me plenty a more time, I am a total idiot.”

“Ash, don’t beat yourself up like that,” Misty said genuinely caring about his hurt feelings. “I didn’t mean to leave you with the bill, at first. The dinner, I meant it as a last meal. We hardly ever had fancy dinner dates or anything like that before and I just thought it was appropriate that we have one last dinner where it fits us. Ash, we’re just like this dinner we just had. It tasted good and I had fun eating, but truly, it had not filled me up.” In hopes of ending here, she had outlined their relationship. She had finally been able to say it was fun and over with.

The smirk on Ash’s face disappeared and a nonchalant look took its place. It wasn’t the answer he had wanted, but it was one he knew the answer to a long time ago.

*****

Setting and Location: The two were originally going to take a cab back to the gym, but rather, they wanted a few more moments as Ash and Misty, best friends and more. Tomorrow, it will never be the same.

The two had so much to say to each other. Ash wanted to tell her... And Misty had wanted to tell him it was okay. She wanted to tell him to take care and not be sad. She wanted to comfort him, but she knew what would happen. And so, they walked, silently and destructively.

It was a few more blocks til it had build up to the brink. It was full. The water finally boiled and now needed to flow. It was far from tension and now it dripped into view. “Why are you even here?” Ash asked coldly.

“Why?” Misty said startled that Ash had said something from the silence.

“Why did you even come for me?” Ash asked again this time it was more forceful. “You know as much as I do that it would have been better for both of us if I just left. Why did you come for me?”

“Ash, I did it because you’re my best friend. We said that we were best friends long...”

“No!” Ash blurted out interrupting her. “You had thrown me out of the gym today and couldn’t care if you ever saw me again. You were able to do that and when you found out that what happened to Violet was all a mistake, you came after me. But you know in that split second when you told me that I ruined your wedding, you were able to let go.”

“Yeah, but I was angry and...”

“No!” Ash blurted out again as powerful as before. “It’s not that. I still don’t know why you came after me. I still don’t know why you’re here with me. You’re happy now. Before when I hadn’t called you up from Orre, you were angry and sad. You hated me. You hated me so much. Yet, now that you have Dorien, why do you still hate me! If you say that we’re best friends, how could you hate me. I just want to know why? Why do you hate me? You’re happy now!”

“Ash, I...”

“No!” he blurted out more powerful than ever. “It’s a simple question and one that doesn’t need time to answer. In fact, you had at least three years to find an answer to that. You’re happy now, so stop hating me!”

“Ash,... I...”

“No!” again Ash blurted out. “Tell me you’re happy with Dorien and say that you don’t hate me anymore. That’s all I want and we can stop all this pussyfooting!”

“Ash,... it’s because... I...”

“No! Just tell me you’re the happiest girl in the world because you’re marrying Dorien and thank me for giving you two the chance to love each other. No more stammering!”

In a second time stretched to a minute, to an hour, to a year, to years as Misty pondered WHY?!? Memories flooded her mind from the first day to the recent. From the best time to the worst. From the most frightful to the most joyous. From the time she was most angry with him to the time she had been most in love with him. A lifetime of memories flooded her mind and nothing else. It was just him and her.

“Why?!” she yelled as loud as he had yelled to her. “Because Dorien isn’t you.” It was heartfelt and heart retching at the same time. To finally acknowledge why she hates him. It was his own fault for her hating him. “Because you weren’t there for me and I had to find someone else. Because I know even if I found someone else, it wasn’t going to be you. There is no one else like you. Because you broke me. Because you didn’t give me a chance to be with you anymore. Because tomorrow you’re going away and I’m going away and we’re never going to have a chance. Because someone else had me first and you had someone else first. Because you made me cry. Because you made me worry. Because you ruined my life as a trainer. Because you aren’t with me. Because I... I love you!”

All Ash could do was stare at her. She was there, in person, real. It was life that stared him in the face waiting; waiting for the biggest move of his life. Considering he was a professional pokemon trainer, Ash had made both brilliant moves and destructive, horrible moves in the battle arena, but this was one he could not lose. What moves can he make?

She stared at him as if it was the most horrible thing to do in the world, yet she looked onto him as if pleading to make things right that is so wrong. Both of them knew how wrong it was to be even next to each other at this moment. Moral or immoral? That was a question Ash had asked himself everyday of his life -at least he tries to ask himself that. No, it was more than a question of whether it was moral or immoral; it was a question of can it be? For one thing, it was an awful choice, philosophically. How can she even consider wanting him instead of someone dependable and a lot more selfless? Ash had made a choice between her and his dream and Ash had selfishly chose his dream than her.

It was clear even in the dark that her eyes were filled to the brim with tears. If she had only twitched her eyes a tear would drip off her delicate, waning face. Even clearer were her baby blue eyes that were torn from the man she serendipity loved and the same man that had broken her. The same man stood in front of her with two beings. One; the horrible person who broke her and two: the man she had keened on ever since he was twelve years old. What was she to do?

Ash thought about the situation for what seems a long time. If what she said was true, he had not deserved it. How can he? For the last five years he’s been traveling having an adventure selfishly chasing a super dream. No, he didn’t deserve her affections at all. Not at all.

“Misty, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” said Ash soulfully tortured for his mishandling. “That’s so selfish of me,” he continued with tears dripping down his cheeks, yet keeping a faceless smile. It was the kind of smile that kept hope but also disappointed at the same time. It was the same face he had shown when he had glimpsed at Misty for the first time in five years two days ago. “You’re right. Why I pushed you to this I don’t know why. All those because and it’s all true. Why am I still here?” he asked himself. “Misty, I know I’m not right for you.”

“Ash...,” Misty whimpered as tears drain down her cheeks dully unnoted. “What... are you trying to say?” Misty finally asked careful not to get the answer she truly didn’t want.

“Misty, as long as I have ever known you, we were never more than best friends. I have to tell you now or I’ll never be able to say this. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. All those times I said I didn’t need your help, I appreciated every time you did what you did. I loved you for that and more. But, I broke you...” Ash looked at her. It was smooth, it was romantic, it was caring and caressing. It was all the times she had read on those romantic novels. It was passionate and tender. It was as if it was her first. Most of all, it wasn’t anyone, but Ash. It was so unexpected; all those times she had that great feeling when she had dreamt about her only love. It had happened so suddenly as Ash released all chains and gallantly came to her and gave her her long awaited kiss. Then he broke it and everything was over. “Misty, I broke you and that’s why I don’t deserve you.” Ash turned around and walked the other direction leaving Misty frozen and dry.

*****

Here you are. Review? Posted on Halloween morning. 10/31/05