If I Could Turn Back Time MyStiC (~) AuThOr Part 2 Mysticauthor89@yahoo.com AAMRN DISCLAIMER: I'm busy trying to teach pigs how to fly. Why? Because my mom said to me, "Until pigs fly, you will never own Pokèmon." Me, being the overachiever I am, decided to take the challenge of teaching them to fly. Ooooh...there goes another pig off the roof...well; then, how about I just start the damn fanfic now? "WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Ash yelled over the wind. He was clutching onto Misty's waist, hanging on for dear life. It was a little past eleven, & the stars were shining brightly. "Would you shut up? I DO know how to drive this Harley," Misty yelled back over her shoulder. She gunned it & the motorcycle increased its speed, causing Ash to tighten his grip on her waist. Misty felt her face flush as Ash's hands adjusted their hold on her waist. They were zipping along the highway going over sixty-MPH. Both wore helmets as they headed towards Misty's apartment. ~ I'm king of the world! ~ Pikachu rejoiced, its head sticking out of Ash's backpack, the breeze ruffling the fur on its face. After a few more minutes of screaming from Ash & exclamations from Pikachu, Misty pulled off to the side of the highway & set off down a bumpy dirt road. "Where the hell do you live?" Ash inquired between bumps. "Since everyone thinks I'm dead, I have to keep away from people." "Oooohhhh..." Misty stopped in front of a kind of outhouse. She got off the motorcycle & took off her helmet, letting down her gorgeous auburn hair. "Home sweet home." "Uh, you live in an outhouse?" Misty face faulted. "No. Just follow me." Ash removed his helmet as well, scratching his unruly hair. "Okay." Misty walked the bike to the back of the outhouse. He placed her palm on the back wall. "Welcome back, Mistaria." Ash was surprised to hear a computerized voice & see a flight of stairs open in the ground. "I know shock, shock, surprise, surprise! Now come on." Misty trotted down the stairs, followed by a dumbstruck Ash & an amazed Pikachu. ~ Misty...this is TIGHT! ~ Pikachu marveled at Misty's underground apartment. The kitchen was a chef's paradise. The living room had a large screen TV, DVD, VHS, Nintendo 64, Game cube, Playstation 1 & 2, a huge stereo & speakers. There was a love seat & sofa in front of it all. Misty smiled at Pikachu's excitement. "I do what I can." She continued towards the bedroom. "Um...Mist?" "Yeah, Ash?" Misty stopped took off her sapphire cloak to reveal a white tube top & a short black miniskirt with knee length black boots. "I uh...I, I, I..." Ash couldn't take his eyes off of the woman before him. "What?" He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Do you have Super Smash Brothers?" Misty rolled her cerulean eyes. "But of course. Wittle Ashy needs to play with his wittle itty bitty toys." She pointed to the left of the TV. "There should be a case of games right there." "Um...thanks." Ash looked around. "So where's a guy going to get some shut eye around here?" "You're looking at your bedroom." "WAAAAAAAAAH? I'm sleeping in the living room?" "I'm not about to let you use my room. You think I'm crazy?" Misty giggled. "What happened to your company policy Brock told me about? Something about the client always coming first above everything?" Misty began to get slightly annoyed. She didn't want to argue with Ash, but sometimes he could just be so infuriating. She blew a wandering strand of her reddish brown hair. She knew she would hate herself later but she complied & said, "You're right." "I knew this was too good to be true when Brock told me--. Wait, did you just say I was right?" Ash goggled at Misty as if she had ten thousand heads. This was a first, Misty agreeing with him? "You can have my room." Misty looked Ash straight in the eye with a deadly glare & said, "I swear, if you go looking through my underwear drawer, you're really going to need protection!" "Misty! I'm not like that! I'm twenty-three!" "If I recall, age didn't stop you & Brock going through my stuff while we traveled!" Misty continued, trying to contain her anger. "Um...well, it's kind of late, I'm gonna hit the sack. Good night!" ~ BUSTED! ~ Pikachu chirped. "Shut UP, Pikachu. C'mon, let's get some rest." Backpack slung over his shoulder, Ash headed towards Misty's room. ~ I'm right behind ya. ~ Pikachu started to scamper after its master but stopped when its tummy began to growl. ~ Ash? Do we have any ketchup? ~ "I said, c'mon Pikachu." ~ Aw I haven't had anything since this morning before girls attacked us! ~ "Here, Pikachu." Misty reached into the stainless steel refrigerator & handed it a bottle of Heinz ketchup. ~ Misty, you're a saint. Night! ~ Pikachu gave Misty a wave & hurried after Ash. "Sleep tight you guys." "Night." Misty tossed & turned, trying to get to sleep. But her mind was active with thoughts of Ash & her sisters. She sat up from the couch & walked to the bathroom, clad in a light blue spaghetti strap tank & silky blue sleep pants. {What's wrong with me?} She stared back at her reflection. She couldn't explain why she was having nightmares about her sisters. She had seen people die in worse ways than her sisters, but the faces of Daisy, Lily, & Violet just disturbed her. They were only family she knew of. She loved them even though they ridiculed her, teased her, put her down & laughed at her at every chance they got. She knew they loved her too, & the losing them took a lot out of her. Plus she had just met up with Ash. That old feeling she felt for him as a kid was starting to transform from a flame to a fiery inferno. Next thing she knew, she was on the white tile of the bathroom, crying softly. "Whaa...?" Ash got up into a sitting position. He wore no shirt, just his navy blue sweatpants. He slipped out of bed silently & followed the whimpering noises. He passed the living room & didn't see Misty. He tiptoed to the bathroom & cautiously pushed the door slightly ajar. "Mist?" Misty was on the floor, in her pajamas, sobbing, knees pulled up to her chest. "Ash? Is something wrong?" Misty quickly dried her face & climbed to her feet. Ash just shook his head. "It's amazing how you can just put your problems aside because someone else is in trouble or needs help." Misty gave a tiny smile. "It's the kind of person I am." "I'm sure it is. Nothing is wrong with me, but you, something is wrong with you." "I'll be fine. Just a little stressed out." Misty closed her eyes wearily. "C'mon." Ash took her hand & steered her to the couch. "Sit," he ordered, pointing at the couch. Misty obeyed & sat down. "Misty, you can tell me anything. I know it's been ten years since we spoke like this, but you're still my best friend & I would do anything for you." {Dammit. I hate it when he gets sentimental on me. It's just so sweet} "I know, Ash." "Then tell me why you were crying," Ash said as he took a seat on the couch next to her. Misty exhaled a sigh. "I came back from Cerulean City this morning." Ash blinked. "And that's a problem because...?" "I was on a case, but my clients..." "What happened?" "My clients were killed..." "By who?" Misty sucked in a breath & tried to calm down. But the tears spilled over relentlessly. "Tracy." "Tracy? The one who almost killed you all those years back?" "He killed my sisters." Ash put two & two together. "Your clients...Oh, Misty." He wrapped his arms around Misty & pulled her close as she wept into his shoulder. "I thought I could make it..." "It wasn't your fault. I know you would never let your sisters down. You tried your hardest. But obviously someone wanted to use them to get to you. They wanted to make sure either way you lost." Misty couldn't form a sentence, so she kept quiet as more tears were streaming down her rosy cheeks, Ash shushing her & hugging her protectively. ~ Ahhh...I feel so alive & refreshed! ~ Pikachu rubbed the sleep out of its eyes as it awoke in Misty's bedroom. ~ Hey, Ash, what're we supposed to-- ~ Pikachu stopped as it didn't see its Pikapi in bed. It hopped off the bed & jogged in search of his master. ~ Ash? Misty? Hellooooo? Anyone home? ~ Pikachu heard a sort of growling from the couch. Its tail stood on end. ~ I'm not afraid of you monster! ~ It grabbed a lamp & approached the couch slowly. ~ You can't hide from-WAAAAAAH? ~ Pikachu dropped the lamp as it uncovered a sleeping Ash & Misty. ~ I could take this situation the right or wrong way. But the wrong way definitely seems more accurate. ~ Pikachu thought aloud, arms folded across its chest. ~ Oh, well. Pika CHUUUUUU! ~ Pikachu unleashed a thunder shock attack on the two sleeping adults. "AGGGGHHHH!" They cried out in both pain & confusion. Then Misty & Ash noticed they were lying on the couch, VERY close to each other, still in their pajamas. Confused & furious, Misty growled, "What the hell, Ash?" & pushed the black haired Master off the couch. "Ow...what's wrong with you, Misty?" Ash rubbed his head, glowering at his friend. "You pervert!" "What do you mean?" "You used the excuse that I needed comfort to sleep with me!" Misty accused, standing up. Her face was colored with red as she combed her somewhat mussed hair with her slender fingers. "WHAT?" Ash couldn't believe his ears & jumped to his feet, angry. "Why would I want to sleep with an UGLY, SCRAWNY, BI--" but poor Ash couldn't finish his sentence. Misty slapped Ash with all the energy she could muster, causing him to fall back on his butt. Ash just held his cheek, staring angrily. Then his stare softened. "Mist...I'm sorry. You lost something that meant a lot to you, and you need to heal." That's when Misty remembered the company policy. {Damn policy...screw it} "Ash, I'm sorry. I have no clue where that came from." ~ I think I do. It's that time of the month... ~ Pikachu said in singsong. "Shut UP." Misty said in a deadly voice. ~ I'm going to raid the fridge. But really, why were you two snuggled on the sofa? ~ Ash stood up. "It's simple, really. I heard Misty crying, I took her back to the couch & calmed her down, I comforted her a bit, & next thing I know, you were thunder shocking us awake." Pikachu stared. ~ You know how perverted that sounded? If you really wanted to screw around, you could've kicked me out, you know. ~ "Go screw a cow," Ash grumbled & headed for the kitchen. "Want eggs or something?" Misty called, taking out supplies from the fridge to make breakfast. ~ You? Cook? Ha, don't make me laugh...too late, I'm laughing. ~ Pikachu was in hysterics, doubling up in laughter. "I'll have some, Misty." ~ Okay, I'll put Poison Control on the line. ~ "Ha, ha...okay that's enough wise cracks for the morning." Misty was frying eggs & bacon, which smelled wonderful. ~ I'm just getting warmed up. ~ "I don't suppose a bottle of ketchup would shut you up for the rest of the day?" Ash sat at the table & looked at Pikachu through the corner of his eye. ~ Hell yeah! ~ Pikachu leapt on top of Ash's head. ~ Ha! I won again! Woohoo! Go me, oh yeah! ~ "That game was getting tired anyway," Ash said, shutting the game off. ~ You can't accept the fact that I rock! ~ Pikachu boasted. "Whatever. I wonder what Misty's up to?" ~ Why? So you can look at her butt or something? Ha, ha, ha! I'm on a roll this morning! ~ "I think you might've had something weird in your ketchup." Ash went down the hall & heard someone kicking & punching. He raised an eyebrow & partly opened a door. Ash was surprised to see a gym complete with exercise machines, treadmills, punching bags, & other things that Ash couldn't identify. Misty was inside, training intently with the punching bag. Left jab, right jab, left roundhouse, right uppercut, right ax kick, left uppercut, right karate chop. "Nice moves." Misty spun around, fists raised. "Oh, it's just you." "Just me? What if I was an evil man who wanted to beat you up & steal your stuff?" Ash walked up to her, hands in his sweat pants' pocket. "Yeah right." "Anyways, you have pretty good moves for a girl." "For a girl?" "Yeah. What, you think you're better than me?" ~ Ash, that was the most dense thing you've ever done. ~ Pikachu now stood beside its Pikapi. "Fine. Let's have a match then. You & me, best out of three rounds. Sounds okay to you?" "Sure. I love teaching people lessons." Ash fell down again, clutching his jaw. "Ow...I think you broke my jaw!" "Come on! I'm not finished with you yet." "No more...please." He curled into a ball. "Ash, it was just the first round," Misty dropped her hands, sighing exasperatedly. "And I value my teeth!" "So fight back." "I can't hit a girl," Ash said as if she already knew that. "Says who?" Misty asked as she circled him. "Fine. You want me to fight?" Ash clambered to his feet. "You got a fight." He stood in a ready position. "Finally. Now I can get some training." She stopped in front of him & got into a fighting stance. ~ BEGIN! ~ Misty started with a right jump kick, which Ash evaded. She blended into a left jab, right uppercut, left roundhouse, right ax kick, left uppercut, right jab & a sweep kick, trying to knock Ash off balance. Ash blocked all of Misty's other hits but he didn't see the sweep kick coming, so he stumbled & fell on his back. "You call THAT fighting back?" Ash flipped to his feet. "Now I'm on the offensive." He started with a right jab that Misty caught in her left hand. A split second later, Misty dropped his hand & was doubled over, clutching her gut. Ash had struck with his left hand as Misty held his right. He followed through with a roundhouse that struck Misty right in the face. Then he ran into a left jump kick, which Misty was able to block. "I'm not THAT easy to take down," Misty panted, hands out in front of her. Blood was trickling from a cut on her mouth. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand & watched Ash carefully. "We'll see about that." He struck again with a left ax kick, which Misty cleanly blocked with her hands. She took the opportunity & kicked his other leg so he lost his balance & fell. He growled & studied his opponent. He attacked, foot outstretched. She prepared to block it, but she wasn't prepared when Ash dropped his leg & swung the other one around. She cried out & held her left side, falling to one knee. She blew a strand of hair out of her eyes & rolled away from a jump kick. Ash had Misty in a tight corner. She had nowhere else to go. Ash was about to hit her with an ax kick but she moved her head out of the way & nimbly somersaulted out of the corner. Misty put her hands on her knees. {I think I'm either losing my touch or Ash is just as good as I am!} She shook the thought out of her head & watched Ash as he approached her, hand in a fist. She ducked & hit him with a right uppercut. Ash staggered back, but retaliated with a left roundhouse & a right hook. Misty took both hits & yelled in pain. She dropped to her knees & curled into a ball to avoid another attack from Ash. She rolled back to her feet & ran to the wall. Ash followed quickly. She ran up & flipped off of the wall to land behind Ash. Ash spun around but it was too late. He hit the ground as Misty hit him with a powerful roundhouse. Misty bent over, catching her breath. "Misty...I can't move another muscle!" Ash was on his back, groaning in pain as he held his jaw. Misty straightened up & walked over to him, not about to admit that Ash had given her one hell of a fight. "Oh, is wittle Ashy too tired?" She placed her foot on his stomach. "Ha! I am better than you." Ash smiled slyly. "Really?" He grabbed her foot & pulled her to the ground next to him. "Cheater!" Misty tried to crawl away, but Ash gripped her foot tightly. "Let go!" she ordered. "Make me," Ash smirked. Misty was tempted to start a tickling fight, but she felt she had to be the responsible one. "Ash, Brock sometimes comes & sees if my skills improved. If he finds us having a tickle fight we're dead." Ash nodded. "Well, then. We should get back to training." Misty heard the tone of disappointment in his voice. "I'm sorry, but ever since I've joined SUPERIORS, it's been work first, play later. I can't slack off." "I understand. That's how it is at the League too, most of the time." "By the way, how are the Elite Four?" "They're all right. Only problem is that none of them know the meaning of 'fun'. Bruno & Lorelei are better than Agatha & Lance, though. If it weren't for them, I'd be training night & day. It's as if they're trying to wear me out." He sat Indian style, thinking thoughtfully. "I'm kind of glad I'm here with you." Misty raised an eyebrow. "Really?" "Yeah. I mean, even though we're training, we aren't as prestigious & rigid as the Elite Four." Misty was at a loss for words. "Well, let's continue training," Ash said as he stood up, cracking his knuckles. Misty motioned for him to sit down again, a hint of a smile on her face. "I guess we could take a break. I bet you a million dollars Brock isn't coming today, anyway. Him & the other Board of SUPERIORS are swamped with work this week, trying to cover up my sisters' deaths." "All right! I'm losing the feeling in my legs, anyway." Ash plopped down next to Misty. "So..." Ash said, trying to start a conversation. When Misty didn't respond, Ash was concerned. "Misty?" Split second later, he was on his back, Misty straddling his stomach. "Pinned ya." Her lips broke into a smile. "No fair!" Ash struggled to get into a sitting position. She smiled coyly & rolled off of him. When her back was turned, Ash took Misty by the shoulders & forced her down. "Pinned ya," Ash took great pleasure in saying. "Think so?" Misty flipped him over so that she was the one on top. "Pinned ya again." "Pinned both of ya." Ash & Misty snapped their heads around to see Brock standing in the doorway. "I see your flirting skills are in top shape. How about your self-defense skills?" Ash roughly shoved Misty off of him & the two scrambled to their feet. "You see Brock--" Ash began. Brock held up a hand. "No excuses. Mistaria needs to train if she's going to protect you." "Brock! Come on, that's all I've been doing for the past ten years!" Misty protested. She smoothed her long hair into a ponytail. "What do you think I've been doing since I was nine?" Brock gave the two a cold stare. "How do you think my mother died? She was in SUPERIORS too. So was my father. Since I was the oldest child, I had to start taking self-defense classes, since I would be working in SUPERIORS when I turned thirteen. That's why my father walked out on my siblings & I. He didn't want to put us in danger." His gaze hardened as he finished. Misty let out an exasperated sigh. "I'm sorry, Brock. I mean all that's happened to me in the past ten years is finally starting to take its toll." "I'm sorry, too. I kind of interrupted her training," Ash spoke up. Brock's lips were spread into a grin. "It's all right, both of you. But if you're going to fool around, you might want to lock the door next time." "BROCK!" "Sorry, sorry. I just came up here to tell you that there is a safe haven for you Ash, all the way in America. I'll send a luxury jet for the both of you later tonight. Pack an extra pair of underwear & your toothbrush, because I'm not sure when we can get Team Rocket out of the way. While we're booting out Team Rocket over here in Kanto, Mistaria, you will be babysitting Ash while he's on vacation in South Beach, Florida." He paused. "We can't take any more chances. I want you two to stay inside until the jet comes. And when you're in America, I have a friend Bruce who will give you some disguises." "Right." "Well, carry on your 'training'. I'll call you as soon as you land in Florida." "See you Brock." There was an uneasy silence, as Misty & Ash stood in the gym, alone. Misty looked at her shoes. {Since when did I become so shy around Ash?} She stole a glance at him. His long black hair came to just below his ears, & his golden eyes shone brightly. His bare chest was muscled & his abs were nicely cut. He still had a soft spray of freckles across his face. Misty finally realized at how much she missed him all those years ago. "Um, I better go & shower, unless you want to shower first." Ash broke the silence, fidgeting slightly. "Go ahead. I need to think a bit." "Okay." Ash exited the room, leaving Misty alone in the tranquillity of the room & her thoughts. ~ So who kicked whose ass? ~ Pikachu scuttled after its friend. "If you were there, you would know," Ash replied, not looking down at Pikachu as he headed for the bedroom. ~ You mean Misty kicked your ass? ~ "Did I say that?" ~ You didn't have to say it. The bruises & cuts all over you tell it. ~ "Ha, ha." ~ Yeah, Brock said something about America? I hear they're famous for their ketchup. ~ "It's supposedly 'home of the free & land of the brave'." ~ Ash? It's 'land of the free & home of the brave'. ~ "I knew that." ~ I'm sure you did. ~ "Go bug Misty or something. I'm gonna go shower." ~ Okay. ~ Pikachu scurried off, in search of his second favorite human. It crept silently over to the girl, who sat on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. ~ Um, Misty, want some company? ~ Misty whirled around & Pikachu saw that she had been crying. She sniffed & gave a small grin. "Yeah. Thanks, Pikachu." It crawled up her back & sat on her head. ~ So, any reason the Hudson River is flowing down your cheeks? ~ "Swear not to tell anyone?" Pikachu held up its right paw. ~ Promise. ~ "Especially not Ash." ~ I can't tell Ash? ~ Pikachu fell with a thud off Misty's head. ~ This must be something huge if you can't tell Ash. ~ "I'm crying because of him!" Pikachu froze. ~ Did he do anything to you? ~ It asked quietly. Misty shook her head furiously. "Not that kind of thing, Pikachu!" she groaned exasperatedly. Pikachu wiped its brow. ~ Whew...well, then what's up? ~ "He makes me feel so confused, so happy, yet so aggravated. I can't stand him because he thinks he's better than me at everything, but he makes me happy whenever I need comforting. He makes me confused because I don't know how he makes me feel this way, mad at him, but glad to be around him." She paused as a tear trickled down her face. "I'm afraid of falling in love with him. No matter how hard I try, I think I'm losing the fight. " ~ I'd have to say, it's a little too late for that, Hun. ~ "What?" ~ Humans don't know the first thing about love. They think us Pokèmon just mate with each other because of animal instincts. But it's not. Love comes in many different forms, such as friendship. You & Ash have been together for so long; you felt that you were more than friends. He's always been there for you, & you've always been there for him. So the feeling goes beyond attraction, it turns mutual. ~ Misty analyzed Pikachu. "You know, you're smarter than I can give you credit for." ~ Thanks for having such confidence in me. ~ Pikachu grumbled. "No problem. Pikachu?" ~ Yeah? ~ "I owe you one." ~ Cool. ~ "Champagne, Ma'am?" "No thanks, Jacque." Misty & Ash were on their jet, which had two bedrooms, two bathrooms with a toilet, shower & sink, & an entertainment room. Misty stared out a window, gazing at the bright sky & the sun that started peeking over the horizon. She wondered if Team Rocket could be destroyed anytime this century. She was already homesick. Ash was adjusting perfectly to the life of living undercover. {Maybe he's the one who should be an agent, not me} Misty thought to herself as Ash approached her. "Hey. What's up?" he asked, taking a swig from a beer bottle. Misty raised her eyebrows. "You drink?" Ash swallowed another sip of beer. "Not 'til now." Misty sighed. She felt like crying, but she did so much crying in the past few days, she was dried up. "Maybe you should let up on the booze." "Nah, I'm fine." Ash's knees buckled as soon as he said it. Misty leapt out of her seat & grasped Ash's shoulders. "Um, maybe you should lay down." Ash smiled a lopsided grin. "Yeah." Ash leaned on Misty as she half carried half-dragged Ash into a bedroom. Misty propped Ash against the wall while she fixed the bed. Ash stumbled & knocked Misty over & the two toppled onto the bed, Misty underneath a sleeping Ash. "Ash! Ash? Get up!" She struggled with all her might, but it was no use. {Well, he ain't a lightweight} Misty thought to herself. "Pikachu!" Misty called for the little Pokèmon. Unfortunately for Misty, Pikachu was a little busy with the stereo. His little body bounced & shook in time with the music. It was oblivious to the cries of Misty as "Saturday" by Ludacris was blaring from the speakers. {Dammit!} She sat there for a few minutes, struggling against Ash's body until Ash began to talk in his sleep. "Misty..." She froze. He just said her name! In his sleep! This was definitely a good sign. She waited, expecting more. "Misty...let's go into the bedroom & finish this..." {Hello! WAY too much information} "That feels so good..." {Okay, this is getting kind of weird!} She pushed & shoved again, squirming & kicking, hoping to wake him up. She was starting to lose the feeling in her legs. "Let me ride on top..." {Whoa, this is getting too graphic for me} Misty stretched her arm to the nightstand & grabbed a picture frame. She whacked Ash across the head. "OW! What the..." Ash cursed angrily as he was harshly yanked out of his slumber. Then he noticed that Misty was underneath him, pinned down against his weight. "What? How? When?" "Get off me, jackass!" "Sorry." He rolled off the bed. "So you boozed me up so you could have your way with me, huh?" Ash gave a mocking grin. "You wish. You drank too much so I tried to get you to bed so you wouldn't cause any more trouble." She sat up & moved to the edge of the bed. "But you, being the klutz you are, tripped in your SLEEP & fell on top of me on the bed." Then she started laughing uncontrollably. "What is so funny?" She contained her laughter & asked, "Do you know you have a problem with talking in your sleep?" "What?" "Do you remember what you dreamed about?" Misty tried again. "Um..." Then a blush crossed his face. "You said I was talking in my sleep?" Misty couldn't answer, because she was rolling on the floor, chortling like a maniac. "You are so immature." He grumbled. "I'm not the one having liquid dreams!" "Well, that's different..." "How? You're having dreams about me & you're not acting on your feelings?" Misty had stopped laughing & was staring Ash straight in the eye. Ash suddenly felt his face flushing. "What do you mean?" he couldn't tell what Misty really meant. If he understood correctly, she meant that she... Misty dropped her gaze. "Oh, nothing, really..." "Seriously, what do you mean?" She couldn't tell him...she couldn't let her feelings get in the way of her job. "Nothing, really." Ash sensed something was wrong. "Are you sure?" Misty fidgeted nervously. This was the man who could make her melt into a puddle with a few simple words. He could break her into a million pieces in a snap. He was also the man who could shatter her heart in the blink of an eye. "No, I'm not. I'm confused whenever I think about you." "Mist..." Ash said in a soft voice while walking closer to her. Misty inhaled sharply as he neared. "Ash I--" But she was interrupted as Pikachu came galloping into the room. ~ We're under attack! ~ "What? How did they know where we're headed?" Misty dashed out of the room, blue eyes blazing with hate. "How far are they?" she demanded as soon as she reached the cockpit. "About 10 miles southeast of us. They're in firing range." "Dammit..." Misty cursed under her breath. "Can we outrun them?" "No. And we're low on weapons. We weren't expecting a Team Rocket encounter." "Crap. We have to get out of this..." But Misty's thoughts were broken up as she was thrown to the floor as the plane took a hit. "That was engine three!" "Can we still fly?" The pilot nodded, eyes scanning the radar. "Yes. Until they take out two more engines." "We can't take that risk. Slow down until we're flying next to them." "WHAT? Are you nuts?" "Do it. I have a plan. They won't be able to shoot us if we're right beside them, otherwise they're going to blow up their plane, too." "I hope you know what you're doing..." The pilot obliged & decreased the plane's speed. "Keep next to them! I've got to get onto their plane." Misty threw on her cloak & grabbed a parachute. "Where are you going, Misty?" Ash watched as Misty was walking to the plane's emergency door with a parachute. Misty kept walking to the plane's door & didn't answer. "Misty?" She turned around, a solemn look on her face. "There's only one way to stop them. I've got to get on their jet & get them to crash or veer off course." She paused. "Ash, if I don't get out of there alive, I want you to write to Brock & stay with the other agents. They'll take care of you." Ash nodded slowly. He knew it was Misty's job to go out of her way to save him, but it didn't stop him from wanting to go with her. "I understand. Good luck & don't do anything I wouldn't do." "Like being smart?" Misty felt a smile creep across her lips. "Ha, ha. Just focus on getting out of there alive?" "Sure." She hesitated. She wanted to tell Ash everything, just in case she didn't make it out. But there was a possibility that she would. It was fifty- fifty chance. She could risk never seeing him in this life again, or risk another broken heart. "Ash?" "Yeah?" "Take care of yourself, okay?" "It doesn't matter if you can't get them off our tail. Retreat if you have to. You don't need to surrender yourself for the mission. Promise me you won't do anything stupid. I want you to swear you will get out of there with your life!" Ash's voice cracked as tears hid behind his eyes. "I promise." With that, Misty leapt out the door & got a grip on Team Rocket's plane, fighting the turbulent wind. "Ma'am, it's been reported that there is a SUPERIOR agent on board." "Exterminate her." The woman stroked a white furred Pikachu with azure stripes on its back, tail, & ears, & cobalt eyes. "Would you like to take the escape jet the rest of the way?" "Why not? Come on, my Darling. This could get a little messy." The woman wore a black strapless dress that came just above her thighs & a white fur cloak over it, on her feet knee length boots. She called her to Pokèmon as she made her way to the escape jet. {It's better to be safe than sorry. Those pathetic fools underestimate little Mistaria} the woman thought to herself as the escape jet took off. "And yet another one bites the dust," Misty chuckled to herself as she knocked another Rocket unconscious. She somersaulted into a corner as she heard a pair of Rockets strolling down the hallway. "She's got to be around here somewhere," the golden haired female Rocket mumbled to herself. "How far could a bitch like her get?" A scratchy male voice echoed off the walls of the narrow corridor. Misty fumed silently. She recognized these people from her childhood. It was Butch & Cassidy. They were the two people who had killed Duplica, her one best friend besides Brock & Ash. She held her breath. "Well, we better get back & secure the cockpit. If anything, Mistaria is going to try & blow up our plane from the pilot's nest." "Right." Misty crawled out of her hiding spot & silently tailed the two. "That's right, Mistaria. Go ahead & follow them." The man laughed, running a hand through his brown hair as he watched Misty in his office on the plane through a security camera. "Hey, Zippo? Go keep an eye on Mistaria." A twelve-foot Charizard nodded to its trainer & stomped off in pursuit of its next victim. Misty felt the floor underneath her feet start to vibrate. {What the hell?} She turned around & swallowed back a scream as she saw the gigantic Charizard charging at her. She noticed the scar it had on its face. "Richie," she hissed as she narrowly escaped its swinging tail. She backhand flipped away from its flamethrower attack. She pointed a finger at the Charizard & bellowed, "Tidal wave!" A gust of water erupted from her hand & drenched the Charizard. Unfortunately, it continued to attack her as if the water hadn't affected it. It reared back & shot out a fireball of flames at Misty's face. She moved to the side, but her right side was still scorched. She screamed in agony as she put her hands to her injury. "Arctic Ice Shatter!" With one hand still at her singed side, she extended a hand at the fierce dragon. A flurry of ice spears shot out from her palms & stabbed the Charizard, causing it to howl in pain as it started to freeze from the inside as each spear penetrated through its skin. She ran at full speed, a sword of ice held in her hands. She leapt & pierced the sword through Charizard's head & sprung away, unharmed. She landed, crouched on one knee. The dragon howled in agony & swayed. It tried to swipe its claw at her again, but fell over, twitched once, & died. "Piece of cake." She admired her destruction & headed for the plane's engine room. "Why don't we mess with her head a little bit?" Blaine asked as he piloted the Rockets' plane. A bald man with hair on the sides of his head sat at his desk, drumming his fingers on his desk. "We could always feed her to my vicious dragons. I'm sure they'd love to fry a major agent. I haven't fed them since those last two recruits decided to quit & join SUPERIORS," Lance, who had blond, spiky hair & shimmering green eyes, chuckled. "We could always resurrect a deceased loved one to fight against her under our influence," Agatha suggested, an evil gleam in her eye. Her wrinkled skin crinkled at the edges of her mouth as she smiled malevolently, her graying hair showing her true age. "Or put her in a mental torture chamber until she surrenders Ketchum to us. She killed Zippo, so she must pay dearly," Richie proposed. Behind him stood a woman with dark, jade hair that hung in soft, loose curls around her shoulders. Her "Those are all swell ideas, but we mustn't do anything too drastic. We'll do Agatha's plan for today & save Richie's for another time. Lance, the Mistress asked not to be too cruel to her," Blaine decided. His three colleagues nodded. "Agatha, I trust you to slow her down enough to put the plane in self destruction. So she'll be so busy fighting, she won't notice the jet is about to explode with her on it." "All right." Misty searched for the major engine of the plane. "Aha!" She took out a small diskette looking device & was about to clamp it onto the gas tank when- "Remember me, Misty?" She whipped her head around to see the decaying body of Lily Waterflower. "Lily? How, who, when, where--" "Enough with the dumb questions. You blow up this plane, I'm taking you down with me," Lily said rather cruelly. "What?" Misty still couldn't believe her eyes. There was no way this was real. There was just no way. "Oh, I'm real all right. I'm real powerful." Simultaneous with her word, she bashed her fist into Misty's jaw. Misty stumbled backwards & regained her balance. "You're not Lily! You may have her body, but I know you're not her!" "Oh, but I am! You let us down! You were alive all these years, but you lead us to believe that you were dead!" "It was for your protection!" Misty argued. She knew this was a Team Rocket trick, but she didn't know a psychic trainer who was strong enough to resurrect a person. Not even Sabrina, the mightiest psychic in the world, could do anything like that. The person would have to specialize in ghosts & the undead... She saw a young girl step out from behind the engine from the corner of her eye. She had long, brown hair & glassy yellow eyes. Those yellow eyes...then she knew it. "Agatha." Misty hissed. "You're part of Team Rocket?" The girl threw her head back & laughed. "Good observation, Mistaria." "Why didn't you get Ash when you were all training?" Misty asked, her eyes locked on Agatha's yellow ones. "With Lorelei & Bruno around all the time, there was nothing Lance & I could do. Those two fools are working with SUPERIORS." She walked & stood in front of Misty. Agatha was in a sixteen year-old body, a quirky bounce in her step. "Now how should I eradicate you?" She tapped her chin. "I will be asking you that question," Misty snarled, forming a sword of ice in her hands. With the grace of a trained battler, Misty swung the sword around to connect with Agatha's body, but the blade just went right through her. "What the--?" "You think I'm actually here? This is just a hologram of me at a younger age. Us important Rockets are off in an escape jet. This plane is about to detonate in thirty minutes." She motioned to 'Lily'. "You can keep Mistaria amused until she reaches her death." 'Lily' leapt forward, foot outstretched. Misty gasped & ducked. She had to get Team Rocket's plane away from theirs and fast. She didn't think that they would sacrifice all their troops just to get rid of her. After dodging an ax kick that would've decapitated her, she sucked in a long breath & made a mad dash taking any corridor that she hoped she could lose 'Lily' in. Her heart was pounding from the adrenaline rush as she heard 'Lily' running after her, trying to kill her. CRUNCH! Misty put her head down & continued running as 'Lily' destroyed everything in her path. SMASH! Lily's fist hit a crate, which was where Misty's head was a split second before "Hey, it's that SUPERIOR agent!" Misty's ears picked up the scratchy & deep voice of Butch. "Get off the plane! They're planning to blow it up with you all on it!" Misty warned them, still running. "What? How do you know?" Cassidy was truly confused. Why would their enemy be trying to save them? Misty didn't answer as she pointed a finger behind her. "Arctic Ice Shatter!" 'Lily' evaded the spears of ice & kept charging after her. Misty could feel her stamina running out. She was used to running long distances, but this was just ridiculous. "Stop her!" An army of Rockets appeared & the plane was filled with the sound of machine guns. Misty faked right & veered sharply into a corridor. 'Lily' wasn't too lucky. She went right as she saw Misty do & ran smack dab into a wall. Misty didn't notice this but she kept running, fear that she might fail & die. "Pikachu, I have to go find her." Ash put on his leather brown jacket & dark sunglasses. ~ Ash, even if Misty really does die this time, I don't think I could bear losing both of you to the hands of Team Rocket. ~ The usually hyper & cheerful Pikachu was grave & quiet. It couldn't even think of losing Misty again. The first time Misty 'died', her death made its Pikapi give up the title of Champion & attempt suicide several times, but luckily he was stopped each time. After five years of grieving & mourning, Ash finally went back to training & reclaimed his title. "I have to do something. I can't just sit here & know that my friend may need me." He paced back & forth, wearing a white muscle shirt underneath a brown leather jacket with blue jeans & a pair of white K-Swiss. ~ Well, getting yourself killed isn't going to help. ~ "Yeah, yeah. I just don't know what to do." ~ We can just believe that Misty is going to come through. Misty's never let us down & I don't think she's planning to now. ~ "I guess you're right. I just hope she doesn't sacrifice herself for me or anything dumb like that." ~ Ash? It's her job to put you before anything. And even if it weren't her job, she'd put you before herself anyway. ~ "Why would you say that?" ~ No reason! ~ Pikachu remembered that Misty made him swear not to tell. "You're hiding something..." {Crap, he caught me!} ~ Nah. I'm just a little old innocent Pikachu waiting for a bottle of ketchup. ~ Ash rolled his eyes. "Innocent. Sure." Misty was hidden in a broom closet, catching her breath. She couldn't hide in here forever & she was running out of time. The plane was swamped with armed Rockets, & one step outside the closet meant suicide. She had to get through this. She just had to. She'd promised Ash. She desperately tried to clear her thoughts. Her eyes looked up to the ceiling for an answer. The air vent! She took out the vent & climbed into the air duct. After a few minutes of climbing in the pitch-black air ducts, she emerged out in an empty office. She dusted herself off & adjusted her cloak. She observed her environment carefully. On the desk was a golden little nameplate that said "Mr. Richard H. Gallahad". Misty narrowed her flaring blue eyes. She remembered the young boy that once had a crush on her. She remembered how overprotective Ash was when Richie finally asked her out. She wanted to decline, but everyone thought that they made the world's cutest couple... FLASHBACK "Aw...look! It's wittle Misty going out on her first date!" Daisy jeered at their youngest sister, who was dressed in an off-white peasant shirt & jean skirt. At that moment the doorbell rang. Duplica was standing next to Misty. "Calm down & don't lose your cool," Duplica coached. "Follow my directions & you'll be fine. Don't freak out or anything if he wants to hold your hand or kiss you. Do whatever feels natural & remember: No means no. Got it?" Misty was too horrified to speak. The young thirteen-year-old knew that Richie liked her, but she really didn't want to go out with him. The one she wanted was Ash...but he was too dense to see that she had feelings for him. He was the one who suggested for Richie & Misty to go out in the first place. "Misty...you look great!" Richie wore a white long sleeved shirt, khaki cargo pants & brown sandals. His brown hair was tamed & his eyes were shining. Behind him was Ash who was wearing a plain black muscle shirt & a pair of long blue jeans. He avoided eye contact with Misty as he followed his friend inside. "Thanks, Richie. You look pretty good yourself," she heard herself reply. "Let's go!" Richie offered his arm. Reluctantly, Misty took it. She sent Duplica a look that said, "I can't do this". Duplica nodded & mouthed, "Yes, you can". Misty cast a glance at Ash & smiled. "Bye, guys!" she waved. "Have her home by ten or else you're going to be one sorry little boy!" Lily called as they headed for the Cineplex. Misty's quietest sister, Violet, leaned against the wall. "I don't trust him. I don't trust him one bit." Ash looked out the window. "For some reason, I don't trust him either." END FLASHBACK Misty put the nameplate back on the desk in its place. She almost forgot why she was on the plane in the first place. Her eyes searched the room as she sensed an elemental presence in the room. She was about to exit the room when she started screaming with pain. Her mind was deluged in agony as she fell to the floor, holding her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Who-are-you?" She managed to choke out. She clenched her eyes shut & grit her teeth, as the pain was almost unbearable. She curled into a ball before her consciousness ran out. A woman of six feet cloaked in a purple cloak with dark jade hair & unblinking golden eyes stepped into the room, Richie behind her. Her face was emotionless as Richie bent down next to Misty & brushed a tear from her cheek tenderly. He ran a finger across her lips gently. "Will she be all right?" The woman looked at Richie. "You are a pathetic idiot, Richard. In love with your boss's worst enemy," she spat. Her eyes didn't quite meet the harsh tone of her voice. Her eyes remained neutral, as her voice was brutal. "I have my reasons, Stacey." The woman harrumphed. "I go by Anastasia now, Richard." "Well, excuse me." He looked at the woman who lay unconscious beside his feet. "What exactly did you do to her?" Anastasia shrugged. "Oh, I delivered fifteen bolts of pure psychic fury into her mind to send her reeling. She lasted longer than the rest of the fools I've tried this attack on." She smirked. "She will awaken ten seconds before the plane explodes." Richie glared up at Anastasia. "What do you mean 'explodes'?" "Oh, that's right. I keep forgetting I'm the only one who can read people's minds. Agatha put dynamite on the plane." Richie glanced at Anastasia, then at Misty, then again at Anastasia. "I can't let her just die this way." He scooped the SUPERIOR agent into his arms. Anastasia just clucked her tongue. "Misty..." Misty lay face-down on a gray floor. She heard people calling her name & she struggled to lift her head to see her sisters in long robes of white. "Daisy, Lily, Violet?" she whispered. "Okay, listen up, little sister. You can't give up now. You promised Ash, remember?" Lily reminded Misty. "I broke my promise..." Tears of remembrance were forming in her hauntingly beautiful cobalt eyes. Violet shook her head. "No you didn't. That's why we're here. Since we died, you now have five guardian angels." "Mom? Dad?" Two angels appeared next to her sisters. "Hey, Mist. Long time no see, eh?" her father chuckled. "Mistaria, you poor thing! Do they starve you in that SUPERIOR program? You're as thin as a pencil," Misty's mother scolded. Misty felt a weak smile traverse her face. "MOM! We're deciding the fate of the Earth, here!" Daisy interrupted. She turned back to Misty. "We're going to go in a couple of seconds. You have to listen carefully. We're here to wake you up so you don't get blown up, ok? There is one sister who is a part of our family still alive. You must find her or else Ash is in grave danger." "I have a sister?" "YES! Did I stutter? Anyways, that's all I can tell you now. We'll see you soon, Misty." "Daisy? Mom? Dad? Violet? Lily?" Misty got to her feet & watched the five of them ascend to the skies. "COME BACK! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!" Misty's eyes snapped open. "Good. You're awake. We're about to leave this aircraft before it is demolished." Richie looked at Anastasia. "I thought you said she would awaken right before the plane goes ka boom." The woman cocked her head. "She was supposed to. There must've been something that interfered with my work. Something else must've gotten through to her." Plane. Ash. Team Rocket. Bomb. It all flooded back to her painfully as she was being held in the cockpit, bound to a chair with an unseen force. Behind her was a woman in purple with still golden eyes & jade hair, who was using her psychic powers to control Misty's movements. She was in a room full of guards. "How many minutes do I have left?" Misty murmured to a man that she recognized as Lance. "Well, let's see...exactly four minutes. Richie, Anastasia. We better get off the plane, shouldn't we?" Lance nodded to Anastasia & Richie. The two followed Lance out the door. "Oh, let me tell you one quick thing. The more you move, the more pain your mind will experience. It's one of my more brilliant ideas, if I do say so myself," the woman called Anastasia warned, her voice sounding almost bored. "Thanks for the tip. And can I give you advice? Those Go-go boots were so last year," Misty said in a voice dripping with sarcasm. The woman scowled at her & stuck up her nose as she exited. "I'm sorry, Misty. I doubt you could find it in your heart to forgive me, but it would be greatly appreciated if you did." Richie looked at her sadly. "I'm sorry for everything, & tell Ashura that I'm sorry & wish that I hadn't done what I did." With one final glance of sorrow, he left with his two colleagues. "Dammit!" Misty knew this was the end. Nothing could save her now. Unless...was it really worth the risk? She had no choice. It was either that, or dying. "Dude, are those real?" A Rocket guard who seemed to be around sixteen or seventeen gestured towards her chest. The guards...they didn't know that they were going to be blown up. She felt a wave a pity wash over her. But the wave of pity was shortly lived as a Rocket poked at her as if she were a science experiment. Misty growled & kicked the guard away. She screeched as a ripple of psychic power flowed into her mind. She screamed & screamed until the pain went away. {Whoa...ouch.} She blinked rapidly & accessed her elemental power within her. {This is it. It's either let Ash down or take this chance} She absorbed all the moisture she could get from the air. Her eyes became a shining blue beam of light as she cried, "White Water Tsunami!" There was a blinding blue-almost- white light then blissful darkness. -:- -:- -:- "Misty...Misty...MISTY!" Ash slapped at her face. He was in tears as he held her limp body in his arms. ~ Please...not again... ~ Pikachu sat nearby as it watched Ash pathetically try to awaken Misty. Tears made a small puddle at its feet. Ash screamed at her, hit her, & shook her. But nothing would wake her up. Sorrow was rushing down his face as he yelled her name again & again. He cursed loudly in anguish as tears dampened the carpet. "You promised...how could you? MISTY!" "Daisy, Lily, Violet, Mom, Dad, I'm coming." Misty was dressed in a white robe & was flying up into the sky to see her family, dark red hair fluttering with the gentle breeze. She rose high above the clouds & stopped at a large golden gate. Waiting in front were her family members. "Mom, Dad!" Misty rushed to them & threw her arms around them. Her parents happily returned the embrace. "Misty...you shouldn't be here." Lily looked at her youngest sister. She was still amazed at how much she had grown. "What? I died, didn't I? That's why I'm here." Misty glanced at her family, looking so holy & happy & she wanted to be apart of it. Daisy sighed. "Misty, you aren't supposed to die." "But I want to be apart of our family!" Daisy walked to her & put a hand on her shoulder. "You will always be apart of our family. But there are two people that are still alive who are family members. Your sister, &..." Misty saw Daisy give her parents that look she always gave them when she didn't know whether to tell Misty the truth or not. "And who? Tell me! I'm sick of always being too young to know the truth! I'm twenty friggin four! I demand that you tell me what's going on." Mistaria's mother was the first to speak. "We're terribly glad to have you here, but without you, this world is as good as gone. You're going to hate us for this, but sooner or later you will understand." She pressed a small red button on the gate. Misty began to fall rapidly down to the earth. "The truth is that your father really isn't your father!" her mom called as Misty dropped. Not her father? How? That was quite a shock. That might explain why she didn't look like her sisters that much. Her sisters resembled her 'dad'. She took the face of her mother. She wondered if her long lost sister looked anything like her. Her thoughts were scrambled as she saw her unconscious body & reentered it. One eye opened; then the other. "Ash?" Ash stopped yelling & hugged the girl to his chest. "Misty...I knew you'd never let us down," he said before buried his face deep in her shoulder. "What happened?" Ash sat thoughtfully for a moment. "Well, our plane was hit with a giant wave of water that sent us flying about 100 yards off course. But as soon as the water hit us, Team Rocket's plane burst. The water protected us from being blown up. Then I saw you plummeting through the sky, so I rode on Charizard to save you." Misty smiled weakly. "Thanks. As usual you're the one saving me." Ash shook his head. "I wouldn't have been here to save you if you hadn't done whatever it was that saved us all." ~ Well, you gave us quite a scare, Misty. Especially Ash. But I convinced him not to go after you; otherwise I could've lost both of you guys. ~ Misty & Ash didn't answer. They both were looking deeply into each other's eyes. ~ God I have a feeling this is going to get a little mushy. ~ Misty tried her hardest to tear her eyes away from his enticing brandy colored ones. Her heart beat faster as Ash leaned in. She couldn't give in to this thing they call love. Love was the reason she gave up her life & dream of being a Water Master. Love made her cry & tore up her heart into little bitty pieces. She swallowed & tried to move away, which was hard since she was half dead anyway. She admitted defeat & let Ash's lips press down upon her own. ~ Am I right, or am I right? ~ Pikachu scampered off to the stereo to listen to more music, as they began to get a little more passionate in their lustful embrace. "Knock, knock." Misty's eyes trailed from the scenery outside the airplane window to the door & saw Ash. "Hey." "Feeling better?" He moved to the bed & sat beside her. "Well, the doctor said I'm still recovering from the psychic attacks, my side is still partially burned, & I think I still have a couple of cracked ribs. Aside from that, I'm fine." Misty was reclined on the bed in a black tight tank top & a pair of heather gray shorts. Her right side was bandaged & so was her left wrist. "Glad to hear it. So, you said you've been to Florida before?" Misty nodded. "It's a pretty cool place. Sun, beach, fun, guys...what's not to like?" Ash didn't answer right away. "Is this how your life always is?" Misty was caught off guard. "To tell you the truth, this was the closest I've ever come to dying," she admitted. "In fact, I actually did die. But my parents & sisters said that I was the one the world depended on...it was weird. First I'm floating up to heaven, then I'm zipping down to earth again." Ash lowered his gaze to the carpet. "I mean, usually I'm dodging a bullet, or escaping a burning building, or exiting a building right before it explodes. I've never had to flee from an aircraft which was going to detonate in thirty minutes." "I told you to get out of there if things were getting messy." "I was unconscious!" "You shouldn't have been unconscious in the first place." "They snuck up on me! I don't have eyes in the back of my head." "I thought you had good hearing." "I do! I was remembering something..." "What were you remembering that almost got you killed?" Misty paused. Should she tell him? "Ash, Richie's with Team Rocket." Ash hung his head. "I lost almost everyone to the hands of those losers. That's why I was so afraid to lose you. I lost both parents to them, two friends, & a Pokèmon. I lost my title to a Rocket five years ago. And I'm not about to let them take you." Misty stumbled over her words. Her stomach felt as if it was a rabbit, bouncing up & down swiftly. His next question startled Misty. "You're afraid, aren't you?" "Me? Afraid? Of what?" "You were saying something about your family telling you that you were the one the world depended on. You're afraid of that responsibility, right?" "No, not really. I've been in charge of people's lives since I was sixteen. I've gotten used to it." "No you haven't. I see the fear dance in your eyes. It scares me, Mist. It scares me a lot. You were the fearless one, ever since we were kids. Think back to the time when everyone thought we died on the S.S. Anne. Even when those Gyrados were attacking us with their Dragon Rage, you didn't have that spark of fear in your eyes." "It's because I knew what we were up against. I'd rather risk my life in an ocean full of Gyrados than go up against Team Rocket & defend the world at once. It's hard to trust anyone when you're dealing with Team Rocket. I mean, look at Agatha & Lance." "What?" Misty clapped a hand to her forehead. "Oh, I forgot to tell you. Apparently, those two are with Team Rocket. Didn't you ever wonder why they worked you so hard? They wanted you to get worn out so they could get to you. Fortunately for you, Bruno & Lorelei sided with SUPEREIORS, which is the reason you're not dead. Anyways, even the people you thought you knew inside out may end up being a member of Team Rocket." "But you when you were only twelve & staring in the eyes of Team Rocket, you never backed down. I always pretended to be strong. There's this part of me who controls me whenever others are in trouble. I just react; I don't think." "No kidding." Silence filled the room for a moment. "Where does this leave us? And I mean 'us' as in relationship." "I really don't know, Ash. I really don't know. All I know is that this leaves us at another road with many forks & shortcuts." "I'm going to let you rest." He got up & gently patted her arm. "Need anything?" "My sanity." Misty rubbed her temples tiredly. "I think I'm hallucinating. I just heard you being generous." "Ha, ha. Sure you don't want something?" "An apple would be nice." ~ Ugh...can you help me find my breakfast? I lost it while I was watching you two. ~ Pikachu was in the doorway, clutching its stomach in mock pain. Misty grabbed a pillow & chucked it at Pikachu, who dodged it & ran off. THIS TURNED OUT A HELL OF A LOT BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD! WHO KNEW I COULD WRITE ACTION SCENES? I'M WORKING AS HARD AS I CAN ON PART THREE. I WANT U PPL TO REVIEW! IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE READING UR FICS IF NO ONE REVIEWS! JUST SEND A SIMPLE EMAIL OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF UR HEART! ALL U HAV TO DO IS WRITE A SENTENCE (or longer if u care that much) OF ENCOURAGEMENT OR UR OPINNION, SIGN UR ALIAS, HIT SEND & WhAmMo! U JUST SENT A REVIEW! NOW U CAN GO FORTH & PLEASE OTHERS WITH THIS NEW TALENT YOU HAVE LEARNED! I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE SOME FEEDBACK, PPL! IF UR GONNA FLAME ME, LAY IT DOWN NICE & EASY! SO TILL I GET OUT ANOTHER STORY, LATER! PS I hit 10,382 on the word count! Whoopee! New record, finally! Anyways, I gotta go & finish up sum hmwk lata!