HIGH SPIRIT

Part Three

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Ash opened his eyes the next morning, he was all by him self on the couch. “Misty?” he called out, sitting up, and looking around the room. “Misty. Where’d you go?” he panicked.

“Calm down, Ash. You sound like a crazy clingy girl.” Misty appeared behind the couch, suddenly.

“Just worried is all.” Ash blushed, and his face with his hand.

“You never have to be worried about me anymore, you know.” she told him, now standing in front of the couch.

“Ok…fine.” Ash wasn’t sure how to respond to that. Pikachu suddenly came running from the hall way, and into the living room. He ran through an open space between Misty’s legs(between her feet, her open stance…sickos) and jumped into Ash’s chest, causing him to fall backwards on to the couch.

“Oof. There you are, buddy.” Ash pet him after the catch.

“Don’t just lie there. Take a shower and get ready to go.” Misty ordered, hopping up and down in anticipation.

“But I’m tired.” Ash rubbed his eyes, and then yawned.

“But I’m excited about seeing everyone. C’mon-c’mon -c’mon-c’mon-c’mon-c’mon-c’mon.” she continued jumping up and down. Ash stared with interest at the motion of her body.

“Ok, Von Bondies.” Ash said, referring to the band that sings ‘C’mon C’mon.’ “Your sure in high spirit today.”

“I want to see your mom and Brock. Now get up off your ass and take a shower.” she pointed down the hall to the bathroom.

“You haven’t changed at all.” Ash got up off the couch, setting Pikachu down on one of the cushions.

“Yes I have.” she responded.

“Stay here with Misty, Peek.” Ash pet Pikachu on the head, and turned to leave. “Keep her comfort.

Misty looked down to Pikachu, and he looked up to her. “Pi?” he tilted his head. Ash walked down the hall and into the bathroom.

“That day we were going to my house back in Pallet to see my mom and our friends. It was to be a reunion get together. It was there where things would become more mysterious. And it all revolved around Misty.”

Ash and Pikachu now stood at the door impatiently. Ash looked up at a blue clock on the wall. The time was 11:01am. “Hurry up, Misty!” he shouted.

“Pika? Pika?” Pikachu tilted his head from side to side, while looking up at his master.

“Umm…I’ll assume that meant ‘damn, Misty hurry your ass up!’” Ash translated for his poke’mon.

Misty came storming into view from the hall, with a wooden box in her hands. “Jeez, Ash! You sure are ignorant. You haven’t seen me in four years and this is how you act?” she was very frustrated with him at the moment.

“I saw you all day yesterday.” Ash responded. But that was obviously the wrong response to go with. Misty dropped the box on the floor, a very loud thud sounded off. The action caused Ash to cringe. He shut his eyes tightly in disgust of what he had done.

When he opened his eyes shortly after, he saw she was rubbing her left arm with her right hand. “I thought you were gonna punch me or something.” Ash broke a long silence.

“If it were four years ago I might have punched you…or something.” she responded, looking down at his feet. She looked up and into his eyes, and walked closer to him. Until there was no room left between them, and she hugged him tightly. He placed his arms around her waist, and she placed her head on his left shoulder.

“But all I want now is to cherish being with you. We may not get to hang out again.” she said.

“What are you talking about Misty? Why not?” they became distant from the hug.

“You don’t have to go out on another journey or something?” she asked.

“Well…I’m not…not a poke’mon champ yet. I can’t give up that dream.” he said.

“See?” Misty put on a fake smile.

“But you can come along. Do you want to?” Ash offered.

She looked up at him and frowned. “Sure. I’ll be there. I’ll be with you from here on out.” she put on a reassuring smile.

“Good. So are we ok now?” he asked, making sure their earlier fight wasn’t still an issue.

“You better believe it.” she said, walking up to him. She stood on her tippy toes and kissed the much taller now Ash on the forehead.

”Hey, what’s the box for?” Ash asked her, as she picked it up off the floor.

“Oh. It has a bunch of photos of everyone. You and Brock, etcetera. I wanna show your mom.” she explained

“That should be fun. Bringing back old memories.” Ash smiled.

Misty frowned “Yeah.”

“What happened to your high spirit?” Ash asked.

“Sorry. I mean… yeah baby!” she said excitedly.

“That’s what I’m talking about. Let’s go…baby!” Ash joined the fun.

Many hours later, following a light rail ride from Cerulean City to Viridian City, the two had arrived in Pallet Town now. Both of them wore jackets, as it was very cold outside. A soft layer of snow covered the ground.

“As you know, my mom gets very excitable. So brace yourself.” Ash warned her as they walked up to the house.

“I’m ready.” Misty smiled.

He opened the door with his key and the two stepped inside. “Mom. Are you there? Mom? Hello?” he asked, looking around the house.

“Mrs. Ketchum?” Misty called, setting the wooden box she brought down on a small table beside the couch. She and Ash were in the living room. “Now what?” she asked.

“We wait.” Ash replied and sat down on the couch. Misty did the same.

“Where do you think she is?” she asked him.

“Probably getting party supplies. She’s gonna try and go all out.” Ash theorized. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Ash got up off the couch and headed towards it. He opened it up to see Brock standing there.

“Hey Brock.” Ash greeted him.

“Ash, my man.” Brock hugged him tightly. Misty noticed Brock standing there and gasped.

“Do you know where my mom is?” Ash asked.

“Yeah. She’s at the store. I was just over at Gary’s place. I got his boom box for some party music.” he held it up.

“Great.” Ash nodded his head.

“Yeah, so can I come in. it’s freaking freezing out here.” Brock shuttered. The two walked inside towards the living room.

“Misty’s on the couch.” Ash told him, while locking the door.

Brock sat the ‘boom box’ down on the small table beside the couch, where Misty’s box had been set, but was now gone. “Looks like Pikachu to me.” Brock responded.

Ash walked into the room to see Pikachu in Misty’s prior position on the couch. “Huh? Where’d she go?” Ash asked.

“I’m right here. I was in the bathroom. Sorry.” Misty walked in and pointed to her self, and then zipped up her jacket.

“Hey, Misty. It’s been awhile.” Brock walked towards her with his arms out stretched.

“Sure has.” she said, also moving forward, till they collided and hugged.

“Where have you been?” Brock asked when they released.

“How bout I explain when everyone’s here. That way I don’t keep repeating myself today.” Misty suggested.

“Sounds fair.” he took his coat off. “It’s damn warm in here.”

“I know. How can you wear that jacket, Misty?” Ash asked her, he now taking his coat off as well.

“I’m still cold.” she said, hugging her self.

“Weird. Cuz I was just outside and I got warm in like ten seconds.” Brock said, now thinking about taking his shirt off as well.

“People are different.” Misty replied.

“Hello?!” the voice of an older woman called out.

“Mom? That you?” Ash asked.

“Yeah! Stop standing around and come help with the groceries!” she yelled.

Awhile later after they all unloaded everything from Delia’s car, all the stuff sat on the table, with everyone there gathered around it. “Thank, kids. And before I put the food away, I want to say: hi Misty! It’s been forever, girl!” she grabbed Misty and hugged her tightly.

“I don’t know how many more of these I can take.” Misty said, making everyone laugh.

“Ok now everyone out. Mime! Come help!” she called. Mr. Mime came sprinting into the kitchen while the group went into the living room. They sat down on the couch

“What do we do to pass the time?” Ash asked.

“We could go visit Tracy and Professor Oak.” Brock suggested.

“All right. Let’s go.” Ash got up off the couch, ready to go as always.

“Wait. I need to use the potty.” Misty whispered and ran down the hall.

“Again?” Brock turned to Ash.

“She’s been acting weird. She’s changed since we last saw her.” Ash explained.

“Not surprised. It’s been four years after all. Do you know of any trauma or anything significant that’s happened to her in that time.?” Brock asked.

“No.” Ash shook his head.

“But maybe she just changed on her own. Did she tell you why she didn’t meet us at the river that day and never bothered to contact you since?” Brock asked, a little frustrated him self that she didn’t speak to them in so long.

“Yes and no.” Ash answered.

“Huh?” Brock raised an eyebrow.

“She told me why she didn’t meet up, but not about contacting us.” Ash explained.

“What was her reason?” Brock asked.

“Just wait for her to tell the story later.” Ash said, and sighed.

“Fine. It just sounds a little weird is all.” Brock shrugged his shoulders, trying to forget about it.

“Ok. Let’s go.” Misty returned, zipping up her jacket again. Ash and Brock both put on their jackets, and they went out the door.

Awhile later the three arrived at Professor Oak’s laboratory in Brock’s Honda Civic. They got out of the vehicle and rang the doorbell. A few seconds later, Tracy answered the door.

“Hey, guys. And Misty! I haven’t seen you in almost a decade.” he opened his arms to hug her.

“I know. I’m so sorry.” she apologized, and the two hugged. “My body is becoming numb because of these hugs.” she struggled to breathe.

“Come on in.” Tracy released her “Professor Oak is getting dressed at the moment. We’ll head over to your mom’s when he’s finished.” he welcomed them in and they entered the living room, and then turned back to Tracy for further instructions.

“Sit down. It could take awhile. Oak’s like a woman when it comes to getting dressed. He takes forever. Tracy explained, and they all say down on the couch.

“You talking about me, Sketchit?” Gary asked, as he entered the scene.

“Oh, no Gary. I was talking about your grandfather.” Tracy said.

“Oh all right then.” Gary nodded in agreement, and then took a seat in a recliner.

“Hey, Gary. How you doin?” Brock asked.

“I’m good as always. But the question should be directed at Misty. How you doin?” Gary raised his eye brows a couple of times, after quoting the character, Joey, from the TV show Friends.

“Hi, Gary. I’m fine.” Misty smiled back at him.

“I can see that. Your even finer than you used to be. But you’d be more fine if you took off that jacket. It’s kind of warm in here.” Gary said, staring at her.

“I don’t wanna.” Misty closed her eyes.

“Why not?” Gary asked, and grinned at her.

“Leave her alone, Gary.” Ash gave Gary the ‘you better stop or I’m uh coming over there and kicking your ass’ look.

“Come on, Misty. Show me what you got.” Gary continued his harassment.

Misty sighed. “All right.” she surrendered and stood up and took off her Navy blue jacket to reveal a white tang top and the locket underneath. She quickly gripped the locket in her right hand.

“That looks expensive. You buy it?” Gary asked, staring at what she assumed to be the locket.

“No. Ash did.” Misty turned to Ash and smiled.

“Really?” Gary turned to Ash now, and grinned. “You bought that for her? Did you trade in your food money for it?”

“No. I had a thousand to spare, and it was her birthday too.” Ash said.

“That’s not all he spared. He also had to trade in his hat.” Brock mentioned.

“For money?” Gary asked, intrigued with their new topic.

“No. the guy told me I’d have to give up my hat too. He didn’t say why.” Ash explained what he could.

“All right I’m ready. Oh hello, everyone.” Samuel Oak entered the room.

“Tracy called you a girl, Professor.” Brock tattled quickly.

“Yes, yes. Very well.” Sam nodded.

“Hi, Professor.” Misty waved to him, and got up to go get ANOTHER hug.

Sam stepped back from her. “Um, I don’t think that’s a very good idea.” he coughed into his hand.

“Are you sick?” Misty asked, concerned.

“Yes. And anyone whose touched me since I’ve had this cold has gotten it back in return.” he explained.

“You know what? In the last four years I haven’t gotten sick once. It’s like I’ve become immune to diseases. It sounds dumb but I think it’s true.” she told him, Sam raised an eyebrow.

‘I wonder if that has to do with the blue glow.’ Ash thought.

“Well if you don’t mind…” Sam and Misty hugged for a few seconds. “Are we all ready to go, then?”

“Yeah. Let’s get out of here.” Ash hopped up off the couch.

“Not me, though. I have a date tonight.” Gary said, grabbing his jacket, smacking Misty on the bottom, and then walked out the door.

“Ever since he discovered his cheerleaders have other uses he never wants to do anything else.” Sam explained.

“Can you blame him?” Brock asked, and everyone but Misty laughed.

Not too long later, the cheerful group arrived at the Ketchum residence. Brock took his Honda with Tracy, and Ash and Misty rode in Oak’s blue Ford Explorer, it was a hybrid.

“So why again, Misty, did you stay hidden for four years?” Sam asked her.

Misty sighed once again. “I’ll explain when everyone’s together.” she said. Ash opened the door to the house and everyone walked in.

“Mom. We’re all here.” Ash called out. “Pika-pika.” Pikachu called as well.

“Hi everyone.” Delia walked into the room “make yourselves comfortable, lighten up, and forget all your troubles and worries. This is a party and no one will crash it. You hear me?” she glared at each person.

“Yes, Mrs. Ketchum.” Brock nodded, and then nervously gulped.

“What’s gotten into you, Mom?” Ash asked.

“She’s been this way ever since team rocket ruined your party all those years ago.” Sam leaned in and whispered to him.

“Don’t just stand there. Party. Here. I’ll put on some party music.” Delia turned on the ‘boom box’ Brock brought earlier. The song, ‘B.Y.O.B’ by System of a Down was on.

Why do they always send the poor?

My God is of Bible blood with pointed ears

Victorious, victorious steel

Can your spending kneel?

Marching forward hypocritic

And hypnotic computers

You depend on our protection

Yet you feed us lies from the tablecloth

La la la la la la la la la la

Everybody is going to the party

Have a real good time

Dancing in the desert

Blowing up the sunshine

“All right! That’s what I’m talking about.” Sam began dancing like a young man. Everyone started laughing, except for Delia.

“Ash. I need to talk to you.” she said.

“Huh?” Ash turned around to see him mother walking into the hallway. She turned around and motioned him to come over by pointing below her.

He walked to her holding a plastic cup with a drink beverage inside “What’s up, Mom?” Ash asked, taking a sip.

“I want to talk about Misty.” she said, her hands on her hips.

“Yeah, I know. Respect her, be a gentleman, use a condom. I have one.” he responded, quoting his mother from the past.

“What?” Delia asked. “What?” Ash asked back.

“Anyways. That girl went snooping around my room earlier and stole some photos.” his mom leaned in towards him, with an angry glare on her face.

“Huh? Wow do…I mean…how do you know it was her? What’s in this coke?” Ash asked, examining his cup.

“Because I caught her leaving my room before you went to see Professor Oak. When I asked her what she was doing, she said she thought my room was the bathroom. Though she’s been here many times before. She lived here for a couple months at one time.” Delia told him.

“She’s been acting weird lately. Lately as in since I was reunited with her.” Ash explained.

“Maybe she’s been turned against us. She’s a spy.” Delia predicted.

“Mom, your crazy. What kind of cola did you get now?” Ash asked her, his arms crossed.

“It’s from Mexico.” she told him.

“That explains it.” Ash looked at his drink.

“I’m gonna find out what she’s up to though.” Delia walked away. Ash sighed and took off back to the party, when he saw his mother looking back. “We shall solve this mystery. We shall find out who this mysterious woman is.” his mom told him, he sighed again.

It was dinner time now and everyone was sitting at the table, eating burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. “Awesome grub, Mom.” Ash said, taking a bite of his burger.

“Thanks, sweetie.” she thanked him. Pikachu meanwhile was walking around the table, hoping someone would give him something to eat like a dog. He stopped beside Misty’s chair and looked up.

Misty stuck her fork into her chicken, and brought it to her mouth. Suddenly Pikachu jumped on the table in front of Misty “Pikachu pika! Pikachu pika! Pikachu pikachu. Pika pika pikachu!” he shouted loudly.

“Pikachu! Off the table!” Delia ordered. She walked over and picked up the loud poke’mon, and threw him off the table. “Bad poke’mon. bad.” she said, shaking her finger. “Pi…” Pikachu left the area.

“What was that all about?” Tracy asked.

“Are you wearing some kind of deodorant, Misty?” Delia asked.

“I don’t think so.” she responded.

“Well anyways, let’s get back to eating.” Ash said, and they all did as followed.

The song ‘Scars’ by Papa Roach came on the radio just then. “Ooh! I love this song!” Misty squealed.

I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
And my weakness is that I care too much
And our scars remind us that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel

I tried to help you once
Against my own advice
I saw you going down
But you never realized
That you're drowning in the water
So I offered you my hand
Compassion's in my nature
Tonight is our last stand

I tear my heart open, I sew myself shut
And my weakness is that I care too much
And our scars remind us that the past is real
I tear my heart open just to feel

“So Misty. Why don’t you tell us where you’ve been for the last several years.” Sam decided to ask the question everyone wanted to know the answer to.

Misty frowned. She was silent for awhile. While everyone had their attention focused on Misty, Ash had his attention focused on his meal. he was digging into his chicken now.

“Ok…I was suppose to meet Ash by the river where we first met. But I got a call from my sisters about a death in the family.” Misty started, and then put a hand to her forehead.

Ash nodded to Misty’s story, while continuing to eat.

“My sister’s, Daisy, and Violet…were killed in a car accident.” Misty managed to get out.

Ash gasped with a mouth full of food and began choking. Brock patted him on the back “You ok, Ash?” he asked him. Ash collected himself once his coughing subsided.

“I’m so sorry, Misty.” Delia said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“I haven’t been the same person since. It was difficult for me to talk to anyone for along time.” Misty continued, lowering her head.

“Oh…” Delia lowered her head as well, along with everyone else. Except for Ash. He sat there with his jaw hanging open.

“I guess that’s why I hadn’t talked to any of you for so long. I guess.” she said sadly. Delia got out of her seat, and hugged Misty, the two were both crying.

“Misty had just told my family and friends a completely different story than the one she told me. Though this one made more sense, was that one even the story of truth? I wasn’t sure If I could trust her. But my feelings towards this girl wouldn’t let me not trust her.”

“Hey. You want to see something creepy?” Delia asked after the long silence.

“Um…sure, ok.” Misty answered, and wiped a tear from her cheek. They watched as Delia left the room and went down the hall. About a minute later she returned to the kitchen with a photo in her hands.

“Check out this photograph of Ash and his friends.” she handed to Misty. Everyone got out of their seats and crowded around her to get a look at the picture that they had already seen before.

The photo showed the group sitting on a log in front of a river. It appeared to be raining on this particular day. Brock sat on the far right of the log. Max sat to his left, and May sat left of him.

Ash was on the far left of the log. Pikachu was in his lap. But behind Ash was a dim blue light. “Isn’t that just the most eerie thing you’ve ever seen?” Delia asked. Misty was stunned. She could not speak at this moment.

“I took the picture two years ago.” Delia mentioned.

“That was just before May and Max went their separate ways.” Brock also mentioned.

“Check out the dark blue heart shape in the center of the glow.” Delia pointed it out to Misty.

“It sure is interesting.” Misty finally spoke, her attention completely fixated on the picture. We go back to the photograph, zoomed in on the area of the heart. Then we zoom into Misty’s eyes. In her pupil we see a blue heart appear.

Later that night Ash and Misty are in the living room, sitting on the couch. Brock was asleep on a recliner across from them. The lights were off, the only light was coming from the television set, which was playing some old home videos of Ash as a younger child. The clock read 11:57 pm. On the radio, the song “The Ghost Of You” by My Chemical Romance played.

I never, said I'd lie and wait forever
If I died we'd be together now
I can't always just forget her
But she could try

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever ever...

Ever...
Get the feeling that you're never
All alone and I remember now
At the top of my lungs in my arms she dies
She dies

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna hug me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I?
Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna catch me

“Mist?” Ash asked, with his eyes closed. He had a cup of water in his hands and took a sip.

Misty looked to him “Yeah?” she answered

He opened his eyes and looked into hers “Why didn’t you tell me that your sisters died? Why a goldeen?” Ash was puzzled over the different stories she told.

“That’s kind of part of the reason I contacted you. I wanted to tell you something. But I’m not sure if I can anymore.” she said, now taking her turn to close her eyes.

“What are you talking about? Tell me what?” Ash raised his eyebrow.

“Nothing.” she looked away.

“Come on. We’re friends. In fact we’re great friends. What can’t you tell me?” he asked her, taking her hand in his. She looked down at their intertwined hands.

“You have no idea. I told you the goldeen story for you alone. You have to figure out why.” she told him.

“Why? I don’t want to play a game, Mist. Are you trying to be a real life Jigsaw character?” he asked.

“All I can tell you is the story I told you is mostly true too.”

“Wha?!” Ash asked loudly. He was confused as hell.

“Keep it down.” she whispered.

Brock tossed and turned on the chair “But I wanna do you both.” he said until he became still.

“Your just unbelievable, Misty. Undeliverable.” Ash shook his head in disgust. He took another drink of his water, in anger he poured what remained on his face.

“That’s what Gary said last night.” she joked, smiling at Ash.

“Yeah, whatever.” he crossed his arms and lets in frustration.

“Come off it, Ash. Get happy.” she made a sad puppy dog face. Ash tried looking away. “Ash…say something.” she inched closer to him, using her sexy voice to persuade him.

“Your hot.” he finally said.

“There you go.” she clapped silently.

“I mean it. You ARE hot.” he said.

“Why thank you.” she replied with a giggle.

Ash couldn’t take it any longer. He needed to taste those gorgeous lips. He leaned in and kissed her. Misty was taken by surprise with his move. But she soon started kissing him back.

The kiss intensified, Misty put her hands behind Ash’s head, she removed his hat, and pulled him towards her. The two lied down on the couch, Ash on top of Misty, still kissing passionately.

When the two separated from the long kiss, Ash noticed Misty’s lips were glowing blue. “What the?” his eyes widened.

“Don’t stop.” Misty moaned, putting a hand to his cheek. Ash shrugged his shoulders and went back in to kiss her.

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I....
Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna.....

All right then. There you have it. The fourth and final chapter is next. Prepare your selves.