Time After Time

Chapter Three: Scars Never Heal

Welcome to the third chapter of “Time After Time” where the real story begins. Hopefully I don’t disappoint. So here we go.

Ash knocked on a door, and awaited it to open. The guy that opened it looked a lot like Brock, only younger. “Uh…hi, I’m looking for Brock Slate.” Ash told him.

“He doesn’t live here.” the young man responded. “Do you know where he is?” Ash asked. “…he’s in the hospital. Has been for nine years.” the guy said, sadly. Ash went wide eyed.

“Hey…your Ash Ketchum aren’t you?” the guy asked. “Yeah.” Ash smiled. Then he was sent to the ground after a blow to the face by the guy. “Fuck you!” he said, and slammed the door shut.

Ash walked into his dorm room and fell upon the bed. “Where have you been?” Bryan asked, reading a Playboy once again. “I went to tell a friend about Misty, but I got hit in the face instead.” Ash said, rubbing his left cheek.

“Ha ha” Bryan laughed and pointed. Ash dug through the drawer and found the seashell Misty gave him for his fifth birthday and gripped it. He began seeing images of the two of them playing as kids, and then when she fished him out of the river. He put it down after the intense flashbacks.

Ash pulled out his Poke’ dex from the drawer and logged in. he began reading an entry. “But the best part of the party was when Misty gave me a pretty seashell and kissed me on the cheek. And my birthday wish was that me and Misty would be together forever.”

Now he was a kid again, walking with Misty along the beach. She handed him the seashell and killed him on the cheek. Then she ran towards the adults. He started after her, but then he stepped on a broken shell which was very sharp. Blood began gushing from the cut in his foot and he screamed out in pain.

He continued screaming, and then opened his eyes to realize he was lying on his dorm bed. “Relax. Relax. You had a bad dream.” Bryan was shaking him. Ash got up and began breathing heavily.

“Are you ok?” Bryan raised his eyebrow. Ash took off what he noticed a different brand of show than he had. It was a Nike instead of a Reebok. He took off his sock next and saw the scar on his foot. “Scar…” he said softly.

“Dude, no. don’t show me that thing again, gross.” Bryan shielded his eyes with the Playboy. “You’ve seen this scar?” Ash asked. “Yes, it’s fucking gross.” Bryan slapped Ash’s foot away.

Ash went wide eyed. “Hey could you leave me alone for a little while?” Ash asked his room mate. “Well…ok…do you want me to leave my Playboy?” Bryan asked. “Just get out of here.” Ash pushed him out the door and locked it.

Ash sat at his desk. He began typing into his Poke’dex. “If I can make scars, do I have the power to heal them? What about Misty’s scars?” he finished. Then he began searching for another one of his journal entries.

“I need to go back and change something that was missing from my life first.” he decided, and found the entry he was looking for. “I had a good birthday today. But I saw Daddy kissing another girl that was not Mommy. I told Mommy about it and she got mad.” he read and everything around him began to shake.

He now found him self in the ocean. “Hey guys, let’s head over to those rocks and play.” Starn pointed. Ash ran over to the rocks, and climbed over them. He saw his dad kissing the woman.

“Dad stop!” he yelled, and climbed down to where his father was. He jumped away from the woman in fright. “Now I can tell Mom your cheating on her, or you never cheat again and Mom never has to know a thing.” Ash reasoned with him. “I’m sorry, son. I wont cheat.” he said, and then everything began shaking again…

Ash opened his eyes, and realized he was on a very soft mattress with pink blankets and lace pillows. He was shirtless too. He examined the room he was in. there was a lot of girly stuff. Posters of boy bands and Brad Pitt. a lot of pink. “What the?” he was confused. Then he began having images in his head

“Why should I be the one who has to watch the gym?” Misty asked, upset. “But Misty, it’s only while they’re gone.” Ash told her. “Are you sure you’ll be ok without me Ash?” Misty asked. “Misty, I’ll miss you.” Ash was getting emotional.

He was crying in his room. “Why are you crying, son?” his dad entered the room. “You really love her don’t you?” he asked, taking a seat next to his bed. “Yeah.” Ash looked at his father. “You have to go after her Ash. I was in this type of situation with your mother when we were younger. I went after her. And it paid off.” his dad explained.

“I’ll go after her, Dad.” he said. Now he was standing in front of Misty. “Misty, I love you.” Ash told her. “Oh Ash, I love you too.” the two hugged and shared their first kiss.

Ash snapped back into where he was now. Then the pink blankets over him began moving and then revealed Misty lying next to him. “Good morning Ash.” Misty greeted him. “Ahh!” Ash fell off the side of the bed in shock.

“Ash, are you ok?” Misty asked, covering her nude body with the blanket. “Misty?” Ash asked, surprised. “Yeah? What’s the matter sweetie?” Misty asked concerned.

“Your room…incredible.” Ash said, not believing where he was. “Thanks…” Misty was confused. “Wow.” Ash was still shocked, looking around at his surroundings. “…Yeah, anyways, you take a shower first cause all the girls keep putting their ears against the door when we take it together.” Misty told him.

“Yeah…ok. Ok.” Ash was wide eyed, still looking around. “Well hurry up.” Misty pointed to the door. “Right…where’s the bathroom?” he asked. “No time for games, I cant be late for class again.” Misty rose her voice.

“All right.” Ash walked out of the room and into a hall, where lots of beautiful girls were walking, wearing very little. “Hey Ashy Boy. Have fun last night?” a girl asked as she walked by him. “You know it.” Ash responded. “I’m in a sorority.” Ash realized, and smiled.

Ash and his girlfriend were walking around on campus to their classes hand in hand. “Sup, Ash?” a guy nodded as they walked by him. “Uh…” Ash wasn’t sure what to say. “Nice work, bro.” another guy said and playfully hit him in the shoulder as he walked by. “Thanks…ow.” Ash rubbed his shoulder.

“Well I’ll be getting to class. I’ll see you tonight.” Misty said in a sexy tone. “Hey, Mist. Uh after class…’s is over. You wouldn’t mind walking me to my dorm room would you?” Ash asked not sure where it might be.

Misty raised an eyebrow. “…Ok. Even though you always bunk with me. You might as well just move your stuff into my room.” Misty told him. “Oh…I just-” Misty interrupted him “Look, I gotta go.” Misty pulled him into a deep passionate kiss.

“See ya.” she said as the kiss ended and walked away. “See ya…” Ash waved, and then got really excited and clenched his fists.

Ash walked into his class and towards Professor Sam. “Ok everyone take your seats, the exam is about to begin.” Sam told the students. “Hey Professor Sam. About the report. We’re still ok with the extension, right?” Ash asked.

“And you are…?” Sam didn’t recognize him. “Ash…Ketchum.” Ash attempted to refresh his memory. But it failed. “Well the answer is no Mr. Ketchum. Now here.” Sam handed him the test.

Ash walked to his seat, but turned around a couple times to stare at the professor in confusion. He took his seat and was startled after a hand touched his shoulder. He flinched and knocked the hand away “Hey stop you asshole.”

“Ash, your hysterical.” Brock said, as he crawled over the seat and sat next to him. “Brock?” Ash asked. “I know. Surprised to see me?” but the exam’s today. Can’t miss it.” Brock explained. “Did you study for this?”

“Uh…I don’t know.” Ash shrugged. “Me neither.” Brock took a folded up piece of paper out of his pocket and casually handed it to him. “What’s this?” Ash asked.

“The answers dude.” Brock proudly responded and Ash took it. “Hey can I borrow your Ipod while I test?”

Ash reached into his pocket and held an Ipod in his hand. “Wow…” Ash was surprised to see he had one. Brock reached for it, but Ash pulled his hand away. “No!” Ash yelled.

“Come on Ash. You always listen to it.” Brock wined. Ash handed it to Brock, sadly. Brock put the earphones in his ears and began testing/cheating.

Ash unfolded the answer sheet and then crumpled it up and threw it under his seat. And started the test.

Ash and Brock were walking to their dorm room. “This is called a ‘Water Dorm?’ Ash asked. “Yes yes. You idiot. The losers live across from us in the ‘Fire Dorm.’ How many times must you be confused by the fact the two sides hate each other?” Brock was upset at how dumb his friend was acting today. Then reached their room and entered it.

“Wow, this dorm room…it’s big.” he looked around in astonishment at the much bigger space than he once had. “And you’re my room mate?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Brock raised an eyebrow. “It’s just I wake up and my life goes from bad to good.” Ash tried explaining. “Huh?” Brock continued raising his eyebrow at his friend he thought was on crack.

“I’ve got a bigger place, you’re my room mate, I’ve got an Ipod, Misty’s my girlfriend, and my penis is somehow bigger.” Ash explained further. “Woah-woah! I did not need to know that!…is it bigger than mine?” Brock asked curiously. “I don’t know.”

“Well let’s find out.” Brock put his hands on his pants. “no!” Ash covered his yes and Brock removed his hands from his pants. “Hey I wanted to do something special for Misty. Tomorrow night. Have any suggestions?” Ash asked.

“No…well you could take her to Deck’s next door.” Brock pointed behind him. “Decks?” Ash raised an eye brow. “…The restaurant.” Brock said.

“Right. Ok. I’ll do that.” Ash snapped his fingers…then noticed his poke’ dex sticking out of Brock’s back pack by the dresser. “Hey what are you doing with my poke’ dex?!” Ash took it.

“I thought you wouldn’t mind if I had it since you keep all your notes in your Ipod now.” Brock rubbed the floor with his shoe nervously. “…No. you still can’t have it.” Ash placed it on the pillow of his bed.

“What a jerk.” Brock mumbled and walked out the door, upset. “Brock, don’t go. I’ll buy you your own com note book.” Ash followed him out the door. As the two disappear out of sight, an older man with red hair watches them leave and then enters their room.

Ash laid on top of Misty in her bed room, only covered by the sheets with flower designs. “Oh god that was so good. my toes feel numb.” Misty couldn’t stop smiling. “Yeah…amazing.” Ash smiled, dumbfounded by his first time of his recollection.

“You learned some new moves.” Misty giggled. “…It wasn’t…it wasn’t weird or anything…was it?” Ash asked nervously. “Oh no. that’s your best performance yet.” Misty kissed him and giggled again.

Ash smiled “Thanks.” “You’ve really changed Ash.” Misty’s face turned serious. “What do you…what do you…mean?” Ash was kind of frightened by the question.

“Today you’ve been acting different. You talk differently. You eat differently, and you walk differently.” Misty explained. “Yeah….a lot has changed.” he smiled and kissed her neck “but it’s all for the better.” and then he rested his head upon her breasts.

The next day Ash was in the hallway just getting done with a conversation on the payphone. “By Mom.” he hung up and began looking around at the walls. Then he saw Bryan heading his way.

“Hey Bryan, do you know what time it is?” Ash asked. “Why? Did you lose your Rolex? Well fuck you frat boy!” Bryan startled Ash with his comment and he continued on walking.

That night Ash and Misty were each wearing fancy clothes. Ash in a tux while Misty in a blue strapless mini dress. They were eating on the patio of Deck’s. “Mmm. That was really good.” Misty smiled.

“Sure was.” Ash rubbed his stomach. “What’s up Ash?” Misty asked, taking a sip of whine. “Huh?” Ash looked up at her. “You never take me out to eat? Why now?” Misty asked curiously.

“Well Mist…there’s something I want to tell you. Rather ask you…” Ash’s cheeks slightly reddened. “Yeah? Ok, go on.” Misty rested her chin on her hands and stared into her love’s eyes.

“We’ve known each other for fifteen years. We’ve been friends for fifteen years. And we’ve been going out for nine years. I love you. You’re the most important person in the world to me. I want to be with you forever.” Ash went

“Ash…” Misty said softly, touched by his words. “And now I want to ask you something. Something that will let me know you love me as much as I love you.” Ash reached into his pocket.

“Ash! I’ve been looking for you!” Brock burst onto the patio. “Well I’ve been right here, waiting for you to interrupt me.” Ash said, ticked off. “Someone trashed your car.” Brock exited the area, followed by a worried Ash and Misty.

“Who did this? Who did this?!” Ash asked loudly as he arrived at his trashed Mercedes. “It was probably those Fire fuckers!” Brock accused. Ash noticed something around the broken-in-half antennae. It was a necklace, star shaped .

Herds of people were gathering around the car. “Starn…” Misty gasped. “Who?” Ash turned to Misty. “My cousin…but I don’t understand why he’d do this.” Misty puzzled. “Son-of-a-bitch.” Ash, frustrated with his damaged car.

The couple were now walking through a field to get to their dorm. “I can’t believe Starn would do that to you.” Misty still puzzled. “Well he’s never liked me.” Ash reminded her.

“He’s never liked any of the guys that hang around me. He was horrible to Tracy. He scared him away back when I was in control of the Cerulean Gym.” Misty told him.

“Why doesn’t he like me?” Ash asked. “He’s been really protective of me ever since…well something really bad happened. Involving my dad. He things every guy out there has a disgusting mind.” Misty explained, a little hurt by bringing up the past.

“Well we do.” Ash chuckled. “Ash! This is serious. Starn used to beat up boys that I played with. He went to jail after he beat this boy up that sent me a love letter.” Misty was upset at his bad timing for humor.

Ash stopped in his tracks when he noticed a small read object beside a tree. “What the hell?” Ash ran over to it and picked it up. “Isn’t that your poke’ dex?” Misty asked as she caught up with him.

“Yeah.” Ash looked over it. “What the hell is it doing out here?” Misty asked, putting an arm on his shoulder.

Just then the red haired man from earlier emerged from behind the tree with a baseball bat. “Hey fucker. Hi Cuz.” the man greeted them.

“Starn, what are you doing?” Misty stepped out in front of Ash. “Stay the FUCK away from us!” Ash then stepped in front of Misty.

“I think you need to step the FUCK away from my cousin you twisted son-of-a-bitch!” Starn pointed his bat right at Ash’s head. “Starn stop it! Ash is a good guy. He’s a good guy.” Misty put her arms around her boyfriend.

“Oh yeah? Then explain that fucking sex fantasy shit in that poke’dex. And not ordinary shit either.” Starn knocked the dex out of Ash’s hands, and showed it to Misty.

Then the guy handed it to Ash. “Brock…that son of a bitch!” Ash realized it was Brock’s doing. “Your going to hell mother fucker!” Starn took a swing at Ash with the bat. But Ash dodged it and Starn hit Misty in the head and she fell against the tree with a cracking sound and then to the ground.

“Oh my god!” Ash was on his knees with his hands over his head. “Holy shit!” Starn threw the bat away and ran off. Campus security was on the scene and pulled Ash away from the accident.

Ash had been convicted of attempted murder of Misty…he was at the hospital however, awaiting the news for Misty. He was under watch of police officers.

Ash noticed the doctor enter the room. “Is she ok?” Ash immediately jumped up off his chair. “I’m afraid she’s paralyzed from the neck down.” the doctor said, sadly. Ash hung his head, and let tears drip from his eyes.

(To Be Continued…)

Like the chapter title says, ‘scars never heal.’ things seemed to be perfect for Ash. But things changed. now if he wasn’t to change Misty’s permanent handicap, he’ll have to head back to the past to accomplish it. So in chapter 4 he’ll make another trip through time and attempt to make his life perfect.