Chapter 3:

Stupid or Stupid Like a Box.

Ash woke up from a state of sleepiness like no other. He had had a dream, one that triggered his emotions so intensely that there were hot tears running down his face. No effort at all was put into it. He really could not remember the dream too well, but it had to do with some immense sorrow. He moved sluggishly the whole day. He racked his skull for answers; nothing, nothing whatever. Pikachu even noticed Ash’s hollowness through mid-afternoon. He had not spoken a word to his faithful friend.

“I don’t know why I have been so down today, pikachu.” He said as he ruffled around some wood in effort to make a fire. Ash lied back and let out a long desperate sigh. Pikachu peeked his ears and turned his head.

“I hurt…bad.” The two drifted off into a mediocre slumber.

***~~~ “Yeah, so I got the position. Not much else to say but great, right?”

“Mhm. That is awesome Misty. I am really proud of you…”

“Um, Ash?”

“Yes Mist?”

“I am going to miss you, you know.”

“I know. I’ll miss you too, and Mist…I…Know you will be great.”

Suddenly her face was out of focus and Ash was staring at the green grass and people all around having a good time. He felt his heart sink. He was hollow, empty, in the greatest amount of serene pain. No tears flowed. He felt alone and cold. He woke up with a jump, Ash noticed that the fire had long sense died and the frigid dew was settling. Ash was most certain that was the dream he had the previous night. As much as he loves his little friend, he was not up to dealing with him today. Ash put the pokeball in his pocket.

“I am sorry Misty. I am sorry that I never said anything. Sorry I did not show how much I care. Sorry for everything.”

He was even more depressed now; it reminded him of the first week without her. He must have cried for hours, every night. He remembers feeling numb. After a while, he stopped crying, and tried to pretend that it did not hurt. Ash was not sure if Misty felt the same way. He went to school, he taught there. It was the only time he was happy. At a very young age, he became Headmaster. Now he is walking on a road that leads to her; not sure, what will happen when he gets there.

He let out a sigh “I remember so many things about her, that I hope haven’t changed” he looked up at the sky, “What if she doesn’t care? Not that she doesn’t care but that she doesn’t feel the same, at all or anymore, either one would work.” He was still looking up when he felt a jolt of pain to he chest. Ash looked down, there it was, Cerulean City, a quaint coast! POP. 109,027. A quaint coast was an understatement. To Ash, Cerulean was the most beautiful place, more so than Slateport or Lillycove.

Days, well only two had actually passed, but that is all it really took to get there.

“Damn, I am here. Should I go and see her right now, or should I wait?…uh…hmm, I will go and see her now.

He marched through the city as if he owned it. He came up to the gym, and went to her office. Unfortunately, there was a note “Out at the beach, be back soon-12:15pm MistyWaterflower.”

“Well, I need some rest anyway, I’ll leave her a note.” The note simply said, “Come to say hi, hope to talk soon –catsup 1:23pm.” He walked away and on his way out, he saw an old man sitting by the door. The old man waved and kept about his business. Ash went and checked himself in at a pokemon center. At first, he hesitated on it though. He did not want to be recognized, but no one did. He kept his hair shorter than in his childhood, and he had a pleasant tan (from walking so much).

Not but 45 minutes later, Misty returned to the gym.

“Hey John! Any visitors while I was out?”

“Uh, yeah, in fact a very handsome young man came by.” John said in a preoccupied tone.

“Handsome, eh? He wouldn’t be you by chance J ?” Misty kidded.

“No really. Someone came by. A very nice looking fellow. Had on a blue jacket. Looked distracted though.” He replied.

“Hmm, did he give a name?” she was now inquiring as if the very feet she stood on where lit afire.

“No. But I believe he left a note.”

She walked over and saw the note. “CATSUP!? You have to be kidding me. What is he doing here?” Her bags dropped to the floor.