Chapter Two: Pokemon Battle- Fire vs. Water 
 
Get up! Let's see what you're made of 
Bring it on! You know I'm not afraid 
-Angela Via 
 
 
It was late September, several seasons past. Back when they were all just 
barely thirteen. Pallet was littered with a full range of colors- filled with 
the crisp smells of the coming winter. It was in the age where she could 
still afford to waste time doing nothing at all.  
 
Misty almost didn't notice him when she was passing down the road. Her arms 
packed with groceries, Misty just barely saw the tussle of brown hair over 
the rims of her paper bags. Luckily Brock's load was less. He was able to 
identify the stranger for her.  
 
	"Hey, Gary... Brock. You remember me, I was one of Ash's companions." 
 
	"Ah yes," answered the boy before them. "I remember you. And Misty, 
right?" 
 
	"Yeah, that's right."  
 
	"You cut your hair. It's cute." 
 
Misty blushed slightly, shifting the weight of her bags to her other arm and 
reaching up to touch the red locks that only just graced the back of her 
neck.  
 
	"You really think so?" 
	 
	"Yeah. It suits you."  
 
	"Ah. I was afraid it would make me look even more like a boy."  
 
	"Eh. No, I don't think so. It's charming, really." 
 
	"Thank you, Gary." 
 
He was always charming. He knew exactly the right thing to say to a girl. 
Gary was sweet, charismatic, and (as she recently noticed) quite pleasing to 
the eye. Ash was nothing like him.  
 
	"I surprised you two are in town."  
 
	"Well it is Ash's birthday..." began Brock. 
 
	"We kind of hoped," interrupted Misty hastily. "That if he were to show 
up anytime this year, it would be on his birthday."  
 
	"Oh." 
	 
	"Isn't that why you came home?" 
 
	"Uh. No... not exactly. I'm terrible with dates," answered Gary 
somewhat sheepishly. "I honestly had no idea it was Ash's birthday. I only 
came back to check on my grandfather- he's been having a few problems with 
arthritis lately..."  
 
He faltered, obviously not wanting to delve any deeper into the topic. "Um. 
So how is Ash?"  
 
	"Unfortunately, he hasn't come home yet," said Misty a deep frown 
splitting her soft features. "He's terribly difficult to get in contact with. 
Even his own mother isn't sure if he's coming home."  
 
	"Really?" Gary looked momentarily nonplussed. "Well that's not like 
him. He usually gets so excited about his birthday. I remember when we were 
kids- he like, let every one know a month before so that he could get as many 
presents as possible." 
 
	"Well, people do grow up. Even Ash has to eventually. Maybe birthdays 
aren't as important as they used to be... since he started traveling on his 
own. Maybe he matured?" offered Brock. 
 
Misty snorted right along with Gary. Both of them knew that couldn't be true. 
Ash wouldn't grow up. It was against his very nature.  
 
	"But are you absolutely sure he hasn't come in?" added Gary curiously.  
 
	"What do you mean?" 
 
	"I just- well, I swore I saw Pidgeot flying around that area just a 
while earlier.... I assumed- hey!" Misty had already shoved grocery bags into 
both Brock's and Gary's arms.  
 
	"I'll go check," she said earnestly before rushing off.  
 
She left the two boys laboring over the load of food and various other 
supplies in their arms. It took Gary several moments of struggling to get 
underneath the weight of all that she had loaded upon him.  
 
	"Does she still have that crush on Ash?" He gasped, once getting his 
arms around it.  
 
	"You couldn't tell?" grumbled Brock. 
 
	Misty was already halfway down the dirt road. It was a beautiful fall 
day but the sun was hot. It burned down on Misty as she ran making her much 
hotter than she felt it was outside. Misty was only just managing to suck in 
air by the time she reached the Ketchum Household. She jumped over the low 
white picket fence in the back yard and barely avoided landing on Mrs. 
Ketchum's precious tomato patch.  
 
The last stretch was the easiest. Jumping onto the cobblestone path she raced 
up to the back screen door and slammed it open violently. 
 
	"Mrs. Ketchum! I'm back!" Misty shouted out with what air she had left.  
 
Delia turned about startled by Misty's sudden entrance. The back door opened 
into her quaint little kitchen and all the wonderful smells that accompanied 
it. It appeared that Delia had already started on dinner. She was in the 
middle of slicing up vegetables with Misty burst in on her.  
 
	"I see that," said Delia. She wasn't able to speak any further for 
Misty had already moved onto the other rooms. Delia set down her knife and 
rushed after her. 
 
	"Misty- wait. You ca-" 
 
	Misty stopped in the living room just at the side on the couch. And 
there he was, sleeping soundly. His jacket was strewn across the coffee 
table. His shoes were plopped just south of his propped up feet. His dark 
hair was a mess and his face and clothes covered with the dirt and stench of 
travel. Pikachu slept quietly curled on his chest, snoring with the same 
wispy sort of style of his master.  
 
	"He made it," said Misty with a smile. 
 
	"I was going to let you know," Delia whispered quietly at her side. 
"But he passed out as soon as he came in. I think he traveled a long way to 
get back- He mentioned the Al...ger...sa region?" 
 
	"Never heard of it." 
 
	"Me neither. Heaven only knows where this kid goes."  
 
	"That's Ash for you." 
 
Misty momentarily spotted a hint of a frown on Delia's face. It was only for 
a second and so brief that Misty thought that maybe she had imagined it.  
 
	"He sprained his wrist again," Delia said nodding to the clumsy sort of 
wrap about his left hand. 
 
	Misty glanced over to it. He held it comfortably over Pikachu as if it 
didn't hurt him at all. She had completely overlooked it.  
 
	"It's just a sprain," said Misty weakly. 
 
	"Hm," Delia sighed and then said. "He's so reckless. I'm just waiting 
for the day when my son comes home in a wooden box." 
 
	Misty audibly gasped. She covered her mouth quickly, hoping that she 
hadn't been loud enough to wake up Ash. But even if she screamed, Ash would 
probably still sleep.  
 
	"You shouldn't say that." 
 
	"I shouldn't..." Delia said before turning to leave the two alone. "But 
that's what I think."  
 
	And Ash hadn't heard a word.  
 
 
 
The field behind the gym was the perfect place for an unsupervised pokemon 
battle. Most sound would carry to the south. They were completely shielded by 
the massive structure that was the highlight of Viridian's architecture. The 
grass was overgrown but tasted sweet, according to pikachu and butterfree, 
who had taken the moment to nibble on a few blades.  
 
Misty looked across to the young man she was preparing to duel. Unlike her, 
he was completely careless- sitting in the grass with pikachu and staring up 
at the stretch of sky above them. As if he didn't take this battle seriously, 
or rather that he didn't take her seriously. It was infuriating but she 
wasn't going to let his lack of enthusiasm dissuade her.  
 
There were so many things she wanted to ask him. It had been so long since 
she had last seen him. Ash acted as if he hadn't noticed time pass at all. 
Still carefree and completely devoid of any true vigor that was attributed to 
his idolized career path.  
 
A child, that's what he still was. Teasing a blade of grass between his lips 
and playfully tickling pikachu on the nose with it- it was cute. But he was 
seventeen-year-old trainer; someone who should already be fighting against 
the elite, not hanging around pokemon gyms like some novice trainer. At the 
very least he should have given up if he wasn't making any progress or taken 
a job somewhere in the pokemon career field. Aimlessly wandering through the 
different novice leagues was ridiculous- especially with the strength of the 
pokemon he had at his disposal.  
 
The ideal trainers stopped being trainers after their first year. Some went 
through two or three leagues before getting a job as a gym leader. But to go 
seven years without gaining any sort of title at all, either he was stubborn 
or incredibly bad at taking on responsibilities. Misty assumed it was both. 
 
	"Are you quite done?" snapped Misty, hands on her hips. 
 
Ash looked up at her curiously from his lowly position and then Pikachu 
sneezed in his face. He rolled over, laughing and rubbing his face as if it 
would help any. Misty only sighed.  
 
	"Geez Mist," said Ash chuckled still wiping his face with the back of 
his hand. "Lighten up. It's just a pokemon battle." 
 
	"Since when has a pokemon battle been just a pokemon battle for you?"  
 
	"It's called not sweating the small stuff." 
 
Ash grinned at her disapproving glare. Misty waited until he climbed to his 
feet, Pikachu on his shoulder, before she continued. 
 
	"Which pokemon will you be using?" 
 
	"Huh?" 
 
	"It is a one on one battle. Either use Butterfree or Pikachu. You can't 
use them both." 
 
Ash sighed, and plucked a pokemon ball from his belt. One push of the button 
shot out a beam of red light at Butterfree, sucking her back inside.  
 
	"Sorry buddy. Mist's in a mood," said Ash to the pokeball. 
 
	"And stop calling me Mist," snapped Misty as she made her way back 
across the field. "The name is Mist-y!"  
 
	"Okay. Whatever you say, Mi-st!" He somehow managed to add an extra 
special ta on the end just to spite her.  
 
	"Ugh, you really haven't matured at all," muttered Misty to herself. 
She pulled a pokeball from her belt and thrust it out in front of her.  
 
	"One on one battle. If I win, you have to tell me whatever I want to 
know and you can't run away." 
 
	"Oi, I don't remember agreeing to that." 
 
	"If you have any objections I can always call out Togetic again," said 
Misty with a sly sort of smile. Ash visibly paled. 
 
	"That's quite unnecessary," said Ash quickly. "If you win, you can 
torture me to said heart's content. But if I win, no more chasing. And you 
forget you ever saw me today." 
 
	"I don't recall forgetting as part of the agreement." 
 
	"Now we're even then." 
 
	"Bite me." 
 
	"I'd love to Mist darling," said Ash with an obnoxious smile. "But I do 
believe you wanted to have a pokemon battle."  
 
	"You're such a pig, Ash Ketchum." Misty lifted her arm and released a 
pokemon from the ball. It shot down into the grass and formed the shape of a 
pokemon. It had smooth turquoise skin and fin-like ears on either sides of 
its face with a main fin protruding from the top of its head. Its collar was 
webbed and formed a ring around its neck. The tail was mermaid-like backed 
with ridges- fitting a very mystical fox-slash-mermaid-listic fairytale look.  
 
	"Va vaaa," said the pokemon swishing its tail. Neither human understood 
it. Pikachu interpreted the saying merely as a battle cry. A pathetically 
clichˇ one like "I'm here, bring on the competition!" Needless to say, it 
wasn't very intimidating.  
 
	"When did you get a Vaporeon?" said Ash unable to hide the surprise 
from his voice.  
 
	"A long time ago, Ashy boy. You'd know that if you didn't fall off the 
face of the earth... And you still owe me a bike." 
 
	"I sent you a voucher for your birthday, didn't I?" 
 
	"The bike shop wouldn't accept it. It was damaged." 
 
	"Oh. Well, I did accidentally get caught up in a battle with the 
Rocket-dan beforehand. You see they wanted to steal it..." 
 
	"Oh just shut up and choose your pokemon." 
 
	"Fine, I will." 
 
Misty anticipated on Ash sending out Pikachu. After all it would be the smart 
choice; applying the basic elements to their natural counter opposite. It was 
the pokemon of his choice in the gym battle against her, wasn't it?  
 
But Ash's hand went to his belt and Pikachu made no attempt to jump into the 
fry. Pikachu was too busy acting in the replace of Ash's hat. 
 
The pokeball Ash had selected enlarged in his hand. He grinned in a way that 
almost caught Misty off guard. His expression had changed.  
 
Ash was actually excited now. Somewhere betwixt the excitement, Misty thought 
she caught a glimpse of the years she had not seem him. Years that had 
matured in him ways she would never be able to understand. 
 
	"I wonder if you remember him. It took me awhile to track him down and 
readjust myself to his own style of battling." 
 
He cast a wink her way, giving her no time to guess. With a simple toss, a 
pokemon of huge proportions erupted from the pokeball. It spread its massive 
orange wings and bellowed a roar so loud that Misty had to cover her ears. 
 
	"Charizard?" Misty gasped. "You've got to be crazy Ash. You can't 
control that thing." 
 
	"You're right. Oh no, what was I thinking," said Ash with such relish 
that Misty found herself blushing over her own fear. 
 
 Charizard wasn't charging, just standing. Its flaming tail swung lazily and 
eyes glaring down both Misty and her little Vaporeon. Ash had disciplined it 
after all. Perhaps it really had been too long a time since she had seen 
them.  
 
	 "Charizard," said Ash firmly.  
 
And the massive dragon turned itself around, back now to the opponent. Misty 
watched curiously to see if there was any purpose to this strange tactic. But 
neither Ash nor Charizard showed any sign of there being a purpose. They 
merely stared at each other- as if they were trying to win the other over 
with their eyes.  
 
	"You're foolish to match Charizard up against a water pokemon," said 
Misty. "And if all you're doing here is giving me a better shot at his tail, 
I'm not going to be merciful like some others would. I'm taking the shot, 
don't say I didn't warn you." 
 
Ash didn't react. Neither did Charizard, his tail still swinging.  
 
Misty followed the tail with her eyes. She pointed catching Vaporeon's 
attention instantly. 
 
	"Vaporeon. Watergun. Aim at the flame on Charizard's tail."  
 
And Misty almost missed it. Ash's eyes went up to the sky just before the 
water gun hit its mark. Charizard, in that exact same instant, flew up. The 
stream of water shot harmlessly by Ash's shoulder, spraying both Ash and 
Pikachu with a very light mist. Pikachu disapproved, but Ash didn't even seem 
to notice.  
 
Charizard flipped over in the air and came back down. Its front claws wrapped 
around Vaporeon's midsection and lifted her up with him into the sky.  
 
	"Vaporeon!" Misty cried running forward into the middle of the field as 
the Charizard went higher into the sky. 
 
Her eyes shot back over to Ash who was watching the skies as well. Ash seemed 
to notice her staring for his eyes fell back down towards her, and he 
grinned.  
 
	"Call off your Charizard, Ash! Just what is he doing?" 
 
	"I think it's a seismic toss, although I could be wrong," said Ash 
almost carelessly, his eyes wandering back up to the sky. He shielded his 
eyes with one hand so that he could see better. Misty was not amused.  
 
	"Haven't you learned to control your pokemon yet?" 
 
	"Control," said Ash with an empathized gasp. "Never. Why in the world 
would I want to control them?" 
 
	"Stop it, Ash. This is serious. I'm not battling against some rampaging 
wild pokemon that just does whatever it feels like at its trainer's benefit." 
 
	"I'm sorry Mist. But I really have no idea what you're talking about."  
 
Charizard had turned in the air now, putting both him and Vaporeon upside 
down. The small blue pokemon was still struggling in his grip for a break of 
some kind but Charizard held firm. He thrust them into a tailspin, shooting 
straight at the ground. Vaporeon let out a scream for help. 
 
	"Vaporeon, bite! Bite its claws!" Misty shouted up to the form rushing 
down at them. 
 
Vaporeon heard her mistress' voice from below. Surging with a sudden purpose, 
Vaporeon bared her teeth and sunk them deep into the flesh of the dragon. 
Charizard wailed, but didn't release. They were coming down just as fast, and 
Misty was directly beneath them.  
 
	"Vaporeon!"  
 
Charizard's grip loosened and the small pokemon broke free. They were only 
twenty feet above Misty's head and still falling.  
 
And Ash was there before Misty saw him coming. He grabbed her roughly by the 
shoulder and pushed her behind himself. For a second, Misty felt her heart 
skip a beat. She noticed that he was taller than her. His back was so 
straight- and strong. What happened to the scrawny little wimp she used to 
beat up for his lack of brains? Was he was protecting her? 
 
Ash was just in time. They were both showered with earth as the pokemon 
touched down only a few feet away. Ash shielded Misty as best as he could. 
She buried her face into his back to prevent herself from choking on the 
cloud of dirt. And Ash smelt so good and clean; of sweet soap and dryer 
sheets. She quickly stepped back, embarrassed at her own ill-bred actions. 
Ash didn't notice, having only eyes for the battle.  
 
A surge of frustration brewed inside Misty again. He really still thought 
nothing of her. But yet, her feelings spun sickeningly into her stomach, he 
had saved her. If he didn't like her, why would he do that?   
 
Charizard and Vaporeon had twisted around in the air at last second. The 
little bubble jet pokemon had somehow managed land on its feet- the gust of 
Charizard's wings lessening the impact. And Charizard had flapped its giant 
wings just in time to avoid taking recoil for a failed attack.  
 
	"Vaporeon, bubble beam!" shouted Misty from behind Ash.  
 
She was incredibly composed for someone who narrowly avoided being crushed, 
thought Ash. It took Ash a moment to take in her command. He pointed up to 
the sky, and Misty saw him. It was impossible not to, after all. She was 
standing right behind him this time. 
  
Charizard gave two mighty flaps of his wings before shooting skyward- the 
bubble beam narrowly missing the edge of its tail.  
 
Misty grabbed Ash from behind, disregarding all previous inhibitions, and 
shook him like a rag doll. He didn't fight her, just laughed. 
 
	"What was that?!" She exclaimed, hands still on his shoulders.  
 
	"You're quite the sore loser, Mist. You know you're not supposed to 
mess with your opponent in a pokemon battle."  
 
	"Tell me what you did!!"  
 
	"What?" asked Ash innocently.  
 
Pikachu grinned down at her from its perch, nibbling nonchalantly on its 
gremlin cookie. She hadn't even noticed that Pikachu was still there. How in 
earth had that sudden brush of death not faze either of them?  
 
	"Don't give me that," snapped Misty. "You haven't issued a single 
command this entire battle..." She paused, staring skeptically between both 
Pikachu and Ash. "Are you psychic?" 
 
Ash burst out in laughter. "Oh come on, Mist! Me, psychic? I'm not even smart 
enough to pass the SATs." 
 
	"Then how are you commanding Charizard? He's not acting on a whim." 
 
	"I'm touched you noticed. Most of my opponents usually freak out for a 
good while before figuring it out," Ash grinned. "It's actually quite funny."  
 
	"What are you doing?!" 
 
	"I'm signaling him, just like you are. Except where you use your 
voice..." Ash looked back up at Charizard and then pointed back down with all 
five fingers wiggling. It seemed the pokemon understood. Charizard inhaled 
and released a fire attack of incredible proportions.  
 
"Vaporeon, watergun! Full power!" shouted Misty. The pokemon responded 
shooting up a powerful stream of water. The two trainers were blasted with a 
hot steam. Misty had to cover her face. Ash did nothing- almost as if he 
enjoyed it.  
 
	"I use my hands, my eyes. Turns out, Pokemon understand visuals better. 
Go figure," said Ash continuing his train of thought. "Granted, none of my 
other pokemon adapted so easily to the change. Charizard was the best at 
understanding the hand signals and responding to them accordingly. Besides 
Charizard never liked having orders shouted at him. Pikachu told me so."  
 
	"Pikachu... told you so?" repeated Misty incredulously. "So what, now 
you know Pikachu language?" 
 
	"No, I never quite got the hang of it," answered Ash with a sheepish 
sort of grin at the Pikachu on his head. "But I know some sign language. 
Believe it or not, it really does help."  
 
	"He really is terrible at pikachu," said Pikachu through his cookie. 
"Most humans are. Just can't form their mouth around the syllables." 
 
	"What did he say?" 
 
	"I just told you I don't know!" Ash made a sort of face and then 
shrugged. "Something about pikachus. That's all I got." 
 
	"Ash, all he says is pikachu." 
 
	"Like I said, I don't know!"  
 
Ash drew away from her then, eyes going back towards the battle.  
 
	"Do you think you can go back to where trainers usually stand, and stop 
getting so excited?" said Ash. Misty was certain he was mocking her. And he 
probably was this time.  
 
	"Don't flatter yourself," snapped the red head. "I was just concerned 
for Vaporeon. Your Charizard was quite unruly in the past."  
 
	Ash said nothing in retort. He merely smiled. "I'll wait for you to get 
back into your spot if you wait for me." 
 
	They didn't have to say a word. Instead the two trainers shared a look 
that illustrated to the other exactly what they were thinking. Without a 
single second's hesitation, both took off at full spring across opposite ends 
of the field, spinning about when reaching their places, and shouting an 
order. Misty reached her spot a second before Ash. And caught in the moment, 
Ash shouted his attack as well. 
 
	"Vaporeon aurora beam!" 
 
	"Fire blast!"  
 
Both pokemon inhaled drawing the power within themselves. Charizard was able 
to discharge his attack first. But fire blast was a slow moving move. The 
pillars of scolding hot flames danced in the hair before falling towards the 
waiting Vaporeon.  
 
Its mouth hung open, a charge developing there. The ball of light increased 
and the pressure weighed heavily on the small pokemon's mouth. It wasn't 
until the energy became too great that the pokemon released it up back up at 
the flames falling down upon it. 
 
The two attacks intermingled briefly before exploding in a huge flash of 
light. Both pokemon were knocked backwards through recoil.  
 
Charizard caught itself in midair with its large wings. It flapped just feet 
from Misty and the two exchanged a momentary glance.  
 
Vaporeon had the worst of the explosion. It had taken considerable damage but 
managed somehow to dig in its back legs so that it wouldn't be thrown far. It 
skidded to a halt right before Ash, tail erect and eyes glaring up at the 
dragon before it.  
 
Misty missed Ash's signal. Charizard charged at Vaporeon before she could 
gain a grip on his tactic. By the spread of its arms, Misty was able to 
determine his goal.  
 
	"Vaporeon, don't attack! Dodge him!"  
 
And the blue pokemon jumped to one side. But she wasn't quick enough. 
Charizard anticipated the action and latched onto Vaporeon's tail. With a 
grand sweep of his wings he was in the air again, the screeching mermaid 
pokemon dangling in his grip. 
 
	"Crap! Not again!" cried the Vaporeon. 
 
Ash smiled confidently. He was going to get the seismic toss off right this 
time. And then the battle would be his. He cast a quick glance in Misty's 
direction just to pause. She didn't seem worried. In fact, she looked rather 
confident herself.  
 
And why would that be, Ash thought. He knew Misty well enough to know she 
didn't take too well to losing. So then that meant she had something up her 
sleeve. What move could she possibly achieve while her pokemon was being 
helplessly dragged through the air. None, it was imposs- 
 
Then it donned on him. How stupid could he be? 
 
She had just started to form the words on her lips. Ash knew he couldn't get 
Charizard's attention without a vocal order. It would throw away his edge, 
but it was something he would have to risk.  
 
	"Charizard! Drop Vaporeon!"  
 
His command stunned Misty and stalled her long enough so that she didn't 
voice the attack in time to trap Charizard. Without question, Charizard 
obeyed and released Vaporeon to the vicious nature of gravity. It screamed 
and only Charizard and Pikachu heard its annunciation of "oh 
shiiiiiiiiiiiittttttt!" as it tumbled earthward.  
 
	"Vaporeon! Hydro pump!" cried Misty desperately to her falling 
teammate.  
 
At first, Misty thought it hadn't heard her. But then it came. The fountain 
of water shooting up inexplicably from the earth and swallowed Vaporeon 
whole.  
 
Ash stared awestruck at the torrent of water. Misty had definitely gotten 
stronger. If that attack had hit Charizard, Ash was sure that the match would 
have definitely been over. Charizard seemed to realize that too, keeping as 
safe a distance it could from them pillar of water.  
 
	"That was good. You almost caught us," said Ash relaxing and sending 
Misty a wry sort of smile.  
 
But Misty didn't return it, her eyes still up at the tower of water. Ash knew 
that expression. She wasn't done yet.  
 
	"Charizard-!"  
 
	"Vaporeon, hydro pump!"  
 
Ash was astounded to see yet another pillar of water scream out of the first, 
shooting with perfect precision towards his Charizard. He didn't have time to 
think of any sort of attack or any way to dodge it. Only stood agape at the 
massive form of water now hurtling towards his pokemon. 
 
But just because Ash didn't know what to do, did not mean that Charizard 
didn't. It tilted back its head and began to form something in its mouth. 
Energy surged from its core and into the roof of his mouth, radiating a 
terrifying sort of power. Pikachu climbed down to Ash's shoulder, its tiny 
claws digging through his shirt and into his skin. It was a warning and Ash 
knew it.  
 
Misty saw the attack forming from where she stood. She realized that she was 
in the direct line of it. But her curiosity kept her from moving.  
 
Instead she stared, trying to figure out what type of beam it was. It wasn't 
the same color as the aurora beam. Hyper beam had a similar tint but it 
didn't have the same texture of energy. The beam radiated heat that she felt, 
even though she was so far away from it. Misty herself had never seen 
anything like it. It almost seemed to be like the blue center of a flame or 
compressed lightning- the ultimate form of heat.  
 
As the heat intensified, Misty found herself beginning to panic. This attack 
wasn't normal. Her skin was actually starting to burn ever so slightly. The 
water tower had begun to steam and evaporate before their very eyes. The 
hydro pump attack was actually slowed in its power; misting into steam the 
closer it drew to the dragon. Charizard was radiating with the power steadily 
comparing to that of a second sun. 
 
Chaizard's head tipped backward more and just before the heat at reached its 
peak- a red capture beam shot upwards and whisked the pokemon away. Misty's 
eyes trailed over to where Ash stood, pokeball in hand and arm stretched out. 
The expression on his face was almost scary as if he knew exactly what it was 
Charizard was attempting. But just as soon as she noticed, it was gone. He 
was smiling over at her again.  
 
The pillar of water sagged and splashed out all over the field leading to a 
heavy but brief rainfall. Pikachu shook itself free of water as Ash made his 
careful way over to both Misty and Vaporeon. Misty was too stunned to make 
any move towards him.  
 
	"Whew. You alright?" Ash laughed, wiping the wet bangs from his face 
and glancing carefully from both Misty and Vaporeon.  
 
	"I'm fine. Thanks for asking," chirped the Vaporeon. It was positive 
enough a tone for Ash to understand.  
 
	Misty didn't answer though. She looked at him through suspicious eyes. 
Ash tried not to look at her eyes. When he looked down he noticed her shirt 
was wet. The impression of her bra was visible so Ash had to look quickly 
back over to Vaporeon to compose himself. While he was grateful for her 
wearing one, he couldn't help but feel a little cheated.  
 
	"Well, I'm wet," said Ash stating the obvious nervously.  
 
	"What the hell was that?"  
 
	"Uh, what?" 
 
	"Don't play stupid, Ash. I saw it. That attack. What the hell was that 
attack Charizard was doing?" 
 
Ash pretended to look surprised. It might have worked if Misty hadn't known 
better.  
 
	"What attack? He was doing an attack?" 
 
	"Yes! That huge beam! The steaming water! Look," she thrust her arms 
out for his inspection, "I'm sunburned, dammit! What the hell was that 
attack?!" 
 
	"Mist, I'm sunburned too but... that's just the sun. Not any sort of 
attack. I mean, come on, it is summer," chuckled Ash. There was still the 
hint of nervousness in his tone. She knew he knew what she was talking about.  
 
	"Look, I just returned Charizard because I didn't want to rush him to 
the pokemon center. That second hydro pump got us. I know when to surrender."  
 
	"You didn't direct him to do that attack... So maybe it's not something 
you wanted him to do. But I saw it. That- that looked like one of the 
forbidden moves..." 
 
	"Forbidden?"  
 
	"You know, the forbidden moves crafted by pokemon gods. They were 
banned because they killed pokemon instantaneously."  
 
	"Oh?" 
	 
	"Please... tell me that wasn't a forbidden move, Ash."  
 
She searched his eyes for some sign of her being wrong.  
 
	"It wasn't a forbidden move."  
 
He smiled, but his eyes looked beyond her. "Come on. Where would I learn a 
forbidden move? You forget that they're just as elusive as legendary pokemon. 
There's no chance any trainer could just... happen upon them."  
 
	"Please... Ash. Promise me, you won't use that move again." 
 
Ash started to say something. It looked as if he were going to try and 
dissuade her again. But his guilt betrayed him. "I never planned to use it at 
all."  
 
Misty inhaled sharply, her fear confirmed. "How on earth did you ever learn-" 
 
	"Well you won," interrupted Ash.  
 
	"What?" 
 
	"You won the battle." Ash's smile lessened considerably before he 
hesitantly added, "Commence to the torturing?"  
 
	Misty found herself giggling, the shock wearing off. Ash's face was so 
cute that she couldn't bear to keep stern with him any longer. He was always 
good at weaseling himself out of trouble.  
 
I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, she thought to herself. He's a grown 
man now. I'm going to have to trust him sometime.  
 
	"I thought we'd skip the torture," said Misty with a sly sort of smile. 
"Would you like to join me for lunch, Mister Ketchum?"  
 
	"Oooh. Compelling," said Ash playfully stroking his chin. "If you buy."  
 
	"Oh ho," Misty chuckled while taking Ash by the arm. "You obviously 
don't remember me very well." 
 
	"It was worth a shot."  
 
 
The party was a great success. Although the original intent was to surprise 
Ash, everyone was more surprised over Ash's appearance. Almost everyone was 
able to attend. Duplica unfortunately was stuck in a snowstorm out in the 
Hoenn region. Richie was in Lulto, which was far too long a travel for 
someone even with a flying pokemon. Other than that, most everyone was in 
that house that evening.  
 
The evening went on fairly successfully. Professor Oak helped Gary work the 
grill or it could have been the other way around. Delia served up Ash's 
favorite side dishes and desert. There was plenty of ketchup to be had-, 
which gave Pikachu quite a thrill. Most of the gifts Ash received were items 
to help him along in his pokemon journey. Delia surprised them all with 
giving Ash a voucher for a bike of his own.  
 
When they were all full and happy was when things started to go an awkward 
way. Conversation went onto Ash's travels the past two years he had been 
traveling alone. Gary had been practically everywhere that Ash himself had 
been. They all swapped stories around until finally the topic reached the 
future.  
 
	"Come again?" 
 
	"I asked what do you plan to do in the future, Ash?" Gary repeated. 
"What's your game plan? You have any sort of immediate goal... besides 
becoming a pokemon master." 
	 
	"I don't understand what you mean," said Ash. He chuckled and took an 
almost nervous drink of his Pepsi. "You know I don't have any idea what I'm 
doing." 
 
They all laughed except for Delia. She just continued to serve up more drinks 
out of the punch bowl. Misty kept a curious eye on Ash's mother. She seems 
strangely impassive the whole night.  
 
	"I was thinking of building a pokemon gym- right here in pallet. It's 
not too hard to get a license nowadays. But could you imagine- a gym in 
pallet town?" exclaimed Gary. "You and me could run it Ash. We could be gym 
leaders together! It would be great- don't you think?" 
 
	"We certainly have enough space," said Professor Oak, with almost as 
much enthusiasm as his grandson. "If you combine your allowances from 
training I'm sure you could have a gym built in little to no time." 
 
	"I think it's a great idea," said Delia. Perhaps it was just Misty's 
own anxieties but the way Delia say it made it sound as if it wasn't the 
first time she had brought up such an idea. Both Delia and Ash shared an 
almost dangerous stare off before Ash relented and looked away.  
 
	"Ah it sounds great, Gary. But unfortunately I'll have to decline." 
 
	"Aw why?" Gary looked somewhat disappointed but his tone was concerned. 
Perhaps he too had noticed the glances between Ash and his mother.  
 
	"I'm not interested in becoming a pokemon gym leader."  
 
	"But it's a excellent step up from being a trainer," interjected Oak 
with swing of his plastic cup. He almost spilled the entire contents on 
Tracey nearby. He wasn't exactly the most graceful lately. "You'll have an 
easier time working your way up to being a pokemon master." 
 
	"But I don't want to become a pokemon master that way."  
 
	"Then how do you plan to become master?" said Gary. "You don't 
seriously intend to travel the world and beat every single league?" 
 
	"Isn't that what a master is though?" He looked between the other 
people in the room, being careful to avoid his mother's eyes. "Mastery is the 
mastery of every type of pokemon, every type of battle, every type of 
terrain. Lately Pokemon training has become so political- only the rich 
people buying their way up or pokemon gym leaders making enough global 
presence so that some little guy in a business suit will deem him skilled 
enough in his own skill type to hand him title of master. I don't want to be 
that. That's not the master that I want to be... I want to be a master of 
them all."  
 
The room was silent for a moment. Samuel Oak stared hard into his cup before 
saying, "You're making a very difficult goal for yourself, Ash Ketchum." 
 
	"That's impossible." 
 
	"Even if it was possible... it would probably take years... more than 
years- maybe an entire lifetime." 
 
	"It's impossible to determine just how many pokemon you'd have to 
study, train, how many battles you'd have to fight." 
 
	"The other leagues- there are some really foreign ones, ones nothing 
like here in Kanto. There are some that could kill a trainer- I'm sure." 
 
	"I think it's brilliant!" Gary laughed interrupting both Brock and 
Tracy's measure of the statistics. "Ash is completely right! A pokemon master 
should be everything! A god of pokemon training! That's what a master should 
be!"  
 
Ash smiled.  
 
Oak looked between his grandson and Ash. The two had been together since they 
were children. Their constant change between enemies, rivals and friends was 
almost overwhelming. They had become closer than ever since Ash had started 
training alone. It seemed they really had begun to understand one another.  
 
	"It does make sense... mythically speaking- that is the essence of a 
master. Even if it is a bit impractical a way to go about it."  
 
	"Then it's settled! We should start out together! Conquer all the 
leagues. What do you say? It's been awhile since I've traveled with someone 
else. Let's go out and beat all the leagues together, Ash!" 
 
	"Yeah!" Ash laughed clasping his friend's hand. "Then afterwards, we 
can build the best damn pokemon gym in the world." 
 
	"Ash, watch your language." 
 
And the two boys shared another genuine laugh. Misty noticed that Delia 
looked worried. She wondered what could be going on between the two of them 
that would make her so unhappy. Delia usually was so approving of her son. 
Why now, did it seem she couldn't figure out what to do about him? 
 
 
The Viridian City Plaza was far different than that Ash had remembered riding 
through on Jenny's motorcycle those many years before. It had been seven 
years, hadn't it? Everything seemed smaller and nostalgic in strange ways. 
Even places he had never been before seemed to have a very quaint appeal to 
it.  
 
The cafˇ they chose to have lunch at was small and white. Ash chose a seat 
outside for the three of them to peacefully enjoy their meal. But it turned 
out that neither one of them were truly that hungry. They ordered simple.  
 
Ash flinched when Misty slammed the tray on the small cafˇ table. She scraped 
back the chair and sat down with such force that Ash had to grab onto the 
tray so that its contents would not fall.  
 
Three sandwiches and two colas, just as ordered. Ash unwrapped a sandwich in 
the silence before handing it to Pikachu. Misty's sandwich remained 
untouched. Instead she lazily drank from her soda, drumming the table in the 
most obnoxious way. Ash would have asked her to stop if he wasn't afraid of 
her.  
 
Ash had just started unwrapping his own sandwich from the tin foil when he 
decided to be brave and break the silence. 
 
	"I can tell you are mad at me for something," said Ash cautiously. "But 
I'm not sure what I've done." 
 
	"It's nothing you've done... lately," said Misty with a dangerous sort 
of air. Ash and Pikachu both swallowed right on cue.  
 
	"Look, I told you," said Ash in a hushed voice. "I can't do anything 
about Charizard's technique. I've honestly tried to get him to forget the 
attack but it's like engrained into him. No matter what I do-" 
 
	"That's not what I'm mad about." 
 
	"It's not?" 
 
	"No." 
 
	"Then what," said Ash. "I thought you wanted me to pay for the meal?" 
 
	"Think Ash. Use your brain for once and I'm sure you'll figure it out."  
 
Ash sat in the silence for a moment. He nibbled at the end of his sandwich. 
Peeled off the crust and ate it in the silence. Just as he started to sip his 
cola, Ash offered the first thing that popped into his head.  
 
	"Did you want me to pull out your chair for you?" 
 
	"No Ash. That would be a recent event." Misty leaned forward in her 
chair. "Think harder. Come on. I know you can." 
 
She spoke to him as if she were talking to a small child. It was annoying. 
 
	"I really can't see why you would be mad at me." 
 
Misty took a large bite out of her sandwich and chewed almost thoughtfully. 
Ash waited until she swallowed- expecting to her to speak. But she only took 
another bite after that one. And another bite after that. She really did want 
him to figure it out for himself. 
 
Pikachu climbed up onto the table. He was aiming for the ketchup bottle 
obviously. So that the restaurant would not have little pikachu teeth marks 
on the lid, Ash opened the bottle for him. Pikachu then proceeded to pour 
ketchup on anything within range. Both Misty and Ash instinctively remembered 
to lift their sandwiches up before Pikachu was able to ketchup them.  
 
It was unusual that Pikachu made sure the deformed cookie stayed out of the 
way. Ash didn't question it's reasoning. It was best not to when Pikachu had 
a ketchup bottle in hand.  
 
Ash figured that playing dumb any longer might be dangerous.  
 
	"You know you shouldn't live in the past..." 
 
	"Ash you left four years ago- telling me that you'd only be gone to the 
pokemon center up the road!" She slammed her plate back on the table and it 
squished on impact. Ash had to try hard to keep the smile from his face.  
 
	"In my defense," began Ash slowly. "I really did go up to the pokemon 
center." 
 
	"But you didn't come back!" 
 
	"You don't know the whole story." 
 
	"I would love to hear it." 
 
	"Did you... Did you really believe I was just going up the road?" Ash 
asked with weak amusement. 
 
Misty just glared at him. The look was so harsh that Ash had a hard time 
keeping still. He cast his eyes over her shoulder unable to keep his 
composure. 
 
	"I can't tell you." 
 
	"I know you were arguing with your mother," said Misty softly. Ash's 
eyes widened in surprise. "I heard you shouting at each other... just before 
you left the house." 
 
	"Did you hear anything?"  
 
Ash was the one to look stern now. She almost felt guilty for eavesdropping- 
almost.  
 
	"Not enough to know why you were arguing." 
 
	"Good. It's better if you don't know." 
 
	"Why Ash? Why did you have to leave? You never kept in touch besides 
the few times a year you send stupid birthday presents." 
 
	"Hey. You can't say you didn't like them! I know you liked the shells 
from Igao."  
	"I didn't want gifts Ash..." Misty wanted to say that she wanted him, 
but that was far too sappy a thing to say. It was close enough to a 
confession, god forbid.  
 
	And she could feel them, the tears, burning in the corners of her eyes, 
"You wouldn't tell us where you were... half the time I didn't even know if 
you were still alive." 
 
	Ash laughed- but it was a harsh laugh. "Give me some credit, Mist." 
 
	"You didn't even tell us why! That's all I want Ash. Tell us why you 
left! Why were you fighting with your mother!?!" 
 
	"I can't tell you."  
 
	"Why not?" 
 
	"Because I just can't!" 
 
	"Why? Why can't you!" 
 
	"Because if I did you'd agree with her!" Ash shouted. His chair fell 
out behind him and his voice carried across the plaza turning a few heads. 
Pikachu had ducked off the table hugging the Grendel cookie between his teeth 
again.  
 
	"Because everyone would agree with her..." said Ash softer. "If I 
weren't me, I- I'd probably even agree with her." 
 
	"Then why..." 
 
Ash stared at her. It was such a humbling look- so demanding of her 
understanding. It was almost as if he were measuring her. As if he were 
attempting to find a way to tell her or not tell her. Or perhaps just trying 
to find a way to let himself trust her. 
 
	"She wanted me to give up pokemon training, Misty." 
 
 
 
The rain pounded down so hard that she couldn't see. Misty slipped up the 
cobble stone path. The mud sucked her feet under and she fell just outside 
the swinging gate. Mud seeped down her legs like blood, running with the 
rain.  
 
She lifted her head. Ash was only a few feet away with Pidgeot all ready to 
be mounted.  
 
	"Ash wait!" She screamed over the thrashing winds.  
 
He didn't hear. Pikachu's ears twitched.  
 
Misty climbed to her feet clumsily and raced forward. She caught him before 
he was able to mount. She threw her arms out and caught him from behind- 
tightly crushing him in a hug she knew he wouldn't easily be able to break 
from.  
 
	"Please... Don't go Ash." She whispered into his shoulder. 
 
He was wet, just like her. But he smelt sweet. He always smelt good, in a way 
she could never explain. 
 
Ash turned and Misty loosened her grip. She had expected for him make an 
excuse. To try to get away. But he surprised her.  
 
Ash hugged her. He tucked his arm behind her and lifted her slightly off her 
feet.  
 
	"This way's more comfortable, Mist," said Ash softly into her ear.  
 
Her voice broke and melted in her mouth. She could only hold him back. She 
knew he was going to leave, even if she begged him not to. 
 
	"Please, I don't want to lose you." 
 
	"You won't." His voice was surprisingly cheerful. He pulled away from 
her. There was a smile on his face. Misty could tell it was just there to 
make her feel better. Ash was an excellent actor. "I'm only going to the 
pokemon center up the road. Won't be gone for more then an hour. Tell Gary 
I'll be back soon, okay?" 
 
	She wanted to scream... to scratch him, beat him, hurt him in any way 
she could. Misty hated him so much. She wanted to shout, "You liar!" 
 
But she only smiled and said, "Okay." 
 
Like some weakling. Like some pathetic little kitten. Something inside her 
died with her words... She was letting Ash go. 
 
Pidgeot was looking nervously to the skies. Pikachu was miserably clutching 
onto the pokemon's worn saddle. It was obvious the pokemon wasn't thrilled 
with the idea of flight- especially in this storm. 
 
Ash paused yet again before mounting. He came back to her, and held her 
tightly by the shoulders. His touch was so real. She was too tired to fight 
it.  
 
	Ash leaned forward and pressed his lips neatly on her forehead. It 
wasn't an affectionate kiss. It was one of pity and Misty knew it. She only 
just closed her eyes and tried to enjoy it.  
 
	"I'll see you later, Misty," he whispered to her.  
 
And then he was gone.  
 
To Be Continued... 
Please R + R!