Disclaimer: Do I want to own pokemon? Hai. However, all I have is this non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic. Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo, and Shogakukan Comics, plus others…

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokémon talks

Chapter 2

 

             Misty was annoyed. That brat Julia still hadn’t contacted her. What, did some little rich stuck-up snob think she was better than the youngest Waterflower of Cerulean City? Some idiot.

            Misty was very annoyed.

            In fact, she had taken to wandering the parks with Togepi, bad-mouthing Julia under her breath. It was a sure way to get attention.

 

            She spotted Ash by the stream with a fishing pole and a determined look, even though he had been sitting there for two hours and she was sure his legs were cramped from being in that position for so long.

            As she watched the line gave a tug, and Ash’s eyes lit up as Pikachu ran to the waterside, shocking the pokemon.

            She looked away, however, when a Pidgey landed on her head and dropped a note in her lap.

 

            It was the challenge letter she had been waiting for.

            Julia informed her that she must be at the gym by precisely nine A.M. the next morning. No problem.

            Misty pocketed the note confidently. “Let’s do it.”

            Togepi trilled.

            “I know you won’t battle. I’m putting psyduck in the PC so he can’t distract me. I’ll win for sure. After all, I’m a Waterflower.”

           

            Ash’s eyes snapped triumphantly as he captured the Gyarados. The endless fishing up Magikarps had finally paid off.

            Gyarados was quite handsome for a male of his species, strong and sleek.

            It was a good battler, even though he already had squirtle as a water type.

            Pidgeotto was off chasing dinner, her wings flapping madly as she ran down a giant centipede and swallowed it in one gulp.

            Can we go eat lunch now? Pikachu asked, tugging on his pant leg.

            “Sure.” Ash replied. He gathered his pokemon, healed at the center, and then they all went to the free buffet to eat to their heart’s content.

 

            That afternoon, Ash and his pokemon trained for a few more hours before going back to the center.

            “So, Misty, did you get the challenge?” Brock teased.

            “As a matter of fact, I did!” Misty declared triumphantly.

            “Wow.”

            Misty preened.

 

            “Cool.” Ash said. “Can I go watch?”

            “Of course!” Misty proclaimed. “It’ll be the match of the gym leaders!”

            Brock laughed. “I wish I could go, but Alyssa and I have a date.”

            “Go for it, Romeo!” Ash said.

            “Just you wait until you get interested in girls yourself, Ash.” Brock warned. “Then we’ll see.”

            Ash blinked. “Okay…”

            He highly doubted it would happen though…

            He didn’t think he liked girls.

            Bulbasaur and Squirtle were on there own date. It was sweet, how Squirtle took good care of his mate.

            Bulbasaur protected him, too, from electric-types. She was fond of him.

            How cute…

 

            The next day…

 

            Sure enough, Julia was waiting… even though it was behind schedule by fifteen minutes.

            “So, what will it be?” Julia asked. “Three on three?”

            “Perfect.” Misty said. “Let’s go! Misty chooses Staryu!”

            Sure enough, Staryu popped out.

            Julia snickered as she munched on a gigantic donut. Between mouthfuls of frosting and dough, she managed to get the word ‘Electrode’ out, sending it onstage.

            “Staryu! Spin Tackle!”

            Without a word, Electrode fired off a Sonicboom, changing Staryu’s flight path, before nailing it with Thunder.

            Staryu dropped to the ground, carbon-encrusted and black.

            Starmie fared no better…

 

            Ash looked at Misty sideways. Was she willing to risk two of her pokemon? Or would she…

            “Psyduck, go!”

            Secret weapon now unleashed. Ash closed his eyes and waited.

            Would it work?

            Electrode was smarter than his trainer though, at least, using Self-destruct.

            Misty lost.

            She was in shock as Julia claimed her Starmie and Staryu as prizes.

            Ash did not interfere.

            It had nothing to do with him… at least; that was what he thought.

 

            “You have to beat Julia!”

            “Why?”

            “Otherwise…” Misty smirked. “You don’t want to know what I’ll do.”

            Ash blinked.

            He quickly jumped as a mallet flew at him. * Damn her! I don’t want to fight Julia! What am I going to do? *

            What could he do?

            He didn’t want to push her…

            Misty was vicious when provoked. But why in Mew’s name did she have to take it out on him?

            God forbid it was attraction.

            Ash scowled. * Fine. *

            He would use his own secret weapon…

            Misty looked satisfied as Ash walked outside quietly. * Hah! *

            She loved power.

            Oh yes, she did… but that was her folly, as it would soon show… and pain cannot endure forever, for hatred springs from fear eventually…

 

End Chapter

Completed 8/9/04