I hate Misty. I really hate misty. That’s all I’m going to say.

Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfic belongs to me under international copyright laws. Don’t take it.

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

Chapter 3

 

            Ash was quiet that night, before he went to bed. The next morning’s fight was not going to be pleasant.

            Ash?

            “Pikachu, I hate her.”

            Pikachu looked shocked. I thought you loved her.

            Ash smirked. “Ah yes, love her until she sucks every drop of life out of me and I die still singing her praises. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

            His pokemon smirked.

            Pikachu frowned.

            Something was going on, and she didn’t like it at all… what was wrong with Ash? This was not like him at all…

            Ash giggled.

            “It’ll be wonderful…”

            Gyarados purred as Ash groomed him. Yes, Master Ash… don’t worry, I’ll do my best.

            “I know you will.” Ash smiled.

 

            The day after, he went to Julia’s gym.

            “Another one? Oh, I’m going to like your Pikachu…” Julia grinned. “So I won’t send a letter this time.”

            “Gyarados, go.”

            Julia sent out Zapdos…

            “Beat her, Ash!” Misty yelled.

            Ash did not reply as Zapdos charged.

            “Hyper Beam.”

            Hyper Beam smashed into the pokemon, and Zapdos did not get up again. He smiled. He had aimed well…

            The blow had broken the wing bones, so now Zapdos couldn’t fly, and Gyarados was faster… a second Hyper Beam finished it off.

            Julia gaped. “Dragons weak to ice, Articuno, go!”

            “Hyper Beam again.”

            It was an Articuno, yes, but she forgot something called level… although how she got a level 7 legendary was up for grabs, Ash wasn’t going to argue with Lady Luck.

            Hyper Beam hit, took out Articuno as well.

            “Now…” Ash smiled, Electrode appearing. “This will be fun…”

 

            “Electrode, use Explosion!”

            “Protect.”

            “… What?!”

            It was very lucky Gyarados was a bred pokemon… who had escaped from a breeding ranch…

            Ash liked the move.

            A ring of stars staved off the attack, but Electrode fainted. “And I think I win now, Julia.”

            “No! I don’t believe you!”

            Ash’s eyes glittered angrily. “Well, you lost. Pay up.”

            “Never!” She pressed a button, and flamethrowers suddenly shot out from all directions.

            Misty screamed as she was incinerated.

            Ash was luckier, as gyarados had wrapped around him and used Rain Dance so they were high and dry.

            Ash immediately sent e-mail to the Indigo Plateau with the message. In seconds, the Elite Four were there, thanks to Agatha.

            “Julia, your thieving and murderous ways have brought disgrace to the Pokemon League.” Agatha said. “Your punishment is only fair.”

            “You may not want to watch this.” Lance warned Ash.

            Ash blinked.

            Lorelei took him outside, and a few minutes later, a scream sounded.

 

            “Strangely, though, you are the first person to defeat her…” Bruno said, peering at Ash. “You don’t look it.”

            Ash glared. * What do you know? *

            Agatha and her ghost pokemon floated out. “Ah, Lorelei, Lance, you two explain it to him. I’m going back.”

            Bruno went with her.

            “Well, don’t look at me.” Lorelei said. “I need a vacation. I’m off to the Orange Islands, be back in a few months…”

            Lance blinked. * Why do I have to do everything? It really… really is annoying being Champion… *

            He sighed.

            “Well, Ash, since you won… by her rules, you get half her money and her pokemon…”

            Ash gaped.

            “So, the League will be doing the transferring tomorrow, as from your records you seem a capable trainer.”

            Ash was still in shock.

            “Hah!”

            Lance blinked as Misty hugged Ash. “I knew you could do it!” She was black and crispified, but unfortunately still alive. Pity.

            “Misty?”

            “Oh! I-.”

            “Why are you not at your gym, Ms. Waterflower?”

            Misty wilted. “I-.I…”

            “You _do_ realize that this prevents all trainers from accessing the cut HM.”

            “I didn’t think…”

            “Furthermore, there are hefty fines for abandoning your gym… it’s been, five months?”

            Misty gulped.

            “So…” Lance put down his calculator. “I suggest you return there at once. My Dragonair will send you home.”

            In seconds, Misty was packed off.

 

            Lance smiled at Ash’s obvious relief once Misty had gone. “Was she harassing you, Ash?”

            “Wow! How did you know?”

            “Her school records indicate as such. In fact, she was forced to leave Cerulean Elementary because she was a bully.”

            “Oh…”

            Ash suddenly looked down. “Wait. She lost her Starmie and Staryu to Julia. How will she be a gym leader now?”

            “I’ll find them and mail them back to her, though she doesn’t deserve them.” Lance said. “We do need a working gym leader.”

            “H-hai!”

            Ash blushed, as Lance smiled warmly at him. “You’ve done the league a wonderful service, Ash Ketchum. We will remember this…”

           

End Chapter

Completed 8/9/04