Change For The Better Part 2 By slickboy444@aol.com Category: AAMRN Summery: Hi! If you haven’t read my first part of this story I strongly suggest you do so. Otherwise, I hope you enjoy this next part. If I get a good enough response from this story I may write another part, but no promises. I do not own pokemon in any way, shape, or form so please do not sue me. Thank you for your attention and I hope you enjoy my work. AN: ‘these mean thougths’ It has been years since Ash left his two friends Brock and Misty. Ash and Misty are now 19 years old and Brock is 21. For the past years Ash has been learning how to train pokemon in a different way. His teacher and mentor, Hiro, bought age-old strategy like the Japanese code of Wushido and new sense of honor and self-awareness to Ash’s training. Every day Ash was taught to wake up and embrace nature and use his inner self to channel the strength he lacked. His personality changed from a hyper young trainer to a humble, proud young man. Above all he was taught, along with pikachu, how to battle pokemon as a warrior, not a trainer. Throughout this time Ash caught a few new pokemon which came to love him. He now has an espeon, trinitar, poliwrath, and a few others. Ash also grew physically as well. With the training of a samurai worrior, Ash developed a muscular and handsome appearance. Hiro taught Ash many things, but he could never teach Ash how to forget about Misty. Even though it had been a long time, he still could not stop thinking about her. Ash: Good morning Master Hiro. Hiro: Good morning Ash, pikachu. Pikachu: Hi! Ash: ‘He seems a bit different.’ Is something troubling you master. Hiro: As a matter of fact yes young one. Over the past few weeks we haven’t done much. And the reason for that is because I’ve taught you all I know. Ash: What do you mean. Hiro: Young one, I am an old man. You are a young boy. If I can’t teach you anything more about pokemon or life, then my work is done. Ash, the time has come for you to take my teachings and put them in to your life. Ash: But master. Hiro: No buts to your master young one. You can sense your time here is nearing completion. I think you should listen to those senses. Pikachu let a sad groan after hearing those words. Ash and pikachu had grown so close to their master and mentor. Ash held his head down for a moment, then he looked at his master. Ash: Master, if you believe I should go then I will not question your intuition. Your intuition always tends to be right. Hiro let out a faint smile, which was rare for him. Ash smiled back knowing that leaving would do them both good. Later that same day Ash packed up his things in preparation to leave. Ash: Master Hiro, no words can describe my thanks for you and everything you have done. Hiro: None is necessary young one. Just promise me one thing. Never forget what I have taught you. Be strong, be brave, and do on to others as you’d have done to you. Ash: I will Master Hiro. I will. After a heart felt goodbye from Ash, pikachu, and the rest of Ash’s pokemon; he walked out the door and down the road, occasionally looking back towards Hiro’s house to show his thanks. In Cerulean City Misty had stayed there and become an expert water pokemon trainer. Although she was considered a runt when she was younger, she proved to be a late bloomer. She grew in to an attractive, shapely, beautiful young woman that surpassed her sisters by a mile. Even though she never told anybody, she always thought of Ash and all the good times they had. She stayed single and never showed real interest in the kind of guys her sisters always had. Misty: Here dewgong! Dewgong swam over towards her to get her lunch. Misty: That’s a good girl. Just then she heard the phone ring. She quickly ran out of the pool area and picked up the phone. Misty: Hello? Brock: Hey Misty. It’s me Brock. Misty: Hey Brock what’s up? Brock: You mean you don’t know? The Indigo Champion Chip is only two weeks away. I was just calling to see if you knew. Misty: Of coarse I know, my sisters stuck me with the responsibility of going. They always make me do it so they can go out and party with the guys. Brock: Really? Where? Misty: Shut up rock head. Brock: You’re no fun. Oh well, maybe some of the Joys or Jennies will be at the stadium. Misty could tell by the pause in the conversation that Brock had slipped away to his fantasy realm. Misty: Well, I’ll let you live in fantasyland so see ya at Indigo! After that Misty hung up and went back to her normal duties as a gym leader. She had been to the champion chip before so she wasn’t too thrilled. When the time came she packed her bags, sent her pokemon via the pokemon center, and got togepi and went to the train station to head for the stadium. Ash was already at the stadium. He was mentally preparing himself and his pokemon for the big tournament. He left his hotel to take his pokemon to the hills to talk to them. When he got to an isolated setting he let out all his pokemon. Ash: Okay guys, this is the moment we’ve been training for. However, our goal is different than the others. We fight in this tournament for a different reason. We fight for honor. You can rebel against me all you want, but you can never rebel against your honor. Victory is welcomed, but not desired if it is done dishonorable. May the spirit of your fighting force protect you my friends. All Pokemon: Yeah! They spent the rest of their time on the hill meditating for the coming event. Unlike last time Ash fought for the title, he had a new, stronger drive. That same night Misty met up with her friend Erika from Celadon City to catch up on old times. The two spent a night on the town together after the annual gym leader conference. Erika: Well it’s getting late, I better get back to my hotel. I have to get up early to see the matches tomorrow. Misty: Come on! You’ve seen those matches before. I’m just going to go to the final fight. The rest of this time I’m going to use for a well-deserved vacation. Erika: Well suite yourself, I wanna see those matches tomorrow. Misty was frustrated at her friend’s decision, but didn’t fight her for it. Misty: Oh well, good night then. See ya later I guess. Erika: Okay, bye! Misty: Come on Togepi lets get a midnight snack. Togepi: Yeah! As Misty walked around the Indigo area she became tired and decided that she should head back to her hotel for some beauty sleep. When she got to her hotel she noticed something in the hills across the street from the hotel. It was the shadows of a bunch of pokemon and a trainer seemingly just sitting there. Misty: I wonder what they’re doing? She shrugged it off and headed up to her room. The next day the tournament began, but Misty didn’t watch many matches. She spent the time shopping around the many malls around Indigo. Ash, however, became a dominant force in all of his matches. The years of teaching from Hiro made himself and his pokemon fight with a tonicity that seemed unstoppable. Pikachu, chikorita, and the rest of Ash’s pokemon fought well beyond their traditional limits. Ash had not been to the pokemon league in years. He was seen as a mysterious newcomer who surprised everybody. He became an instant sensation to the masses with his humble attitude and his divine looks. Then the day of the final match between Ash and Gary came. Ash: I wish you good luck Gary. Gary: Ha! You’re the one who’s going to need the luck after the pounding I’m going to give you! Ash didn’t respond to Gary’s surprise. He simply showed a sign of good spirit and left to his battle area. Meanwhile outside the stadium Misty was still not heading for the arena. Erika: Misty, Misty! Misty: Huh? Erika: Come on the final match is about to start! Misty: Okay calm down, I’m coming. Erika rushed Misty along as they made their way to their seats. Announcer: LADIES AND GENTLEMAN! TRAINERS AND POKEMON! LET THE BATTLE FOR THE POKEMON MASTER BEGIN! Crowd: Yeah! Announcer: THEN LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE! IN THIS COURNER, A VETERAN TRAINER WHO IS NO STRANGER TO US ALL, GARY OAK! AND IN THIS COURNER, A SHOCKING SUCCESS STORY FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, ASH KETCHEM! Misty was caught off guard when she heard that name. She looked down at the stadium. Misty: ‘could it really be? My god he’s grown! I hardly recognize him.’ She kept looking and marveling at Ash’s dramatic transformation. He was drop dead gorgeous to her. She became so lost in Ash’s looks she forgot the battle had started. Gary sent out a nidoking to battle Ash’s Croconaw, but lost in quick succession. He then sent out his Eggsecutor to turn the tide. Croconaw didn’t go down as easily as Gary had hoped. Then Ash sent out his magmar, which made quick work of Gary’s plant pokemon. In a last act of desperation, Gary sent out his alakazam. Ash responded by sending out pikachu. Gary immediately got overconfident and tried to take him out with a psychic attack. But Ash’s pikachu had changed since the last time it had fought a psychic pokemon. Pikachu’s mind was now seemingly immune to psychics. It could fight attacks like that from within with guidance from Ash. Ash: Pikachu, its time to show Gary your true power! Thunder! The ground rumbled as storm clouds gathered out of nowhere and huge bolts of lightning engulfed alakazam. When the dust and clouds cleared, alakazam was passed out in the center of the stadium. Announcer: WHAT AN UPSET! THE WINNER AND NEW POKEMON MASTER IS ASH KETCHEM! The crowd erupted in a frenzy of cheers. Pikachu ran over to his trainers arms and gave Ash a well deserved hug. Ash: We did it buddy. We did it. Misty’s cheers were by far the loudest as she saw her friend and soul mate achieve his life-long dream. However, she couldn’t help but listen to some of the comments other girls were making about Ash. Girl1: Wow, what a man! Girl2: I think I’m in love! Girl3: He can battle on my field any day! Ash then walked over and shook Gary’s hand in a gesture of good sportsmanship. Gary cheered up at Ash’s acts of kindness. Following the victory, Ash was honored at a ceremony in the center of the stadium. He received his final badge and plaque showing he was a true master. He was then compelled to give a speech. Ash: I don’t know what to say. It’s been a long eventful journey. And now it has come to an end, but this wasn’t my journey. It was my pokemon’s. They did the fighting and they did the winning. I love them like family. My mom and friends who stood by me, and my loyal companions who helped me. This is for them! Ash proudly held his badge up and held pikachu up for the crowd to see. When Misty saw this she was overwhelmed with surprise. Misty: ‘this can’t be the Ash I remember. If at all possible, he’s become even sweeter. I have to meet up with him tonight. I have to do it!’ After parties and ceremonies closed out the event, Ash returned to his complementary master suite at the Indigo hotel. It was a dream come true. Ash: Now what buddy? Pikachu: I don’t know. Ash: I guess we could use a break. Pikachu: Yeah. I guess. Just then the phone rang. Ash ran over to pick it up. Ash: Hello? Nurse Joy: Hello Ash, it’s me Nurse Joy. Listen I’m sorry to bother you, but there is a girl at the front desk who want’s to meet with you. Should I shoo her away? Ash: What’s her name? Nurse Joy: It’s Misty, the Cerulean City gym leader. Ash almost fainted when her heard that. Ash: ‘Could she really want to meet me? Does she really remember me? Ash: Tell her I’ll come down. Nurse Joy: Okay, I’ll watch pikachu for you. Ash: Thanks. Ash nervously walked to the elevator. He became scared at what Misty might say to him. Ash: ‘What could she have to say?’ Ash stepped off the elevator and walked to the lobby. The hotel was nearly empty. Then he saw a beautiful young girl in the center of the room. She had long hair down to the middle section of her back and wore beautiful tight pants and a halter-top to show off her beautiful figure. Ash: ‘No way! It can’t be?’ Misty recognized Ash immediately. Misty: ‘Oh god he looks even more handsome up close.’ Ash took a deep breath and used is knowledge of staying calm and relaxing to confront the beautiful young girl. Ash: Is that you Misty? Misty: Yep, it is Mr. Pokemon Master! Ash: Wow, you’ve changed so much. Misty: You’ve changed too. I can’t remember you being so tall. ‘And handsome.’ Ash: Well I’m very glad to see you again. It’s been too long. Misty: Yeah, what do you say we go out for a late night snack. You know just to catch up on old times. Misty tried to hide her blush from saying go out. Ash: Sure. I would love to! The two teens walked out in to the night. It was near midnight so there weren’t many places open, but it didn’t matter. They just wanted to enjoy each other’s company. They settled in to a coffee shop to have a bite to eat. They began to chat about random things. Misty told Ash on how she had become a water pokemon master and Ash told her how Hiro taught him over the time he was his teacher. Ash: Well, I’m glad we both fulfilled our lifelong dreams. Misty: Yep, I propose a toast to realized dreams. Ash: Cheers. Ash and Misty just looked in to each other’s eyes for what seemed like only a few seconds, but was really a few minutes. Ash then smiled at his friend. Ash: How about a walk? Misty: I would like that. After paying the two left the café and walked along each other while chatting about random things. They walked until they reached a lake outside of the city. They started walking around the edge of the water, happily enjoying their time together and occasionally throwing rocks. Ash: It’s beautiful isn’t it? Ash was referring to the starlit sky. Misty: Yeah, it is. Ash and Misty smiled at each other and continued to walk along the side of the water. Unknown to them, a rock that Misty had thrown had hit a gyrados under the lake. The peaceful walk was interrupted when Ash and Misty saw the huge pokemon surface and head towards them. Misty: Look Ash! That gyrados is coming right towards us. Ash, however, could sense the danger. The dragon was eyeing Misty as the one who threw the rock. Ash: ‘No!’ The beast slammed its body towards Misty, but Ash pushed her out of the way. He did hurt himself in doing so. Ash then did what came natural, he fought the creature even though he had no pokemon. He jumped on it’s head causing the dragon to thrash about constantly, hitting Ash against the rocky bottom of the lake. Then, using all his strength, Ash slammed his fists in to the tender point around the dragon’s eye and the beast screamed out in pain. It made one last gallop and flung Ash towards the rocky shore in a bloody heap. The monster then retreated back to the lake. Misty: Ash, Ash! Oh no! Misty ran frantically toward Ash’s body. He looked like a mess. There was a bloody scratch across his forehead, his left arm was a sickening purple color, and his breathing was shallow. Misty laid him out flat on his back and tried to wake him up. Then she heard a faint sound. Ash: Uh. Mis….ty. Misty: Ash! Don’t worry, I’ll get you to a hospital! Just hang on! She summoned all her strength and put Ash’s good arm around her neck and began to carry his injured body to the nearest hospital. It was a good thing she knew Indigo well. With great determination, Misty was able to get Ash to the hospital. However, he was unconscious. Misty: Please, help me! Doctor: Oh my, quickly get him in to the emergency room, stat! Misty watched as the doctors carried Ash off in to the emergency room. Then she took a seat because she wasn’t allowed back. She began to softly cry to herself. Misty: ‘Why did this have to happen? Why? He doesn’t deserve to die. Just when we were getting to know each other better. I love you so much. Please Ash, live. Not for me, but for so many others, your mom, Brock, and pikachu. Misty sat quietly, lost in her thoughts, as she closed her eyes. Then, two hours later, a doctor came walking towards her. She listened eagerly. Doctor: Well, your lucky you got him here on time. I doubt he would have made it if he hadn’t sought treatment. He’s got a bruised arm, a concussion, five cracked ribs, and numerous cuts. But he’ll be okay. Misty felt a wave of relief sweep over her like a gentle wind. Misty: Can I see him? Doctor: Sure, he’s in room 11A. Misty eagerly walked along the hall until she reached Ash’s room. She opened the door to see Ash asleep in a bed with numerous bandages and tubes coming out of his body, but she still felt relieved that Ash was okay. She pulled up a chair and sat near Ash’s bed. She ran her fingers along his soft face and through his black hair. Misty: ‘Thank you Ash. Thank you for saving my life.’ Just then she saw Ash’s eyes open slowly. Misty: Ash!? Ash’s voice was faint, but he was okay. Misty gave him a heart-warming smile as she looked in to Ash’s dark eyes. Ash: Misty, your okay. Misty: Of coarse I’m okay. You saved my life, but why? Ash then felt it’s now or never. He had to tell her. Ash: Because Misty, because it was going to hurt you. I couldn’t just stand there and let it. I did what I did because I had to. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt. I would have died there for you just so you wouldn’t have to feel pain. I would die for you because, Misty Waterflower, I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Misty was so overwhelmed with joy tears started forming in her eyes. She couldn’t think of anything to say. She just looked in to her love’s eyes and replaced her words with actions. Misty leaned towards Ash and their lips met in a soft kiss. Ash was shocked and overcome with joy. Ash: ‘She cares? She really does care!’ After the long kiss ended Misty looked deep in to Ash’s eyes. Misty: I love you too Ash Ketchem. I love you more than anything. I would have died for you too at that lake. You are the only person I can see myself with. I love you. Although his face was bruised, he let out a joyous smile. And after a brief moment their lips met again in another loving kiss. Misty: You better get some rest, love. I’m just glad you’re okay. Ash: Thanks, I’m glad your okay too. Good night my goddess. Misty gently pulled the covers around Ash’s body and left the room to let Ash rest. Over the next week Ash’s injuries healed and Ash was allowed to go home. Pikachu and togepi were overjoyed that their trainers had finally found love. To celebrate they went back to Pallet Town to stay at Ash’s house for a while. They had plans to build a huge house for Ash and Misty to live in. Delia Ketchem was so happy her son had achieved his goal and fallen in love. She would later move to Veridian City. For the rest of the week Ash and Misty enjoyed being boyfriend and girlfriend and had fun going out on dates and enjoying each other’s company. Then one late night Misty couldn’t sleep. She got up and got a glass of water, but she was still restless. Then, as she was walking back to her room, she saw Ash’s bedroom door slightly open. She then got an idea and quietly opened the door and walked in. As she got closer to Ash he stirred a bit then woke up completely to see his love’s face. Ash: Hey. What’s the matter? Couldn’t sleep. Misty: Yeah, I guess I’m just restless. Ash: I’m sorry, is there anything I can do Misty? Misty: Actually there is. Ash: What? Misty: This. Misty then slowly slid the covers back and crawled in to Ash’s arms. Ash, having a numb feeling smiled at this action. Ash: Think you can sleep now? Misty: I know I can. Ash: I love you, good night. Misty: I love you too. After a soft kiss the two lovers drifted off in to a deep sleep while in each other’s arms. Now their journey is truly complete. Ash and Misty have found their life-long dreams and true love for one another. The End. AN: Well that’s it for my first story. I am truly honored you took the time to read my humble story. Thank you and please send me some feedback at slickboy444@aol.com. Once again, I would like to thank McWizardX for inspiring me to write in the first place. Thank you and goodbye!