Miss Discovery!

By: Chibi-Suiko

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ash: 15

Misty: 16

Brock: 19

Imuru: 17

Evette: 20

Mr. Gerou: 31

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Last time on Miss Discovery!: The prologue of the play, to put it simply. Imuru's message has been sent to crowds all over who've come to see his show. The thing is, will they believe it? And what has Gerou cooked up for Ash, Misty, and the rest? Lat seen of him was when he handed over a ticket to Ash for the show. And Ash has taken full advantage of his privileges. Now sitting in the crowd, will he be pleased by what he sees and learns? And what of Misty and Imuru's script? So many questions, so many answers yet to hear. But will this author allow you all to hear them? (.^_^. Cheeky, no?)

***

***

...

Four days later, we find our MAIN hero and heroine sitting together at Imuru's estate, just enjoying the last bit of peace and quiet before the overwhelming climax and end of the production that would be taking place that night. Suddenly, Ash looked up and smiled at Misty. This caught her attention and she quirked an eyebrow, inwardly eager as to why he was looking so... Sneaky, for lack of a better word.

"What is it Ash? Is there something that you'd like to tell me..?" Neither of them had mentioned their little round for the last seven days, ever since it'd happened. Nor did Imuru or Brock know about it, though they had the suspicion that Brock could know anything just from looking at them, let alone taking notice of their flushed expressions every time they looked at each other and thought back to it.

"Oh no, Myst. I've just got a surprise for you later tonight, after you finish that play of yours..." Ash said and got up, leaving her to herself with a murdering stare that could have made even Charizard keel over in a dead faint. But he chose to ignore her eyes, which he knew were boring hot red patches into the back of his neck. It's funny, He thought, To see her so suspicious-looking and confused. I love seeing her squirm, just begging inwardly to know what's up with me. Boy, WILL she be in for a surprise..!

Something else that had been kept quiet had been the fact that Ash had been attending Misty's every show. Now he hadn't said anything about how good he thought she was, knowing it would give her away, rather than just compliment her with the usual 'I'm sure you did just fine' and 'We'll still beat those idiots from Julliard! You're too good for them anyway!' whenever she held doubt in herself. Which, with his help, was becoming less and less everyday. Actually, ever since last night, she'd been positively... Cocky. Not unlike himself whenever he won a big gym battle. But it still kind of quirked him, considering she always got on his case about his ego. But he said nothing. After all, she kinda did have reason to feel good about herself. She was completing one of the most colossal experiences of all the Waterflowers! Ash was willing to bet the best her sisters had had was an over-the-ratio interview about their fame in Cerulean.

Misty's fame was becoming ALMOST country-wide!

***

"One more night... One... More... Night... Only... One more night?" Misty kept muttering to herself. God, was she nervous. It wasn't like the rest of the week had been a bad experience or anything, in fact, it was almost too good to be true that she could send photo's to her sisters, making them absolutely raving with jealousy--! But, thinking about it, from doubt to pout... She really didn't want it to be over. She was having a good time. She was learning things, and completing on of her biggest dreams (That being becoming greater than her sisters)! But she knew that she couldn't stay, could she?

Imuru or Ash?

Imuru was sweet, gentlemanly, and he admitted that he cared very deeply for her. Not to mention that he wasn't going to any length to impress her; and he wasn't corny, like Rudy. He was just him, and he knew when to draw the line when it came to relationships. Yet...

There was Ash, who cared for EVERYONE he met (Not that she was doubting Imuru in that sense), one who was just learning about relationships (yet she WAS the first girl he came onto), one who was sweet when he could be. He definitely didn't try very hard to impress her, at least not yet. But he was VERY immature. A definite turn-off.

But she knew him longer! She knew that she could trust him; even with her deepest secrets, if she ever bothered to tell him... Imuru, well, they'd only met about two weeks ago. Who was to say that Rain wouldn't come waltzing back into his life and he'd forget all about her..? But he did say he cared... For her... Or was it for her being the look-alike..?

"Bah! Why am I even thinking about this now?! I still have to get this thing over with! I'll get down to my decision at the after-party tomorrow!" This made her blush... Thinking about it, both Ash and Imuru had asked her to go with them. She thought that Ash would have been saying it for one of two reasons. One, to claim her before Imuru came along, or two, just as a friendly nothing. He certainly hadn't asked her as if he was expecting to look like date material.

Imuru, on the other hand, had handed her a rose (A single, long stemmed rose, fresh from his estates garden) and asked her with a slight peck on the cheek (This didn‘t break the promise between her and Ash, which consisted of lip-locks only). It was a short and sweet intervene just before she headed into her room, reminding her of their first night there together. He had been soft, yet abruptly nervous then too...

Misty was now becoming dimly aware of the narrator speaking over the PA system. She guessed that the crowd had finally formed for the last part. Well, she knew that she couldn't sit like she was forever and just brood over her thoughts. She stood up and sighed, just as Imuru came towards her, ready to walk onstage.

Ash sat out in the crowd, fingering his clothes in an, almost, anxious way. He was almost as excited about the 'big finish' as they were.

***

"Now... You're absolutely sure that the last scene is fine with you and Ash..? I mean, I won't put you into any type of situation, no matter how deeply involved this play is supposed to be. I won't pressure you into something you don't want to..." But he was interrupted by Misty, who was staring at him quizzically.

"For the last time, Imuru! What could possibly make me nervous? It's just a script! I mean, so what if the title insinuates anything? We both know what's going to happen and that's all that needs to be known!"

"Well... All right." Imuru ended simply, taking one last side glance at her as they stepped forward, onto the stage.

The crowd cheered upon seeing their supposed 'favorite' couple (considering half of the original was currently in cognieto, or however you say it, among the mass itself). Almost immediately, it died down, not wanting to miss anything having to do with the plot.

Ash kept his eyes glued to Misty. How come he'd never noticed how beautifully the sunlight showed on her bright red hair..? Was this more than hormones? Could he possibly REALLY like her, enough to spend her majority of free time with her, rather than obsessively training Pikachu and the others?

He guessed it was only natural that he'd begin to fall for her, and vice versa. Thinking about it, his mom had warned him that friends usually morphed into something more. But he'd never really thought that it would happen to him! Actually, he had made a silent pact to himself that he wouldn't let anything interfere with his Pokemon training. But then Misty came along and had to rip that possibility of complete priority from his head...

But he'd still rather have fallen for her than Brock anyway..!

'And so we continue... Today, the clay men are rebuilding the Earth. Demands for assistance had been major. And they had been more than willing to help, upon command from their friends. They are currently crossing paths with the Centaurs, whose stalls and sunlight-filled pillars of greening hay have been torn down. Steadily, they mold the homes back together.' (Scene shifts to a close up of Misty and Imuru working, seemingly, strenuously hard, sweat falling from their brows. Slowly, but surely, tall lining walls are formed.)

'It is the calm, after the storm in this case. The climax of the corpse fall has passed, scarring those who had survived to see it. The glaring red sun beat its own heart as the whole of the village, combined with the clay men, finished rebuilding by sundown.' (An elaborate scheme of time passes, making it seem like their days are about ten times longer than our own as sound effects magnify the moans and groans of the rebuilding of the homes and such.)

'After hours of strenuous work, our first humans are found accompanied by the sunrise. And here, they talk with one another for the first time. But what, besides survival and thanks, is there to discuss..?' (The scene elevates into a cliff-view overlooking the glistening ocean and horizon in the background. Upon the cliff stand Imuru and Misty, in character. Both are silent and just continue to watch the sloshing of the waves.)

"You know... It's been three decades since the beginning of the War of Worlds. And yet there is still so much to do. The beings cause so much distress and then they have to replace their past Earth. If not a lesson to be learned, what could the Gods be trying to say?" The male character, played by Imuru, stated.

"It could have only been a lesson. And it was not the last. There is still so much to teach them. And... And we could possibly help." The female, played by Misty, replied.

"You have never sounded apprehensive before, like just a moment before. Is there something of anxiety that you mean?" Was the question.

"I have never spoken before. Yet I've had so very much to say to you." She gathered up close to him and they both collapsed on the edge of the mount, "You see, Dear brothereth, I can no longer pretend that you mean nothing but an accomplice to me. You have showed me care, even if only by rule, ever since birth. It is all I have to believe in. All I have to live for, is you. And that is why I find myself feeling so joyful yet afraid at your expense. Because there is so much I owe you that I've never gotten to give you." She continued and stared into the (artificial) sunlight and finally felt his hand lay overtop hers.

"Is it not strange... That I should feel the same?" Was all he asked before standing up again, taking her hand in his to help her up as well. They pulled close (NOT their faces, though) and looked around, only to find themselves completely alone. This gave them a romantic courage that Imuru's character decided to make use of, "Would you dance with me? Right here?"

His question was met with a smile and nod, and they began to march along the greening path as the crowd held their breath. Soon, the music of the beating waves against the cliffs' edge below died down (meaning that the play was nearing its end). Ash watched from the crowd, growling lightly, remembering the promise made almost a week before, but also taking in mind the thought that she hadn't breached their 'contract'.

Yet.

But why was he doubting her? HOW could he doubt her? The next scene would deny him his belief.

The crowd was holding their breath, everyone accept Ash, that was.

"What are they waiting for?!" Misty asked Imuru, out of character, with a furious glance into his eyes.

"What do you mean? They're waiting for our kiss. That was the big finish, remember?" He replied back, sounding, for once, almost frustrated.

"Wha-What kiss?! There was never a kiss in the script I looked at! Where is this coming from?! And why wasn't I told before NOW?!" She replied, trying to keep their little conversation as private as possible.

"What does it matter? And what do you mean you weren't told before now?!"

"Of course it matters! I promised Ash that I wouldn't let you near me, in that romantic sense of the word! I can't go back on my word now! Who knows what would happen if he found out!" She yell-whispered at him.

"Well... Whose going to tell him? Please, Misty, I'm sorry but the finale was in the brochure. So we can't go back on the word. Everyone's waiting for this." There was silence and Misty's face changed from defiant to unsure, "Look, we just can't go back on this now..! Neither of your friends could get tickets, right? And this production isn't on nationwide television."

"I... I... Fine! But when we're through, I wanna know exactly who did this, all right?!" With that, she pulled him close and laid a pssionate, if not rushed, kiss on his lips. Cheers from the crowd and a single glare of betrayal (I'll let you guess who that came from) met their end.

***

Twenty minutes later, Misty and Imuru were signing the rest of their autographs. More than once, Misty had been questioned about her strange resemblance to Rein. And every time she'd refused to answer.

She felt guilty. VERY guilty. How could she do that? She was pressured but... She'd overcome pressure before..! How could she live with herself? And if Ash ever found out, she doubted that he'd want to live with her either.

"Thank you; I'm so happy that you enjoyed the show..!" She said to the eleven year old fan as she walked away from her with a big smile on her rosy young face. Misty placed a hand to her head. This was driving her crazy; maybe she should just tell Ash what had happened. He would forgive her, right?

"Hello, Misty." The words were simple but the tone sent her reeling. She spun around, only to come face to face with a more-than-angry Ash Ketchum.

"Um... Oh, God... Uh, hi Ash..."

"I just wanted to let you know... Surprise." And with that said, he stalked off, leaving her to wallow in her magnified misery.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Thank you, thank you! I know you all hate me. Not only was this chapter ungratified towards Ash and Misty's relationship, it was a day late! I'm sooooo sorry. I know I shouldn't rant but to justify myself, I think I'll have to. I had to take five exams this week, I had a week-long project due, a bible study, a youth group, and I found out that a family member of mine was going into surgery. My life's a regular soap opera, huh?

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Hopefully I'll have another chapter ready and up for postage by next week. You'll just have to wait and see... Anyway, till next time great fans!

End transmission--

--Chibi

PS: Um... I’ve realized how short this is; forgive me. The epilogue will make up for it though. ^_^ ;; Heh.