Miss Discovery!

By: Chibi-Suiko

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Ash: 15

Misty: 16

Brock: 19

Imuru: 17

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Last Time on Miss Discovery!: Misty had been woken up by Imuru after having the strangest dream. She told no one about it but headed along with her day. She and her new male friend enjoyed an easy brunch meal and then she headed upstairs to get her pack. Upon hitting the second landing though, her eyes were drawn to a door not that much further along than Ash or Brock's. She came across a deathly-toned voice making a call about some scandal but she never had time to act upon what she'd heard. After making a mistake of her own she rushed out of the area and found herself panicking into Ash's room, waking him up in the process. She found herself, then, telling her longest friend about another trouble that had crept up into her mind... How she felt about Imuru and how badly she wanted him to like her back. Later, she and Imuru were found at a vacant cathedral, practicing lines and moves, and meeting up once again with Mr. Gerou who'd come to inspect her skill... Only Misty had never remembered their first meeting. It's almost as if she were meeting him for the first time...

***

Chapter Four: Theory

***

" Good, Miss Misty! That's excellent! You're doing very well for a first-timer! Though I guess I can't really call you that now, can I?" Imuru smiled about an hour and a half later. The late morning had been filled of practices, recitals, voice tempo, and a few mistakes. Misty felt more embarrassed after each one which only made her prone to make more.

" Uh--Yeah, whatever you say Imuru... Look, to tell you the truth I'm not sure this is the best thing to do. I-I've never done anything so big, if you know what I mean... And I don't want to end up messing up one or more of your shows." She began to whine.

" Nonsense! All people make mistakes, after all, we're only human! And Miss Misty please, I'm counting on your help to keep the curtains going up. Don't you understand?" Imuru asked, leaning over to her with a sweet smile, "I need you..."

They were so close that Misty could feel his calm breath rinsing over her face like a running faucet. The way they were each moving closer together, it was almost as if they were going to--

" Master Imuru, the girl is doing very well. Please, do not stop now. Shall we give it another half hour before letting you go for the day?" Mr. Gerou asked and Misty couldn't help but feel a sense of loathing toward him. As much as she wanted to deny it, she'd really been wanting that move pulled on her.

And she didn't very much like being referred to as 'The Girl'. He did know her name and now she sorta knew how Imuru must have felt after Ash had called him that (Well, more or less... 'That Guy--'). She gave herself a mental note to remember to hit him later...

" Well, Miss Misty. I guess it's time to go over the literal lay-out. The pamphlet on that chair over there is the written form of our first play... Um--Let's look it over, shall we?" He seemed immensely flustered now, though just like the actors, he kept his cool over the situation.

Misty knelt down to see her paper, her eyes meeting the title first: Romance Dawn. She looked to Imuru with a blush. She didn't know exactly what that meant but she was sure that this wouldn't be an action or horror flick.

" Let's get going." Misty replied simply, though her face gave her away.

" First, let me explain... Each play will be a different piece. There is no need to worry though, each part is of the same production. Every night we will continue with a new chapter, starting with a small summary of what happened the night before. 'Romance Dawn' is the entire plays title, but each chapter will have it's own title as well. Do you understand?"

Misty nodded and waited for him to go on. He seemed quite finished on the current topic though and looked to the pamphlet in his hands.

" I'll be the narrator too. I figure that though we'll have a real one later on, I'll do pretty well for now." Imuru said, grinning, and began, " '...Dating back to over thousands of years ago, during an early aged war with such an undetermined end that the death of the planet was in question, bravery was placed upon all--soldier or not--as a consequence for Their insolence. Civilizations torn down, dangers peaked, all races rose in order to conquer over equality and discrimination was the only answer. The start of an endless battle that would only rest... In death.'

" 'It was a calling of a new Era, THE calling. It proclaimed the beginning of a time where those of subdued hope were weak and those who chose to stand were strong. It was also known as the mere start of a fruitless struggle for power and rank that would lead to an inevitable end. It feasted upon a void of such nothingness, feeble will, mindly thirst, breathless age, intimidation that even the Gods feared, final surfacing anticipation and...an immense lack of respect and love...'

" 'Magic installments and brute strength were used to topple inhabited empires and cause disaster... It was a death march such as the world has never known. Nimble, though the lives were, they still breathed in deathly wonder, for a hero-unnamed-to bring about the end of the death feast... But as the days grew longer, more bitter, the inhabitants grew tiresome, more restless. Before long, they too had begun invading other parts of the world and it seemed all was over.'

" 'There was only one race who did not compete as the others did... They competed for glory, yes, for pride... But also for their right to live, for everyone's. It cost them dearly, though, they took the insanity for the bloodlust of the others too lightly and, in the end, they lost more than half of their tribes that had been scattered all over... It was only then, that they'd had enough.'

" 'They beat together a mold, two of them, to complete a new race. One was supposed to fight back with power unknown, the other to care for the first. It was to bring proof of a new way of living, to show the many insane colonies exactly how peace would feel...' Do you know what this power is..? Miss Misty?" Imuru broke off, looking to the emotionally startled teenager. She only shook her head in a distant way.

" '...It is said that Love, the only unkempt emotion, the only one that nobody knew of, had been their savior. In gratitude, the puppets who'd created the Way had received two lives of their own. They moved on, prospering many of their own offspring. And thus, the light of Earth had been recreated. Through the prosperity of one branch of life, they others were only to reply with frequency..' What's more Miss Misty, is that this story has proved to be somewhat true..." Misty looked him over, completely flooded by sadness. He didn't look up at her but continued, " '... Rather than be left to themselves, this new colony forged an immediate--yet forever lost--contract with the very ones who'd built them. Though to this day, they've stood side by side, the fakes have started to hate the first, to deem them unworthy because of their supposed superiority. And what's more, regret over their betrayal does not seem to become them...' Miss Misty, do you know what two settlements these were?" Imuru asked her again, imploring an unheard answer with his eyes. But she'd never needed it. Everything seemed to click all at once...

" Oh--oh my God... Us--The humans--! And the Pokemon--?!" She stuttered uncontrollably. She never would have believed it on her own but... Something in His eyes seemed to uncontuously tell her that it was true, "Is this really what happened?!"

" I'd be lying if I said no, no matter how much it may hurt you." He bowed in respect, "I'm sorry... Maybe I shouldn't have told you--!"

" It-I think it's okay... I just never expected such a shock..."

" Master Imuru... Time is short, the day is young--! You two children should get along with yourselves outside for the rest of the day. If indeed you spend time together, you should meet me back at the Manor at about--Say ten?" Mr. Gerou called from the stage. Misty had almost forgotten that he was there to begin with.

Imuru only waved his hands and then looked to Misty in turn, his eyes darting over her face.

" I'm sorry if that was too much... But since we're done here for today, should we continue discussing this further elsewhere?"

She nodded numbly and let him grasp her hand and pull her lightly from the building. She didn't even know that they were outside again until the sudden sunlight reached through her eyes and began to burn, making them water. She rubbed them dotingly, turning and realizing that the town had suddenly become much more crowded than she remembered the day before. She said nothing though, and this only worried Imuru more about what he'd said moments before hand.

" Miss Misty, if it's any consolation, I'll gladly take you out for a night on the town to loosen the strings a bit. I know how frustrating things like this can be... And we can talk more thoroughly on the subject we were discussing just now..."

She shook her head though wondered very much so why he wouldn't just repeat what he meant (Though she did know) while they were in public.

" It's alright. I think I can make myself happy, thanks." She said simply, "I don't want to bother you with my little problems. I must all ready be such a thorn in your side." She smiled and started to walk ahead but he took her hand and dragged her back.

" Know this, Miss Misty..." He spoke sternly yet softly at the same time. He obviously wanted to be sure that his point was made, "...You will never be a burden to me. Truth be told, I couldn't have met a better person... And I want you to know that. Know that you are wanted with me."

Again she could only nod her head like one of those bobble-head dolls (A/N: The ones with the loose necks that you can tip to the side and watch 'bobble'--I like that word!--back and forth? ^_^). She knew that if she kept it up she would be with nothing but a stiff neck in the morning.

" Now I want to take you out for a bit... Please let me do so, you deserve only the best and I want to be the one to give it to you. I want you to learn to let yourself go. Spend some cash, buy some things, feel comfortable around me okay? I'm begging you to give me this chance to show you how good I can be to you..." He seemed to simper pleadingly and she found herself giving in almost immediately, "...Thank you."

***

Two hours later, three o'clock, Misty wasn't going to deny the wonderful time she was having. She was starting to wonder though, what Ash and Brock might be doing at the moment. Imuru looked at her, with her melting chocolate ice cream (Now you know something's wrong) and pulled a cell out of his pocket.

" Do you want to give them a call?" He asked sentimentally.

" Huh--?! How'd you know? Was I that obvious?"

" No, but I don't know of any girl who could turn down chocolate ice cream and not be thinking about something important. And I figured that only your friends motives could be worrying you this much... So? How about it?" He asked attentively.

" But-but I don't want to intrude on the afternoon... I feel like both of us are having such a good time and isn't this supposed to be more along the lines of a-a date?" This question was followed by immediate silence and she was sure that she'd said the wrong thing.

She turned away with a blush and a light apology, hoping the whole scene would melt away like ice in the sunshine. But when she turned back and opened her eyes again, He was still there, the other people were still there, the ice cream was still there, and worst of all, she was still there.

She looked up abysmally into his deep eyes and found a light smile dancing across his features. Her brain was working on it, trying to decipher what it could possibly mean when--

" Only if you want it to be."

She nearly collapsed, she definitely wasn't going to act like a little girl though so she held in the urge. Five minutes later, she seemed to be enjoying herself much more and Imuru had all ready forgotten about the phone he held in his hand. He held it out expectantly saying that he had no problem with it but she shoved it back lightly.

" Let them be. I'm sure they're just fine..." She said, grinning like an idiot at the situation.

He smiled and returned the small object to the safety of his pocket, then looked back at her as though wondering what she could be thinking about.

" Imuru--Uh--" She began, she wanted to be sure that she could get some things out of him, "--What were you saying before... And why don't you want to be overheard?"

" I suppose it is loud enough here, shall I continue..?" She nodded, "--You see, Miss Misty--"

" Misty, just Misty... I've been dying to tell you that." She said exasperatedly.

" Yes, well, Mis--Misty... We humans were never under the impression that we could rule over the Pokemon. They had actually created us, as the theory goes, and therefore we had been forever placed in their debt. That was a main reason, or so we think, that the contract had been sealed between the two species. If ever another war should break out like the first, we should be absolutely sure that we can fight back with whatever is needed. Of course, most of the other organisms have been extinct for over seven centuries, however this does not mean that we are safe. Organizations like Team Rocket have ensured total control over Pokemon and are working on devices to help them get what they want. If others don't stand up to them, another war may break out yet. One lead by betrayal, loathing, superiority, and such. When I found this out--"

" --How did you find this out?" Misty countered, looking deeply into his eyes for the unknown truth.

" --As a growing child, I became majorly interested in how humans and Pokemon were created, not to mention how their intentions of security to the world were managed... During the battle three years ago, where a said Lugia was to have risen from the waters of Shamuti Island and--with the help of a human--save the planet, all of the Pokemon came together to focus on this. They battled their way fiercely towards that area, no matter the difference. Have you ever wondered why?"

" All I know (Besides the fact that she was there with the Human chosen to help) is that they have acute sensitivity to things like the weather and nature... But what does that--"

" --That's not all--" Imuru said, shaking his head, "The Pokemon were keeping their part of the deal, hoping to buy some time before we would betray them. In assisting in keeping the safety of Earth, the Chosen One had proven that hope was not yet lost for equality to be measured in all. They'd seen all that the One person could do and renewed the contract to their will. It was amended that we should only stand in Their way for proper reasoning... If Team Rocket and other corporations get their hands on such a thing as that contract, rip it apart, then the end of the Earth as we know it could be approaching us. We, as the rightful-by-duty heroes, have to stand in line with the Pokemon if ever a Time should come... And I know that's hard to understand but--! Mis--I mean Misty?"

" I still don't get it..." She murmured, "You never really told me how you achieved this information. I can see Professor Oak with this but not someone like--well--you. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to insult you or anything--!"

" --No, no, I get what you mean. Well, even as a child, I could-of course-not afford to divulge the scientific theory in truth to myself. When I became an actor, and the money began to pile in by the thousands, the first thing I devoted myself to was not the wants I had, but my need. My thirst for a proposed reality. Obviously I found it. My Scientific Authorities back at the manor have been justifying certain aspects with the most sophisticated technology known to man. As you can hear, they've come up with evidence to explain my theory but--We never did get a chance to bring it to the public. That's why I decided to put it in my play, I wanted to bring to attention exactly what we may be facing. In doing so, we could prepare and learn to-perhaps-appreciate our neighboring species. Is that a bad idea?"

" No, actually, Ash, Brock, and I would gladly help. We're all well respected Pokemon Trainers-especially Ash-and we'd gladly assist you in putting together a script on how We function together in the world." Misty said eagerly.

" Well--Maybe, but I'll have to think about it." He began and upon seeing her confused expression, said, "You see, Misty, this is a sort of dream of mine... I'd rather do it on my own. Independency may make it more effective. But if need be, I'll call upon you for help."

She nodded and began to-finally-slurp up what was left of her ice cream cone. She noticed that it was rather hard to enjoy it when her head was swimming with new information. She supposed that she should tell Ash, or Professor Oak, but right now, that wasn't what Imuru wanted. So she guessed that she should wait.

" Miss Misty--I mean Misty? Shall we go? There's so much to do and so little time. After our last showing next week, the town is holding a festival and I think we should by you some new clothes just for it. What do you say?"

" Um--Sure--" She ended uncertainly, but Imuru grabbed her hand and half-carried her away down the road.

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A/N: This chapter's done, this chapter's done! Ha, ha, ha! Okay, to end the insanity, next few chapters (Yes, I'm afraid so...) Misty will probably learn all about Imuru and Rein, have a nice Team Poke-Battle, exceed the shopping spree record, and perhaps get a little kiss from the new man on the block.

AND: Okay, I know this chapter was a little confusing what with the information ladled out in large quantities to you people, but I was half-way through the chapter and noticed that where I wanted to end it was not near long enough for a whole chapter so HERE IT IS! An insane Pokemon romantic/fanatic/author's view on the creation of the human body--!