Miss Discovery!

By: Chibi-Suiko

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Ash: 15

Misty: 16

Brock: 19

Imuru: 17

Evette: 20

Mr. Gerou: 31

 

A/N: Another one of my rare authors' notes, and like I said before, you shouldn't expect these often. Anyway, I'm proud to say that this is one of my best running fics ever and thanks to all those who've reviewed so far. I'm so glad that people have taken an interest in my work and I'm even earning some new fans! Nothing could make me happier... Accept maybe a million dollars, but for now, this'll work.

PS: ALSO, please don't kill me for this chapter! I swear that it'll be AAMRN (What else do I write) so there's nothing wrong with the plot. Next chapter you'll find out how well this worked for Ash and Misty's relationship. But that's all I'm gonna say for now besides FORGIVE ME!!!

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Last Time on Miss Discovery: Misty was caught up at the beach, trying to find a suitable member for her side in a Team Pokemon Battle. When she learned that only tourists inhabited the area (Which is typical, believe me), she thought all hope was lost. It rose once again, however, when the familiar voice of Imuru caught her ears. She held victory for the first round but after a stunning upset by her opponent, she found herself down, with only one Pokemon left. She had thought of all her choices and, in the end, chosen Psyduck as her last help. This came luckily as the skies bright sunshine pealed away. Her adversary held two, which were quickly knocked out after Misty gave him permission to beat Psyduck until it had a large enough headache to work with. After her win, she caught up with Imuru who proposed that they take a seat and discuss what he must have known that she's found out. Ash has been looking this way and that for her too, and caught sight of the two of them just as they were heading in the opposite direction of the crowd. He lost track of them in the mess but will he find them again..?

***

Chapter Seven: Kiss

***

As the male actor came in her direction, she heard the cries of the fallen trainer but didn't bother to look back when the older boy lead her away. Now thoroughly confused, she shoved his hands off her shoulders and turned around to face him just in time for him to say, "Maybe we should talk..."

" Hey-Hey! Misty! You, Pretty-Boy! Listen to me!" Ash shouted hopelessly from the other side of the crowd but left it at that. After all, he'd only come to be sure that she was okay, right? And knowing that now, he could easily go back to the manor and wait for her...

Oh, who was he kidding?! There was no way that he'd leave her alone with that guy for a moment longer than was needed. At least, not without supervision.

That's it, there is no way he's getting away with this. He's stealing my best friend and ruining my life at the same time! I can't stand what he's doing to me! I'm going to be sure that he doesn't get away with any of it... Ash thought and turned to follow in their direction, Now I just have to find them again...

And he ran through the crowd muttering something inaudible that sounded very much like, "Stupid... Stupid... Stupid..!"

***

She was led away from the sea shore and down the street to a small cafe near the entrance to the wood. It was a lot quieter here, obviously because most people weren't in the mood to leave yet. This meant that she'd be able to hear every horribly detailed word about Imuru and Rein's life together. But at least she'd get some answers to everything. She was tired of being the only one caught out on a limb.

" Why are we here?" She asked, her head in her palm. She really didn't want to know. Though it would be horrible if he was going to kick her to the curb and tell her to leave town. Could that be why they were so close to the edge of the city?

She couldn't see how Imuru would do that to her. Sure, he did lie about his relationship with his co-star, and he did try and act like a sweetheart when he got his way, and he did offer to take her away from her friends so that she didn't get to see them all week... Now that she thought about it, he wasn't very much of a gentleman at all. Was the whole thing a set-up to trick her into embarrassing herself all over town, just like Ash had said?

Maybe he was smart...

" Listen, Miss-I mean, Misty-I know what you've heard..." He started and she looked up to hear what he had to say, "And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to tell you so badly and that's why I took you to that shopping center. The billboard you saw was right on top the shop we went to, right?" He asked and she nodded, "I intentionally took you there so that you'd find out. I wanted you to know but, for something like this, there's really no easy way to say it. That's why I thought the easiest way to let out the truth would be for you to see it yourself."

She was still confused though this seemed to clear up everything, "So, what about now? You don't need me if you have her. I don't like being left out of everything so if this is all you have to get across, and she's back in your life, and you two are going to put these shows together, then what do you need me for, right? Maybe I should go--"

" --No! That's not what I'm trying to say. I wanted you to know this so that there would be nothing holding you back when we did the most intimate shots of the production."

" Why?!"

" Because she and I were on different levels in the relationship, I wanted it ended. That's why she disappeared so recently. She was angry with my decision and wanted nothing to do with me. So she left. But I know she'll be back. She just needs a little time to herself so that she can adjust to being without what we had. Nothing would keep her away from acting, she just loves it too much." He smiled, as if in fond memory and Misty looked away.

" You still sound like you love her." She grinned sadly and embarrassedly, hating that it mattered to her.

" And I do..." She looked at him, "Just not romantically. She was always getting into little mishaps. She had this natural mischievous urge in her. She was a little, how do you say, hyperactive. And it was kind of funny at first but after a while, her problems got more troubling. In the end I told her that if she wasn't willing to change then it was over. She didn't even answer, just packed her things and left. I wasn't willing to stop her. I figured that she deserved the time alone."

" But then, how come you've been so thoughtful of me if she's still in the picture?" Misty asked.

" When I first saw you, I thought that you were her. But your face, your eyes above all, were different. They looked confused, and bright, and new. Rein was too familiar with publicity to act that way in front of a huge crowd. She always tended to... Melt into it."

" So... what do you think of me?" Misty asked, wanting to know if it was only because she looked like Her.

" I think that you're very beautiful, interesting, and talented. I was surprised at how fast you dealt with that fool on the beach. To an average trainer, he would've been a lot harder to handle."

She knew that he was complimenting her but she still felt that he wasn't saying what she wanted to hear. She was positive that he could tell because he asked her about it next.

" You want to hear it, don't you?" He asked with a polite grin. She shrugged, trying to get across that she didn't understand what he meant when he said that, "Very well, I'll tell you then. You are a very intriguing person and I find myself... Attracted to you." He grinned again and her eyes lit up. She hadn't known that she wanted to hear that so badly.

" You do? Wh-what do you mean?" She asked, "In what way?"

" Come with me and I'll show you..." And he took her by the hand and showed her towards the wood. Had he planned this all along?

" Where are we going?"

" We're going to my special place. I want to show you how important you are to me by taking you there."

They were in such a hurry that Misty hadn't even noticed that she'd forgotten her bag on the table. Only about a moment later, though, Ash climbed out from the smaller crowd, breathed deep, and looked again for his friend. He was shocked to find her Pokemon strewn out on the cafe table top and immediately helped himself to her belongings, placing them inside her pack again and looking for her. When she wasn't in sight, he almost lost hope until he looked to the ground and saw light foot prints in the dirt.

They headed off into the forest?! What the heck is she thinking?! Ash thought to himself and followed after them the best that he could. He never noticed the red headed, aqua eyed teenager following him.

***

She was led up a flight of wooden stairs and around the cherry bushes until the two of them had reached a small patio overlooking the gracious town. All of the figures looked like nothing but minuscule dots to her now and she could hardly tell one person from another. To say the least, she enjoyed the view. Especially the sky.

It was nearing nightfall now, just after six, the sky was grey, but the sun still shone. Obviously God had thought it only fair to let her have her time with the guy she so strongly liked. She was greatly pleased with the time they spent alone together as well. It certainly made her feel... Unique.

After all, she'd always been known as the runt of the family. Always been downsized compared to her sisters. Always mocked for not being the best dressed, or the best groomed, or the most dated, or the most experienced in the kissing range... If she were to tell her family that she was in the middle of a 'date' with an international Theatrical, let alone a very cute international Theatrical, she'd finally have gotten the better of them. She'd finally be one up on her sorry excuses for siblings.

It was a very tempting phone call away but she decided against it.

It was too enjoyable, just watching the sunset with this wonderful dream of a man. To realize just how much he thought of her. To feel the kiss of the wind right in her hair. It all just seemed so... Perfect. And there was no other person she'd rather be with right now. Except...

She looked up into the deep green eyes of the adoring man next to her. It was all just too good to be true. And it really was because, in the very back of her mind, a pulsing came that told her she was thinking of something else at the time, or, rather, someone else. She had no idea why he'd popped into her head all of the sudden. She'd never worried about him before when with another man.

And yet, now, when things seemed most serious between the two of them, he just sprung up like blossoms in June. She didn't know how to get him out of her head but she hoped that he wouldn't ruin the moment...

***

" When I find Him I swear that he'll regret what he's doing. Nobody has the right to ruin my life... Nobody has the right to take my friends away... Nobody has the right to make my friend fall in love with them..." Ash muttered, climbing a dust-covered set of wooden stairs. His patience was dwindling over the present matter and he could tell that someone was following him at a distance though he didn't know or care who it was anyway.

Reaching the top he saw a few pathways. One of them was larger than the other so he took that, positive that it'd lead him to where Misty and Imuru were sharing their time. It was more widely cut but he still had some problems getting through it. His anger peaking, Ash threw the over-grown branches out of the way and clambered past, almost tripping on a few roots.

Someone had obviously purposely carved this small gateway out, probably using it to get away from the public. He could only think of one person at the moment who'd have any reason to run away from the people in town. Someone who would definitely catch their eye...

That Dumbass, Pretty-boy Imuru... He's probably trying to seduce Misty right now! I better hurry up... And he began jumping the tree roots and brush three at once.

The figure behind him decided it easier to take the high route and so they pulled out a Pokeball and threw it into the air. Ash didn't notice, his anger clouding his Pokemon senses, and so the person figured it safe to climb on its friends back. The Pidgeot flew swiftly over the fifteen year old boy and made its way up top.

Ash wished he had someone to talk to, preferably someone who didn't have the ability to talk back and give their idea of the problem. Pikachu would do some major good right now but, unfortunately, he was back at the Hotel, sleeping his excess amounts of ketchup off. He should have known that he'd need that friend of his just when he was out cold.

And the worst part about being in this town was that nobody so far had heard of his greatness. Nobody had challenged him to a Pokemon Battle. How come Misty was getting so much attention?! Even Brock was getting more attention than him..! That couldn't be right, He was the hero! Everybody was supposed to salute the hero first, not avoid him! It wasn't fair... But then, he recalled the words that Brock had spoke...

" ...You've gotten pretty much every major break in everything. You hog the glory of victory matches in the Gym and outside, you always tend to the needs of others and end up getting prizes like Pokemon eggs, you-are-always-the-hero! Give someone else a shot! Misty is the most neglected person I can think of right now! Let her have a chance to do what she pleases..!"

But now, because of him letting Misty do what she pleased, he was the neglected one... And he suddenly knew how it felt to her.

Like when Larvitar had hatched, when the group was leaving the Jhoto town, Ash recalled Misty giving him a 'look' because the Pokemon had taken such a liking to him but trembled at the sight of her. It must have really upset her for her to give him such a horrid face.

But then, he'd felt the same way when Misty had peeked the first look at Togepi after it hatched and, because of her pushing Him and Brock out of the way, the baby had looked to her as its mother. And after he'd been the one to find such a rarity--!

Neither the hero nor the center of attention, he stomped dejectedly forward. At least Imuru was an easy way to vent his anger...

***

" Wow, Imuru..! Look at that sunset... It's so beautiful. You don't know how many times I've wanted to be in a place like this with a person like you..." Misty sighed and leaned on the older man's shoulder. He smiled down at her and put his arm around her middle.

" I'm glad you like it. I brought you here because I was sure that you would. You know..." He began, "...You, Misty Waterflower, are so compatible with me. And I think I love you for that..."

There was no point in denying that she liked his wording. And there was no point in denying that she felt the same way. It was strange, she hadn't noticed before now that he felt so right to her. She felt no regret at the moment for straying away from her friends in order to be with the perfect guy.

" Miss-Misty?" He asked in what sounded like an embarrassed tone, "I-I have something to ask of you..."

She looked into his bright eyes, into his flushed cheeks, and blushed, herself... It was like she all ready knew what he had to say, "...Hmmm?"

" I-I'd like to be given permission to kiss you..." He murmured and knelt his head to his neck, making it look like the ground was very interesting to him.

She didn't know what to say, no guy had ever been so formal with her. Of course, hardly any guy had ever wanted to kiss her before, either.

Not knowing of any way to word her reply, she nodded numbly and watched as his face stooped lower to her own. At that moment, a feeling like no other rushed through her and she melted into the moment, and into him...

She loved the feeling of being wanted. She'd never really felt it before but she knew now that she'd been yearning for it ever since she could remember.

Not hearing the trees behind her sway, she took no notice of the shocked face of her best friend until it was too late.

The figure that had followed after Ash stood high in the trees, just as silent as the fifteen year old companion.

As for Misty, she had no idea what to say. She never thought that it would effect her so badly if either of her friends had caught her kissing someone. Now that Ash stood right in front of her, wearing a look that clearly stated he'd seen everything that there was to see, it was even harder to come up with an answer to the problem.

" Uh--Ash--"

" --I-I can't believe it... I'm not seeing this." He stated and shook his head, obviously trying to convince himself that it wasn't real, "--YOU JERK--!" He shouted and pointed at Imuru's miserable looking face, his resolve broken, "I-I can't believe that you kissed her--?! And-And--!" Without even finishing what he had to say, he tore back down the way he'd come, his horrible hat-hair all that Misty had seen before he disappeared completely.

She pulled away from Imuru and explained to him the major harm that they'd just accidentally caused, "I-I'm sorry but I've really gotta go and set things straight with-with Ash... I promise that I'll see you back at the Hotel..!" And with that, she flew (Metaphor) after her young accomplice.

Imuru sighed, he'd never wanted this to happen... But being busted didn't eradicate the fact that he still felt he deeply cared for the red-head, maybe even loved her.

Unnoticed, the figure up in the swaying trees had mysteriously vanished...

***

Before reaching town again, Ash had thrown Misty's bag to the forest floor, tempted to crush it and everything that was inside. Instead he ignored any further temptation and strode ahead, trying to forget everything he'd clearly seen that day.

He was beyond angry. Imuru had no right to kiss his best friend. He couldn't believe it, how much worse could it get?

" Kid! Hey Kid!" Came a female voice and he turned to see the brilliantly shaded orange-red haired teen running up to him.

He looked away and tried to ignore her continuous shouts. Had she forgotten his name or something? She grabbed his shoulder and he whirled around.

" God Damn--! What is it?!" He shouted at her face.

She seemed puzzled and upset at his tone and pitch but nevertheless made a nab at conversation anyway, "Hey, don't act like a stranger! Don't you know who I am?" She said in an oddly chipper voice. At least, it was odd when coming from someone who'd just got done double-crossing him.

" Sure, you're my best friend who just got done kissing another guy." She remained silent and he took that as consent to make his leave, "Goodbye." He stated simply and began to walk away.

" Look, Kid. I don't know when we became friends..." And he stopped in his tracks, "But I just wanted to know a few things..." And she saw him turn around with an expression of shock on his face.

" Let me guess..." He began, "...Rein, right..?"

***

Misty, meanwhile, was near her breaking point. She'd been looking for him for at least what felt like ten minutes and all ready, she felt the need to just collapse and break down.

Startled at her own strength of emotion towards her young friend, she leaned against an aging oak, feeling tears spring to her eyes...

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A/N: An unusual ending to this chapter, yes, but I'm very much pleased with it. If you liked it as well, review so that I start to feel all warm and fluffy inside. I hope to hear lots and lots of positive feedback. Thanx to you all!

** Note: About the Ash-being-neglected thing, yeah, that'll end later on. He and Imuru will get a little interactive with each other when the situation becomes more serious. Won't say any more to you now but a privileged few will have the ability to obtain secret info if they ask kindly and I feel like dispensing it. Any confusion, you let me know..!

 

Shout-out's, all right... What to say, who to congratulate? Well myself, naturally, but among you..? Hmmm... Let's see, shall we?

 

Schillok: First, I'm sorry if I got your name wrong; it's not one I see often... **Sweatdrop**... Second of all, thanks for reviewing my 'Misty-Centered-fic', which isn't exactly what I was going for but I, too, am getting tired of her being the third wheel. Also, I'd like to thank you for liking my character, Imuru. I've been told more than once (By my best friend, no less) that he should be ripped apart and thrown down. I'm glad at least someone notices that he isn't--How do you say?--Evil. But, I'll tell you know to lessen the blow, that this will be an AAMRN, not a Misty/OC fic, so if that upsets you, than feel free to drop out of the reading. And maybe I'll take a look at your work... Yes, maybe...

Amber Myst: Well, I'm thankful you read up to chapter three, yet saddened that you stopped there and didn't return to finish like you said you would. Maybe posting a new chapter will renew your interest? Anyway, try and look into the continuation, all right???

 

Okay, to the rest of you... Like I always say, review and maybe you'll be shouted at. In a good way. Yeah, anyway, I'm gonna repeat to you now: Don't flame me because of what happened here, all right? This whole thing will work itself out in the next chapter... Kind of... Anyway, it strengthens Ash and Misty's relationship and causes him to admit something! Something reeeaaaaaally good, I'm tell you now!!!

Anyway, thanks for looking into my work and goodbye for now friends/fans from the digits!

-- Chibi-Suiko