Chapter 29

Ash looked between the Professor and Gary the tension between the two obvious. Gary was barely restrained and the Professor looked between two emotions. Anger and fear.

“This is an opportunity that you can use to pursue your dreams!” Professor Oak said trying to keep his voice low.

“You mean that you want me tied to something safe and easy. No real challenge. Where is the gramps that told me to take the road less travelled.”

“Right here trying to stop his grandson from getting killed!”

“Just, what is going on here?” Dawn said slowly backing away so she could watch the two go at it. “I thought those two had the best relationship.”

“They do but.” Brock whispered. “Something serious is going down at the moment and I don’t think we should get in it.”

“Gary, there is a time and place for this.”

“Gramps you can hash this out here and now I’m not afraid but if you want to lend you opinion I’m willing to listen once you keep in your head that I’m a researcher just like you. I’m not the kid with no parents anymore gramps.” Gary sighed and raked his hair back. “I’m a researcher just like you, try to see that.”

“We should go.” Brock whispered promoting the others to move. Ash sighed as they started to slip out.

“Sorry about this guys.” Gary sighed.

“No problem, you and the professor need to have a little talk.” Tracey smiled.

“Um, Ash?” Misty said surprising Ash because she was right next to him. “Could we go somewhere? I need to talk to you.”

“Piiiiika Piiika Picha.” Pikachu squeaked before trying to leap for Misty’s shoulder. Sadly Misty caught the mouse in midair.

“I’m sorry Pikapal, but could you stay with Brock for a bit? We won’t take long.” The mouse’s face dropped and Misty squeezed him to her chest.

“Pika chuuuuu.” The mouse complained.

“I’m sorry, it’s just that I need to be alone with Ash right now.” Smiling Misty kissed the tip of Pikachu’s nose and Ash felt his heart skip.

The mouse nodded and wiggled from Misty’s grasp only to run to Brock. Misty cast a glance towards a downtrodden Gary. Gary gave a firm nod in her direction and Ash pretended not to see.

“So, um Ash?”

“Okay Misty, where do you want to go?” The look of relief on her face irritated him.

“Let’s go in the garden?” She suggested. Ash became more aware of the others watching.

“No I saw someplace that would be great. It has ice cream selling nearby.” Ash suggested to Misty’s pleasure.

“Sure.” She smiled offering her hand to him. Ash blinked before taking it. As they said goodbye to everyone he kept his gaze on Gary’s face. If any disturbed emotion had appeared he feared he would be unable to keep calm.

Mature? Reliable? Jessie was had been touting junk just like team Rocket always did. He was better than Gary and far more reliable any day. He did not even know Misty.

Walking outside with Misty Ash was aware of the others behind them on the pretence of a walk. He gritted his teeth. Just what was up with them. Surely Gary and the Professor was more interesting to watch.

But no, there they were drawing attention as they wandered along outside. Tugging Misty closer Ash quickened his step. Sneaking a look backward he saw it was a waste of time because they took the back path to the Pokémon Centre Gardens.

Good thing they really had not gone there. Starting up the street Ash was aware of Misty looking at him.

“What’s wrong Misty?”

“Nothing really Ash, Just that this is the last thing I would expect from you. You are so calm right now.” Misty sighed as she watched the street.”

“Misty?” Ash said meeting her gaze.

“Hmm?” She asked.

“Whatever it is, you can just tell me, you don’t have to hide anything.”

To Ash’s surprise and horror, tears began to form in Misty’s eyes. That was the opposite reaction he was looking for.

“Hey! Hey! No need for that!”Ash stumbled out nervously yanking his hand away so he could cup her face. “Heyyyyy everything’s fine right! Just me and you here! No need to cry!” Ash paused before thinking.

“Unless you need to cry, then I’ll be right here for you.” And keeping my gaze for away from it. Ash finished.

“No, it’s just. I feel so bad I wanted to tell you.” Misty hiccupped bringing Ash’s panic level even higher.

“Calm down a bit, I think we better wait until we get to the park.” Ash admitted. A crying girl would attract attention something Misty did not need.

“Sure, I’m sorry.” Misty whispered as he had them cross the street. It was a good thing that the park he had noticed on his way back. Secluded, perfect for their talk.

“Maybe I should go for the ice cream now.” Ash said reluctantly, before he could step away from the park bench he had sat her in Misty had seized his jacket sleeve.

“No, we can go for them afterwards. If you still want to go with me that is.” Misty said keeping her gaze low.

Ash slowly knelt so he could put his hands on her knees and he was kneeling on the ground. “Misty, that would never happen. You know that.”

“But.” She began but he stopped her by gently shaking her.

“Misty, I have manners, and you are my best friend. We have argued so much fought over the most stupid things. We’ve hurt each other so many times yet we are here today still together. What you have to say won’t change how I treat you.”

Misty finally met his eyes the tears barely held back. “When we first met up I wanted to tell you, but then I would have had to tell you about Georgio so I kept quiet thinking another way would come up. Then you found out about Georgio and you were so mad and disappointed.” Misty whispered, Ash nodded in agreement.

“It’s such a long story, I mean you know about the gym being successful. You know I’ve gotten stronger that I’m doing well. But I did not want to tell you the other stuff.” Her voice hoarse Misty tried to break his gaze but Ash gently grasped her chin to make her look at him.

“We’ve gotten this far Mist, just tell me.”

“At first it was so good you know? The trainers the practice trying to become better and showing them about how great Water Pokémon could be. But then, it was like the trainers were becoming so weak. At first I thought it was because they were not putting in the effort. So I held classes and gave helpful instructions. Then it started to get worse. I was winning with hardly any effort at all and these were seasoned trainers with at least six badges on them.”

Misty paused to wipe the tears away. “That’s when people started to take the gym and us seriously. My sisters were still doing their little things but the spotlight was on me now. So I trained harder. Helped them out with the few shows they wanted me to do and in the rankings we moved up.”

Sighing Misty grasped Ash’s hands in hers. “Finally we were not only being taken seriously but we had risen to the top rankings. Then Lance came to visit.”

Ash froze, something about this told him it was going to go downhill from here. Her tone and the way she was almost pleading with him to understand warned him bad news were ahead.

“He came on league orders.” Misty whispered. “I was too strong, my gym and my Pokémon were too strong. I had to give them at least a fighting chance. So I obeyed and made a game out of it. The trainer would choose which Pokémon they would battle. It worked, this way I was on my toes. More trainers managed to get badges and I worked even harder. Then trainers had to battle me at least twice to win. I was feeling powerful. Then Lance and the Elite Four came.”

Ash looked at Misty’s face which was tight with the strain. Nothing so far seemed out of place. Squeezing her hand in comfort he waited for more.

“They told me they wanted to meet up with me on a meeting. I agreed and on the date they said I turned up had the gym closed and waited. But I was not there alone. Gary was there too.”

Ash felt himself subtly tense. This was unexpected but not unforgivable. What could be making her shake and cry. Was it a girl thing to make absolutely no sense?

“Gary was confused just like me, then Lance started talking about the changes in Kanto. He offered Gary the chance to run Viridian’s City Gym.”

Ash was unable to conceal his shock. Gary? A gym leader? Well that explained why the two of them were always talking the puffed up Quillfish thought he could get lessons from one of the best. Smiling Ash looked up at Misty. So that was it? Girls really were stupid.

“Then they offered me a chance to join the Elite Four.” Misty whispered effectively freezing Ash.

Wait. Did he hear right? Misty a member of the Elite Four? Grinning broadly he tugged her down into his arms.

“What? Misty! That’s so wonderful! Congrats!” Ash pulled them both backward so he was lying on the ground and Misty to regain balance ended up straddling him. knocking his head back on the concrete Ash started thinking.

“I always knew you were great but this is just awesome. You can really show off Water Pokémon Misty. You always said people never paid attention to them and now you can prove them wrong. Isn’t it awesome?” Ash stopped when he felt Misty push a hand against his chest.

“Isn’t that what you want Misty?”

“It’s wonderful. Both Gary and I are flattered you know? But we have something we love doing already!”

Looking up at Misty Ash racked his brains. “You love the gym. And if you were to leave it, I would have to close right?” Ash said beginning to get the picture. How long had Misty suffered with such an agony?

She could either close the gym for good and better herself by becoming Elite. Or she could remain and pray that she did not become too bored or too strong. It already sounded like she was too strong now.

“Sometimes at the gym I get lucky and a real cocky one wants to battle my best so the others get a real gruelling battle. But the others look for easy ones they can easily take down. I’m constanly training everyone but they can’t find their true potential because most of them are battling weak trainers. So I switch it up and try to make battles interesting for the Pokémon but it gets harder because everyone is not on par so I have to battle my Pokémon against each other! Beautiful but its so sad that that is the only way for my Pokémon to get a good workout!”

Underneath Misty, Ash noticed she was beginning to panic and ramble. She must have been bottling it all up for so long. Her worries and the guilt. Towards her Pokémon and her gym.

Sitting up he captured her hands in one of his and silenced her by pressing a finger to her mouth. Misty fell silent immediately even though her eyes were anything but calm.

“Take a deep breath Misty. Now think. Do you and your Pokémon love working in the gym?”

Misty looked ready to burst into tears but she nodded quickly her lips trembling beneath his finger. Ash grinned.

“Do you love being a gym leader?” Another fast pace nod.

“Do you prefer battling just a few trainers in the Elite Four for your Pokémon or do you want to battle every trainer out there?”

Misty shook away his finger. “I want to show every trainer out there just how wonderful Water Pokémon is. I want every trainer who wants to become champion to taste it!”

Ash smiled lazily. “Then what are you panicking for? You know there are trainers like me that prefer the hard battles. Why? Because when we finally win it feels so sweet. For a moment there you were like your sisters. Don’t be giving away those badges Misty. Make them earn it!”

Misty flung her arms around his neck. “Oh Ash.” She whispered into his shoulder. Ash rubbed her back fighting away his smile. She really was stupid as if he would hate her or not want to talk to her. Now he just wanted to celebrate.

A crunching of gravel had him looking up. He then saw two men frozen on the path giving both of them scandalized looks. Freezing himself Ash struggled to sit up further.

“Hi there.” Ash offered.

Misty gasped before swinging around to see the two men. Pushing away from Ash she made desperate gestures.

“This is not what it looks like!” She protested

One of the men turned to the other. “They need to make this place less secluded. I mean it’s not even night.”

Misty cried out in shock when shaking their heads the men retraced their steps back down the path.

“Wait I just said it’s not what it looked like!” She said to their retreating back. Sitting back in a huff she proceeded to climb off him all signs of weepy Misty gone.

“Let’s leave, before those men with the wrong idea call Officer Jenny and have us arrested.” She sighed offering him her hand. Grinning Ash rolled to his feet without assistance. At least she was happier now.

“Ready to back? I’m thinking we could grab so ice cream and maybe a snack. Some chocolate, chips maybe something fluffy.”

“Or a hamburger.” Misty dryly replied. “That’s what you want a hamburger. I say lets go back to the centre.”

Shrugging his hands into his pockets Ash sighed loudly. “I would have liked ice cream too.” He groaned.

“Later, I want to go back. The rest deserve at the least an explanation.” Misty said dusting herself off. Ash looked elsewhere, the one that needed to do the dusting was him. he was the one flat out on his back when she was on top of him. Girls.

Misty gave a last glance to their surrounding before they started off for the centre. “This is such a nice place.”

“It’s just the outskirts really.” Ash admitted. “The real park is inside much further down the path, leads out pretty close to Team Rockets place.”

“How do you know? We were just here last night.”

“I ran into them this morning when I went for a walk. Still weird as last time but they want to do something for your birthday too.”

“I don’t know if to be scared, keep my expectations low or to be happy.” Misty laughed spreading her arms wide. “It feels like a dream.”

“It’s all real though.” Ash said as they made their dash across the road. To think he was worried over this. How pathetic. There was no way Misty had such a big secret with Gary. So what if he was offered the opportunity to become a gym leader. He was nowhere near the level Misty was on.

Gary had left the training world. He had said so himself, if he wanted to go back now it was okay. Closing his eyes in realization Ash’s step slowed. This was what Professor Oak wanted to talk about. He most likely wanted Gary to pick the gym leader life.

Gary being Gary would have refused the job. Gary loved researching. He did have a dangerous job ahead of him. Ash was not blind to that but it seemed to him that Professor Oak never had a problem until now. So what else had changed?

“Misty. That’s it now right? Nothing else drastic you need to tell me you are holding back.”

“I think that’s it. Nothing else important unless you count how weirdly popular I am back home. Nobody as forceful as Georgio or anything but it has made me pause a time or two.” Misty laughed.

Smiling Ash sighed in relief. He could finally relax. “About Ritchie.” He began.

“I’ve seen him only a few times, he even went pallet town a time or two. Somehow he keeps missing you. You’ll see him again someday Ash.” Misty said as they reached the Pokémon Centre.

“Everyone is most likely in the back.” Ash started. “Maybe we should go?”

“Um, lets just go inside.” Misty offered. “I want to get my egg from Nurse Joy anyway.

Doing a mental fist pump Ash entered the lobby with a smile on his face. Only to see the others gathered around Gary and Professor Oak.

“Tell him yet Red?” Gary called as a greeting. Misty gave a nod in reply and Gary let out a relieved sigh. “Finally, told you it was okay.”

“Everything is clear on this end too for now.” Professor Oak volunteered. “I just can’t get my headstrong grandson to veer off his path. Just like you Ash.” Ash grinned at the compliment.

“I don’t think it was a compliment.” Misty whispered to him. Ash ignored her.

“So what now?” Iris asked. “First off it was a whole lot of drama before we even got at the food.”

“Introductions?” Ash offered while Cilan shook his head.

“Already taken care of.”

“Thank you Nurse Joy.” Misty smiled making Ash turn around to see her take the egg back.

“Well I guess we could just hang about.” Ash remarked as Pikachu leapt from Brock’s shoulder to Misty’s. Sighing at the display, Ash pretended not to see the sharp look Professor Oak gave him.

“How about we go shopping?” Dawn offered to hear Gary groan. “This place has tons of stores it would be fun to just look around.

“I’d rather not at the moment.” Drew said looking withdrawn.

“I’ll pass.” Max said looking up at Paul. “Him too, we don’t have time to be holding bags and stuff while you buy the town.”

“I like his kid.” Drew laughed exchanging high fives with Max.

“Oh!” Misty gasped bringing attention to her. She stood frozen as the egg grew an astonishing bright white colour.

“It’s time. Finally.” Brock laughed. Nurse Joy came forward.

“Okay, quickly this way! Chansey!” Nurse Joy instructed. Trooping down the corridor Brock stopped them from entering with Misty so the door swung shut.

“I thought it would be tomorrow but I guess everything considering it’s better this way.” Brock sighed. Ash tried to sneak past but Brock stopped him.

“You can go in a bit Ash. Just give them some time to get everything ready. If anything Chansey should come rushing out for towels and stuff any minute.”

True to his word the door flew open and Chansey hustled out making a beeline for the storage closet. Yanking the door open Chansey yanked a pile of towels out and hustled straight back in.

“What a display.” Gary sighed as he made for the door. “Those who know the truth will keep our calm right?”

“Agreed.” Brock said.

“Agreed.” Professor Oak said. “But I never get over seeing a Pokémon hatch. It touches me every time.”

“Me too.” Gary admitted. “Having it hatch is like the most special moment to me.”

“Brings me near to tears each time.”

“Something that has to be documented because it is never the same.” Tracey put in as they walked into the room.

“It won’t be long now.” Nurse Joy said as she and Misty stood by the egg that was still glowing. From moment to moment the egg would rock making Misty gasp each time.

“I almost never thought this would happen. It’s so cute! And amazing!”

“Look whose all excited.” Daisy laughed softly brining attention to her.

“You aren’t?” Cilan asked.

“Like no way, I’m a professional I don’t cry over this stuff.”

“She has tissues on the standby.” Tracey informed Cilan making the others laugh and Daisy punch him lightly.

“What kind of gentleman like are you Tracey?” Daisy said yanking his hand.

“Um, I don’t know.”

“Well like I do! One that would like oh my gosh be totally mean.”

Snorting with laughter Tracey admitted defeat. “Yes ma’am.”

“Go Tracey.” Brock mumbled.

“I agree with that one. Tracey has character.” Max said fixing his glasses.

“Standing tall for his beliefs.” Gary nodded.

“The helpful Pokémon, that’s our Tracey.” Professor Oak put in making them all exchange smirks.

“Come on now.” Tracey complained. “Now I’m a Pokémon? Being nice has almost no benefits at all does it.” He sighed trying to pull away from Daisy.

“There’s one! Me!” Daisy laughed.

Gary swallowed loudly. “Say nothing, say nothing.” He mumbled.

“A few more minutes and you can meet your new Pokémon.” Nurse Joy said as she used her stethoscope. Misty squealed in happiness.

Brock took that moment to nudge them towards the door and outside the room again.

“You better have a good reason for that one Brock.” May complained.

“Look Misty is going to have a rough time for a bit so it’s best to give her some privacy for after it hatches.” Brock admitted to Professor Oak’s nodded approval.

“I’d go so far to say, let us make ourselves scarce.” Professor Oak offered receiving gasps of dismay.

“But why? What could be so terrible?” Dawn demanded.

“Instead of wondering what, try to wonder where I got the egg from. If you do.” Brock sighed. “Then you just might be able to figure out why Misty is going to need some time.

“Where did you get it from?” Iris asked. Brock looked at the wall for a few seconds before answering.

“I had a dream. In it I was still travelling with Ash and May. It was not a bad dream, I was just there doing my thing. Then Misty came to visit. The stuff that happened back then happened again in the dream and I was just there seeing Misty devastated without Togepi.”

May gasped loudly along with Max. At least they had an idea what was going. Ash was fairly certain what Brock’s next words were going to be.

“Then I was just there in the background as Ash tried to cheer up Misty. Then I was watching it from far away. Like it was on screen. Then I saw Togetic.”

Closing his eyes, Ash tried to calm his heart. He had a sneaking suspicion when he saw the egg. More so when he saw the way Brock spoke about it. But had it been the right thing to do?

“Togetic told me in images that it missed Misty. But it had a job to do. But it kept watch over Misty.” Brock continued. “I asked what I was to do and Togetic showed me it had found a mate. I thought it was a message I was to pass on, but when I woke up. An egg was right next to me.”

“Is that even possible?” Iris breathed amazed.

“He brought the matter to me and having it proved that somehow it is possible.” Professor Oak laughed. “Somehow it happened I’m still conducting studies on the whole theory.”

“Wait, so you are telling me.” Max said slowly. “That the egg in there is going to hatch into, you know what and Misty has not one clue.”

“That is why I say give her time.” Gary said.

Turning away Ash turned back for the door. “I’m going back.” He said.

“Ash.” Brock said drawing his gaze. “You are the exception. “She is going to need you more than us right now. She is going to be happy, hysterical and sad. It’s okay to tell her where the egg came from.”

Nodding Ash gritted his teeth and went back into the room. The sound of cracking stopped him as the light grew brighter and brighter.

“Finally! Come here little darling!” Misty laughed as she crouched down in front of the egg. Nurse Joy slowly backed away with Chansey out of sight. Ash knew why, it was so that the Pokémon that hatched would immediately bond with the person it first saw. Misty.

The light began to slowly dim and the shadow of the Pokémon began to be revealed. That egg like body with the spiked head. If Misty had been thinking clearly she would have seen it too.

“Finally I get to meet you.” Misty smiled as the light finally died away to reveal the newly hatched Pokémon. Misty froze, Nurse Joy turned away and the Pokémon eyed her curiously.

Waving it’s little arms, Ash watched as the Pokémon tried to roll to its feet and inspect the person in front of it.

“Toki?” The new born Togepi asked.