Chapter 34: Emma Used Reversal!

Emma

Anthony leaned forward, using his hands to tiredly support his face. "Why would you be so careless?"

"Do you not care if we get back?" Amanda bristled from besides Anthony. "You could have ruined everything."

We were sitting in the room the guys were using. Daniel and I sat opposite of Amanda and Anthony. Their stance reminded me of how this probably pushed them over the edge enough to leave us the second we got back to the present. And I knew what side I took, even if it made no sense. Even if it messed up our friendships.

"Hey," I said defensively. "What's done is done. We can't change what happened so take it easy on him. We need to be thinking about how to go about this now instead."

Daniel relaxed next to me. Honestly, he looked like a Lillipup getting scolded this whole time and I couldn't take it. Not when he sincerely felt bad. But it was more than that. And I could tell Amanda knew by the way she was looking at me.

"Fine," her voice was steely. "Then how are we going to fix his mess?"

I looked down at my lap. "Amanda, I'm really sorry about not being a good friend."

Silence. "Wait, what?"

"I heard you talking earlier with Anthony. And maybe it's not a good time, but I wanted to tell you that I know I haven't been a good friend. And I'm sorry for always fighting with Daniel and not giving you much attention. Or being there. Or listening to you." I took a deep breath. "Same goes for you, Anthony. Even if you don't travel with us all the time. You deserve more attention. We should be better friends. And that's my fault."

"It's my fault too," Daniel said. "I get so caught up in teasing Emma or being distracted that I don't treat either of you very well. I wish you both felt comfortable enough to tell us if we're really bothering you and tell us what we need to fix."

The only sound was the clock on the wall ticking.

"Daniel, I can't tell you how much you drive me insane," Anthony said quietly, resting his chin on his fists. "You make everything complicated by trying to have fun. You always get me into trouble. You constantly make me question why I continue to go along with your harebrained schemes.

"And yet you have always been the only friend in my life that has continually reached out and encouraged me. You're open about your struggles. You're humble when you do mess up and, believe me, you mess up a lot." Anthony's eyes flashed jokingly. "So despite all your faults, you still are a good friend. And I need to get over myself and actually communicate to you if you're being insufferable."

"The same goes for you, Emma," Amanda said. "I always feel like I can't tell you what's going on since I'm not very confrontational. Not like you."

Daniel snorted. I ignored him.

Amanda fidgeted with her hands. "So yeah. It's ok. But I really would like if we talked more and Anthony and I were both included."

"So... is everything good now?"

"You mean besides the whole 'Daniel might have ruined the time stream' dilemma?" Anthony asked, making Daniel cringe in guilt. "It appears so."

"And we're still going to travel together after all this?" Daniel asked warily.

"If we get back, that is," Amanda corrected, shooting him a warning look.

"Perfect," I said, leaning back in the chair, sighing in relief.

"Does anyone have ideas about what to do with Misty?" Amanda asked.

"Yeah. Never tell her fortune again," Daniel said firmly.

Anthony leaned forward and flicked him, causing him to yelp. "How's my communication now?"

"Super effective." Daniel rubbed the spot.

We decided that Misty most likely wasn't going to tell Brock or Ash that we were from the future. Or at least leave out the fact that I was her child and that she marries Ash. She had way too much pride to do that. Still, there was the problem of not knowing what she would eventually do once all the new information had time to process. Which meant someone, not me or Daniel, should probably talk to her about all the future stuff. Because apparently we couldn't be trusted to do it. Not that I was too keen to let Daniel near my mom or even see her after she said I wasn't a good daughter. It still stung.

Before dinner, Amanda went looking for Misty, but couldn't find her. She sat down at the table with us, shrugging her shoulders and eating her food slowly in worry.

"Hey Ash, have you seen Misty?" I asked, watching him try to stuff an entire hamburger into his mouth.

After a good thirty seconds of chewing, he said, "Yeah. I walked her back here this afternoon, so she should be around."

"Where were you guys?"

He shrugged. "Just walking."

His eyes didn't look at mine and I knew he was at least partly lying, but I decided not to say anything.

"Have you seen her, Brock?" Anthony asked.

"No. I was reorganizing the library for Nurse Joy. It was a mess and the poor woman has enough work as it is. Do you know how many people put them back on the shelf in the wrong places? It's an audacity. Nurses shouldn't have to put up with that." He seemed very passionate about cleaning libraries all of a sudden.

Daniel leaned closer and murmured, "I can go try and find her."

"You shouldn't."

Ash looked up suddenly. "Hey Misty. How are you doing?"

Misty stood behind me and Daniel, making me cringe. "Pretty good. You're eating all the food, aren't you?"

"I saved you some," he said airily before eating a handful of fries.

Misty sat down by Amanda, who didn't seem sure of how to act. "Hi Misty."

"Hi," Misty said coolly. I noticed she wouldn't look in our direction despite sitting right across from us. "So, Amanda."

"Yes?"

"Where are you from again?" Misty asked.

"Um. Cerulean City."

"Interesting. From where exactly?"

"From the southern outskirts."

"I didn't know there were houses over there."

"There are." Amanda fidgeted with her fork.

"I guess it's a new development."

"Something like that," Amanda said quietly.

Misty turned to Anthony next. "And your name is actually Anthony?"

"Yes." He looked at her straight on, as if daring her to continue.

"And you're from Unova?"

"You already know this."

"I'm just making sure my information is true." Misty bit angrily into her hamburger.

"You guys ok?" Ash asked. "Misty, what's up?"

My heart was beating too fast. Really, right now she was going to tell him? Reveal our secret?

"I'm just finding out more about our friends. Have you ever heard of Unova, Ash?"

"No. But I haven't heard of a lot of things, so it's not a big deal."

"Sounds futuristic, doesn't it?"

I gritted my teeth. Really, mom? You're going to be childish? I didn't care if she was a kid still. I thought she was more mature than this. I looked over to see how Daniel was reacting, but he was drinking his water like there was no tomorrow and not seeming to pay attention to the explosion that was about to happen and destroy us.

"I guess." Ash shrugged.

"Are you excited to see Celebi, Ash?" Misty asked.

"Of course. It's not every day we get to see him."

"Why are we going again?"

Daniel picked up the pitcher of water on the table.

"Because of their friends. From the future? From somewhere... wait, where are they again?"

Misty put down her hamburger determinedly. "Actually, Ash, the time travelers-"

Daniel's hand slipped from the pitcher, causing it to fly at Misty, who screamed as water soaked her.

"Oh, my bad!" he exclaimed, standing up quickly.

Amanda grabbed napkins and started cleaning up the water on the table while Ash watched Misty get red with anger, his mouth open in surprise.

"Take her to get cleaned up," Daniel muttered to me as he went to get more napkins.

Oh. Wow. That had been planned? He was smarter than I thought.

"Here Misty, I'll help you out." I forced my arm through hers and practically dragged her down the hall.

"Let go of me! Let go!" Misty hissed under her breath.

I did once we were far enough away, down a few halls.

"What was that!?" She ripped her arm out from mine as if it burned to touch me.

"You can't just tell Ash we're from the future!" I exclaimed. "Do you know what would happen if he found out everything?"

"Are you kidding? You think I'd tell him about that?" By that I figured she meant her marrying him based on the shudder of disgust. "Like that's ever going to happen!"

"Then what was that all about?"

"Ash thinks you're trustworthy and you're lying right to his face. And Brock's. They're my friends."

"Yeah! And you're my mom!" I said.

Her eyebrows went up in shock before she masked her face in indifference. "I'm about the same age as you. I'm not your mom."

"Yes you are."

"Take a good look at me, kid. I'm not a mother."

"Pri pri pri!" The sound of tiny footsteps caused us to look down, finding Togepi hugging Misty's leg.

She scowled and picked her up. "Ash deserves to know the truth."

"That's something coming from you if you're only going to tell him part of it."

"I shouldn't know the truth," Misty snapped. "No one should know what you told me. It's a curse. I'm in charge of what happens to me, not some kids from the future. I don't care who you are. This is my life and I can make my own decisions."

"Yeah? Well it would be really sad if you ended up with someone else and were miserable." I crossed my arms. "You think this is all about me and my friends, don't you? Maybe I want my mother to be happy too. And I know you are with him."

She hugged Togepi tighter to herself. "I don't want to hear it."

"I know you don't." I leaned closer to her. "And right now, you may be my mom, but I'm older and I know what's going to happen, so don't act like I don't know what's best for you."

I took a deep breath and said gently, "Look. You have to figure this out by yourself. I seriously do want what's best for you. You've taken such good care of me... even when I'm lazy. Or stubborn. Or act just like dad and get so distracted by Pokemon that I got behind on school or whatever else. So now it's my turn to return the favor. If you'd only let me."

"Let me do what I want and you will be," Misty said, her voice close to cracking.

"We'll be gone in a little over a day. And things will go back to normal. And you can do whatever you want with your life." I took a step away.

"Emma..."

She looked so torn. "Don't worry about it, Misty. We'll keep our distance if that's what you want. And go ahead and tell Ash it's us that's from the future. Tell him we know him. That's fine. But I know you wouldn't tell him who I am. Because that's your deepest secret that you didn't tell him for years. I would know. I've heard all the stories."

I started walking back to the table, leaving my mom silently taking in everything I said, "For the record, you get a lot better at opening up to people in the future. I'd hate to see that change."

Hey Time Travelers!

So, is it getting dramatic enough? You have no idea how much this story has changed over time. But I love it. Who doesn't love daughters telling their moms what to do?

Pokemon Question of the Day: If you were older than your parents, what advice or orders would you give them? (Not promising they'd listen)

Stay flamin'!

-Flips