MAJOR PLOT EDIT AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO'VE ALREADY READ THIS

𝐒 𝐖 𝐄 𝐄 𝐓 𝐀 𝐍 𝐆 𝐄 𝐑 || 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒚 𝑿 𝑨𝒔𝒉

"Yes, you have to come!" Dawn whisper-yelled as she replied to Ash's obvious question. "Jeez, she is your girlfriend, Ash. How can you not?"

"But I am outside Kanto, right now," Ash replied to Dawn, although he wasn't outside Kanto, he was at Gary's place planning to give Misty a surprise at her Birthday surprise party. And so he didn't want anyone but Gary to know about his plan.

"Ash, you can't even come back for your girlfriend's birthday?" Dawn asked, suddenly her voice sad.

"Dawn, I've checked everything, there's no boat departing till two days for Kanto. I can't come even if I want to so badly."

"Fine... I'll let her know beforehand so she doesn't break down or create a ruckus on the day of the party..." Dawn hung up the call and stuffed her phone back into her purse before she trudged to Misty's backyard to let the others know about Ash not coming for the party.

--

ASH

"Hey, Gary!" I called him as soon as my call ended with Dawn.

"Hey man, you chilling at my home right?" He replied with a whisper but I can hear the faint voices of our other friends behind him, preparing for Misty's surprise birthday party. They don't know that I am still here in Kanto, and at Gary's place chilling out today. It was all a part of the plan to make everyone (except Gary) believe that I was out of Kanto and I would not be able to make it.

"Yes, I am having a great time," I pulled out another chocolate bar from his fridge and sat on the couch, munching on it as we continued to converse.

"Good thing, and yeah, Dawn came right now to inform you won't be able to come for the party because no boats departing till two days," He snickered as he continued, "You've got some brain to give reasonable reasons, dimwit. I am proud of you that you've learned so much from my teachings!"

I laughed slightly, "Who are you calling a dimwit, huh? Besides, did you forget I was the one who helped you get Leaf?"

"Shut up, just because she was your cousin doesn't mean you were some really big help."

"Yeah yeah." I placed the last bite of the chocolate in my mouth then stood up, crumbling its wrapper and throwing it in the kitchen bin. "Also, I have brought my gift and it is in the guest room, under the bed. Don't crash it or something when I come back."

"Sure, sure-" Gary was about to speak further but I heard a faint 'Bear!' behind him. It was probably Leaf calling him. "Yes, I'm coming just a minute- Hey Ash, I gotta hang up. My Leaf's calling me. See ya tonight at the party, bye!"

"Yeah, bye, see you tonight," I answered but the phone call ended before I could even wish him goodbye. "Tsk. What a brat, forgetting his childhood friend as soon as my cousin stepped foot in his life."

I made my way to the guest room, pulling out Misty's summer dress from under the bed and then wrapping it up in a pretty marine blue wrapper then working on a nice big card to gift her. I somehow was getting bored sitting around and doing nothing, so making Misty a nice big card would be much more productive work.

--

MISTY

"What!?" I cried as soon as Dawn told me that Ash was outside Kanto and he was not going to come until two days.

I wasn't expecting Dawn to tell me this news, instead of wishing me a 'happy birthday'. None of my other friends had wished me. I know they all have been busy with their coursework and university plans. Stress has always been the reason for us to forget our friends' birthday, but I thought they would've known.

I was even expecting Ash to come and surprise me the first thing in the morning but turns out, he was right now outside Kanto for some work related to his coursework. I bet he even forgot my birthday.

"I'm sorry, Misty. I just got a call from him saying that he was out and that to inform you to not make him anything tonight." Dawn's voice came out rather stiff. But it must've been from stress and Paul. I didn't want to remind them myself about my birthday. That would seem a lot desperate of me.

"But he could've called me instead..." I mumbled as I stepped foot inside the library of my university. We all were in a different university, unfortunately. And right now I was looking for some familiar books on Accounts and related stuff.

"He isn't allowed his phone, plus the professor there knew me so he let Ash call me."

"Uh... Okay then!" I answered with a release of my breath I didn't know I was holding onto for so long. It made me angry now, nobody remembered my birthday, Ash was out of Kanto for some stupid coursework, I had a lot of thesis and calculations to work on. I didn't know what was I supposed to do except become angry at everything which is right now happening with me.

"I'm sorry, Misty." I heard Dawn mumble but suddenly I could hear May's voice yell something behind her along the lines of 'you can't let her know, Grasshead!'

"Wait, Dawn! What did May speak behind you?" I asked, desperation hinting in my voice as I chewed on my lower lip while I flip the pages of a book that I pulled out from the shelf.

"Oh May, she is kinda choking Drew because he suggested they should let Vanessa know about May and Drew being together..."

"Oh... Okay..." With a sigh, I hung up my call and stuffed it inside my pocket, taking the book over to a table to start working on my assignments.

The desk was now completely messed with the books from different shelves and I was sitting with two different colored highlighters in one hand as I read and marked with my other hand noted down important points from the books as well as doing side calculations when needed.

It was three-thirty in the noon and I had already had my lunch in the cafeteria before I received the call from Dawn and then went to the library for my work.

I was still angry though, but I had to calm down because I didn't want to make my friends feel guilty for forgetting my birthday.

And so, deciding to put my anger aside for a while, I continued with my work as time passed by and soon when I looked outside the library window, the sky was already getting dark.

"The best way to waste your birthday, huh," I sighed and began packing up the books before I stack them back on their shelf and make my way back to my house.

Just as I step foot out of the library, my phone went off. I hurriedly pulled it out. It was one of those old pink flip phones, as I was still firm on saving money for my future needs.

I flip it open and brought it near to my ear as soon as May giggled from the other side.

"Mist! Where are you right now?"

"Just coming out of the university library, why?" I tried to sound less annoyed, but I think she might have figured it out because as soon as I answered, the line went silent for a while before she let out a nervous laugh.

"Do you mind coming over to my place before you go home?" She asked, her voice was a little nervous and it made me wonder why the hell would she be nervous about asking me to visit her home first.

"Sure, but why though?" I asked as I slowly walked down the stairs and then out the university grounds; with my bag hung over my shoulder I made my way towards May's house.

She lives alone in a small rented apartment; a few blocks before Dawn and my house.

"I wanted your opinion on which dress should I wear today at Bri's party."

"Bri? Holding a party?" I cried over the phone and she again lets out a nervous laugh. God, May and her nervous laughs. "Why didn't you tell me?" I sounded a little angrier when I asked her.

"Sorry, Mist. She just called and invited me. But are you gonna come or not?"

"Yes," I gritted my teeth but still replied, "Yup, I'll help you, but!"

"But WHAT?" She yelled making me laugh a little.

"I will come to the party with you, whether Bri likes it or not, and I will have to borrow one of your dresses if you don't mind." I put up my condition and looked around. Her house had just come to view, a few houses away from where I was standing right now.

"Uh... Yeah! Okay! Bri wouldn't mind at all. And thank you Mist!" With that, May hung up the call and I stuffed the phone back into my picket giggling and soon reaching out to slowly knock on the door of her house.

I heard a slight rustle behind the door before it slowly opened and revealed a rather messy-looking May.

I smirked and as soon as she noticed it, her face turned red to the shade of a ripe strawberry.

"I-It's not t-that..." She mumbled as she let me in and closed the door behind her.

"Yeah, yeah," And with that, the two of us walked upstairs to her room.

As soon as I opened her door, I was overwhelmed with the sudden urge to lash out at May. Her room looked as if someone had just robbed her of her undergarments. All of her clothes, undergarments, everything was laying around the room leaving not a little space to walk in.

May soon came and stood beside me before she rushed inside, walking over everything which came under her foot.

I sighed and walked inside, taking her clothes which lay in front of me as I made my way to her bed to dump my bag and the clothes which I collected from the floor.

"Eh... Sorry, but-" May bent down and picked up two different dresses from the pile of clothes which I made my picking up all the clothes from the room and she held them up; showing them to me as she asked with a wide grin, "Which one?"

Both were simple and stylish, but one of them was slightly shorter than the other. As far as I knew, May had always been uncomfortable with short dresses, so without giving much thought, I chose the second one.

The creme-colored, with a white sash to tie on the behind, pared with a pretty pinkish creme-colored choker.

"This one." I straight away pointed towards it and she squealed throwing the other one behind her and gently placing the one I chose on the bed beside my bag.

"Okay," May stood up and took deep breaths, trying to control (as I suppose) her squealing. "Now, onto you! Mist!"

"You better have a nice dress," I mumbled slightly as I walked towards her cupboard before dumping in her pile of clothes then the two of us began choosing a dress for me to we're to Bri's party.

I was still confused as to why would Bri throw a party. Bri was the type of girl who would rather go to parties than throw one. And the fact that shocked me the most was that, even she didn't remember my birthday not did she invite me to her party considering I was the one who introduced her to May.

There were just so many questions going on in my mind while choosing a dress that I hardly paid any attention to the dress which May held out for me.

Something was up with my friends (except Ash because the dimwit of a boyfriend is out of Kanto).

--

After an hour or so, we had finally decided on a knee-length marine blue colored dress with a sea green sash to tie on the behind, paired with a sea-green choker and an equally gorgeous pair of sea-crystal droplet earrings.

"You will rock the party!" May cheered as the two of us walked out of her house with a purse hanging on my shoulder and my shoes in my hand as I wore May's new sandals. I still cannot believe that May let me wear them whereas she hasn't even taken them out of the box yet.

Suddenly her phone went off as the two of us got seated in her white-colored car.

"Hello?"

I sat there on the passenger's seat and May on the driver's seat.

"Oh, Bri." She talked as she inserted the key and turned the car engine on. "Yeah, yeah."

I waited for her to complete but then I saw her look behind, searching for something as she answered back to Bri.

"A ribbon? On her? Why?"

She then gestured for me to look beside me if there was a ribbon or not. Luckily there was and she turned her attention back to the call, "You want her to- oh yeah. Okay. I will don't worry."

And with that, she put the phone back in her purse and then turned to me, taking the blue ribbon from my hands and then immediately trying it on my eyes; startling me.

"What? May! What are you-"

May cut me off with a 'shh' and said, "Bri wanted to do this to you, I don't know why, so shut up and sit back."

I gave her a suspicious nod and sat back, my hands itching now and then and trying to pull the blindfold up so that I can see.

"Don't!" I heard May hiss before she drove her car out on the road and then drove to (as I suppose) Bri's house.

I just hope that going to Bri's party might lessen my angrier mood since morning.

"Are we there yet?" I asked impatiently, and May grunted with a little whine. "No, Misty, just stay patient."

"Ugh fine." I scrunch up my nose and crossed my arms over my chest as she drove.

--

After a few minutes of a silent ride between May and me, she stopped the car.

"We're here." She announced and I sat there, not knowing what to do. I could not hear a single blast of music. What kind of party was Bri throwing anyway, huh?

"Then why can I not hear some music, May?" I snapped as I heard her get out of the car and then walk over to my side to help me out.

"Bri wanted to start the party once everyone arrives. That's why." Her voice was once again sounding nervous. I would seriously whack her with my mallet if she is playing around right now.

"Huh, as if." I humphed and slowly grabbed onto May's upper arm as she guided me towards the house.

"We'll directly go to the backyard okay?" She asked and I slowly nodded at her.

We walked around the gravel path and towards the backyard. Heck, I don't even know if this is Bri's house or not.

"Listen, May. I am trusting you to not give me off to some fuckboy tonight because heck, I have a boyfriend and today is some special day for me." I emphasized on 'special day' trying to give her a hint, but guess she didn't get one so I continued anyway, "So you better not ruin my mood than anymore it is right now."

"Okay, fine. I get it. Now-" May stopped and turned to me, making me stop too as I tried to open my eyes behind the blindfold. "-I'm going to take off the blindfold because I have to go somewhere to catch someone. Okay. You stay here and enjoy the party, meet Bri, and talk."

I couldn't understand what she told me but still went with the flow and waited for her to take off my blindfold. Slowly the velvety material got off my eyes and I squinted them; slight light around the backyard was still hurting my vision which was pitch black for most of the ride.

I opened them slowly once my eyes were adjusted to the lightning and as soon as I did, a bunch of people shouted, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISTY!"

"What the-" I cupped my mouth in my hands as I gaped at my surroundings. I did have a slight hunch that something was up with my friends, but this?

I had no idea at all. I laughed as I looked around the backyard. My backyard.

There was golden lightning lining the walls and the trees with decorations hanging from them. The long tables were placed near the walls of my house and they were stacked with plates and bowls full of food. Balloons were lying on the ground, confetti everywhere, and all my friends were scattered around the area; big grins adorning their lips as they looked at me.

I could have never thought they would be such a beautiful surprise for me.

"Oh, my- guys, you- I," I stammered trying to stop my tears from building in my eyes and spilling like a waterfall. "I- I'm just- you're- thank you so- so much!"

I squealed in delight and soon everyone came near and engulfed me in a warm group hug, kissing me on my forehead and cheeks then wishing me 'happy birthday.'

All except one. Ash Ketchum.

I looked at everyone, trying to find his goofy bunny-like grin, but to no avail. He wasn't at all here to wish me on my birthday.

My smile suddenly dropped from my lips and was replaced with a frown. Leaf and the others noticed and Gary asked me, "What happened, Sis?"

I snapped my gaze at him with an angry look. He got stunned and stumbled back a little before he composed himself and slowly wrapped an arm around me; an attempt only his which somehow calms me down. But this time, my anger didn't subside. I was angry that Ash didn't even wish me through a phone call. I didn't mind him going out of Kanto for coursework but he should've at least wished me through a phone call.

"Sis why the frown?" Gary asked and I looked down at my feet.

"Ash isn't here..." I mumbled and I could feel the happiness from the crowd vanish but I don't care. I just wanted Gary to tell me that, no, Ash will come and wish me. But when I didn't hear him react and slowly how his hand slipped from my shoulder, I looked up.

Suddenly coming face to face with my boyfriend who had his goofy bunny-like grin etched onto his lips as his hands hid behind his back.

"Happy Birthday, My Mermaid!" He whispered and slowly leaned in to peck me on the lips. But I had another intention, so I abruptly turned around and his lips smashed into my hair; earning fits of laughter and giggles from the crowd of my friends who were watching the two of us.

"Mist?" He asked, his one hand slowly slipping around my waist and he tugged me closer to him. He leaned a little forward towards my ear and whispered again, "Are you angry that I didn't wish you?"

I didn't utter a word and crossed my hands over my chest which earned a little giggle from Ash. His warm breath hit my neck.

"I am serious," I cried and turned my face a little away from his, "I am angry at you, Ash."

"But-" His hand left my waist and he walked around and stood in front of me, one hand behind his back. He must be hiding my present. His other hand slowly grabbed my chin and pulled my face to look at him as he slowly leaned in with a soft smile. His lips left a small peck over my lips and he continued his sentence, "-Hmm... It is a wave of sweet anger, and I love it, Mist." He mumbled before his lips once again collided with mine.

I smiled into the kiss as his hand which grabbed my chin went around my waist and the other slowly made its way there, but something like a bag hit my ass. I pulled away from the kiss and narrowed my eyes at him.

He chuckled and slowly brought his hand up which held the bag and I immediately snatched it from his hands, pulling out the box from it and ripping the wrapper off. I could feel his hands wrapping around me as he rested his on my shoulder; watching me as I excitedly opened the box.

"Oh my God, Ash!" I squealed and jumped slightly in his embrace as I looked at the summer dress inside the box. He grinned and then gestured for me to look inside the bag again. "There's something else too?"

He nodded and I dig my head into the bag, finding a nice big birthday card inside it.

"Oh my, Ash, I love you so much!"

"Now, where did the anger go, My Mermaid?" He asked as a smirk graced his lips. I stammered and fried to focus on the card which earned a laugh from Ash but he eventually kissed my cheeks as he spoke, "Don't worry, I love you a lot!"

-----

A/N: AAAHHH! I rewrote this whole one-shot, and I think the plot is a lot better and awesome than the previous one!

Gaah! Do comment and tell me how do you find it!

P.S. I am working on another Ash & Misty one-shot, do expect it out before 26th February! Because after 26th February fill 18th March, I won't be alive here (although I might be reading a few books that's it) due to my exams :)

EDIT 200302:

I will publish the next Ash & Misty [OS] after my boards are over (after 18th March 2020). Sorry for informing late :(

ANCIENT