Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ A Poke'master's Legacy ❯ Rocky Decisions ( Chapter 2 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A Poke'master's Legacy

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the poke'mon or character's. All I own is the plotline.

Last Chapter: Ash decides to bring Misty and Brock along when he goes to Lashen
to compete in the Crystal League. Instead of taking the direct approach
he challenges Misty to a battle since she doesn't reconize him. He wins
and reveals himself to her. Misty seems happy to see him so she invites
him in to talk of old times and why he came in the first place.

Chapter 3: Rocky Decisions

" Thank you," I say to Daisy as she sat a cup of tea in front of me. She smiled
brightly at me. " Like, no problem. We missed having you around Ash and now that you are
a poke'mon master only adds to the pleasure," she said. I smiled back and she sat back
in her chair beside Lily. Misty was sitting beside Violet and was stoking pikachu's fur. In
turn he was squirming in appreciation. " So Ash, what brings you to Cerulean?," Violet
asked. Misty stopped rubbing pikachu to hear my response. " Well, there is a new league
in the land of Lashen called the Crystal League. I suppose I could have gone alone but it
wouldn't be fun if I didn't bring Misty and Brock along. Besides, Pikachu and I thought
that it was about time for a visit. My busy schedule barely permitted me time to stop by. I
was worried that you would forget about me," I said. " Aww!!," Daisy said.

She stood up and came back over to me. She wrapped her arms around my neck
causing me to blush slightly. " We could never forget about you Ash. Besides, I don't think
Misty would let us," she mused. I looked to Misty who was blushing lightly as well. She
lowered her gaze and focused on rubbing pikachu. " What do you mean Daisy?," I asked.
" Well.., when Misty first got back she was scolding us on how bad we were at being gym
leaders. She said that we were disgracing the Cerulean gym which was true. That's when
she took over. She trained all of her poke'mon really hard and that's why Psyduck evolved.
She said that she had to train hard to handle these trainers from Jhoto. She wanted only the
truly strong trainers to get to you on Indigo Plateau thus, creating the toughest gym badge
to get, the Cascade badge," Daisy concluded.

During her whole explanation I was staring at Misty. Could it be possible that she
had feelings for me as well? I smiled at Misty to lighten the embarassment for her. " That
was thoughtful Misty and so far you haven't failed me yet by sending me incompetant trainers.
My thanks to you," I said. She looked up again with an astonished look on her face. She smiled
for the first time since after the match. " My Ash, who taught you to be so eloquent?," she mused.
I smirked. " I had to learn since I was always on T.V. for something. You could take a few lessons
yourself Misty," I retorted. She frowned playfully. " Whatever. Now, what is my reason for
coming with you this time? Even though you still owe me a bike I'm not holding you to it today," she
said. My eyebrows knit in careful contemplation. " Daisy, can you get me my coat please?," I
asked.

She nodded unwrapping her arms from my neck. I suddenly missed her warmth but I
quickly disregarded that when she gave me my coat. I went into the front pocket and took out
a wad of cash. I put it on the table and the girls stared at it wide-eyed. " That should cover you
bike Misty, but I'm not commanding you to come because you are a gym leader and I am the
Master. I want you to come with me as a friend so we can have fun like we used to," I said. She
looked at me again then smiled. " Course I'll come along Ashy-boy, but who will watch the gym
while I'm away?," she asked. " WE'LL DO IT!," her sisters chimed in unison. " Oh great. Well,
I guess I have no choice. I hope you guys learned something while watching me battle. We need
to defend our reputation. I'll even leave Golduck with you in case it's the last resort," she said.
She tossed Golduck's poke'ball to Daisy. " You can count on us," Daisy said. Misty frowned
doubtfully. " You better and take care of Golduck," she said. Daisy frowned as well. " We will.
God, you'd think we're amatuers of something. Now get going! Take care of Ash while your
away," she teased.

Misty blushed but said nothing. She grabbed my shirt collar. " Come on Mister," she
said dragging me along. I managed to stand up and grab my coat but Misty was already out the
door with pikachu in her arms. I sighed as I looked after her. "Maybe I shouldn't have asked her
to come along," I mused aloud. Daisy laughed and placed a soft hand on my shoulder. " Pay her
no attention. She's changed a bit since the last time you were together so be patient with her. She'll
come around," she said. I was about to question her about what she meant but she shushed me with
a quick kiss on the lips. " Now go, don't keep her waiting too long," she said as she went back inside.
I grinned to myself as I walked down the road. Brock would surely hate me now.


*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

On the way to Pewter City we didn't talk much. The words weren't really needed. A comfortable
silence was what we traveled together in. I forgot what it was like to travel for days on end and having
to sleep on the ground instead of in a nice warm bed. Having to stay the night in poke'mon centers and
meet up with strange and wild poke'mon. It seemed wherever Ash was involved we always ran into some
type of trouble caused by either Team Rocket or another trainer's misfortune. I sighed wistfully because
of my nostalgia and that caused Ash to turn around. " Are you okay Misty?," he inquired. I smiled a bit.
" I'm fine. Just remembering all the trouble we used to get into while we traveled around. I hope that has
calmed down a bit since you got older," I mused.

He smiled back. " I'm afraid not. Trouble seems to find me for no good reason and I wouldn't have
it any other way," he said. There was a mischievious twinkle in his eyes that caused my heart to race. I
don't recall Ash having this affect on me when I was younger but whatever it is about him now that has
changed it has me utterly entranced. I smirk at him. " Well, I believe I would have to agree with you there
Ashy-boy," I said. His smiled remained as he focused back on the trail.

It was sunset when Ash decided that we should set up camp near a lake a few hours walk from
Pewter City and I was more than happy to oblige. It has been a while since my feet was put under so much
strain from walking. Ash noticed my discomfort and came over to me. " What's wrong?," he asked. I frowned
momentarily. " Nothing that concerns you," I snapped. He frowned at me now. " Don't give me that bullshit
Misty. I can tell when something is bothering you," he retorted. I sighed in resignation. " It's my feet okay,
it's been a while since I have walked about for so long without stopping and they ache a little," I replied. In
a swift motion he had my shoes and socks off and began massaging my feet. His hands sent tingles through
me but I wasn't sure if it was because he was touching me or if it was just his minstrations. After a while he
stopped and stood up. " I'll go look for some fire wood. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone," he said
with a teasing smile. I frowned. " I won't. Just make sure you don't run into trouble yourself mister," I
retorted. He nodded then disappeared into the forest.

I sighed again. I was glad that Ash left me alone with my thoughts. I didn't know how much longer
I could take this treatment from him. He was like a butler or something attending to my every ache and
pain or desire. That thought alone got me thinking again. Could he have some type of alterior motive? I
shook my head. I knew that Ash was never dishonest with me even we were kids. This trip is starting to mess
with my head and I was beginning to doubt coming all together. I stood up and went over to the lake's edge.
The sun was almost gone now and the pond was beginning to sparkle with the full moon's light. A gentle
breeze caused the water to move in soft waves down stream. This place was beautiful and I was glad Ash
chose this place to rest. After a while Ash came back with pikachu on his shoulder and started a fire. Even
though the fire was just set I began to feel warm all over or was it because Ash was so close.

After a few minutes of silence Ash spoke again. " You're so quiet," he said. I turned my attention
to him to see what he meant. " What?," I inquired. He smiled a bit. " When we were younger I couldn't
get you to shut up and now you won't say anything. I don't mind talking considering that we have been
apart for so long. I thought that we would have a lot to catch up on that you may not want Brock to hear," he
said. I nodded in understanding. " I suppose I don't have a lot to add. All I have been doing is taking poke'mon
battles and training poke'mon. I haven't had time to date or even go shopping! I suppose I would have a
few things to ask you though," I said. He smiled wider. " At least it's a start. Go ahead and ask," he urged.
My brow knited in contemplation. " Well, how is your mom doing?," I asked. He sighed wistfully. " She's
doing fine I guess. I haven't seen her for about a year now. I miss her terribly but I never seem to have time
to talk to her and I feel bad that I haven't," he admitted.

I immediately felt bad that I asked at all. I had no idea that he was so busy. " Sorry I asked," I
said. He smiled to reassure me. " It's okay. I didn't mind answering that because in truth it was a good
question. Misty, I want you to do me a favor," he said suddenly. " Sure," I said. He then looked at me with
his beautiful brown eyes. They said all that words couldn't. " Try to relax a little around me. I suppose the
years of seperation have made us uneasy in each others presence. I really want things to go back to how
they were or at least close to what it used to be," he said. I nodded in agreement. " I understand that Ash,
but you have to realize that when we first started out we didn't exactly like each other anyway. It'll take
a little time but we'll go back to how we were. Maybe Brock can help," I said. He frowned slightly. " Or
he can make shit worse. No matter, we need to get to sleep. We have a long journey ahead of us," he said
as he curled up in his sleeping bag. I did the same but didn't go to sleep right away. I stared long and deep
into the fire thinking about all that has happend so far. 'Well, I agreed to do this so I guess I should see it
through to the end,' I thought and on that note I went to sleep.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I woke up at daybreak when the sun was just beginning to rise over the hills. I sat up and stretched
which bothered pikachu in the process. " Pika pi!," he shouted at me. That meant 'watch it!' in pikachu language.
I smiled at my poke'mon partner. " Sorry, I didn't see you there," I said apologetically. Pikachu frowned then
went off in the forest to find his breakfast. I knew he wouldn't have any problems because he was at level 100
by now. After I had packed up my stuff I went over to Misty. She wasn't used to waking up this early but I
need to get her up so we could get going. Before I did though I paused for a moment to observe how she changed
over the past few years. Instead of keeping her hair in a ponytail, her now back lenth orange hair hung freely
over her shoulders. She also stopped wearing those barely there shorts and suspenders and opted to wearing
a midrift showing tee-shirt and some pants that hugged her curves. In her sleep she looked innocent but only
I knew that she had moods that changed like an untamed ocean.

After another moment of silent observation, I knelt down and shook her gently. Her green eyes
opened slowly then opened fully. " What Ash? It's too early. Wake me up later," she said. She was about
to turn over until I stopped her. " No Misty. We have to get going. I know you aren't used to the early
hour but we have to get up now. I promise to buy you breakfast when we get to Pewter City," I pleaded.
She frowned but complied with my wish. " You better be lucky I'm still half asleep mister," she said as
she groggily stood up. When she was done packing up we were on the trail again. She still had a slight
frown because of the early hour but after a while she forgot what time it was. " Wow. I never would've
saw all this stuff if I stayed asleep," she said to herself. I decided not to say anything. Sometimes you
need to wonder to yourself. I looked around and saw the morning dew on some of the plants. Mother
birds were feeding their young and animals in love were frollicking amongst the flowers. Misty sighed
in awe at it all and I smiled despite myself.

It was about three hours later when we arrived in Pewter City. Most of the town was just
waking up when we strolled in. Many people stopped and stared although they knew who I was. I felt
Misty brush up against me. " Ash, do you know where Brock's house is? They changed a few things
since we were last here," she said. I smiled. " Actually I don't know. I suppose we have to ask a few
people then," I said. Misty nodded in agreement, but even that turned out to be more difficult than I had
anticipated. The town had grown bigger than I had last remember and it had become more technically
advanced. After an hour of looking Misty and I stopped for a break. She had a slight frown on her face.
" When did this place get so damn big? It's not fair," she said with a slight whine. I chuckled at her
statement. " When was the last time you saw Brock anyway?," I asked. " I think it was about a year ago.
He seemed so happy with Suzy," she said. I saw the distant look in her eyes. She was probably enthralled
by the prospect of marriage and I immediately wished that I could give her what she wanted.

" You said that Brock and Suzy owned a breeding shop right? Maybe we should look there," I
suggested. Misty's face brightened. " That's brilliant! Come on, I happen to know where that is," she said
as she grabbed my hand and pulled me along. When we got there a long line was wrapped around the building
to get inside. Misty's face darkened again. " Oh man, it'll be closing time before we get close enough," she
stated. I shrugged my shoulder's and walked to the front door where the guard was waiting. When I was close
enough he blocked my way. " What do you think you doing mister? You have to wait in line like everybody
else," he said. I went into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. " I think you might want to let me through
if you don't want to disgrace this place," I said. He looked at my I.D. and figured out who I was. " Oh, sorry
Mr. Ketchum. Right this way," he said stepping to the side. I motioned for Misty to come to me and she did
so with a smirk on her face. " I guess it pays to be a poke'mon master huh?," she asked. I smiled back. " Oh
yeah," I said.

When we got inside we noticed that it wasn't open yet and that Suzy and Brock were setting up.
When they heard our footsteps they stopped working to see who had entered. " Didn't I tell Joe not to let
anybody in? He's getting fired," Brock said. " I don't think it's that serious Brock," I said. He looked to
us and a bright smile appeared on his face. " Misty! Ash!," he said as he hugged us both. " This is wonderful.
I'm going to tell Joe that we're closed for today," Suzy said as she went to the door. When Suzy left he looked
to us again. " What brings you guys here? Considering that I haven't seen Ash for a few years this must be
big," Brock said. I smiled at my old comrade and the life he made out for himself. I almost regretted showing
up to take him away from all this. " Actually, it is a bit big. Since you are the Pewter Gym leader, I think I
have the right to tell you that there is another league out in the land of Lashen called the Crystal League. I
was just wondering if you wanted to come along with me and Misty. If you say no that is totally understandable.
I didn't know that things were this busy around here," I said.

Brock became silent after he heard my proposal. His trademark contemplating expression appeared
on his face. When he looked back at me he was still stern faced. " I suppose I should thank you for informing
me first since I am a gym leader, but as a friend I think I should be honest with you. Things have changed since
my younger days. I was as old as you traveling, ignoring responsibility, having fun but my days have passed.
As much as I would like to go with you I don't think I can. Suzy and I have established a business and a life
here together. I can't come and go as I please any longer and besides, Suzy's pregnant so I have to stick around
for my kid," he said. I nodded in understanding. Misty seemed to sigh in disappointment. " I understand
Brock and in a way I expected it. I'm busy too but I suppose if you are as old as you are you can't leave," I said.
Suzy came beside Brock from her position by the door. " We're real sorry Ash," she said holding her slightly
bulging stomach. I smiled to reassure her. " That's okay. Misty and I will be okay without you Brock although
it will be a bit weird," I said.

The married duo smiled sadly at me. I turned to Misty who seemed to be sad as well. I smiled
confidently at her. " Don't worry Misty we'll be fine. Come on let's go," I said. She nodded in agreement.
We turned to leave but Suzy called us back. " Wait, don't leave right now. It's been so long since we've
seen either of you. Can you at least stay here for tonight so we can catch up on old times?," she pleaded.
I nodded. " Sure, we would like that. Right Misty?," I inquired. She blushed a bit. " Sure," she replied.


to be continued...............

End chapter 3. I know some people are a bit disappointed that he isn't coming along but it'll still be a good story
without the old girlcrazed man. Anyway, as always read and review but please no flames. ~LS~