Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Absolution ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

Misty fell upon the couch, placing her weary head upon her husband's shoulder. It had been such a long and exhausting day. She had been on her feet for hours, running around treating injured Pokemon, arranging rooms for the night for trainers, and cataloguing all the medicines to see what was needed to be ordered. Then there was the hour drive home to top it all off. She couldn't wait until the Pallet gym was finally finished. Then, at least, she wouldn't have to travel to and from Viridian every day, even if it did perhaps mean a little more work overall. But, then again, it was much more pleasurable to work for yourself in a place that you helped create.

"You okay, Mist?" Ash asked.

She yawned, closing her eyes for a moment. The call of sleep seemed to be beckoning her, but she forced her eyes open once more, desperately wishing to give in, but knowing she couldn't. "Yeah. Just been a tiring day." She turned her attention to her three-year-old son, sucking his little thumb, cradled in his father's arms. She gently brushed a few strands of his reddish-brown hair from his forehead. He was so adorable. Just looking at him made her forget her hard day and smile. "How long has he been asleep?"

"Only about twenty minutes. I was about to put him up into bed for his nap."

"I'll put him up." She took Kai lightly into her arms, trying not to wake him. "Where's Aya?"

"Oh, she's up in her room doing some homework."

"I'll go say hello as well, then." As she turned to the stairs she looked back at Ash and gave him an awkward smile. "Will you cook dinner? I know it's my night, but I'm really exhausted," she pleaded.

Ash sighed. "I guess...but what are you going to do in return?" He asked, giving her one of his trademark cheeky grins.

"I'll show you later," she answered in the same tone before continuing up the stairs. As she climbed she felt Kai stir in her arms, then lift his head to look up at her with his big brown eyes.

"Mama," she heard him utter.

She smiled again. Both of their children had that effect upon Ash and Misty. The slightest thing they did could melt their hearts. "Yes, honey?"

"I'm 'ungry."

"I know, sweetie. Daddy's going to make dinner soon, but now it's time for your nap. I'll come up and get you when it's ready."

Kai rubbed at his sleepy orbs, but spoke with an excitement his fatigued body seemed almost incapable of. "Can we have pizza?"

Misty shook her head. "We had pizza last night. Don't you want something else?"

"I like pizza." To him, his reasoning seemed flawless. What other possible reason could there be to eat pizza? It didn't matter to him the fact that they had had it as their last meal. If he liked something, why couldn't he have it every day?

The naivety of youth, she thought. It made her chuckle, and caused her smile to widen even more. "You sound more like your dad everyday," she said, almost to herself.

"Eh?"

"Never mind." She opened the door to his room and laid him down in his bed, kissing him on the forehead. "See you after your nap."

"Love you, mama."

"Love you too, Kai." She pulled the quilt over him and began to leave the room, but not before looking back at him. He was already fast asleep. Misty chuckled again. "Definitely just like your father." She quietly closed the door and continued into Aya's room.

She regarded her daughter from the threshold, sitting at her desk, busied with schoolwork. Aya had inherited her mother's intelligence full-fold. She was first in every class at school, whether it be Mathematics or Art, but her true passion was never with her schooling. All Aya could think of was beginning her Pokemon journey, and now, just a month over ten years old, that thought occupied her mind more and more with every passing second.

Her parents had begged her to hold off starting her Pokemon journey and stay in school for a few more years, but Aya's zeal was so strong that she refused to do so, and Ash and Misty were not going to stop her from following her dreams, no matter how much they knew they were going to miss her.

"Hi, Aya."

At her mother's hello, Aya jumped slightly. She hadn't even heard her mother walk into her room, she was so focused upon her homework. She instantly turned from it, greeting her mother with a happy grin. "Hey, mum. I didn't know you were home."

"I just got back." Misty walked over to her and looked down upon the desk. Countless framed photographs littered it. Ones of Misty and Ash when they weren't that much older than their daughter, others of Aya as a little baby, and several of the whole family together. And then, one displayed near the centre of the others, taken on the day of the wedding. She had told her mother that she kept them where she could always see them, so that she would always have those she loved near her.

Misty turned her attention to the book Aya was writing in. "So, what homework do you have tonight?"

"English. I have to write an essay about my idol," she spoke nervously.

"So, who did you choose?" Misty asked. She always made sure she kept abreast of her schoolwork.

Aya began to blush. "Ah...I actually chose you, mum."

"Me?" Now it was time for Misty's cheeks to redden. "Oh, Aya. That's so sweet."

"Do you wanna read it?"

"Of course, honey." Misty picked up the book, and began to read.

My idol is my mother, Misty Williams.

Misty laughed at that. Her daughter seemed to be so proud of her mother for keeping her maiden name after she married. Aya was becoming a real feminist, just like her.

She is not only a great water Pokemon trainer, but a brilliant Pokemon doctor. She helps my dad, the Pokemon Master, with his Pokemon, and works at the Viridian City Pokemon Centre with the help of several Chanseys and Blisseys. Soon, she will open and run a Centre here in Pallet. She also takes great care of both me and my three-year-old little brother, Kai.

When she was only ten, she became a gym leader, along with my three aunts, Daisy, Violet and Lily, and helped run the gym, even taking part in underwater ballets, for almost two years before she left on her Pokemon journey. Shortly after, she met my dad, and they've been together ever since.

'...together ever since,' Misty repeated in her mind. She swallowed heavily at those few words, pushing off the shame that was creeping up on her, the same feeling that had followed her for so many years.

I really admire my mother because she is smart, has a great career, but always makes sure she has plenty of time to spend with our family. I hope that when I grow up, I can be as successful and happy as my mum.

Aya stared up at her mother with those large aqua eyes, studying her every expression as she read, hoping that her mum would like it. When she noticed that she had finished reading, she told her mother, "It isn't finished yet. There's a few more thing I want to add. Do you think it's okay so far?"

Misty looked away from the book, tears noticeable in her eyes. "It's great, Aya."

"Thanks, mum. If it's good enough, I may get to read it in front of the whole class."

Misty put the book back down upon the desk, and began to play with Aya's short, black hair. "I'm sure you will. You usually do. And you know how proud your dad and I are of you?"

She blushed again. "Yeah, mum."

"And you know how much we and Kai are going to miss you when you leave in two months?"

"I know. I'll miss you guys, too. But I'll make sure to call home every week, and to call nana as well." Aya stood from her chair, and gave her mother a hug.

Misty returned the hug. "I know you will. I trust you."

Misty entered the kitchen, walking over to her husband who stood at the stove, putting her arms around him. She rested her drowsy head upon his shoulder. "We have two wonderful kids."

He turned from the pot of pasta he was cooking, and gave his wife a quick kiss on the lips. "I know, Misty."

"It's hard to think that we may never have had this life after what I did."

Ash, worried by her melancholic words, forgot about dinner and pulled Misty into his arms. Her previously joyful expression had been replaced by a dejected demeanour. He put a finger upon her chin, and raised her head so that she was looking straight into his face. "Misty. It doesn't matter what happened in the past, and what could have been if we had made a different decision. What is important is that we are married and have two beautiful kids. Nothing else, and you have to remember that. You need to stop punishing yourself."

Misty grinned, reassured by his words. "I know, and I'm sorry. It's just that sometimes I feel that I don't deserve this life."

"You do, believe me."

Overwhelmed by his words, she pulled herself closer to him. "I love you so much, Ash."

"I love you, too." They just stared at each other quietly for a moment, before Ash asked, "Did you make an appointment for the doctor?"

"Yep, for Thursday, after work."

"Great. I can't wait to see if our little suspicion is right," he whispered, excitedly. Ash kissed her again, holding it a little longer than before.

"Can't you guys leave each other alone for five minutes?" Aya joked as she came into the room. "You're always sucking face."

While Ash blushed a little, Misty quipped back. "Well, that's what married couples do, and we aren't going to stop it anytime soon, so I guess you'll just have to put up with it."

Aya smiled. In actual fact, she loved to see her parents like this, so obviously devoted to one another after nearly eight years of marriage. I just hope I can be that happy someday.