Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Life is Full of Little Surprises ❯ And the Plot Thickens... ( Chapter 10 )

Life's Full of Little Surprises

 

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Disclaimer:

Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu, Team Rocket, Persian, and all the other 250 Pokemon do not belong to me. They belong to 4Kids, etc. Please do not sue me you will have better luck trying to get water from a dry well. The base story, Gabby the Gyarados, and the Jesse James Restaurant are the property of Jaelle and Orla I asked before posting. ^_^

 

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Chapter Ten: And the Plot Thickens…

 

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Everyone was exhausted after Brock's wedding. Ash and Misty were happy that their friends weren't moving far away. Not to mention that Misty would now have someone closer to her age to discuss things with. Monday started normal enough but as the day progressed it was evident that it would change…

 

As usual Ash and Misty were alternating between office work and challenges. It just happened to be Misty's turn in the office before lunch when the phone rang. “He…”

 

A highly excited Professor Oak appeared on the vid screen interrupting her, “Misty! Where's Ash? You two have to come down to the lab as soon as possible.”

 

Misty was immediately alarmed, “Why? Is there something wr…”

 

Samuel once again interrupted her, “No, no…nothing's wrong. Just get Ash and come down ASAP there's some…things I want both of you to see.”

 

“Uhhh…okay...we'll come down on our lunch break.”

 

“Good, good I'll see you soon.” Samuel hung up the phone and the screen went blank.

 

Misty stared at the black screen for a while before making sure the phone on her end was disconnected. *Wonder what's so important…hopefully nothings wrong with Mom…*

 

*****

 

Downstairs Ash finished his last battle before lunch…

 

“Pikachu wins the match…”

 

Ash and Pikachu promised the “challenger” he would be allowed to try later in the week. They then closed up for lunch and went upstairs. *Man! That was the most challenging battle we've had in a long time. Almost forgot what a rush these battles were. But I shouldn't be surprised considering I was battling…*

 

Pikachu interrupted his thoughts, “Pikapi, chu pi pikachu!” (Ash, hurry up I'm hungry!)

 

Ash smiled at Pikachu who was already at the top of the steps waiting for his

Slowpoke friend. “Okay, Pikachu I'm coming.” He bounded up the last few steps only to be met by Misty who was just leaving the office with their lunches in hand.

 

“Um…Misty are we going someplace else to eat?” Ash wrinkled his brow in confusion.

 

She sighed, “Samuel wants us at the lab now! He has something we need to look at.” With that she passed him on the landing and continued down the stairs.

 

“Come on Pikachu, I guess lunch will have to wait.” He let Pikachu jump on his shoulder.

 

Pikachu mentally groaned *I'm never going to get my ketchup.*

 

Ash locked up and the threesome headed for the Oak Laboratory.

 

*****

 

When they got to the lab Delia hugged Ash and Misty hustled them to Samuel's office. “Hi sweetie, I wish I could chat but I have to get back to my cleaning and keep `you know who' out of your hair.” She smiled and hastily left.

 

Samuel looked up from his work, “Ash, Misty I'm glad you could come on such short notice. I know this is your lunch break but I want you to do me a favor.”

 

“Ummm…sure…what do you want?”

 

Samuel leaned back in his chair, “I got a call from an associate in doing research in the Johto region. He found several new Pokemon…”

 

Ash and Misty looked at each other and thought the same thing. *Does he want us to go there?*

 

Ash interrupted him, “Samuel, we can't take off work anytime soon and I really don't feel up to traveling around much at the moment. Besides we have some other plans in mind at the moment and traveling wouldn't be practical.”

 

“We're planning on trying to start a family.” Misty whispered and blushed refusing to make eye contact with her Step father-in-law.

 

Samuel stood up, “It seems you have misunderstood my request. I don't want you to go to Johto…”

 

“Huh!?!” Ash and Misty exclaimed at the same time.

 

Samuel looked annoyed, “What, I was going to say before you interrupted me again is that Professor Elm in New Bark Town sent me some pokemon to study. He said it would be okay for me to give them to people I trust to raise. Since even though he is dedicating all his time to the study of these pokemon new species and types keep on appearing and he is falling behind. I also don't have time to deal with newly captured pokemon. So I want you to help me train and raise them so I can do my research. Don't worry about who owns them after the study period is over. You can keep them and will be the legal owners of the pokemon since they will have formed a bond with you. So feel free to use the new ones in your gym battles.”

 

“Ohhh!”

 

“I just need you to get them to obey you and bring them by every now and then so I can get some measurements and readings.”

 

“Uh…did you say them?” Ash looked apprehensively at Misty and Pikachu.

 

“Well, Professor Elm sends me one every now and then. Some are easy to deal with and others are a-bit more…difficult.”

 

“How difficult?”

 

Visions of Charizard, Hitmonlee, and Psyduck danced though Ash, Misty, and Pikachu's heads. All three shuddered violently at the pictures playing through their heads.

 

Samuel smiled a bit, “Well at the moment I have three pokemon that need training. These are the three starter pokemon that Johto trainers are starting with. Well, since they have been discovered. One has a hard time getting warmed up but once it does it's quite impressive. The next one is highly possessive and gets jealous easily and the last is extremely happy.”

 

Ash, Misty, and Pikachu looked relieved.

 

Misty voiced the obvious thoughts running through all of their heads. “Well at least they don't sound as bad a Charizard and Hitmonlee. Nor do they sound quite so hard to handle as Psyduck. They still sound like they have their own personality quarks. At least now we won't only have super strong pokemon to battle with and can go a bit easy on the new trainers trying for an Elemental badge.”

 

“Alright, it's settled come with me and meet them for yourselves.” Samuel got up and led them to a research lab adjoining his office.

 

*****

 

The minute Ash stepped through the door he got `attacked' by a big purple blob. “Ack! Muk get off me!”

 

“Muk!” (Hi!) After greeting and glomping Ash the purple blob slid off and left to do its chores.

 

“At least he doesn't smell anymore.”

 

Ash gave Misty a look that said he wasn't amused by her observation.

 

Samuel smiled at his purple assistant, “Well he got away from the polluted waters and now he helps keep the lab tidy. Anyway…here they are.” He pointed to three pokeballs on a table.

 

Ash and Misty approached the table apprehensively.

 

“Before we introduce the pokemon here is a Pokegear for each of you. These will help you gather data quickly on each pokemon.” He handed them each objects that look like watches one red the other blue.

 

Ash looked at his red Pokegear and marveled at the new design. “Wow! Look at all the new features.” He pushed a few buttons calling up his info. “I almost feel like I'm starting my journey all over again just thankfully I'm not going anywhere.”

 

Meanwhile Misty was fiddling with her blue one trying to get any info out of it.

Samuel watched them fiddle with the new devices “These are totally blank except for basic information I already programmed into them on the three pokemon on the table. They also have as your personal information/identification. Some new features are a radio, calendar, cell phone and map.”

 

“Okay, well that explains why I can't get any other information from it.” Ash was quickly scrolling through the menus looking at all the older known pokemon data and some of the new basic statistics on the three pokemon on the table.

 

Samuel further explained the procedure they would be using should they agree using a few charts, “All the info you gather will transfer to my computer where I will review it then send it to professor Elm. He will then use it to update other Pokegear. I will be in charge of updating the Pokedexes that haven't been exchanged for Pokegear. Now, you have to pick your pokemon. One of you will pick two and the next pokemon I get will be given to the one with only one evening it out.”

 

Ash and Misty looked at the brief pokemon descriptions intently.

 

“I think I want Cyndaquil.” Ash was the first to choose.

 

“Hey! Why do you get to choose first?” Misty glared at Ash.

 

“Because, I know which one you will pick.”

 

“Oh yeah!?!”

 

“Yeah!”

 

Samuel sighed. *Those two never seem to change. Though I have to admit that now they get along better…odd this is the first time I've seen them go at it since they got married...hmm…*

 

“PIKA!!” (STOP!) Warning sparks appeared on Pikachu's cheeks.

 

Ash looked at Pikachu and backed off. “I didn't mean it that way…besides it will probably try to roast me.”

 

Misty calmed down a bit, “Well if you put it that way…”

 

“Just look at my track record with fire types. Though, he did say it had problems getting started.” Ash sighed.

 

“You do have a point there…well I guess I'll choose, Totodile.” She picked up the third pokeball.

 

“Now all you two have to do is decide who gets the last one.” Samuel looked relieved that they weren't fighting anymore. His relief quickly turned to worry. *If they continue to yell, they'll attract May's attention and I don't want to deal with that right now.*

 

“You can have the last one…I don't need a highly possessive pokemon. Gabby might get jealous.”

 

Ash looked apprehensively at the remaining pokeball. *At least she calmed down. Wonder why she's been so upset lately…I'll ask her about it tonight.*

 

“Ash, hurry up and take the pokeball we have to get back to the gym.” Misty was beginning to get annoyed.

 

He sighed and grabbed the last ball since he really didn't feel like fighting with her at the moment. The risk of having to deal with May while Misty was in this mood was too great.

 

*****

 

They were about to leave when Delia entered the lab. Why don't we eat lunch with the pokemon?”

 

Ash had almost forgotten all about eating and the mention of food caused his stomach to grumble. “Almost forgot we didn't eat lunch yet…but…”

 

Samuel, Misty, Ash, and Pikachu shared a look of apprehension.

 

Delia just smiled at them, “Don't worry about “her” she's entertaining someone right now. Though I doubt even he could make her leave Ash alone.” She frowned a little at that last part.

 

“Huh!?!” and “Pi!?!” (From Ash's shoulder) All four exclaimed respectively with looks of confusion on all of their faces.

 

Delia just smiled, “It appears an old acquaintance of hers battled for an Elemental badge and needed his pokemon healed. But since the Pokemon Center isn't open yet, he needed to use our facilities.”

 

“Oh!” Everyone exclaimed.

 

Ash smirked then broke out in laughter.

 

Misty looked at her dear husband like he had all of a sudden sprouted another head. “What the HECK is so funny?” She glared daggers at him.

 

Delia was quite taken aback by Misty's reactions and mood. *Hmm…I wonder…* She got a knowing smile on her face as she continued to observe her daughter-in-law and son. *Maybe I won't have to wait too long for grandchildren after all…*

 

He sobered up quickly, “Heh…heh...umm…I battled AJ today.” *Yessh! She is really cranky recently…wonder what the problem is.* He grinned sheepishly at his wife who was rather surprised.

 

“WHAT!?! When? Does he know May? How…”

 

Samuel interrupted her, “Oh! Yes, now I remember, they used to go out. Well until he had to continue on his journey. I think she met him at some kind of party two years ago…haven't heard from him since. She was kind of upset at him over the whole thing.”

 

The other five occupants of the room face faulted.

 

Delia recovered first, clapping her hands and smiling cheerfully. “Well I think we should take this chance to enjoy a relaxing lunch.”

 

“I don't think we can have too relaxing a lunch since Misty and I really should get back to the gym soon.”

 

“Oh! Well I guess we had better hurry then.”

 

All five of them went outside to eat and discuss this new development.

 

*****

 

Ash and Misty made it back to the gym just in time.

 

“Whew! That was a close one.” Misty collapsed in a chair.

 

“What do you mean? Making it on time or avoiding “her”?

 

“Both!”

 

“Pika!” [Yeah!]

 

Ash headed towards the stairs, “Well I guess it's my turn in the office. Before I forget, AJ may come by tomorrow”

 

Misty shot him a puzzled look, “Why?”

 

Ash stopped at the base of the stairs, “Because I promised he could try for the badge again, tomorrow.”

 

“WHAT!?!”

 

“I promised…”

 

Misty interrupted him, “You beat him?” She was incredulous

 

Ash frowned, “You didn't think I could beat him?”

 

“Ye…no…oh! I just thought that he would be even harder to beat now then he was back then.”

 

Ash was hurt. He swallowed hard and replied hoarsely, “I beat him after you went back to Cerulean City and Brock went back to Pewter.”

 

“Oh…you didn't tell me that in your letters.” She was sorry she said anything.

 

Ash turned back to the stairs to hide his pained expression and resumed his trek to the office, “Well I had better go work on the paperwork…I'll see you later. Good luck on all the challenges.”

Misty watched him dejectedly walk up the stairs she curled up in a ball on the couch. *I'm sorry…what's wrong with me? I feel so odd…I hope we can talk it out tonight. Oh, Ash why am I reverting back to how I was before?*

 

*****

 

Ash sat in the chair and stared at the desk. There wasn't much left to do…Misty had taken care of almost all of the paperwork. *Why is she acting this way? I'm so confused…*

 

Pikachu tried to get his attention, “Pikapi, pika pikachu?” (Ash, what's wrong?)

 

“Huh?” Ash shook his head and looked at his friend. “Don't worry about me…I'll be fine…I'm just worried about Misty.”

 

Pikachu jumped on Ash's shoulder and patted his head, “Pi pikachu pika pika chu.” (I'm sure she's fine.)

 

“I just don't know what's wrong…maybe it's all this baby business…or maybe it's May…”

 

“Pika chu.” (Try talking to her.)

 

Ash smiled at his friend, “I'll try Pikachu…I'll try.” He sighed and worked on finished up what was left of the paperwork.

 

*****

 

Back down stairs Misty was battling a Rattata with Totodile…

 

“Totodile use leer.”

 

“Tota!” (Okay!) The little crocodile followed through with the command, it was successful.

 

“Rattata, tackle attack!” The small rat like pokemon charged Totodile.

 

The little crock danced out of the way and continued to dance around avoiding all of Rattata's attacks.

 

“Totodile use Scratch.”

 

“Rattata tackle attack.”

 

The two pokemon made contact. Totodile was able to get in a few scratches before Rattata could execute its' tackle. They jumped apart waiting for the next command.

 

“Totodile use Scratch again.”

 

“Rattata tackle again.”

 

This time Totodile got solid hits in and Rattata's attack missed…Rattata fainted.

 

“No, Rattata…are you okay?” The young trainer ran to retrieve his fallen pokemon.

 

Misty congratulated Totodile then recalled him. She took a potion off the shelf and went to help the young trainer.

 

He was checking out his pokemon's injuries.

 

Misty smiled a little at him then administered the potion to Rattata. “Your Rattata fought well…you just need to train a bit more and get more pokemon to help you out. When your ready come back and try again.”

 

The young trainer returned his revived pokemon to its ball and bowed his head. “Thank you.”

 

She smiled a bit more, “No problem, just keep on trying and you'll succeed.”

 

The boy thanked her again, nodded his head and left the gym.

 

Misty sighed, *Kind of reminds me of Ash. Just a few more hours and I can apologize.*

 

She glanced at the office and went back out front to get the next challenger.

 

*****

 

Ash was determined to get Misty to tell him what was bothering her by the time he finished his work. He spent the rest of the afternoon planning what he was going to say. When the clock struck four o'clock he had everything planned out. He gathered up their things and grabbed the letters that needed to be mailed locking up the office as they left.

 

Misty met him in the front she locked up while he dropped the mail in a mailbox along the way. They continued the walk home in silence.

 

*****

After taking care of the pokemon and eating a quick dinner. Ash and Misty went out on the balcony to watch the sunset as was their ritual. Ash stood behind Misty as they gazed out at the setting sun.

 

Misty turned to Ash and hugged him, “Ash, I'm really sorry for what I said today…I don't know what came over me…”

 

He hugged her back and buried his face in her hair kissing her scalp. “Ssshhh…It's okay…I just want you to let me know when something is bothering you.” He held her close and rubbed her back.

 

She pulled back enough to look him in the eye. “Well…I guess everything is just different from what I thought it would be. It's…overwhelming me. I never expected to have a weird ex-girlfriend of sorts who won't take no for an answer after my husband.

 

Ash smiled, “I remember when I used to have a crush on her but I was just her younger brother's friend/rival at the time. Believe me I wasn't expecting her to like me when I returned to Pallet. I actually forgot all about her since I was already in love with you. I was hoping that getting married would solve the problem and she would give up.”

 

She buried her face in his chest, “Will she ever give up?”

 

Ash ran his fingers through her hair in a soothing rhythm, “I hope so…I really hope so.”

 

They stood like that until the sun went down.

 

Misty sighed, “Ash?”

 

“Hmm?” He looked down and met her gaze.

 

“About what I told Samuel…”

 

“What about it?”

 

“We are trying to start a family…right?”

 

He smiled, “If your ready…I'm ready.”

 

“I'm r-ready…you don't regret marrying me do you?”

 

Ash's brows knit together, “You don't sound that sure and why would I regret marrying you? Sure we fight every now and then but it's never anything too serious. You don't regret marring me do you?”

 

She intensified her gaze, “No, I couldn't imagine my life with out you. Well, actually I could but I really don't want to.”

 

“Keep it that way.” He leaned down and pecked her on the lips. His confidence that they could deal with what ever life throws at them reassured her.

 

“As long as your there with me I feel like I'm ready for anything.”

 

He picked her up a little and kissed her deeply. She moved broke the kiss and they both took a deep breath.

 

“How about we continue this in the house?”

 

She smiled and gently kissed him again, “That's the best idea I've heard today…besides its getting cold out here.”

 

He pecked her on the nose scooped her up and carried her in the house.

 

*****

 

To be continued…

 

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I seem to be on a roll again.

 

Thanks for reading and please review, until next chapter,

~Kitcat ^_^

koneko@hawaii.rr.com