Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Life is Full of Little Surprises ❯ The Apex of the Storm�The Showdown ( Chapter 15 )

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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 is property of Jaelle and Orla I asked before posting it. ^_^

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Chapter 15: The Apex of the Storm…The Showdown

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Two more months fly by and Misty is now on official maternity leave though she still goes to watch and cheer Ash on when she isn't too tired. Richie has agreed to come back from his Jhoto journeys to take Misty's place as assistant gym leader temporarily. He and Bryan are staying at the Ketchum residence. Between Ash, Richie and Bryan they try to do everything for her and the fact she is getting too big to do what she wants isn't helping matters any. Though she is not that big the extra weight to her slight frame restricts her activities and causes Ash to hover and worry. Needless to say this only irritates her to no end. She swears it is a conspiracy against her since every time she tries anything Ash, Richie, or Bryan are there. So she chooses to stay home most times just to escape them.

Ash woke her up that morning insisting that she come with him to the gym that day. Luckily for him she felt like going to the gym though she did give him a slightly difficult time. They were finally going to have a surprise baby shower and his mom would kill him if she wasn't there. “Come on Misty! I'm going to be late for work.”

“I'll be right there…besides I can walk there on my own.” His whining was upsetting here which wasn't a hard thing to do as her pregnancy progressed. She was scowling as she left the bedroom in the light blue maternity dress he picked out. “I don't see why I can't wear something else…”

Ash smiled at her, “You can but I don't want you to…besides I like that dress it brings out your eyes. Now come on I'm going to be late. Bryan went to the lab and went with him. He mentioned something about asking Sam something.” Thankfully Misty wasn't looking at him as she gathered some stuff to do at the gym incase she didn't feel like watching Ash or Richie battle. If she had been looking at him she would have probably realized Ash told her a slight white lie about Richie who was really helping his mom run a couple of last minute errands before the party.

She sighed, “Maybe I shouldn't go today…”

Ash panicked “You're already dressed and your pokemon are dying to see you.”

“Fine but you had better have something for me to eat for breakfast. On second thought you had better have some cold Lychee for me.” She followed him out the door.

Ash held open the door taking the small bag she was holding. “I've got two chilled cans in the lunch bag. Man I'm glad you stopped craving weird food combinations though Lychee is hard to find in early January. Thank god they sell it canned even if it does cost a lot.” Ash shut and locked the door and they got into the car. He bought one in preparation for the baby since he couldn't ask his mom to take Misty to the hospital and he wasn't about to pack her on a bicycle and peddle to the hospital.

“Hey! Sardine sandwiches aren't that bad.” Misty pouted.

Ash scrunched up his face but kept his attention on the road, “Yes, will agree sardine sandwiches aren't bad on their own but the ingredient that made it weird was peanut butter. Now sardine and peanut butter sandwiches are just gross.”

They continued debating Misty's odd food combinations that she craved earlier in the pregnancy all the way to the gym. Thankfully it was short ride and Misty for the most part was in a good mood.

Misty went to visit with her pokemon then went up to the office to devour her Lychee. After she did that she decided to take a nap on the cot.

Ash waited downstairs for Richie as he did a few little things to prep for the day.

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Ash absently watched Richie battle a challenger from the pool where Gabby swam happily with the rest of Misty's pokemon as he thought about Misty sleeping upstairs as well as several other things he was beginning to get anxious. *She looks so peaceful sleeping there…man the time sure passed fast. I can't believe that in a little less than a month the baby will be here…she'll probably wake up from her nap soon. Hope my mom gets here soon its almost time for the party and she's supposed to set up.* Ash's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the gym door opening. *Great! She's finally…*

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Only it wasn't who Ash was expecting it was actually someone everyone had hoped wouldn't appear anytime soon.

“Oh, Ash!”

He groaned, “What are you doing here?”

She feigned a hurt expression, “Why I thought you would enjoy my company. I mean after all she hasn't been around to cheer you on recently…I mean what kind of wife not to mention assistant gym leader doesn't cheer on her husband. You need…”

Ash angrily interrupted her “Misty isn't here a lot because she's on maternity leave. Don't you understand?”

May ignored him and latched on to his arm. “I know she's pregnant but how do you know it's your child. Not to mention that with that temper I don't think she would make a very good mother…” As May continued to prattle on about what she thought were Misty's faults she didn't notice the person she was talking about standing right behind both of them though Ash heard and felt his furious wife's and her pokemon's presence behind them.

Gabby loomed in the background upset that “she” would insult his master. She had no right and judging from Misty's facial expression “she” was going to get it. But unless told to do something Gabby knew better than to interfere. For now he would just observe how Ash handled it.

Ash stiffened as she went on and vainly attempted to pry her off his arm. Her accusations were the last straw. “Look! I married Misty not you. I Love Misty and I trust her which is more than I can say about you. At one point in my life I did have a crush on you, but that is in the past. I'm tired of you constantly interfering in our lives and insulting my wife. You are older than us but your recent actions and behavior are similar to a spoiled child. I naively thought I could somehow I could keep you as a friend especially since we are now related by marriage. Now the only thing but your recent behavior doesn't even merit that!”

May loosened her grip on his arm enough for him to successfully pull her hands off his arm and move away from her as he continued yelling at her. She stared at him in shock that he would tell her off. Though she some how regained her composure shortly after he finished, “Well, I know when I'm not wanted.” She sniffed as she walked towards the door.

Misty was in awe that she finally seemed get a clue but she still fully convinced that May would give up so easily especially when she had taken things so far. That and she was far too upset and though Ash defended her she wasn't going to let it go so easily. This had just gone on too long and she had to get her say in so she rushed past Ash and caught up with May grabbed her arm and spun her around to face her, then she slapped her cheek. “How dare you accuse me of cheating on Ash!”

May stood there in shock rubbing her cheek. The shock wore off quickly though the pain did not and that upset her even more. “How dare you hit me! You don't deserve him, you stole him from me!”

Misty gaffed at her “Do you ever listen to anything anyone else says? He said he had a crush on you once. It's over, why can't you accept that? Get over yourself and find someone else.”

May wasn't about to give in so easily “Well at least I don't live in a guy's house before we are married.”

“I had to! I live in Cerulean City and I wasn't about to commute everyday just for work. Besides we were in separate rooms and we didn't do anything during that time and I don't have to defend our actions to you.” Misty was beyond angry now.

Ash couldn't stay quiet when he heard May accusing Misty of things that didn't happen “I don't know what you are trying to do May but I won't let you talk to my wife that way.” Ash rubbed Misty's back in an attempt to calm her down. Misty was surprised at Ash's appearance she was so focused on May that she didn't even realize he was behind her for some time.

May likewise was so intent on Misty that she blocked out everything else. She glanced at Ash then turned on her heel and stormed out of the gym. But she did finally admit to her self once she got home and calmed down that what Ash had said was true and she was wrong to have done everything that she did. But she wouldn't apologize for her actions and words until weeks later.

Misty stared at her retreating figure and she was still a quite upset that May left so abruptly. But Ash made all of that disappear as he turned her around and kissed her. Gabby stayed where he was until he knew the threat was over then returned to swimming around the pool.

The sound of someone clearing their throat behind them made them jump apart, and look sheepishly at the ground, and blush like they had been caught doing something wrong. “Sorry for interrupting you but I finished early.” The person couldn't help laughing, “Why do you guys look like you got your hands caught in a cookie jar? I mean you have been married for nine months and since Misty is pregnant you have obviously done more than just kiss...”

“Bryan!” Misty recognized the voice and laugh and her embarrassment quickly turned to irritation. “That isn't any of your business and what do you mean finished early? I thought you were going to eat lunch at work.”

“Uh...ummm...” Bryan stopped laughing when he heard the tone of her voice and realized his slip. He stammered an answer as Ash glared at him. He caught the glare but didn't react to it and luckily Ash was behind Misty so she didn't catch the exchange. “Sorry, I got my days mixed up. Heh heh heh...you know me I can't keep simple stuff straight.”

Misty didn't look like she believed a word he said but didn't say anything. *Your hiding something and I'm going to find out what it is...*

Bryan's face brightened as he smiled at her and produced a wet looking brown paper bag from his lunch pack. “Almost forgot.” He handed the bag to her.

Misty looked at it suspiciously but accepted the bag at first opening it carefully then ripping it to shreds. “THANK YOU!”

Ash watched the exchange in confusion only getting a glimpse of the bag over her shoulder. “What is it?”

“It's Lychee!” Misty cried out happily as she moved as quickly as she could to the office and the can opener.

Bryan couldn't help but laugh as he watched her enthusiasm over the white fruit. “Saved by the Lychee.”

Ash shook his head as he watched her go to enjoy her treat. Once she was out of earshot and sight he turned back to Bryan, “You are really lucky because if you didn't distract her in some way I would have killed you for giving it all away. Not to mention my mom would have been in line after me.”

He looked sheepishly at Ash “Sorry I wasn't expecting to be greeted by the sight of the two of you lip locking in the doorway. Speaking of your mom she is waiting outside for help in sneaking everything inside. Oh and by the way who was that storming away from the gym? She looks familiar...”

“That was May.”

“So that was the ever popular May Oak. No wonder she looked familiar I've seen her at the lab a few times. She would actually be kind of cute if it weren't for the fact that she was so pissed off.”

Ash shot him a disbelieving glance, “You are too weird.”

“Says the man who married Misty Waterflower.”

“Hey!”

Bryan smiled “You have your tastes and I have mine. You had better go help your mom while I go keep Misty occupied.”

Ash still miffed about Bryan's shot at him grudgingly agreed “Okay, that will work especially since one can of Lychee won't keep her occupied for long.” Ash rushed out to help his mom.

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It didn't take too long with the help of the other guests to get everything set up in the lounge. Ash went to get his wife and Bryan while everyone else waited to surprise her. He didn't have a hard time locating them. They were watching Richie finish up his last battle before lunch.

“Okay Zippo use flame thrower!”

“NO, Dugtrio!”

Referee “Dugtrio is out. Richie is the winner!”

“Good job Zippo!” Richie patted his Charmeleon on the head and both of them walked over to their opponent. “You fought a good battle, keep training and you can come back to try again for a Rainbow badge. Here this should help your pokemon till you get to the Pokemon Center.”

The challenger looked up from his fainted Dugtrio and took the revive Richie offered him. “Thank you! I will train hard and be back to try again.”

Ash clapped the challenger on the shoulder “I have to agree, your pokemon fought well and if you were up against Sparky or Pikachu you may have stood a fairly good chance with Dugtrio. But you do have to remember the Rainbow badge is an all around badge and you aren't just up against electric types here.” Ash smiled at the challenger glad that Pikachu and Sparky were in the Lounge unable to hear him.

“I'll try to remember that the next time I try for the badge.” After administering the revive and making sure Dugtrio was okay he recalled his pokemon and left the gym.

Ash helped Misty up and they started towards the lounge “Are you two ready to eat lunch?”

“YES!”

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Ash opened the door to the lounge and every one in the room shouted, “SURPRISE!!”

Misty would have fallen back if Bryan and Ritchie weren't behind her “W-What's going on?”

Delia came forward “This is your surprise baby shower. With everything going on we didn't have time to give you one earlier.” She then took Misty's hand and led her to a chair at one of the tables in the front.

After Misty was seated everyone else in the room sat down to eat the catered lunches from Jesse and James' Restaurant.

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After lunch they bombarded Ash and Misty with gifts. Most of them being clothes and diapers though they did receive a few toys.

Delia approached them after they finished unwrapping all the gifts. “Misty and Ash since you pretty much have everything you will need our gift is the offer to baby sit when ever you need time to yourselves.”

Professor Oak looked at his wife in shock “I-I didn't agree to that!”

Everyone laughed.

“Oh relax Sam you don't have to do much I'll do most of it but you will help out. Besides you've done this before I've never had a grandchild to take care of.” She hugged her husband who could only sit there shocked that she would volunteer him like that.

The conversation was interrupted by a commotion at the back of the room. Everyone turned around to see what was causing so much noise.

“Wobba wobba wobbafet!” Wobbafet was on a stage that Ash didn't remember setting up or seeing before. He was trying to get behind the bright red curtains that were pulled shut.

“Hey stop that!” Persian popped his head out and yelled at the blue pokemon.

“Persian get him away from there!” A voice called from behind the curtains. “Believe me I'm trying to.”

“That's it! Wobbafet return!” With a last “Wobba!” Wobbafet got sucked into his pokeball.

The not so mysterious voice cleared its throat as spot lights crossed on the curtains and the other lights went dark and familiar music started to play “Prepare for trouble...”

“Will you guys cut that out?”

A bit upset Jesse and James appeared from behind the sheet Jesse dressed as a giant bottle and James in a huge diaper with a bonnet on his head.

“We never get to finish.” James whined.

“I spent along time working on that just for the baby twerp and you had to interrupt me!” Jesse fumed and continued to rant.

Ash sighed and whispered to Bryan, “Never mind I take it back, you aren't weird. But they are.”

Bryan laughed and whispered back “I have to agree with you on that one.”

The two men chuckled until Jesse yelled at them “What's so funny!”

“Jesse its not that we don't appreciate the time you spent on your presentation...” Ash started.

Misty interrupted him before he stuck his foot in his mouth “We appreciate the thought you put in to this but sometimes a little less flash and flare work better. It's the thought that counts.”

“Well okay then...James come here.”

“Yes, Jesse.”

They whipped off the costumes and to everyone's relief they were wearing nice causal clothing under them.

Then the whipped a sheet off what looked like a four tiered cake to unveil a four layer diaper cake. “We didn't know what to get and giving diapers in the bags is just too boring.”

Everyone gasped at the cake it was huge and must have taken them a long time to make and tie each layer with a ribbon. Blue and pink ribbons held the diapers together in each layer.

Ash stared in awe and voiced the question that was plaguing everyone's mind. “How long did it take to make that?”

Jesse laughed “With the help of our pokemon not long at all.” At that moment Wobbafet decided to join the party by somehow escaping his pokeball with a “WOBBA!”

Jesse whacked him on the head with the top of James' costume “You weren't of any help in making the cake! Will you get back in your pokeball?”

“Wob?” Wobbafet stood there looking clueless with the baby bonnet on his head. “GRRRRR!”

The whole room laughed at the exchange as Jesse finally succeeded in getting her pokemon in its ball. “...and stay there!”

Ash helped Misty to stand up “We would like to thank everyone for this party, especially my Mom who organized this whole thing. Unfortunately the Gym has to re-open and all of you have to get back to work so it has to end.”

Everyone agreed but helped to clean up the party. While Ash packed all of the gifts in to the car and took Misty home to get some rest. It seemed like the baby knew they had a party for it because it started to really move around on the way home and wouldn't calm down once Misty was seated comfortably on the their bed. Ash had to talk to and rub Misty's stomach to calm it down and allow its mother to get some much needed sleep before going back to the gym.

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Back at the gym Richie finished tossing the last bag of rubbish in the dumpster while Bryan put the furniture back in order. They tried to make the cake easier to handle by taking it down layer by layer and packing it in bags. Once done they just waited for Ash to get back so he could pack it in the car and take it home.

“Whew! That thing was heavy for just diapers.” Richie collapsed on the couch next to Bryan.

Bryan grunted in agreement, “How well do you know those two?”

“Do you mean Jesse and James?”

“Yah! I mean they seem okay but they defiantly have their quarks.”

Richie laughed “That's one way of putting it.”

The two men laughed.

“I don't think I could battle anyone else today. Ash is going to have to finish up today's battles.”

“Well I don't think he will have to since its already time for closing.”

“Didn't notice it was that late, Sparky where are you?”

Two groggy “Pikas” came from the side of the couch.

“There you two are! Where were you? Was the excitement too much?” Richie scooped up both Pikachus and lulled them back to sleep on his lap.

“Richie? Bryan? Anyone here?”

“Ash is back go get him.”

“Why me? I'm just as tired as you?” Bryan slumped down further in the couch.

“Well I've got two sleeping Pikachus on my lap. And being that they are sleeping we shouldn't ye...”

Bryan ignored Richie, removed his arm from his eyes and yelled “Ash, were in the lounge!”

“PIKA! PIKACHUUUUUUU!” Both Pikachu's didn't like the disruption to their nap and they got a double shock.

“AHHHHHHHHHH!” They both yelled as a bright flash was seen originating somewhere in the lounge.

Ash rushed to the lounge the sight that greeted him was two charred bumps on the couch with two angry Pikachus on the floor. “I never would have believed it...”

Richie recovered first “...ll.” ::cough:: “I told him not to yell. What don't you believe? You've had Pikachu as long as I've had Sparky this shouldn't...excuse the pun...shock you.”

Ash laughed “Not that I know what happens when you wake up a Pikachu intent on getting sleep. What I don't believe is that the sales person was telling the truth.”

The other charred lump coughed, “What?”

“I ordered fire, scotch, and shock resistant furniture and paint. I never thought it would actually work.” Ash couldn't help laughing.

Richie and Bryan looked at the room there wasn't a single scorch mark on the room or couch they were sitting on.

Richie cracked up laughing “They really got us good too...I don't normally take long to recover from getting shocked.”

Bryan just looked at the two of them like they lost their minds. “You two have really been training your Pikachus too much.”

Ash stopped his laughter “Well considering they are very easily angered and let you know by using Thundershock. You either adapt or get fried.”

Bryan shook his head and dusted himself off “Let's lock up and go I'm going to need the sleep.”

Richie did the same as Ash went to load the cake in the car and check on Misty's pokemon. While Bryan helped Richie finish the other stuff they needed to do for the day.

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What surprised Ash when he checked on the pool was that Gabby actually approached him to get petted. He didn't attack him in anyway. He fed them and checked on the water temperature then joined his two friends at the entrance to the gym. Where they went to Ash's house and rested up for the next day.

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To be continued…

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Okay, four more chapters to go and the edits are done! Whew this is taking longer than I thought it would. Quite a lot got changed here please let me know how you like it. I wasn't fully satisfied with the climax with May and would greatly appreciate any feed back on the changes to that part.

Thanks for reading…please review.

Until next chapter,

Kitcat ^_^