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The two of them piled into the car, and Misty said, "so, have you made
any new friends since I talked to you?"
Was it her imagination, or was he blushing? "I, um, made a few. Well,
a lot of people know who I am now, since I became a famous Pokemon trainer,
but...." he was glancing cockily out of the corner of his eye then.
"You're more conceited then ever!" Misty cried. "You haven't changed
one bit!"
"I guess not," he said, grinning his adorable grin again. And then they ran out of things to say. Misty never thought it would
happen. She thought they would be talking a million miles an hour by this time,
trying to catch up on old times. But there was silence. Misty cleared her throat. "Um, how long is it to the stadium?" she
asked. "About 20 miles," he said. Suddenly she thought of something to say, something to break down
the wall of awkwardness. "So what is it about Ritchie, Ash? He was acting
weird." Ash flinched slightly. "I think he....um....has a crush on me."
"Doesn't everyone," said Misty lightly, glancing out the window. Ash
turned his head sharply towards her, narrowly avoiding hitting a passing car. "Whoa! Watch it, Ketchum! You don't want to get us killed before you
reach the tournament, do you?" He shrugged. "Yeah, that WOULD be a bad thing, wouldn't it?" Misty was trying so hard to carry on a normal conversation while they
were driving, but everything she said seemed to come out on a dead end. What
happened to the chatty Ash she'd talked to in letters and on the phone? He
seemed totally nonexistent. After what seemed like an eternity of sitting in the car, fishing for
conversation starters, they arrived at the stadium. Misty burst out of the car after
Ash found a parking spot. Ritchie ran over to the two of them, looking vaguely jealous. "Ready to
battle, Ashy?" He asked. Ash shot him a glance between terror and confusion. "Yea, I am," said Ash coldly, and they headed into the arena. "Pokemon trainers Ash Ketchum and Ritchie Plowers have arrived!!"
screamed a TV announcer, running up to the group. "Who is it you have with you, Mr. Ketchum? Is that your rumored
girlfriend, Cindy Manthis?" Ash's eyes shifted from the reporter to Misty. "No, it's my childhood
traveling companion, Misty Waterflower." She smiled and waved at the camera. "So, are the rumors true, then?" butted in another reporter. "Are you
going out with Ms. Manthis?" A terribly long silence stretched over the three people the camera was
on. "I refuse to answer that question," responded Ash finally, and he
headed towards the middle of the field without saying another word to Misty. A
slow, sinking feeling was overcoming her.
A couple hours later, after they were all settled and the tournament was
about to begin, Misty finally had a minute to see Ash. Quietly slipping into his
room she saw a sight that shocked her. Ash was crying. She had never seen
him this miserable since he almost lost Pikachu. "Ash?" she said quietly. "Misty?! Wha-what do you want? I-I mean!" Ash cried, flustered, quickly
trying to dry his eyes. Misty smiled sadly "It's ok." She paused "Ash..what's wrong??" "Nothing, Misty. I'm fine" "Ash Ketchum!! I am NOT your best friend for nothing. I can TELL when
something's bothering you. So out with it. What's a matter?" "It's nothing. I..I..I just.. Misty, I can't tell you." Misty's anger was getting to her. "Ash did I not just say I was your best
friend?! Of COURSE you can tell me!"
"No, Misty, I can't. I have to figure this one out on my own okay?? I wish
I could but I just can't! Please understand. Please!" Misty sighed heavily. "Alright! I don't understand but alright." "Thanks" he said, relived. Then he gave her a big hug. "Hey! What was that for?" Misty said surprised.
"For always being there for me..even when I was being a pain in the
butt." Ash responded gazing at her fondly."
Misty laughed slightly, and Ash grinned.
"You've a great laugh, Misty." Ash looked horror stuck. *Oh crap did I
just SAY that?? OUTLOUD??* "Um..I..I mean let's go. the tournaments
starting. Misty??"
"Hm?? What?? Oh, yea, let's go" Misty was still in shock. *Did Ash just
say that..to me??* she kept thinking over and over again. "Welcome to the Koss Tournament. This is the ninth consecutive year in
which...." Began the annoncer, but Ash never heard a word after that. He sat
lost in thought, unaware that someone had come over and was calling his name
until he heard a shout in his ear. "YO, ASH! WAKE UP!!!" came the semi-familiar voice "CRIPES, BROCK!! Scare me why don't you!?" Brock laughed then grinned evilly. "Daydreaming about Cindy again
Ash?? Or maybe it was a DIFFERENT red-head..." Ash made a face at Brock, but muttered "You always DID know what I
was thinking.." This made Brock's mouth drop open. "But..but what about..?" He let
the question go unfinished. "I thought you two were ENGAGED!! Engaged, Ash!" "I KNOW!!" Ash almost screamed. "But seeing her again.. talking to her
in person..being this close. I know I said my feelings had ended..but I knew
in my heart they hadn't. And know I have to add in my feelings for Cindy. I
dunno what to do." Ash explained miserably. "I do. Your gonna go out there and compete and worry about this later.
Hey you're a FAMOUS trainer, you'll do FINE." Brock reminded him after seeing
the look of worry on his face. "I wanna actually talk to you later. It's been
almost five years since I've seen either your or Misty. So whadda say the three
of us go out for old times sake tonight ok?" "Ok" Ash agreed and flashed Brock his million dollar smile. "And now famous Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum enters the training field!" Instantly, the crowd erupted into cheering. Teenage girls swooned at
the sight of the handsome young man, boys bustled to get his autograph, and
other Pokemon trainers made calls of admiration. Ash Ketchum, the famous Pokemon trainer. He waved like he usually did
and smiled mechanically at the crowd. Not one of the people in the crowd knew
of his inner turmoil. He tried to shove aside his whirling thoughts and ran onto the field,
ready to battle. The old rush of excitement overcame him as he whipped out the
Pokeball holding his Charizard. Suddenly, Ash caught a glimpse of red hair out of the corner of his eye,
and knew Misty was watching him. He felt her eyes on his back as he battled with Charizard, then Pikachu,
then Notctowl. *Why do I feel so self-conscious? * He wondered as he struggled to
concentrate on the battle. *It's just Misty. It's not like Cindy is out there
watching or anything. * But she was. The second he won the battle, a petite, redheaded girl
rushed out onto the field and hugged him furiously from behind. "Misty?!" He exclaimed, turning around quickly. "The last time I looked, my name was Cindy," she said. He smiled and hugged her back, expecting to feel comforted. But it only
felt wrong.
Misty gasped in shock as the energetic girl bound onto the field and
hugged Ash. HER Ash. But then, as she watched in horror, he hugged her back.
Slowly, Misty closed her eyes and sat down. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't. But it was. She forced her eyes
open and saw that the terrible scene was over, and now Cindy and Ash were
leaving the battlefield, arm in arm. Tears were blurring her vision. Misty stood up and stumbled out of the
stands, carelessly bumping into people, and ignoring their shallow shouts behind
her. "Misty!" yelled Brock, seeing her shoving people aside in her haste to
get out. He ran up to where she was and caught her hands in his own.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Her watery eyes met his and she just said, "Nothing." Brock shook his head. "Misty! Tell me!" She just looked away. Ash and Cindy headed outside and were passing them up at that very
moment, and it was at that very moment that Cindy chose to notice Misty. "Misty? Misty Waterflower?" She said. "Oh, it is you!" Misty wiped her eyes and stared up into the face of the other redhead.
"Cindy?" Her eyes held not a sign of contempt. "Nice to see you! How have you
been lately?" Her gaze scrutinized Misty's red, blotchy face. "Good," said Misty, though it was apparent that she was lying. "Good, I'm glad to hear that," she said. It seemed as if their previous
rivalry was forgotten. "Well, ASH and I have to go," she added, sweetly smiling. As they
turned to leave with a totally expressionless Ash, she said, "And I see you're still
single?" "Bitch!" Misty murmured under her breath. Then Misty turned and
flounced away.
The two of them piled into the car, and Misty said, "so, have you made
any new friends since I talked to you?"
Was it her imagination, or was he blushing? "I, um, made a few. Well,
a lot of people know who I am now, since I became a famous Pokemon trainer,
but...." he was glancing cockily out of the corner of his eye then.
"You're more conceited then ever!" Misty cried. "You haven't changed
one bit!"
"I guess not," he said, grinning his adorable grin again. And then they ran out of things to say. Misty never thought it would
happen. She thought they would be talking a million miles an hour by this time,
trying to catch up on old times. But there was silence. Misty cleared her throat. "Um, how long is it to the stadium?" she
asked. "About 20 miles," he said. Suddenly she thought of something to say, something to break down
the wall of awkwardness. "So what is it about Ritchie, Ash? He was acting
weird." Ash flinched slightly. "I think he....um....has a crush on me."
"Doesn't everyone," said Misty lightly, glancing out the window. Ash
turned his head sharply towards her, narrowly avoiding hitting a passing car. "Whoa! Watch it, Ketchum! You don't want to get us killed before you
reach the tournament, do you?" He shrugged. "Yeah, that WOULD be a bad thing, wouldn't it?" Misty was trying so hard to carry on a normal conversation while they
were driving, but everything she said seemed to come out on a dead end. What
happened to the chatty Ash she'd talked to in letters and on the phone? He
seemed totally nonexistent. After what seemed like an eternity of sitting in the car, fishing for
conversation starters, they arrived at the stadium. Misty burst out of the car after
Ash found a parking spot. Ritchie ran over to the two of them, looking vaguely jealous. "Ready to
battle, Ashy?" He asked. Ash shot him a glance between terror and confusion. "Yea, I am," said Ash coldly, and they headed into the arena. "Pokemon trainers Ash Ketchum and Ritchie Plowers have arrived!!"
screamed a TV announcer, running up to the group. "Who is it you have with you, Mr. Ketchum? Is that your rumored
girlfriend, Cindy Manthis?" Ash's eyes shifted from the reporter to Misty. "No, it's my childhood
traveling companion, Misty Waterflower." She smiled and waved at the camera. "So, are the rumors true, then?" butted in another reporter. "Are you
going out with Ms. Manthis?" A terribly long silence stretched over the three people the camera was
on. "I refuse to answer that question," responded Ash finally, and he
headed towards the middle of the field without saying another word to Misty. A
slow, sinking feeling was overcoming her.
A couple hours later, after they were all settled and the tournament was
about to begin, Misty finally had a minute to see Ash. Quietly slipping into his
room she saw a sight that shocked her. Ash was crying. She had never seen
him this miserable since he almost lost Pikachu. "Ash?" she said quietly. "Misty?! Wha-what do you want? I-I mean!" Ash cried, flustered, quickly
trying to dry his eyes. Misty smiled sadly "It's ok." She paused "Ash..what's wrong??" "Nothing, Misty. I'm fine" "Ash Ketchum!! I am NOT your best friend for nothing. I can TELL when
something's bothering you. So out with it. What's a matter?" "It's nothing. I..I..I just.. Misty, I can't tell you." Misty's anger was getting to her. "Ash did I not just say I was your best
friend?! Of COURSE you can tell me!"
"No, Misty, I can't. I have to figure this one out on my own okay?? I wish
I could but I just can't! Please understand. Please!" Misty sighed heavily. "Alright! I don't understand but alright." "Thanks" he said, relived. Then he gave her a big hug. "Hey! What was that for?" Misty said surprised.
"For always being there for me..even when I was being a pain in the
butt." Ash responded gazing at her fondly."
Misty laughed slightly, and Ash grinned.
"You've a great laugh, Misty." Ash looked horror stuck. *Oh crap did I
just SAY that?? OUTLOUD??* "Um..I..I mean let's go. the tournaments
starting. Misty??"
"Hm?? What?? Oh, yea, let's go" Misty was still in shock. *Did Ash just
say that..to me??* she kept thinking over and over again. "Welcome to the Koss Tournament. This is the ninth consecutive year in
which...." Began the annoncer, but Ash never heard a word after that. He sat
lost in thought, unaware that someone had come over and was calling his name
until he heard a shout in his ear. "YO, ASH! WAKE UP!!!" came the semi-familiar voice "CRIPES, BROCK!! Scare me why don't you!?" Brock laughed then grinned evilly. "Daydreaming about Cindy again
Ash?? Or maybe it was a DIFFERENT red-head..." Ash made a face at Brock, but muttered "You always DID know what I
was thinking.." This made Brock's mouth drop open. "But..but what about..?" He let
the question go unfinished. "I thought you two were ENGAGED!! Engaged, Ash!" "I KNOW!!" Ash almost screamed. "But seeing her again.. talking to her
in person..being this close. I know I said my feelings had ended..but I knew
in my heart they hadn't. And know I have to add in my feelings for Cindy. I
dunno what to do." Ash explained miserably. "I do. Your gonna go out there and compete and worry about this later.
Hey you're a FAMOUS trainer, you'll do FINE." Brock reminded him after seeing
the look of worry on his face. "I wanna actually talk to you later. It's been
almost five years since I've seen either your or Misty. So whadda say the three
of us go out for old times sake tonight ok?" "Ok" Ash agreed and flashed Brock his million dollar smile. "And now famous Pokemon trainer Ash Ketchum enters the training field!" Instantly, the crowd erupted into cheering. Teenage girls swooned at
the sight of the handsome young man, boys bustled to get his autograph, and
other Pokemon trainers made calls of admiration. Ash Ketchum, the famous Pokemon trainer. He waved like he usually did
and smiled mechanically at the crowd. Not one of the people in the crowd knew
of his inner turmoil. He tried to shove aside his whirling thoughts and ran onto the field,
ready to battle. The old rush of excitement overcame him as he whipped out the
Pokeball holding his Charizard. Suddenly, Ash caught a glimpse of red hair out of the corner of his eye,
and knew Misty was watching him. He felt her eyes on his back as he battled with Charizard, then Pikachu,
then Notctowl. *Why do I feel so self-conscious? * He wondered as he struggled to
concentrate on the battle. *It's just Misty. It's not like Cindy is out there
watching or anything. * But she was. The second he won the battle, a petite, redheaded girl
rushed out onto the field and hugged him furiously from behind. "Misty?!" He exclaimed, turning around quickly. "The last time I looked, my name was Cindy," she said. He smiled and hugged her back, expecting to feel comforted. But it only
felt wrong.
Misty gasped in shock as the energetic girl bound onto the field and
hugged Ash. HER Ash. But then, as she watched in horror, he hugged her back.
Slowly, Misty closed her eyes and sat down. This couldn't be happening. It couldn't. But it was. She forced her eyes
open and saw that the terrible scene was over, and now Cindy and Ash were
leaving the battlefield, arm in arm. Tears were blurring her vision. Misty stood up and stumbled out of the
stands, carelessly bumping into people, and ignoring their shallow shouts behind
her. "Misty!" yelled Brock, seeing her shoving people aside in her haste to
get out. He ran up to where she was and caught her hands in his own.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Her watery eyes met his and she just said, "Nothing." Brock shook his head. "Misty! Tell me!" She just looked away. Ash and Cindy headed outside and were passing them up at that very
moment, and it was at that very moment that Cindy chose to notice Misty. "Misty? Misty Waterflower?" She said. "Oh, it is you!" Misty wiped her eyes and stared up into the face of the other redhead.
"Cindy?" Her eyes held not a sign of contempt. "Nice to see you! How have you
been lately?" Her gaze scrutinized Misty's red, blotchy face. "Good," said Misty, though it was apparent that she was lying. "Good, I'm glad to hear that," she said. It seemed as if their previous
rivalry was forgotten. "Well, ASH and I have to go," she added, sweetly smiling. As they
turned to leave with a totally expressionless Ash, she said, "And I see you're still
single?" "Bitch!" Misty murmured under her breath. Then Misty turned and
flounced away.