Misty Goes To America

Three

Union Station, Denver...

        The train screeched to a halt, and the platform crew cleared the 
area. Luggage was taken out of the baggage cart, and the steps were placed 
near the doors. Then, the doors opened, and the passengers were discharged.

        Misty, Scott, Ash and Brock stepped off of the first class car, 
and Misty yawned. It was only 8:30 AM local time, and on days like this, 
she usually doesn't get up until 11:30 or so. The four went up the stairs, 
and arrived at the station's concourse.

        The smell of pancakes, waffles, bacon and coffee filled the air, 
and Misty was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. The four went into a 
small restaurant, where it seems everything was self-service.

        The four grabbed some food, and sat down at one of the tables, 
and examined a road map of Denver that Scott had gotten when he got a 
copy of the day's Denver Post. They found the gym, and all the rest of 
the attractions.

        After much debate, the group agreed to head off to the local 
Pokemon Gym. With breakfast finished, and all plans figured out, Brock 
rented a car, and the second argument of the day ensued: Who will drive?

        An another tense argument unfolded, with Brock winning. But when 
they got to the car, yet a third argument (which was a record of some 
sort) ensued: Who gets the front seat? But, that, too was settled in a 
hurry.

        Once on the road, they immediately got lost. The route they were 
taking was blocked by a film crew, and when Brock tried a short cut, it 
took them to a bus depot instead of the intended destination, the Pokemon 
Gym.

        After returning to the blockade, the four got out of the car, 
and saw that film crew was on a break. The actor was sitting on the 
chair, and when Ash saw who it was, he collapsed onto the pavement. 
(Anime-style, with a loud thud) 

        "Gary Oak?" Brock shouted.

        Gary turned around, and saw Misty, Brock, Scott and the 
unconscious Ash. "So, I see you three losers are with Ash here. So, 
what are you guys doing here in America?" He asked.

        "We're on a cross-America vacation, for your information." 
Misty snapped.

        "So take you act off the road, so we can go to the Pokemon Gym, 
loser boy!" Brock shouted.

        Gary, who was usually calm, lost his temper. He had been dissed 
by two of Ash's friends, a thing that he wasn't too fond of. (But don't 
forget: Gary's never heard of the saying, "What goes around, comes 
around".)

        "So, if it's a Pokemon battle you want, that's what you'll get 
from Gary Oak!" Gary declared.

        "And if you lose, you get your behind back to Pallet where the 
public will never see you again?" Misty asked.

        "Besides, you're old news, Gary Oak. The world don't love you 
anymore!" Brock added. 

        "I'll show you!" Gary shouted.

        Gary tossed a Poke Ball into the area between them, and out came 
his Charizard, the one that he had evolved from the Charmander he got 
when he was 10. Misty countered with Starmie, and Brock with Onix.

        Then, a forth Poke Ball flew into the ring, and Scott's Vileplume 
appeared. Starmie launched off its Water Gun, Onix its Pound, and 
Vileplume launched off its Poison Powder (Scott had telepathic links 
to Vileplume and all his Pokemon)

        Gary, who was big-headed as always, jumped into the match (which 
didn't last 5 minutes), and lost. The crew scrambled to get off the road, 
and Gary watched as the four drove by, with Misty making a dumb face as 
they went by.

        "I'll get my revenge, I tell you!" Gary shouted, throwing his 
fists into the air. "I'll get my revenge, even if it's the last thing 
I do before I die!"

        Meanwhile, Ash woke up from his slumber, and Misty watched as 
Ash dragged himself up, and when he did, Misty gave him a kiss. Ash 
instantly woke up, and stared at Misty. "Oh, hey, Misty. What'd I miss?" 
He asked.

        "Oh, nothing." Misty replied.

        Then, suddenly, Brock pointed to a large building. "Well, here 
we are, the Denver Pokemon Gym!" He shouted.

        "The Denver Pokemon Gym?" Ash shouted back. "Come on, what are we 
waiting for, Brock, let me off!"

        After fighting through RVs, illegally parked cars, and kids 
playing on the road, Brock managed to pilot the car to the drop-off 
zone. He dropped off Ash at the gym, and then, drove off to the hotel, 
then off to Pikes' Peak.
        
Pikes' Peak...

        Misty and Scott slowly fought through the crowd at the cable car 
station, and eventually made it out to the lookout area. Scott bought 
Misty an ice cream cone, and they walked along the boardwalk, fighting 
the crowds along the way.

        Finally, they made their way onto the railing. Misty pulled out 
her camera, and started to take in some of the scenery. Scott did the 
same, but with his lightweight camcorder. Then, suddenly, Misty put away 
her camera, and hugged Scott.

        They kissed, attracting many a curious glance, including Brock, 
who was ogling the local girls as he slowly caught up with Misty and 
Scott. He made an another stupid face, and collapsed (Anime-style, with 
a loud thud and lots of stars).

        The two rushed over, and quickly revived Brock with a large pail 
of cold water from the nearby glacial stream. Brock woke up, and shook 
off the water out of his hair. "Very funny, you guys." He mumbled. 

        "Hey, we were only trying to help, Brock!" Scott replied. 

        "Yeah. Now, let's get to the hotel. We'd better get settled in 
for the night." Misty added.

The Colorado Hotel...

        Scott and Brock sat around in the lobby, waiting for Misty to 
finish getting all the registration done. When she returned, she had 
three card keys in her hands. Brock tried to snatch one, but Misty 
swatted him away.

        She handed one to Scott, and kept one for herself. Then, she 
handed the last one to Brock. The three went to their rooms, and settled 
in. Brock went out to pick up Ash, and Scott went out for a few things 
he forgot to get earlier.

        An hour passed, and in the middle of her second Poker game with 
her Dratini, she heard the footsteps of Brock and Ash. She rushed out, 
and saw Brock struggling to get the door open. Ash looked at her, and 
she motioned for him to come in.

        "Hey, Misty, see my Boulder Badge?" Ash asked, showing Misty the 
badge as she locked the door.

        "It's pretty, Ash, but I have something to tell you." Misty 
replied, slumping onto the bed.

        Ash sat down on the chair, and braced himself. Misty was about 
to say that she loves me, he thought. "What is it, Misty?" 

        "I...I don't know. I think I'm in love."

        "In love with who?"

        "Scott."

        Ash's jaw dropped wide open. "HIM?"

        "Yes, him. Why, is there anything wrong, Mr. Ketchum?"

        "Yes, Misty Katsumi Waterflower. I LOVE YOU!"

        Misty was stunned. "Y...you what?"

        "I love you."

        "You do?"

        "Yes."

        Misty rushed over to Ash, and hugged him. "Oh, Ash, I never knew 
you'd ever say that! Ever since I screamed at you for breaking my bike 
when I was 10..."

        "It's okay, Misty. It was my fault."

        "You really mean it?"

        "Yes."

        Ash kissed Misty on the cheek, and then, exited the room. When 
she locked the door, she fell to her knees, and cried. She didn't expect 
Ash to ever say that, an now that she has two people who love her, what 
can she do?

        She can't dump Scott, his feelings would be hurt. But if he 
dumped Ash, he'd be crushed. She had known Ash for a longer time than 
Scott, and although Ash was a bit of a jerk at times, she still loved 
him from the bottom of her heart.

        Ever since they split, Misty had dreamed of walking down the 
aisle with Ash every night.  But just before they could kiss, the 
alarm clock rang, waking her up. Everyday, she thought of him, at 
work, and times when she needed a shoulder to cry on.

        She flopped onto the bed, and softly cried. She just can't dump 
Ash, he would hate her for all eternity for hereon in, or Scott, who was 
a person unlike most guys, who had a soft side for a girl like her.

        She fell asleep, and when she awoke, the sun had gone down, and 
it was time for dinner. This was her chance to prove her love to either 
one of the two. There was no turning back, and no changing once she made 
her choice.

        She made her way into the restaurant, where Ash and Scott were 
already waiting. Ash was on one side, and Scott on the other. She 
hesitated, and quickly tried to make up her mind. Both had flowers, 
and both had put on cologne.

        "Misty, what are you doing?" Scott asked.

        "Yeah, aren't you gonna sit down?" Ash added.

        Misty made up her mind, and sat down beside Scott. Instantly, 
Ash's face turned gloomy, and silently, he handed her the flowers. 
Scott gave her his bunch, and the waiter soon arrived with the menus.

        "Hey, where's Brock?" Misty asked.

        "He's at some sort of Pokemon Breeder Convention nearby or 
something." Ash replied.

        The trio made their orders, and waited. The food came, and 
soon, disappeared. Soon after finishing, Ash paid the tab, and left 
the restaurant for his room. Misty and Scott soon followed, but he 
was too fast.

        Ash rushed into his room, and packed up his stuff. He rushed out 
the room, and entered the elevator. Just as the doors to the elevator car 
closed, the one containing Scott and Misty opened, but they were too late. 

        Misty tore off the note from his room's door, and suddenly, 
started to cry. She dragged Scott off after him, but when she got to 
the lobby, he was long gone. Then, suddenly, they saw him boarding a 
bus across the street.

        But again, they were too late. The bus pulled away, and the two 
was left eating dust. Misty could only watch as the taillights of the 
bus rounded the bend, and disappeared. Then, she started to cry all 
over again.

Later, at Union Station...

        Ash looked at the destination board, and saw a train bound for 
New York coming in an hour. He noticed that it stopped in St. Louis, so 
he hastily bought a ticket to St. Louis on that train, and impatiently 
waited.

        When it was finally okay to board, he rushed down the stairs, 
but someone was screaming after him. He rushed down the stairs faster, 
and reached the platform. Misty was coming after him, but it was too 
late: He had disappeared again.

        Brock and Scott followed, and they were given permission to take 
a look around the platform. They scanned the cars, but no sign of Ash. 
Then, just before the train left, Brock found Ash in the coach car.

        Misty tried in vain to stop Ash, but the train was already 
pulling out of the station. On board, Ash saw Misty rushing after him, 
and he, too, started to weep. But, he could only look away, as Scott, 
Brock and Misty rushed after the train.

        At the end of the platform, they disappeared. Ash looked out, 
and saw a little glimmer of Misty's tears falling from her cheek, 
reflecting the moonlight. He sighed, and started to cry as the lights
of Denver passed by.

Later, back at the hotel...

        Misty was in her room alone, on the bed, crying onto the pillow. 
She KNEW she shouldn't have sat down beside Scott at the dinner table. 
Now that Ash had run off, who knows where he could have gone, or what 
will he do.

        Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Go away!" Misty shouted 
angrily. "Leave me alone, all of you! I never ever want to speak with 
anyone ever again!" 

        "Misty, it's me, Brock." The voice on the other side shouted. 

        Misty dried the tears from her eyes, and went over to unlock the 
door. Scott and Brock were there, both of them holding neatly wrapped
boxes with red ribbon. Brock handed his first as he came in, followed 
by Scott. 

        She untied the ribbons, and slowly removed the wrapping paper. 
She opened Brock's box, and found a bunch of silver Poke Balls with her 
name custom-engraved on it. "I thought it would cheer you up." Brock 
said.

        She opened the second box, and found a dozen of the new line of 
Super-Ultra Balls, shiny chrome yellow, and with her name engraved in 
blue letters. "See? I've got the same ones as you for my own Pokemon." 
Scott said.

        She put the boxes in her backpack, and started to cry again. 
Brock tried to comfort her, but to no avail. Misty just tossed his hand
away, and continued to cry. Brock, left with no choice, left her there.

        He slowly closed the door, and Misty sank deeper into her pillow. 
Sure, the presents were great, but that won't bring Ash back to me. I 
loved him, and now, he's gone, and who knows where he's going to go.

Meanwhile, on the train...

        Ash sank into his seat, and softly wept. By doing this, he must 
have hurt Misty a lot. But, it was necessary. Misty had someone else 
better than him, and she made her point at the dinner table earlier.

        Pikachu jumped out of Ash's backpack, and sat on his lap. Pikachu 
looked at his master, and slowly drifted off to sleep on Ash's lap. Ash 
ran his fingers through Pikachu's fur, and sighed. Then, he, too, fell 
asleep.

        When Ash was sound asleep, Pikachu's eyes popped open. He jumped 
off of Ash's lap, and ran toward the door. Then, he jumped off the train,
and ran back toward Denver, and the rest of the gang.

Back in Denver...

        Misty was still crying. Tears were still running down her face 
as they were getting ready to leave Denver for St. Louis, where Scott 
and Brock had figured that Ash would be, due to the fact that it had a 
gym there.

        Then, suddenly, a familiar "Pikachu!" was heard, and suddenly, 
Pikachu ran up to Misty, and flew into her arms. Then, Brock realized 
that Pikachu must have jumped off the train, and is trying to bring 
Misty and Ash back together.

        The three hurried to the train station, returned the car, and 
bought tickets for the next train to St. Louis. They settled into their 
seats, and Misty started to pace around in the car, hoping Ash would 
still be in St. Louis, waiting for her.

        With Togepi in her arms, she looked out the back, and saw the 
skyline of the Rockies and Denver disappear behind her. She dreamed 
that Ash would be at the station, waiting for her, with his arms open.

        She returned to her seat, and sighed. Scott was holding onto 
Pikachu inside one of his Super-Ultra Balls (That was the only kind 
of Ball that Pikachu would WANT to go into.), and Brock was combing 
Vulpix's fur for the seventeenth time today.

        The train rounded a bend, and sped toward St. Louis. Misty 
looked out the window, and started to fill up with determination. Ash
would be there, she knew it. When she gets her hands on him, she'll 
hug him, and never, ever, let him go.

                                                        To be continued...