Timeline: 4 days later

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics for pokemon talking.

Disclaimer: I own the story and created characters/items while Nintendo owns pokemon…

Good lord, I’m actually writing AAMRN. Is this a punishment?

 

Chapter 2: Renewal of Friendship

 

            Misty was annoyed. That brat Hannah still hadn’t contacted her. What, did some little rich stuck-up snob think she was better than the youngest Waterflower of Cerulean City? Some idiot.

            Misty was very annoyed.

            In fact, she had taken to wandering the parks with Togepi, bad-mouthing Hannah under her breath. It was a sure way to get attention.

 

            She spotted Ash by the stream with a fishing pole and a determined look, even though he had been sitting there for two hours and she was sure his legs were cramped from being in that position for so long.

            As she watched the line gave a tug, and Ash’s eyes lit up as Pikachu ran to the waterside, shocking the pokemon.

            She looked away, however, when a Pidgey landed on her head and dropped a note in her lap.

 

            It was the challenge letter she had been waiting for.

            Hannah informed her that she must be at the gym by precisely nine A.M. the next morning. No problem.

            Misty pocketed the note confidently. “Let’s do it.”

            Togepi trilled.

            “I know you won’t battle. I’m putting psyduck in the PC so he can’t distract me. I’ll win for sure. After all, I’m a Waterflower.”

           

            Ash’s eyes snapped triumphantly as he captured the Gyarados. The endless fishing up Magikarps had finally paid off.

            Gyarados was quite handsome for a male of his species, strong and sleek.

            It was a good battler, even though he already had squirtle as a water type.

            Pidgeotto was off chasing dinner, her wings flapping madly as she ran down a giant centipede and swallowed it in one gulp.

            Can we go eat lunch now? Pikachu asked, tugging on his pant leg.

            “Sure.” Ash replied. He gathered his pokemon, healed at the center, and then they all went to the free buffet to eat to their heart’s content.

 

            That afternoon, Ash and his pokemon trained for a few more hours before going back to the center.

            “So, Misty, did you get the challenge?” Brock teased.

            “As a matter of fact, I did!” Misty declared triumphantly.

            “Wow.”

            Misty preened.

 

            “Cool.” Ash said. “Can I go watch?”

            “Of course!” Misty proclaimed. “It’ll be the match of the gym leaders!”

            Brock laughed. “I wish I could go, but Stephanie and I have a date.”

            “Go for it, Romeo!” Ash said.

            “Just you wait until you get interested in girls yourself, Ash.’ Brock warned. “Then we’ll see.”

            Ash blinked. “Okay…”

 

            The next day…

 

            Sure enough, Hannah was waiting. They entered the gym.

            “So, what will it be?” Hannah asked. “Three on three?”

            “Perfect.” Misty said. “Let’s go! Misty chooses Staryu!”

            Sure enough, Staryu popped out.

            Hannah snickered as she munched on a gigantic donut. Between mouthfuls of frosting and dough, she managed to get the word ‘Electrode’ out, sending it onstage.

            “Staryu! Spin Tackle!”

            Without a word, Electrode fired off a Sonicboom, changing Staryu’s flight path, before nailing it with Thunder.

            Staryu dropped to the ground, carbon-encrusted and black.

 

            Misty frowned. “Then Misty chooses Starmie!”

            “Same thing Electrode!” Hannah burbled.

            Frosting dripped down her chin as she continued to devour noisily.

            You think misty will be okay? Pikachu asked.

            “I’m not sure, Pikachu…”

           

            Starmie however, was faster and more agile than Staryu. A bubblebeam smacked into Electrode, lowering speed, while Thunder that hit it two turns later was useless when Starmie Recovered.

            “Now, Starmie! Double-Edge!”

            The finishing blow KO’d Electrode. Starmie landed softly on the ground, its core flickering with exertion.

            Misty looked worried. Goldeen was no good on land, Horsea was mainly a pet, and she didn’t have any more pokemon since she left Psyduck at the Center!

            Ash noticed, and whispered something to Pikachu, who nodded as she ran to Misty. Misty’s eyes widened in surprise. Ash was lending her pikachu?
            Well, since he was so kind, she would take it!

 

            “Go! Houndour!” Hannah said, having finally finished eating. “Roar!”

            Starmie was unaffected, however, and Surf finished off Houndour.

            The last pokemon was a Bulbasaur.

            Starmie held it off for a while, but then Bulbasaur’s charged Solarbeam knocked her out.

            “Pikachu, Thunder!” Misty said, as Pikachu fried Bulbasaur.

           

            Hannah burst into tears as she realized that Misty had won.

            Misty hugged Ash tightly after she got the badge.

            “Thank you so much, Ash! I couldn’t have done it without Pikachu!”

            Ash blushed at the close proximity. She wasn’t hitting him either…

            “Misty?”

            “Mm?”

            “Um… can we be friends now?” He asked hopefully.

            Misty smiled brightly. “Yes! I forgive you for the bike; you don’t have to pay me back. Let’s try this whole thing again, from the beginning.”

            Ash smiled like the sun back at her, as they shook hands on it. Three days later, they left Chartreuse Town, happier and without Brock.

 

            Perhaps it would be more than friendship. One never knew in these turbulent times.

            Perhaps, love would conquer all. One could not tell the future.

            Perhaps…

 

End Chapter!

           
Phantomness: *dies*

Shoyko: *flies down and sprays revive on her*

Phantomness: I hate myself…