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"Attention, everyone," said the voice of a woman over the loudspeaker. "All passengers for Valencia Island may now disembark."
"Finally," said Ash. "About fucking time." Misty nodded in agreement. Ash turned to the teenage boy behind him. "How about you, Brock?" he asked. "Hyped to get off?" Brock said nothing. His lips twitched in the only indication he'd heard Ash.
Ever since he'd heard the contents of the mysterious tape he'd found in his bag, Brock hadn't said a word to either Ash or Misty. His only interaction had been with Togepi, whom he'd fed and played with as always. He'd also (wordlessly) declined to sleep in the bed within the cabin, leaving it for Ash and Misty. And although he'd just made another brave attempt at conversation with Brock, the older boy was a big reason Ash was so glad he was about to leave the blimp.
After they'd gotten off, Brock looked in his bag for the map. He grunted in pain as he leaned into his bruised ribs. "Hey," said Ash, "lemme help you with that." Brock ignored both him and the pain as he kept rummaging through his bag. Ash looked at Misty for backup, but Misty didn't say anything. She didn't even look angry, just sad and guilty.
Brock finally found the map, closed his bag, and stood up straight. Ash and Misty had their eyes on him as he studied the map. "This way," he finally said, speaking to them for the first time in the better part of a day. He walked toward a gate of the airport, Ash and Misty following him.
They walked into a tiny village that looked a fraction of the size of Pallet Town. The main street, small and sleepy, had a few shops of different kinds, but seemed devoid of restaurants and cafés. The community bank shared a house-sized building with a bookstore and a local radio station.
Ash suddenly spotted a tiny wooden building with a red "P" painted on the side. "Hey," he said, pointing at it, "look! A Pokémon Center! Let's rest a little."
As Ash walked toward the Pokémon Center, Misty grabbed his arm. "We can't do that, you dumbass!" she said. "We have to go to Professor Ivy's lab!"
"I wasn't saying we should stay there all damn night!" said Ash. "I was just saying we should rest!"
"But we WOULD end up staying all damn night!" said Misty. "All because someone wants to fuck someone else!"
Ash looked around at Brock, knowing that Misty had been been referring to him and Nurse Joy, but the older boy was gone. "Brock?" Ash called, looking around.
"Brock?" Misty also called. "Shit," she hissed, running down the street. Ash ran after her, seeing that Brock hadn't even stopped for their argument. They caught with him, giving him worried glances.
As Brock led the way out of the village and down a winding country road in silence, Ash began to notice how hot it was. The sun beat down oppressively, and he felt relieved every time they passed through the shade of a tree. He could see Pokémon darting through the foliage in the distance, but he couldn't get more than a glimpse.
After over an hour, Ash, Misty, and Brock arrived at a gate set into a wrought iron fence several feet taller than themselves. Seeing a string hanging from the right side, Ash pulled it. He could hear the ringing of a bell in the distance, and after a few seconds, he could see a girl run up to the gate from the other side of the fence. She had brown hair and looked slightly older than Ash and Misty, but seemed to have a fraction of the redhead girl's fashion sense. She wore an oversized shirt and shorts covered in garish floral patterns, her hairstyle was appropriate for a girl half her age, and she wore large, thick glasses on her eyes. "Hi," she said to everyone. "May I help you?"
"Hello," said Misty pleasantly. "Yes. We're here to see Professor Ivy."
"Okay," said the strange girl. She unlocked the gate and pulled it open. As Ash stepped inside, he could see that the fence enclosed a vast area, some open and some wooded. He recognized several different Pokémon, including Bellsprout, Pidgey, and Nidoran of both genders, running around the open field. He could see that they all had different colors than what he was used to seeing on these particular species.
"This way," said the girl who'd let them in, leading them down a path to a building. It was mid-sized, but larger than any they'd seen since leaving the airport. "Not there," said the girl as they they made for the door. "She's around here." She led them around the building.
They stopped on a sandy beach. Several Staryu and Shellder were playing in the water, with Misty looking on longingly. "Professor!" yelled the girl who'd brought them there. "Visitors!"
After waiting a couple of seconds, Ash turned to the girl. "Is there anyone around here?" he asked in confusion.
"Yup," she said, pointing over the water. Ash looked. A large wave was building as it moved toward the shore. He could see Gyarados at its crest, with someone on its head.
The wave broke, but Gyarados calmly rode it to the shore, its head and a third of its body above the water level the whole time. The person on its head jumped down into the sand and walked up to them. Ash could see that it was a woman, maybe in her middle to late thirties, a black one-piece bathing suit on her attractive body, her dark hair wet with seawater. "So you three are the ones Professor Oak told me about?" she asked, speaking in a slow alto voice.
"Ummm... yes!" said Brock, gaining an eagerness to speak after a short hesitation. "Are you... Professor Ivy?"
The woman smiled. "Yes," she said. "That is I."
"Delighted to meet you, Professor!" said Brock. "I'm Brock, and I want to be a Pokémon breeder!"
"And I'm Misty," said Misty. "Thanks for helping us out, Professor!"
"And I'm Ash," said Ash. "Yeah... thanks. We're kind of in a pickle."
"Pleasure to meet you three," said Professor Ivy. She turned to the girl who had led Ash, Misty, and Brock there. "Bella?" she said.
"Yes, Professor?" asked the girl, suddenly standing up straighter.
"Lead these three to the conference room," said Professor Ivy. "I'll meet them there after I wash off and get changed."
"Sure, Professor!" said the girl called Bella. "This way," she said, gesturing for Ash, Misty, and Brock to follow her as she walked toward another door.
They went inside, finding themselves at the end of a long hallway that was mercifully air conditioned. "So what does Professor Ivy study here?" asked Misty as they started down it.
"We study what happens to Pokémon's genes when they're in isolation for a long time," said Bella.
"Ummmm... what do you mean?" asked Ash, not understanding what she'd said.
"Come on," said Bella impatiently. "You must've noticed the colors of some of the Pokémon here."
"Yeah," said Ash, "but... they're not wearing pants or anything."
"Sorry," Misty said to Bella, "Ash is kind of a dumbass. Ash, genes are not the same thing as the jeans you wear! Genes are what make people and Pokémon look like they do!"
"That's not the half of it," said Bella, rolling her eyes. "Genes tell us EVERYTHING about any living organism: its growth, its optimal diet, its physical structure. So by studying how Pokémon's genes are, we know everything about them."
Bella went on and on. She had an awful lot to talk about concerning their research, but Ash didn't understand it one bit. His eyes wandered whenever they passed a door. Through each one, he saw a girl doing something, though there was little commonality between the activities. These ranged from handling Petri dishes to looking through microscopes to poring over books and computers. The girls, meanwhile, seemed to range from Ash's and Misty's age to late teens, and from what Ash could see, all of them had nerdy looks.
"Here you go," said Bella finally, opening a door to a room free of lab equipment, instead containing a long wooden table and a dozen swivel chairs. "Here's where you wait for Professor Ivy."
"Uhhhh... thanks," said Ash. He was the only one who spoke, with Brock giving a small smile and Misty an angry glare. "Science is fucking weird," he said after Bella had closed the door."
"I just hope Professor Ivy teaches that bitch some manners," said Misty. She sat down angrily in a chair.
Ash sat down as well, and then Brock followed suit. Anticipation blunted his boredom as he wondered what Professor Ivy had in store for them. He sat in silence with the others, occasionally looking at Misty, who was inspecting her fingernails, and Brock, who was staring into space.
Finally, the door opened again, and Professor Ivy walked in, now wearing a pink shirt, and a dark blue suit comprised of a blazer and skirt over it. "Alright," she said, sitting down. "Here's the plan. Misty, I'll have you stay here with me as a lab assistant. Ash, Brock, I'm chartering a boat that will take you to Tangelo Island tomorrow. You'll be meeting someone there, and assist him on his boat, traveling around the Orange Islands."
"What?" said Ash, shocked.
"But... that can't be right!" said Misty. "When we were back in Pallet Town, the cops told us to stick together!"
Professor Ivy sighed heavily. "I'm sorry," she said. "I tried to keep you together. I really did. But no one was willing to take all three of you. This was really the best I could do."
"But... what if something goes wrong?" said Misty. What if Team Rocket shows up? They just gave us one phone so we can call them from anywhere!"
"Don't worry about that," Professor Ivy assured them. "We have a phone here. Ash and Brock can take it along with them in case of any emergency that may come up."
"But... but..." said Misty, seeming to struggle for any excuse not to stay at the lab, "I... did okay at science in school, but... I don't know what you guys do here."
"Again, don't worry about it. The girls and I will bring you up to speed."
"Yeah, umm... if I'll be working with these girls, I don't think I can do it. I saw some through the windows, and... I really don't think I'd fit in. And the girl who took us here... she was really... really rude."
"Yes. That's pretty much why I need you here."
"Huh?"
"Yes." Professor Ivy sighed again. "Opening this lab is my biggest professional accomplishment to date. Before that... lots of people saw me as just a pretty face. They couldn't take me seriously as a scientist. Which is why... I've only ever hired girls to work for me here. I want to show them that they too have what it takes to do what I did."
Misty's eyes were wide. "Good for you, Professor. But... do you really think I'd do okay here? I'm not really into science."
"I told you, don't worry about it."
"And what do the other girls have to do with all this anyway?"
"You mentioned how they're not like you, and how they lack certain... social graces. That is exactly why I need a girl like you here."
"I... I'm sorry, Professor. But I... don't really know what you mean."
"It's hard to get young girls interested in science. There aren't many role models, and the ones who are there... tend not to have some of the things our society says they should have."
"Like fashion sense?"
"Exactly. I want to show young girls that they can be scientists and still be feminine."
"You sure look like you're both."
Professor Ivy smiled. "Thank you. And girls do see that when they look me up online, or see my face on recruitment posters. But many of them have no more enthusiasm after touring the lab and meeting some of the other girls here. I even tried to get a research fellow here last month - she just got her Ph.D., and she had those things that my assistants lack. She didn't want to come here."
"So... you want me to... glam up your lab?"
"In a way. You've got the idea."
"But... if we're supposed to be hiding..."
"Don't worry. Your face won't be anywhere except here at the lab. Not on our websites or promotional materials. I understand that you're here so as not to be seen."
"Oh... okay." Misty bowed her head, apparently having run out of objections. "Thanks for letting me stay here, Professor."
"You're very welcome." Professor Ivy stood up and opened the door. "You can actually come with me now if you would. I'll have the girls take your measurements for lab coats and show you a little of what we do here. While you're doing that, I'll brief the boys."
"Okay," said Misty in flat voice, slowly standing up.
"Hey..." said Ash. "See you later, Misty."
"Bye, Ash," Misty said softly. "Brock." She walked out of the conference room, and Professor Ivy closed the door behind both of them.
Ash turned to Brock. "Hey... Brock?" he asked tentatively. "What do you think we'll be doing?" Brock shrugged, and Ash exhaled in frustration. It had almost been a full day since Brock had said anything to either him or Misty beyond giving terse directions. Even the presence of the beautiful Professor Ivy couldn't loosen Brock's tongue... at least not to Ash.
Additionally, Ash and Misty had reached the end of their travels together, at least for the next few months. Ash had seen Misty's continued presence as a silver lining for going into hiding. Now, with Professor Ivy planning to keep Misty at her lab and send Ash and Brock sailing around the Orange Islands, Ash felt like he'd lost Misty all over again. And while still in the company of the newly morose Brock, he hoped Professor Ivy's friend would be a better conversationalist. At least this way, he and Misty could say a proper goodbye.
After a couple of minutes, the door opened again, and Professor Ivy came back in, carrying a folder. "Okay," she said, sitting back down in her chair and putting the folder on the table. "As you both already know, I'm having a boat take you to Tangelo Island tomorrow morning. Inland from the village is Pokémon Park. Go into Eileen's, which is the cafe right across from the entrance. There, you'll meet my friend."
"Okay," said Ash.
"What does he look like?" asked Brock.
"A large man," said Professor Ivy. "He has an earring in his left ear."
"So he looks like a pirate?" asked Ash.
Professor Ivy chuckled. "No," she said, "he doesn't. You'll really be able to recognize him by his hair. It's blond, spiky... and there's a long curl on each side of his head. He'll ask you if the coconuts on the beach are ripe yet, and you'll answer that they're not, but you expect they will be in another week. You boys got it?"
"Uhhhh..." said Ash, struggling to remember what Professor Ivy had told them to listen for and then say.
"He'll ask if the coconuts on the beach are ripe yet," said Brock. "And we'll say no, but we think they will be in a week."
"Good," said Professor Ivy. "And then, you'll go on his boat and set sail."
"So what does your friend do?" asked Brock.
"He's an oceanographer," said Professor Ivy.
"A... what?" asked Ash.
"An oceanographer," Professor Ivy repeated. "A scientist who studies the oceans. He been seeking a couple of apprentices for a big project, but he won't tell me what it is."
"So I'll have to do science too?" said Ash.
"Yes, Ash."
"Fuck. I'm no good at science. Oh, sorry, Professor."
"That's fine. I've head a lot worse than that around here." Professor Ivy placed her file on the table. Opening it, she took out two booklets and handed one each to Ash and Brock. "I made study guides for you boys. You can read up on them until dinner. Any questions?"
"No, Professor," said Brock, shaking his head.
"I have a question," said Ash. "How much of this stuff do I really have to know?"
"This is what my friend studies," said Professor Ivy. "You don't have to know all of it, but try to learn as much as you can. He'll have to bring you up to speed on whatever you don't know, and I'd ask you to do what you can to make his job easier. Just as a courtesy."
"Okay," said Ash. "I think I'm ready to start."
"Alright," said Professor Ivy, standing up again. "I'll need to see how Misty's doing, and then I'll get back to work. Happy studying."
***
After Professor Ivy had left, Ash and Brock studied the booklets she'd given them together. Ash had never been a good student, and time he spent studying was some of the most torturous he could remember. The booklets contained information on ocean currents, trenches, water pollution, marine Pokémon, and more, and Ash was having severe trouble getting it all straight. It didn't help that Brock wasn't pressing him too hard. Ash had expected Brock to take the lead on studying, and to correct his every mistake as soon as he'd made it. However, Brock would usually leave Ash to his own devices, only correcting his errors after he'd made several. Ash thought of Misty, who was learning how to do lab work somewhere in the building. He was mystified by science, but at least he'd be doing something other than sitting and reading.
By dinner time, Ash felt as if his brain had gone through a meat grinder. He'd tried to cram so many facts into his head, he wondered why it hadn't exploded yet. He dreaded meeting Professor Ivy's friend and letting him know the extent of his ignorance.
At dinner with Misty, Brock, Professor Ivy, and her nine assistants, Ash felt even worse. At a table with a scientist and her employees, he found that the main topic of conversation was science. Brock joined in at various points, but Misty did not, and Ash couldn't even understand most of what was being discussed.
After dinner, Ash, Misty, and Brock went up to the rooms Professor Ivy had provided for the night. Ash's was a spartan dorm room, meant for one of Professor Ivy's research assistants. Ash sat down on his bed (the sheets, to his chagrin, being pink), replaying the last two disastrous days in his head. He couldn't have imagined being given a role to which he could be less suited. After almost failing science class once, he was now expected to eat, sleep, and breathe science. How could he do this for three months?
Ash heard a knock on his door. "Who's there?" he asked.
"It's me," came Misty's voice. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," said Ash.
Misty opened the door and walked into Ash's room, wearing her pajamas. "Hey, Ash," she said, sitting down next to him on the bed. "How's it going?"
"Shitty as fuck," said Ash, not looking at the redhead girl. "I was studying all fucking day."
"I WISH I was studying all fucking day," said Misty.
"What do you mean? At least you got to do stuff."
"Yeah. I got to do stuff while those cunts watched everything I did. They explained all their shit, and told me to do it myself. And then I could just move my fucking hand before they tell me I'm doing it fucking wrong. It's like just because I know how to dress and do my hair nice, they treat me like some fucking idiot!"
"Yeah. At least Professor Ivy's got your back."
"So? Soon you're gonna be on a fucking boat, sailing on the fucking ocean. I'd fucking KILL for that right now!"
"Yeah, but... Brock's gonna be there the whole time."
"Did he say anything to you yet?"
"Yeah. I mean... when we were studying. Other than that, no. Brock's not like himself. "Since..." Ash let his voice trail off as the memory from the previous day came back. Misty gave a small sniffle, but Ash didn't make any noise for a long time. How could that tape even exist? "Hey... Misty?" he finally said.
"What's up?" asked Misty in a flat voice.
Ash hesitated, then asked the question that was on his mind. "Who do you think made that tape?"
Misty gave a derisive snort. "You dumbass," she said. "Who the fuck else could it be?"
Ash thought, trying to come up with some idea of who had made that recording. "I don't fucking know," he finally said, giving up.
"Well," said Misty, mocking a thoughtful tone, "who else was RIGHT NEXT FUCKING DOOR TO US when we were doing that?"
Ash's jaw dropped. Did Misty really mean what Ash thought she meant? "Giselle?" Ash gasped in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, fucking really!" said Misty.
"But... how could she get in my room?" asked Ash.
Misty paused before answering. "That wasn't the time in our room," she said.
"Huh?"
"That was the time by the pool. There were lots of bushes around. That bitch could've hidden a tape recorder in any fucking one of them!"
"Okay. But... Brock found the tape in his bag."
"So? That bitch was always hanging around us! All she had to do was wait for him to go to the bathroom and she could put it right in!"
"I mean... I dunno. Did Brock carry his bag around at all at the Indigo Conference?"
"Maybe not. Then... I guess... maybe she put it in his pocket?"
"So it just got into his bag by magic?"
"No, you dumbass! He put his vest in the bag and the tape fell out of the fucking pocket!"
Ash thought about Misty's theory. He still had trouble wrapping his head around it. What Misty had said about a tape recorder hidden in a bush made sense, but what she'd said about how Giselle had managed to plant it in Brock's bag did not. "I... still don't know," Ash said, trying to be cautious but honest. "Remember what Brock said that one time?"
"What one time?" asked Misty defensively.
"You know..." said Ash, dreading Misty's response, "when... you thought Giselle... did something to Togepi."
Misty shoved Ash in the chest, pushing him back onto the bed. "The FUCK?" she burst out. "I KNOW did something... and that's how the fucking tape got into Brock's bag!"
"Wait..." said, getting back up, "what?"
"Giselle spent all that fucking time getting close to Togepi."
"Yeah. So?"
"So that's what she did when she hugged Togepi goodbye! She put that tape inside Togepi's shell! And she was wearing that fucking blouse with all those damn frills to hide the tape before she could do it!"
"Ummmm... so how'd it get in Brock's bag?"
"When Team Rocket attacked us, Brock put Togepi in the bag! And in the battle, the whole front of its fucking shell broke off!"
"Misty... are you sure about all this shit?"
"That's what fucking happened, I'm telling you!"
Ash looked at his hands. He still wasn't sure if he believed Misty. Giselle had been an unwelcome presence throughout the Indigo Conference, but he still was having trouble imagining her pulling something like this. She might have complained about too much noise or unauthorized visitors, but taking a recording of them without their permission? Ash didn't know if she'd be capable of it.
Then again, Misty seemed insistent about it. Misty had hated Giselle since the day she and Ash had first met, and she'd accused Giselle of other things that had seemed irrational at the time, but that had turned out to be reasonable at the very least. When they'd stayed at Pokémon Tech School as guests, Giselle had put Misty up in a deficient room. She'd claimed it had been an accident, but the school had seen fit to expel her shortly thereafter. And according to Brock, Giselle was usually careful to leave some innocuous explanation for every mean thing she did to someone else. So maybe there was something to Misty's theory of the tape.
"I can't believe... we'll have to... to say goodbye tomorrow," said Misty. Her anger at Giselle and annoyance with Ash had given way to sadness, and when Ash looked at her, she seemed like she would cry before too long.
"I know," said Ash. "It's like... my mom's still punishing me like she wanted to."
"Yeah," Misty agreed. "I hope I can hang out with Professor Ivy while I stay here. Being around all those geeky bitches is gonna be worse than being home with my dipshit sisters. At least with them, we all like swimming and Water Pokémon. And while I'm staying here, I won't be allowed to leave the lab."
"Huh?" said Ash, stunned. "Is that for fucking real?"
"Yeah," said Misty. She sighed before continuing. "I wish I was kidding. But me staying here is supposed to be me hiding from Team Rocket. So the less places I go, the better."
"Hey," said Ash, scooting closer to Misty and putting a hand on her waist. He leaned closer to her. "Let's do it one more time. Like how we thought we just had one more chance before I was stuck in Pallet Town."
Misty put out her hands, blocking Ash from coming any closer. "As much as I want to," she said, "I can't."
"Huh?" said Ash again, now surprised that Misty had rejected his idea. "Why...?"
Misty looked down, and then back at Ash. "Because... Brock's right there in the next room," she said.
"So what?" asked Ash. "He knows... what we were doing now."
"It would still hurt him to hear us," said Misty. She paused for a second before saying, "Especially because... I don't think he's ever had sex."
Ash looked at Misty in disbelief. The redhead girl was dropping bombshell after bombshell, and they were getting weirder all the time. "Wait... never?" he said. "You sure about that? If we did it -"
"It's different when you're staying at home," Misty interrupted him. "At home, you have parents and teachers and whoever else who all make it really hard to have sex. Brock had that until he was a little older than us. And then he was stuck taking care of all his brothers and sisters. Girls his age don't want to deal with a bunch of little kids running around when they're trying to... you know..."
"I... guess so."
"And do you see how Brock is around girls? Sometimes he's lucky and gets a date or something, but mostly, he doesn't know what the fuck he's doing."
"I don't know what the fuck I'm doing."
"But that's different. You're five years younger than Brock. I've had to figure things out with you. Hell, I'm still figuring out how to..." Misty's voice trailed off as her face went pink. "Anyway... it's okay when you're our age and don't really know a lot of stuff, 'cause no one does. Guys, girls. But Brock... when you're his age, girls will expect you to know SOMETHING. And it's worse for him, because the girls he goes for are even older than he is."
"But he got a date with Daisy."
"He got that date... because I told Daisy to go out with him."
"What?"
"As a favor. So we could get some time together. She fucking owed me after..." Blushing again, Misty didn't finish her sentence.
"So Brock's kinda... kinda washed up, right?"
"Yeah. And... back to what I was saying before... when I say goodbye to Brock, it's gonna be really fucking weird. I don't wanna make it weirder. And it's gonna be worse for you than it's already gonna be if we fuck now, cuz you're gonna be with Brock in a boat for three months. And there can't be that many other people on that boat."
"Damn it." As usual, Ash couldn't argue with Misty's logic. But still, he felt like one more time with Misty would soothe the pain of his impending departure.
"Hey..." said Misty, "maybe we can do this. "We can get up early tomorrow, and... I dunno... find somewhere to do it before everyone else gets up."
"Yeah," said Ash, feeling hopeful for the first time that day. "Let's do that."
"Okay," said Misty, standing up. "But now... I've gotta go." She leaned over, kissing Ash on the lips. "Good night, Ash."
***
Ash got up the next morning at a time he considered early. As he did, though, he could tell that not everyone shared his opinion. His ears were immediately filled with the same incomprehensible scientific chatter that he'd heard at dinner the previous evening. Professor Ivy's assistants were already up, and breakfast would certainly be served soon. There was no way Ash and Misty could get the alone time for which they'd hoped this morning. "Fuck," Ash muttered as he rolled out of bed.
After getting dressed, Ash ran into Misty, who was wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, as he was about to go down the stairs. "Good morning, Misty," he said dully.
"Morning," said Misty. "But what's fucking good about it?"
Ash and Misty fell silent as they made their way to the dining room. As the door came into view, Misty stopped in her tracks. "Hey... Misty?" said Ash. "What's up?"
"Ash..." said Misty, "there's something I wanna tell you. Cuz I might not get another chance."
"Okay," said Ash.
Misty took a deep breath before speaking. "Ummmm..." she said. She stopped, her eyes fixed at a point near the dining room door.
Ash followed Misty's eyes with his own, and found Brock smiling as he stood with Professor Ivy. His smile faded as looked, but he said, "Good morning, Ash - Misty."
"Hey, Brock," said Ash.
"Hey... you... ummmm... seem like you're in a better mood today," said Misty.
"Good morning, you two," said Professor Ivy, who was wearing a pinstriped pantsuit. "Can I have a minute with all of you before we eat?"
"Ummm... yeah, I guess," said Ash.
"Sure," said Misty.
Professor Ivy led the way down several hallways, ending up at the conference room after a few minutes. She sat down at the head of the table, with Ash and Misty sitting next to each other and Brock on the opposite side. "So..." she said, "the first one I want to talk to is Misty." The redhead girl sat up straight, her ears perking up. "I talked to my assistants yesterday evening," Professor Ivy continued. "They said you... did not particularly like the work we do here. Nor did you get along with them."
"N-no, ma'am," stammered Misty, fidgeting in her seat. "But - but... I... kinda had... had a feeling... that - that this would happen."
Professor Ivy nodded. "I see," she said. "Would you like to sail on an oceanography boat instead?"
Misty's mouth fell open. It was a couple of seconds before the redhead girl spoke again. "Do you... do you mean that?" she finally said.
"I do mean that," said Professor Ivy, nodding again. "Bella and the others noted that you showed a great deal more interest in Water-type Pokémon than in others. And Brock confirmed it this morning." As Professor Ivy finished speaking, the corners of Brock's lips turned upward in a half-smile.
"Yeah!" said Misty, nodding vigorously as her voice dripped with enthusiasm. "I'd love to do that!"
"Good," said Professor Ivy with an approving smile. She turned her seat so that she faced Brock. "In that case," she said, "you may stay here as my new research assistant, Brock."
"Great!" said Brock, smiling widely.
"You're staying here?" Ash asked Brock in surprise.
"Yeah," said Misty. "But Professor... I thought you only wanted girls as your research assistants."
Professor Ivy laughed. "I thought so too," she said. "But... events since the three of you got here changed my mind. You see, Misty... you told me before how you didn't think you'd get along with the other girls here. Seeing you and hearing about you with them made me realize that you are right. The divisions between you and them are too deep for you to be here."
"But then..." said Misty, "how are you gonna get more girls that are... ummm... more like me to come here?"
Professor Ivy smiled mischievously at Brock. "By having a handsome young man around," she said.
"But... Brock can come with us on the boat..." said Ash uncertainly, "can't he?"
"I'm afraid not," said Professor Ivy, her smile fading. "My friend is only looking for two assistants. And Brock asked me before you and Misty came downstairs whether he could stay."
"Brock?" said Misty. "You did?" Brock nodded.
"Why?" asked Ash.
"I... just thought thought it was time for a change," said Brock, now looking uncomfortable.
"Why the - I mean, why'd you think that?" asked Misty.
"I... just had... my own reasons," said Brock as though not wanting to reveal too much. Ash, however, was sure he knew exactly what Brock's reasons were.
Nobody said anything for a little bit. "Okay," said Professor Ivy, finally standing up. "If no one has anything else to say, let's go eat breakfast. We don't have that much time before the boat to Tangelo Island gets here." Silently, Ash, Misty and Brock got up, following her out of the conference room.
***
Having packed their things, Ash and Misty stood on the beach with Brock and Professor Ivy just out of sight of the lab. Nobody was saying anything as they waited for the boat. Ash was looking around, careful not to let his gaze fall on anybody except Misty. His feelings had never been more dramatically mixed. As much as he was relieved that the next leg of his travels would be with Misty instead of Brock, he had persistent pangs of guilt and shame. Any time he'd needed help with a gym battle or during the Indigo Conference, Brock had been there for him. He'd offered assistance as solid as the rocks littering the battlefield in his gym, as opposed to the needling insults he'd often get from Misty. But now, under the circumstances, he was headed for one of the most awkward goodbyes of his life. Ash was certain that Brock deserved better.
Finally, Ash spotted a small boat on the horizon. It came closer and closer, finally bumping against the shore. A tanned, elderly man wearing shorts, a short-sleeved button-down shirt, and a wide-brimmed straw hat climbed down the rungs fastened to the bow, showing strength and dexterity Ash would not have suspected for a man his age. "Phileta!" he said, walking up to Professor Ivy and exchanging kisses on the cheek with her. "Good to see you again!"
"Good to see you too, Moe," said Professor Ivy.
"So..." said Moe, his eyes shifting between Ash and Brock, "these are the young men I'm taking to Tangelo Island, eh?"
"Well, Moe," said Professor Ivy, "there's been a change of plans. Brock -" she touched the older boy lightly on the shoulder "- won't be going to Tangelo Island. Misty -" she motioned to the redhead girl "- will be going instead."
"Oh!" said Moe in surprise. He looked at Misty, and then back at Ash. "Well... I'll have you children know that I have only one cabin on my boat other than mine other than the one I live in. I hope you don't mind." He sidled up to Ash, nudging him with his elbow. "Well, I know YOU won't."
"Huh?" said Ash, unsure of what Moe had meant. He looked quizzically at Misty, who was blushing uncomfortably and looking down, and then he understood.
"Okay," said Professor Ivy. "You'd best be off. Ash, Misty, it's been a pleasure meeting both of you. Good luck, and be safe."
"Thanks for everything, Professor," said Ash.
"Yes," agreed Misty, "thank you very much. And please... you'll... uhhhh... take care of Brock... won't you?" She gave Professor Ivy a wide-eyed look, as if trying to convey something deeper than the words out of her mouth.
"I'm... not sure what you mean," said Professor Ivy, her eyes narrowing. "But if you're asking if he'll be safe and his time occupied, then I will."
"Okay," said Misty in a small voice. "Thanks."
Steeling himself for the harder part of his sendoff, Ash turned to Brock. "Hey... Brock?" he said nervously. "Ummmm... bye. It's been... really awesome traveling with you. Ummmm... stay safe. And... see you around." He looked the older boy in the eyes and waited.
Brock extended his hand, and a relieved Ash shook it. "Goodbye, Ash," said the spiky-haired boy stiffly. "Be careful out there. Maybe we'll meet again someday."
As Ash broke off the handshake, Misty walked toward Brock, giving him a hug. Brock's eyes went wide; the teenage boy had clearly not expected this gesture. "Take care, Brock," said Misty. "I'm gonna miss you. Stay safe."
"Goodbye, Misty," said Brock, his tone sad. "I'll miss you too. Be careful."
"And I'm gonna miss you, Togepi," said Misty, looking at the tiny Pokémon in Brock's arms. "Be good for Brock, okay?" Togepi gave a sad squeak that became a full-on cry. "I'm sorry, Togepi," said Misty. "I don't wanna leave you. But I have to."
"Yeah, Togepi," said Ash. "I don't wanna leave you either. But... yeah... I don't have a choice."
"Group hug on Togepi!" said Misty. She, Ash, and Brock hugged in a circle around Togepi, who calmed down somewhat, the volume of its crying decreasing.
As Ash and Misty pulled away from the group hug, the main sound they heard was Toegpi's soft crying. With their goodbyes said, they turned back to the boat. To Ash's surprise, Moe had already climbed back onto the deck. "Ahoy, you two!" he called down to them. "Throw your bags up, and then climb aboard!"
***
After the Gyarados at Professor Ivy's lab had pushed the boat back out to sea, Ash and Misty lounged on the deck as Moe set the course. After he was finished, he gave the two of them a tour of the little craft. And then, leaving them in their windowless cabin, he went to the kitchen (or galley, as he called it) to make lunch. Misty then went to the bathroom, leaving Ash alone with his thoughts.
Here he was, sailing the tropical ocean with Misty. They'd presumably have enough time to have as much sex as they wanted (in between their scientific activities, at least) without making anyone feel bad. Ash thought he'd be happy in this situation, but he wasn't. Brock now knew the truth, making his every interaction with Ash and Misty awkward. And at any time, any of them could be in danger.
"Hey, Ash," said Misty, coming back into the cabin, closing the door behind her. "What's up?"
"Not much," said Ash despondently as the redhead girl sat down next to him.
Misty put her hand on Ash's back, and Ash looked at her. "I know it's rough," she said. "This whole thing fucking sucks! But... we've gotta roll with the punches."
Ash sighed heavily. "I know," he said. "But look at all the shit that's happened already."
"Yeah," Misty agreed. "We had that plan the cops gave us, and look how many things already went tits up. We had to call for a car just to get out of Pallet Town... Brock listening to that damn tape... us splitting up from Brock... but... we just need to keep going. It's the only way we're gonna get through this shit."
"Yeah," said Ash, smiling slightly into Misty's pretty face. "And... at least we've got each other."
Misty smiled, only for her grin to fade and her eyes to narrow. "I hope so," she said.
"We do," said Ash. "Promise. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in the eye."
"Show me."
"Ummm... sticking a needle in my eye?"
"No, you dumbass! Show me how much we've got each other."
"Oh... okay." Ash leaned closer to Misty and kissed her on the lips. Misty returned the kiss. The dance of their tongues was slower this time around, as if they were seeking solace in each other after a loss. Ash put both hands on Misty's waist. He felt Misty put her hands inside his shirt, and he returned the favor, feeling up and down her torso, savoring every incomplete curve. After a short time, he broke off the kiss. "Misty," he said, hearing that his voice had become raspy, "I want it. I want YOU."
"Mmmmmm..." said Misty as Ash's hands ran over her breasts. "Okay. But just... be gentle. And don't touch my head."
"Okay," said Ash, taking hold of the hem of Misty's shirt. The redhead girl raised her arms, allowing Ash to pull it off. Ash ran his hands around her torso one more time before letting them rest on her bra. After a moment's pause, he slipped a hand inside each cup.
"Mmmmmm..." moaned Misty as Ash's hands caressed the two soft mounds. "Ohhhhhhh.... Yes.... I like that.... Mmmmmm.... Take this damn thing off." Ash reached around Misty's torso, unfastened her bra, and slipped it off her arms. Since he'd already touched her breasts, he lowered his head to them.
"Ohhhhhh yes..." moaned Misty as Ash's lips closed around her nipple. "Ohhhhhh shit.... Suck my fucking tits.... Mmmmm.... Just like that...." As Ash made out with her breast, Misty arched her back, thrusting her chest into his face. As his lips and tongue caressed the pink protrusion, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her in place. His hand found her other nipple. Maybe he was imagining it with everything going on, but he thought it felt lonely all by itself. He leaned across Misty's chest and sucked it, with the redhead girl giving a moan of approval. His hand dropped onto the bed, brushing across Misty's hip as it landed. This gave him an idea.
Picking up his hand again, Ash slipped it into Misty's panties. He felt her leg bump against his own as the pretty girl gave him access. Working his hand farther in, he soon found her clit. "Fuuuuuck yeeessss..." moaned Misty. "Rub my... ahhhhh... fucking clit. Ohhhhh shit.... Get my... uhhhhhh... pussy wet. Mmmmmm.... I like your hand... ohhhhhhh... on my pussy... uhhhhhh... and your mouth... ahhhhh... on my tits." Maybe it was the extra stimulation, maybe the frustration from earlier, but Misty's vagina seemed to moisten more quickly than it usually did. Ash imagined his fingers glistening with her juices, making his penis strain against his jeans. It wasn't time to do something about it yet, so he'd just have to see for himself if he was imagining the truth.
Ash slid off the bed, bringing his eyes to the level of Misty's crotch. His fingers weren't quite as wet as he'd imagined. He was disappointed, however. He'd make Misty wet enough. He unbuttoned as unzipped her pants, and pulled them down along with her panties. "Please Ash," begged Misty, "lick my fucking pussy."
"Tell me how much you fucking want it," said Ash.
"I don't want it," said Misty. Ash jerked his head up in surprise. "I NEED it. After all the shit, I fucking need it!"
"Then I'd better get you what you need," said Ash. Misty spread her legs further as he moved his head closer. He smelled her musk as he moved in. He gave the opening a long, upward lick.
"Ohhhhh fuck yes..." moaned Misty as her body shuddered. "I like it... ohhhhhh... when you lick... mmmmmm... my fucking... ahhhhh... pussy. Ohhhhhh.... Keep going. Uhhhhhh.... don't you... mmmmm... dare stop." Stopping was just about the furthest thing from Ash's mind. His tongue roved over Misty's vagina, rubbing against it with abandon. The motions differed from each other, but they were all necessary, even crucial.
Ash brought his mouth to rest on Misty's clit, getting a twitch and a loud moan in response. He sucked on the pink stub, bringing his finger just in front of his chin, where he felt her vaginal opening. It was very wet, and he wondered if he should just take her right there. "Finger me!" Misty gasped, cutting through his indecision. He'd have preferred to hear Misty say "Fuck me," but it wasn't a problem. A little fingering wouldn't hurt.
Ash renewed his sucking as he plunged his middle finger inside Misty's vagina. "Ohhhhhhhh yeeeesssss!" snarled Misty as the digit worked its way inward. Ohhhhhh fuck.... Finger my... shiiiiiit... fucking... uhhhhh... pussy." Skipping the in-and-out motions he normally made, Ash just curled and uncurled the finger that was now all the way inside Misty's tunnel. Misty shuddered with pleasure as her secretions flowed freely. Ash had his mouth on her clit the whole time. But this reminded him of when Misty was about to cum, and there was only one way he'd let her cum.
Ash removed his mouth and finger, and put the latter inside the former. He was amazed at just how much of a taste he'd developed for the bitter, musky liquid. "Come on..." panted Misty. "I need... your cock... inside me."
Those words were music to Ash's ears. However, even though he undressed as quickly as he could, it wasn't fast enough for his liking. He had to stall for time. "You need it that bad?" he asked huskily.
"Oh fuck..." gasped Misty. "Yes!"
That was all Ash needed. Stepping out of his pants and boxers, he moved closer to Misty, his member pointed right at her bellybutton. "I couldn't fucking wait for this," he growled, guiding the organ with his hand. Impatient, he thrust his hips forward as soon as he felt the heat from between Misty's legs.
"Ohhhhhhhh yeeeeeesssss!" cried Misty, her voice triumphant. "Fuck me.... I couldn't wait either...."
Not having moved close enough before he'd thrusted his hips, Ash leaned forward to push the full length of his penis inside. When it was all the way in, he noticed how close his face was to Misty's. "Can I kiss you?" he growled softly.
"Yes..." crooned Misty. "Just... be careful." Ash kissed Misty gently, and her tongue rushed to meet his. He started to move his hips back and forth, both ends of their bodies now taking part in their own intimate dances. Misty hummed her approval into his mouth. This was just what Ash needed after the series of days he'd had.
But this moment didn't last long. Misty broke off the kiss to gasp for air as Ash continued thrusting. She started to moan again, not speaking, but encouraging Ash all the same. Ash wanted to kiss her neck, but he didn't dare. There was too much risk of bumping her chin like he'd done the other day. But he had to do something with his mouth. Were her breasts close enough? Ash hunched his back to get into the right position.
"Ohhhhh shit..." said Misty. "My tits.... Mmmmmm.... Yes...." But Ash couldn't keep up his thrusts with his body in its current shape. He groaned in frustration. "Here..." said Misty. "Ohhhhhh.... let me... uhhhhh... lie down."
Ash released her nipple letting her lower her back onto the bed. "Really?" he asked. "You sure?"
"Yes..." Misty panted. "Now... lie... on top." Ash did what she'd asked, his torso pressing down on hers. "Now... start... moving... again."
"How?" asked Ash.
"However... you can," gasped Misty. "You can... figure... it out." Ash didn't know if he'd figured it out, but he had an idea. Putting his hands knees on the bed, he braced himself as he moved his hips once more.
Ash felt his whole body rub against Misty's as he moved. Immediately, he felt as if all his needs were being met right in this moment. Every sensation - Misty's breath in his ear, the rise and fall of her chest, her breasts pressing into his torso, and her vagina gripping his member - was a reminder of his bond with the redhead girl. He'd almost lost her - at least twice, in fact. What they were doing brought everything he would have lost all together into a single moment, letting him experience it all at once. It made this time feel different from every other time the two of them had had sex. This had to be perfection in action.
"Come on," said Misty, her tone begging. "Uhhhh.... Gonna... ohhhhh... cum... soon...." Ash snapped into mission mode. He didn't want to give up what they were doing, but to make its perfection complete, he'd have to bring the act to a satisfying conclusion - for both of them. He wondered if he was close enough, but his doubts faded as soon as he'd sped up. His penis, it seemed, had responded to the moment just like every other part of his body and mind. The wave of pleasure was much closer than he'd thought. Now with a fresh confidence, he sped up again, and the wave hurtled toward him.
And soon, it crashed over Ash and Misty. Ash let out a scream as his came harder than he could ever remember cumming. Misty screamed too, every part of her body seized by the moment. Ash was completely lost, his whole world consisting of Misty and himself. And all he knew was that he had the best of it with him.
Ash felt his whole body go limp as the moment passed. He was exhausted, but in a satisfied way. The wider world was back, and he was entirely happy with his place in it. It gave him a feeling of peace that he hadn't had in at least several months.
"Owww," said Misty softly.
That one word shattered the peace that Ash had been feeling. He quickly hoisted himself up to look at Misty's face. Her eyes were tightly shut, and her mouth had a grimace of pain. "Misty?" he said, anxiety creeping back into his being. "You okay? Your head still hurts after we...?"
"Yeah," grunted Misty. She paused, opening her eyes. "But it's... getting better."
"Good," said Ash. He rolled onto his back, though he still left his body pressed against Misty's. He lay there for a while, but for how much time, he didn't know. Eventually, though, a thought floated to the surface of his mind. "Hey... Misty?" he asked.
Misty looked at Ash. "Hey, Ash," she said, "what's up?"
"So..." said Ash, "what did you wanna tell me?"
"Huh?"
"Remember? Before... you know... we left the lab... you wanted to tell me something. It sounded important too."
Misty laughed nervously. "Oh... yeah. It's not THAT important. I mean... it is... but... uhhhh... you'll find out soon enough."
"Oh... okay." Ash sighed contentedly. He was used to Misty saying things like that to him. It would usually annoy him, but not this time. For once, he was sure that he would, in fact, know soon enough. And whatever point in time at which Misty would see fit to tell him would be fine by him.