Misty's POV

After Tracey and I fought last week, I went back to my house, avoiding my sisters as much as possible. I didn't want them to see me like this. I didn't want them to care.

I don't know why, but after that, all I sought after was revenge. Sweet sweet revenge that'll insure that he pays for what he did... actually... was him falling in love with me really that bad? I guess it wasn't, but come on! I even told him that I love Ash, but he fell in love with me anyway! But he did tell me often that Ash loves me back, but just hasn't realized it yet... Oh well, I can't think of that now. I'd already decided that we could not be around each other anymore.

That was honestly only the second time I've ever seen him so upset at me, the first being when we first met and I made the mistake of saying how I didn't realize how popular Professor Oak was. Why do I make him so upset all the time? Okay not all the time, but he rarely gets angry.

Why am I even still thinking about this? Why am I even thinking about him, of all people? The one I should be thinking about is Ash S. Ketchum, the one I love, right? Isn't that what people do when they're in love? Think about their crush? Girlfriend? Boyfriend? That's what people do... right?

Why am I even freaking out about not thinking about Ash? I usually cry when I think about Ash and how he's probably crushing on some female companion of his now that he's getting older and growing more aware. But... Tracey was always there to comfort me and say that it isn't so... it probably is.

I may sound stubborn, but if Tracey wasn't telling the truth about him crushing on me for so long, then how do I know that he hasn't always lied to me? I thought that from how he always talked about his supposed "childhood friend" that he was in love with her, but didn't even realize it. What if it was actually just a cover-up to hide the fact that he really likes me?

Could I even trust anyone anymore?

I was almost in Pallet Town when I saw a familiar black and yellow ringed nimble fox-like Pokémon approaching me.

"Umbre?" It looked at me curiously, which it honestly shouldn't because it's not unusual for me to visit Delia here in Pallet Town. It must've sensed that something was off...

"Hey there, Red," the annoying voice of Gary Oak bellowed, "I heard about what happened between you and the little drawer boy," I laughed a little bitterly at the mention of the Pokémon Watcher who hasn't left my thoughts at all since that happened, "so other than that, what's up?" he said, catching up with his Umbreon who kept nudging his hand.

"Oh nothing much," I said sarcastically, "just more depression, loneliness, and sad thoughts. Ya know, the usual."

"Grreaat" Gary replied, giving me this side look, but shook it off, "whatcha doin' here in Pallet Town? Surely you're not here to see Ashy-boy's mom again."

"No actually, I came to see you," I admitted, though all of my instincts were telling me that this was a horrible idea.

When I saw him raise an eyebrow, I knew immediately that he thought I had one to many Bubble Beams to the face. Yes, that's happened, just don't ask.

"What for?" he asked me curiously, his Umbreon looked at me intently. It's funny how well of a match up those two are, and how one can reveal what the other is really thinking while the other tries to keep their ego up. Ha.

I took in a deep breath, "Well... I was hoping you could help me get revenge on Tracey."

"How so?" Gary asked, his Umbreon mirroring his questioning look.

Guess he isn't as flirtatious as I thought.

But before anything could happen, I turned on my heel to hear, "I challenge you, Trainer, to a battle!"

"I'll wait for you at my house," Gary called to me, already abandoning me to my challenger, with his Umbreon in tow.

Sighing, I turned to face the young youngster. "Alright, since I'm not in a rush to meet up with my.. friend," I cringed at the word 'friend' as that was far from what we were, but still the quickest way to explain it, "how about a 3 on 3?"

"Sounds good to me," he said, "the name's Josh by the way." His accent made it sound like he wasn't from around here... huh.

"Well Josh, I'm Misty, and I just also happen to be the Gym Leader of Cerulean City," I introduced myself. "But this match won't count," I threw in, just in case he got any ideas.

"Wasn't counting on it," Josh smirked, sending out his first Pokémon, "Raticate, go!"

"Go Star—!" I exclaimed, before a flash of white light escaped from my red bag. Ugh, not again.

"Psyduck! Ugh, just- wait there till he attacks!" I grunted. I've given up on switching out when Psyduck does his thing. It's just not worth it, as he can still fend for himself and listen to my commands... some of the time.

Josh just gave us this weird look, as if we'd gone nuts, "Raticate, use Focus Energy!"

A steamy aura radiated from the Raticate, indicating that the move had been executed according to plan.

When I did nothing, Josh ordered, "Now Raticate! Use Hyper Fang!" Typical.

"Let it hit your head, Psyduck! But brace yourself!"

Josh looked at me in bewilderment. He probably had no idea what we were up to, which I guess is a good thing. "Hold it, Raticate! She's up to something! Use Swagger instead!"

Oh.

Guess he's not the average youngster.

At first, my instincts told me to dodge, but I had an idea. "Psyduck! Keep your position!" And soon enough, the Swagger affected Psyduck.

"What are you doing!?" I heard Josh yell from the opposing side of the field.

"Tactics, sweetie, tactics." I responded, having fun with this, but not with watching the yellow duck Pokémon helplessly punch itself in the face from confusion. I mentally face palmed, remembering that I had to look like I had planned this. I just didn't think he'd look so stupid while being confused. My Pokémon are probably under trained, as my emotions lately have been sending my training schedule into oblivion.

Josh, however, was getting angry now, "Raticate use your Bite attack, now!"

"Endure the hit, Psyduck!"

"Psyduck? Psy?" Great. Now even my own Pokémon is questioning me. I get that it's been awhile, but where's the trust, bud?

I watched as the dark type move hit my water type, the Raticate holding Psyduck's head in its mouth. That was when it clicked with Josh when Psyduck's eyes glowed blue. "Oh no! Raticate—!"

"Confusion, Psyduck!" I commanded it, grinning widely watching the Raticate struggle in Psyduck's imaginary grip, before being launched into a nearby tree... Gosh I'm so evil, but I don't really care because I'm having a good time. I guess I forgot what joy I get whenever I have a good battle against a challenging opponent.

Okay... Josh wasn't really that challenging at the moment, but I've been down lately and he actually observes my actions and thinks of how to counteract it, unlike the majority of kids his age, and I can appreciate and respect that. He's got potential.

"Raticate!" Josh shouted as he ran to his now fainted Pokémon. Frowning, he returned it to its capsule and strolled back to his spot on the field, but not before whispering words of reassurance to exhausted friend. It was touching, "Alright, Oddish, I choose you!"

"Return, Psyduck," I said, holding out his Pokéball. After he was returned, I send out Staryu. I knew that I was at the type disadvantage, but Staryu was one of my strongest Pokémon, not including the Starmie I use at the gym, and also knew some psychic attacks that would be super effective against Oddish because its poison secondary typing.

"A Staryu, huh?" Josh pondered, "Alrighty then, Oddish use Sweet Scent!"

"Dodge it Staryu and then use Swift!" I commanded. I better hope that his Oddish doesn't know a grass type move yet, as judging by the bite in his Raticate, it must be well trained.

Before the fragrance could reach Staryu, it leaped into the air and flung stars that hit the Oddish head on.

"Good job, Staryu! Use—" I was starting to say, before getting cut off by Josh's Oddish suddenly fainting. I guess my assumption wasn't quite true.

"No! Oddish!" Josh returned the fallen Pokémon and sighed, "Don't worry Oddish, I know we'll get better."

I smiled, thinking of how caring he was toward his Pokémon by knowing how they felt and what is best for them. Ash and Tracey both care for their Pokémon like that too.

Wait...

Did I really just mentally compliment him and put him on the same level as Ash?

It's only natural for Tracey to care about his Pokémon, as he loves learning about them. Ash on the other hand, is a trainer and could very well be cruel toward his Pokémon, but chooses not to. That makes Ash better than him, right?

Josh glanced up at me as I returned Staryu, before choosing his next Pokémon. "Alright, Nidoran! Come on out!"

It was a Nidoran male. I decided that I may as well use Corsola to add some more variety to this battle.

"Corsola, use Water Gun!"

"Nidoran! Poison Sting!"

Corsola moved first and squirted water in the Nidoran's face. But the Poison Sting still managed to make it through the water and hit Corsola. Luckily, she wasn't poisoned.

"Aright, Corsola! End this with Ancient Power!"

"Dodge it Nidoran!"

But it was already too late. Nidoran had fainted.

After he returned his Pokémon, he went up to me, "That was a great battle, Misty," well lookie there, he remembered my name, "I want to thank you for showing me that I still have a lot to improve on, especially with Oddish."

I smiled at his sincerity, "No worries, I'm sure that you'll get better," I said.

"I just caught this Oddish you see, so we have a lot of training ahead of us. Thanks again for that battle, Misty!"

"Your welcome, Josh. Are you challenging the Indigo League by any chance?" I asked him. I really liked this kid, I've decided, and I'd like to see him improve.

"No, sadly I'm only visiting my grandma who lives in Viridian City before I have to go back to Kalos," Ah, so that's why he doesn't sound like he's from around here.

"Oh well that's too bad. I was looking forward to see you challenge me at the Gym," I admitted.

"Wow! Really!"

"Yes really," I said rolling my eyes, "I'd love to see how well you and your Pokémon get along after some more training."

"Oh, wow! Thank you! You look really pretty by the way."

I blushed, "Uh... thanks."

"Oh, and here's some prize money by the way," he said while handing me some coins, "I know it's not a lot, but that's all I've got."

"Oh no, no, keep it, I get paid all the time from losing challengers, and you need that," I insisted, handing him back his money.

"Oh, okay," he said walking off, "bye, Misty!"

"Bye, Josh!" I replied, turning back toward Pallet Town to find Gary.

Although... I don't feel like getting revenge on Tracey anymore...

...But I'm still not going to talk to him.

~

Look who has risen from the grave of writer's block and procrastination to give you an update on this once thought abandoned book

Me

It's me

So I just want to point out that Ash does not appear in this for awhile, so if you want a story with pure PokéShipping fluff with 2 cute jealous dudes crushing on Misty, you're not likely to see that in here

This is a love triangle story, so expect to see some weird ass relationship shit that will crush ships cause that's just how I write

Also, out of my year of Pokémon writing experience, my first battle scene everyone! XD Why I hadn't written (and published) one in my... 13 other works, I'll never know

I may be updating this more often if I can manage to write more chapters more often. So if this you're reading this, then I've written more chapters in preparation and you can expect update(s).

(Edit: Lol jk I haven't written anymore, but since sid_the_girl started supporting this book, I made this book a new cover, and S O M E O N E was coughing to death.. I felt the urgency to go ahead and publish this. I hope my procrastination won't make this be the last chapter to ever be written, so if I still find that the other people who were reading this are reading this as enthusiastically as those WHO WERE COUGHING TO DEATH, then maybe I'll be motivated... I hate to sound like one of those people that won't publish the next part until they get a certain amount of votes, but I do... I do sound like one of those people 💔😢)

Get hyped!

-Lilly