Chapter no.37 Misty and Austin: Morning

Misty woke up with a smile, stretching contentedly in the soft embrace of a real bed, a luxury she had sorely missed. Throughout her journey, she had made the regrettable choice of bringing along a water sleeping bag, lured by the promise of comfort it seemed to offer. However, halfway through her travels, a mischievous Weedle had punctured it, leaving her to face many uncomfortable nights.

Curse you, bugs!

Shaking off the memory, she rose from the bed, eager to start her day refreshed. She headed straight to the shower, letting the warm water wash away the last traces of her outdoor adventures, and pondered her plans for the day.

After a rejuvenating shower, Misty dressed casually but made sure to wear a mask and headed to a pokemon centre cafeteria, and sat down to a breakfast that was both familiar and comforting. On her plate was Magikarp scales miso soup—a local delicacy that she dearly missed during her journey—accompanied by steamed white rice, and a glass of fresh juice.

"Oh, hey there Misty."

The ginger turned, tensing slightly, but her shoulders relaxed when she saw it was just Austin and not someone she knew.

"Did you catch a cold?"

Misty didn't respond; rather began moving, intending to return to her room for some solitude. Austin, seemingly oblivious to her mood, followed close behind.

"Why are you following me?"

"I thought you might use some company. It's always nice to eat with other people," Austin replied, his smile wide and seemingly naive.

"I like to eat alone," Misty said, hoping th boy would catch the hint and leave her to her plans of a quiet morning.

"Great," Austin said, still following her. His response made it clear he hadn't picked up on her subtle cue.

Misty's patience waned, and she raised her voice slightly—not enough to cause a scene, but enough to convey a more serious tone. "Why are you still following me?"

"Oh, I'm going to my room," Austin replied casually, unfazed by her tone.

Slightly embarrassed, the ginger-haired tomboy nodded and started moving away. Austin, however, seemed unperturbed by the earlier tension and began speaking casually as if they were old friends.

"You know, I was so excited to battle my second gym. I wanted to see if it would be a change compared to Brock," Austin said with a hint of bragging, though Misty seemed to ignore his enthusiasm.

Noticing her indifference, Austin pushed on. "I'm sure I could beat the Cerulean City gym in one go."

Misty stopped in her tracks and turned to glare at him.

"Cerulean gym isn't that easy, newbie."

Austin shrugged and smirked confidently.

"I beat Pewter in one go; I'm sure I could take on Cerulean just as easily."

Misty looked as if she was ready to throw hands with the boy but instead, she walked away. Her plan was simple: eat, get supplies, and leave.

"Shame that the gym is now used for water shows," Austin commented offhandedly, watching the girl's retreating back.

This remark made her spin around, her face a mix of surprise and irritation. If not for the food tray in her hands, she might have grabbed Austin by the collar.

"What did you say?!"

"Cerulean City gym is being used for water shows by the Sensational Sisters," Austin replied, watching her reaction closely.

Misty's heart sank.

The news hit harder than expected.

The gym—her gym—was a place of pride, of competition, a legacy she was meant to uphold.

The thought of it being reduced to a venue for entertainment was like a slap in the face. It wasn't just the gym; it felt like Misty's own worth and the efforts of her training were being trivialized.

The girl's eyes fell, shifting from shock to visible disappointment as she processed the news. She turned to leave, clearly upset by the turn of events. Austin, sensing he hadn't elicited the strong reaction he was aiming for, decided to provoke a bit more.

"You know, I was expecting much more of a reaction, considering what your sisters are doing."

How did this relative newcomer know so much, and what was his angle?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized this conversation wasn't casual at all. It felt like a targeted probe, an attempt to stir a reaction for reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint.

The possibilities ran through her head—was he informed about her personal family drama? Was this some sort of convoluted attempt at gaining an advantage or, worse, some form of subtle blackmail? Despite his appearance as a simple rookie when they first met, his current confidence seemed misplaced, almost rehearsed.

Distrust clouded her thoughts as she narrowed her eyes, her voice taking on a hardened edge. "What do you want?" she growled, unable to hide the suspicion in her tone.

Austin seemed unfazed by her change in demeanor.

"Oh, I want you to battle me for the Cerulean City gym."

Misty blinked, taken aback.

"Repeat that again?"

"I want to—" Austin started to explain, but Misty cut him off with a sharp, "No."

"Oh come on, battle me."

"Look, even if I wanted to, I'm not the official gym leader of Cerulean, so battling me won't get you a legit win or lose," Misty explained, exasperated by her own thoughts, as she stopped at her room's door.

"Oh, that's easy to fix," Austin chirped, a little too casually.

"How?" Misty asked, her interest piqued despite herself.

"Let's make you the Cerulean City gym leader," Austin suggested nonchalantly, as if ascending to such a prestigious position was a minor, everyday occurrence.

Misty's response was swift and decisive. She opened her room door, gave him a look that mixed disbelief with annoyance, and slammed the door shut in his face.

"Don't bother me, idiot."

As Misty sat down to eat, her thoughts were tumultuous, swirling with the recent confrontation with Austin.

He seemed to be just some fool obsessed with battles, yet how did he know about her connection to the gym?

It wasn't just idle gossip; it felt too precise, too aimed.

Her breakfast lay forgotten as she chewed over each word he had said, her spoon moving mechanically, but her appetite lost. She needed answers.

Rising abruptly, Misty made her way towards the Cerulean City gym—a simple natatorium marked by a Dewgong silhouette at the front, now bustling and unusually vibrant.

Approaching the gym, Misty could see lines of people waiting outside.

Peeking through the windows, her heart sank. The giant indoor swimming pool where her mother had taught her everything about water Pokémon was now a stage for her sisters, who were signing posters for adoring fans. The gym was decorated elaborately for a water show, with colorful banners and shimmering lights creating a spectacle of the space that held so much significance to her.

A sharp pang of betrayal tightened in Misty's chest when she noticed that her mother’s portrait, which had always held a place of honor, was missing.

In its place hung a garish advertisement for the Sensational Sisters' show.

She bit her lower lip hard, fighting the urge to burst into the facility and confront her sisters.

How could they?

Last year, when she had set out to specialize in water Pokémon and reclaim the Cerulean City gym, they had promised to preserve its legacy. Yet here they were, turning it into nothing more than a venue for their performances.

It was their right, legally speaking.

The gym wasn’t provided by the league but was something her father had built for her mother when she retired as a Gym Leader.

It was their family’s private property, and yet, their actions felt like a profound disrespect to both their parents' intentions and memories.

Misty, feeling a whirl of emotions, returned to the Pokémon Center determined to confront the situation head-on.

She found Austin in the cafeteria, his attention absorbed by his journal as Pikachu, Eevee, and Rattata enjoyed a meal nearby. Without hesitation, she approached and slammed her hand onto the table, making enough noise to catch only his attention.

"I am in," she declared, her voice firm.

Austin looked up, visibly surprised. "What?"

"I'm in, what's your plan to get me to be the Cerulean City Gym Leader?" Misty repeated, her stance resolute. Around them, Austin's Pokémon paused, looking up in shock at her words.

"What convinced you?"

"The universe, I guess," Misty replied vaguely, not wanting to delve into the deeper reasons behind her sudden change of heart.

Austin sighed, a knowing look crossing his features. "I figured that would happen."

Misty was puzzled by his response but chose to ignore it as Austin slid his notebook across the table toward her. It was filled with detailed plans—not just strategies to convince her but also elaborate steps to reinstate her as the gym leader. For a moment, Misty's usual tough demeanor softened; it was the first time someone had gone out of their way to help her in such a focused manner.

But why?

The question had been nagging at her for the last hour.

"Why are you going so far for me?"

Austin flashed a playful smile and replied, "You're cute, so I want to help you."

Misty's face turned a deep shade of red, resembling a ripe tomato.

Austin was aware that his comment would catch Misty off guard. He understood that beneath her tough exterior, Misty harbored insecurities about her looks—a vulnerability that many strong individuals masked with bravado. His compliment, strategically placed and seemingly light-hearted, was not just about flattery. It was a calculated move designed to steer the conversation away from deeper waters, allowing him to maintain control over the direction of their interaction. In the intricate dance of human connection, sometimes the right words, however superficial, can serve as both a shield and a diversion, guiding the flow of emotions and intentions towards safer shores.

Sorry, Misty but you are going to be my guinea pig as I figure out if I truly have free will?

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[ Author Note: I hope you liked this chapter, what do you think Austin's overall plan is with helping Misty and what does he mean in your opinion by free will? ]