Never Give Up


Disclaimer: No, I don’t own pokemon…but I’d like to! So…Nintendo…if 
you’re ever looking for a new owner, you know where to find me! 
(However, if you’re being picky, I DO own Leanne, because I created her…I 
think!!!???)

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“Ash, are you ok? You seem a little…out of it…today.” Misty asked, in the 
concerned tone she always used, but that Ash never took any notice of. Ash 
just shrugged, and looked away.
“Yeah, I’m alright. But, well, I just have bad memories about this place.” He 
replied, gesturing to the buildings around him. Brock called from behind his 
map,
“Oh, I remember! You said last week…or was it last year…that you had bad 
memories of Goldenrod. But…you never said why.” 
“Wow? Is that the time? I’ve got a dentist appointment! Gotta go!” Ash 
yelled, and ran off. Brock nodded, but after a moment, turned to Misty.
“But he doesn’t go to the dentist!” He exclaimed. 

Ash ran as fast as he could, the streets became a blur around him, his feet 
pounding on the ground. He stopped, turned around and wiped his brow. 
“Phew…that was close, how I would hate to explain my bad experience to 
Brock and Misty…especially Misty.” Ash’s mind lingered on the thought of 
Misty for a while, but he pushed it away. She didn’t like him…right? Ash 
shook his head, and looked around, trying to occupy himself. His eyes 
wandered, and finally came to rest on a small corner café. Ash 
gasped…could it be? He was sure of it…right down to the rusty sign, the 
faded posters, the silver tables…it was Goldenrod Café. 

If Goldenrod Café was there, that meant Leanne was there too. Leanne, the 
waitress who broke his heart five years ago. She was two years older, 13 to 
be exact, and worked part time…making Ash like her…learn to almost love 
her, for nearly 2 months, before blowing him off for another boy. Misty and 
Brock had gone off on some adventure for a couple of months. That was 
when Ash had met Leanne, and he didn’t want to meet her again. Or, did he?
“So, are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna order?” Came a soft 
voice from behind Ash. He span around to see an 18 year old waitress 
cleaning a table, smiling sweetly. Ash gasped, and whispered,
“Leanne…” The waitress raised a hand to her mouth, and whispered,
“Ash…” The two just stood there, staring, gaping at how they had both 
matured. Leanne was first to speak.
“Ash…you have grown up so much! Look at your hair! It’s so…” She 
paused, and ran her hand through Ash’s jet black hair, sending a shiver up 
Ash’s spine. Her hand ran down his neck, his shoulder, his arm…and 
reached his hand. Ash clasped her hand in his. 
“Leanne…I guess, I’ve missed you.” Ash mumbled, dumbstruck. Leanne 
smiled, and to any other person, the smile may have seemed malicious. But 
to Ash, it was the sweetest thing he had seen in a long time. He was under 
her spell.

Misty ran round the corner, pulling Brock along behind her, and saw Ash. 
She dropped Brock’s arm, which she had been using to grab him by, and 
stared. Ash was holding hands with a girl, a little older than him, conversing 
slowly, a glimmer of happiness in his eyes. And in hers, a mixed emotion, 
one of surprise and happiness, and one of power and malice. 
 “Let’s leave the lover boy and his girl in peace.” Misty hissed through 
clenched teeth, jealousy almost pouring out of her body. 
“But…we just got here!” Moaned Brock, now being dragged back round the 
corner, so he could no longer see Ash. 

“Ash, let’s go somewhere, more private.” Leanne whispered. Ash shook 
himself out of his trance like state. 
“I can’t, I have to find my friends, Leanne. But, I’ll meet you here, at 9am? 
We can spend the whole day together.” Ash sighed, and Leanne nodded. Ash 
walked off, waving to Leanne as he did. 

Ash didn’t talk to Brock or Misty, but left his hotel room early the next 
morning. He almost sprinted over to Goldenrod Café, to meet Leanne. They 
linked arms and went off to the mall, Leanne chatting to Ash in a girly voice, 
which Ash seemed to adore. When they reached the mall, Leanne pointed 
out a silver necklace through a window.
“Sorry Leanne, I can’t afford it.” Sighed Ash. Leanne leaned over and 
whispered,
“Who says you have to pay for the things you want.” Ash would have 
normally said no, but in Leanne’s trance, he would have done most anything. 
“Ash, I was worried sick! What is wrong with you? You didn’t call or 
anything!” Misty yelled as Ash came in through the door.
“Relax Misty, I was with Leanne.” Ash replied.
“Oh…Leanne’s her name is it? Well you tell this Leanne, not to take you out 
early in the morning without allowing you to tell your friends first!” Misty 
shouted.
“I had a blast with Leanne, in case you were wondering, seeing as you didn’t 
even bother to ask! I got her a silver necklace.” Cried Ash.
“Really Ash, you couldn’t afford a plastic bracelet, let alone a silver 
necklace.” Misty hissed.
“Leanne taught me how to get hold of things without paying for them.” Ash 
yelled, and then quietened down, when he saw Misty’s face, full of pure 
shock and horror.
“You stole it!” Misty exclaimed. “First of all, you start dating this Leanne, 
without even telling me, and then you start stealing stuff for her! I’ve had it 
up to here with you, Ash Ketchum!”
“At least she likes me, which is more than can ever be said for you! You 
scrawny little tomboy!” Ash shrieked, and stormed into his room, leaving 
Misty with tears streaming down her face.

Ash didn’t talk to Misty for the rest of the week, but continued dating 
Leanne, taking her to the mall, where he stole things for her, restaurants, 
where he spent a lot of money on her, and the park, where he bought ice 
cream for her. One night, when he was on the phone to Leanne, Misty 
sneaked up to Ash’s door and pressed her ear against it.
“Yeah, Leanne, I was afraid of coming back here. After what happened five 
years ago, you…well…you made me really upset. But of course I’ve 
forgiven you now! Yep, see you tomorrow, usual time. Bye.” Misty heard 
Ash say. 
“So she’s the reason why he didn’t want to come back, she broke his heart 
when he was 11. I bet that happened when me and Brock were away on our 
trip. I’ve gotta go tell Brock now!” Misty mumbled to herself, and she ran 
off.

“That certainly does sound right. And you’re sure it was Ash talking?” 
Brock asked.
“Definitely.” Misty replied.
“Well, that’s that. Leanne appears to be using Ash, which makes me wonder 
if she really does like him.” Brock stated, and Misty agreed. 
“When they get back tomorrow, I’m finding out exactly what’s going on.” 
Misty said to herself, and started to think.

The next day, Ash and Leanne spent longer on their date than usual, and 
Misty began to get worried. But, they appeared eventually, and she sneaked 
outside to greet them. 
“Well, Ash, coming inside? It’s getting late.” Misty asked, as Ash said 
goodbye to Leanne.
“Guess so.” Ash mumbled, smiling at Leanne.
“You go Ashy, and remember, do this for me honey, keep your promise.” 
Leanne replied, kissing Ash on the lips gently, and she turned and walked 
away. Misty felt like she had been slapped, but tried not to let it show.
“What promise?” Misty called to Leanne, who stopped and turned slightly.
“Ashy had promised to not sign up for the Pokemon Mater League this year, 
after all, I don’t like them, do I? Bye.” She called, and walked off. Misty 
gasped, it was Ash’s dream to become Pokemon Master, and he could easily 
win it. He was going to let that girl stand in his way, and tell him what to 
do? Misty was having none of that, and was about to say so, but Ash had 
already gone inside.

“Ash! You can’t let her do this to you! You love Pokemon, you can’t let her 
take away your dream!” Misty exclaimed. But Ash just shook his head.
“For the one you love, you’ll do anything.” He replied simply. Misty’s 
mouth went dry, and she blinked back tears.
“Y...you l…love her?” She stuttered, and Ash nodded. Misty let the tears 
flow, and sobs overwhelmed her. But Ash, instead of being concerned, just 
turned and walked away.

“That’s it then, all packed.” Misty said to herself quietly, patting her 
rucksack and pokeballs. 
She looked around at her hotel room, empty of everything that said she had 
been there.
“No point staying here now, might as well go.” Misty nodded as she looked 
at herself through the mirror. She glanced at the clock, 8:08. Ash would be 
leaving to go and see…her…in 30 minutes. 
“Oh well…no biggy.” Sniffed Misty, picking up her rucksack and pokeballs 
and heading downstairs. She checked out of the hotel and walked miserably 
down the road. 
“Coffee, that’s what I need.” Thought Misty, forcing a smile, and ventured 
down the road.
As she sipped her coffee, Misty wondered what Ash would be doing right 
now. Getting up probably, going to have his shower, getting ready to leave. 
She winced, thinking about Ash was too painful. Misty finished up her 
coffee and wandered out of the coffee-house. Aimlessly walking in no 
particular direction, Misty reached a familiar road. She growled to herself, as 
she realized it was the road that held Goldenrod Café. Clutching the pokeball 
that held Togetic, she stormed past, glancing once. What she saw shocked 
her. Gary and Leanne were holding hands, talking sweetly to each other. 
Misty ran, unseen, closer so she could hear what they were saying. 

“Well done sweetheart.” Said Gary.
“Thanks honey, the stupid boy doesn’t have a clue.” Replied Leanne.
“You’re sure he won’t enter?” Asked Gary, and Leanne nodded. “Good, I’ll 
be the winner this year, with no Ash to stop me!” Leanne smiled.
“I’ve also made him fall out with the redhead.” She cackled.
“Excellent, she always had a thing for him, now no one can stand in our 
way!” Gary finished, and kissed Leanne. Misty scrabbled for her phone, and 
took a photo. Then, she glanced at her watch, 8:37. If she sprinted she could 
make it, so Misty did.

Her legs ran as fast as they could, almost leaving the rest of her behind, but 
Misty knew she had to make it. She skidded round the corner, bumping into 
a young man on her way.
“Ash!” Cried Misty. “Listen to me! This thing with Leanne, is all a set up! 
She is Gary’s girlfriend, and she’s working with him to try and get you not 
to sign up for the Pokemon Mater League. Without you, Gary can win! 
You’ve got to believe me Ash!” Ash looked shocked, but shook his head all 
the same. 
“You’re lying Misty, you just want to ruin it for me.” Ash yelled.      
 “No, Ash! I’m being serious! You’ve got to believe me! Leanne is going to 
break your heart again. She isn’t a good person Ash!” Misty sobbed. 
“Look!” And she pulled out her phone and showed Ash the photo she took.
“You…you made it!” Ash demanded. 
“No, Ash! I didn’t, you’ve got to believe me! I’ll do anything…I’ll even 
give you Togetic!” Misty shouted, trying to control her tears, and thrust 
Togetic’s pokeball into his hand. Ash stared at it for a few moments, before 
saying,
“But, why would you give this to me?”
“Because… for the one you love, you’ll do anything.” Misty whispered, and Ash’s 
eyes widened. 
“You love me?” He whispered.
“Yes!” Exclaimed Misty. “Ash, if you care about me at all, stop seeing Leanne, 
and sign up for the Pokemon Master’s League.” Ash smiled slightly.
“Ok,” He said. “But, is it alright if I do that, and go out with you instead?” 
Misty grinned and hugged him, and they broke apart, only to embrace in a kiss 
afterwards.
“I love you too Mist, thanks for making me realize that. Oh, and thanks for 
something else too.” Said Ash.
“What’s that?” Asked Misty. Ash smiled sweetly and said plainly,
“For never giving up.”


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Hope you liked it, email me your reviews, I’d love to hear from you. ^_^