Hi readers! I know i haven't update for a LONG time, thank you for your patients. I am writing three to four story at the same time, so i accept my humble apology. Here is part 8, hope you enjoy. "Well, don't feel guilty and don't be sorry," Ash said, as he takes his hand to wipe the tears on Misty's cheek. "You are the best human-friend I have. You always cheer me up when I am down, and you always cheer me on. I know that we argue a lot, but I never meant the mean things I said to you. You really are a best friend a guy could have." Misty is overwhelmed by Ash's wonderful words. "Ash, you are so sweet. Ash you are a best friend a girl could have." Misty stands up to wipe some tears with her palm, "Thank you." Misty said, leaning down to kiss Ash on the cheek; she then exits the room with a deep red shade on her face. Ash felt as though as he was drunk and his face felt hot. After cooling down, Ash put a hand on his cheek. I am never gonna wash this side of the face. Pikachu jumps into the room and jumps beside Ash. A drop of Ketchum accidentally fell from Pikachu's ketchup bottle, onto Ash's cheek. "PIKACHU!!!" "Pika?!" (What?!) The next week went by fast. Thanks to Misty's kiss-on-the-cheek, Ash is up and about the next day, and starts kicking butts in the Jotho League. The second match for Ash was pretty easy, it on the water-field. Ash battled some kid with a Gyarados, Kingdra, and Blastoise. Even though Pikachu can't use any electrical attacks, his speed gave him great advantage. The third match was against Sakura and her Espeon, Bayleaf and Cyndaquil did most of the work, wiping out Sakura's whole team. Match four, at the grass-field, Ash battles Kelly. It was real close, it was down to Pikachu verses Feraligatr. But the electrical mouse came through. Tonight, in Ash's cabin, Brock cooked up a scrumptious meal, celebrating Ash's victories. There are sandwiches, lemonades, pound cakes, and much more. Ash spent most of his time consuming food while Misty had to help Brock in the kitchen. "I am not washing the dishes!" Misty said irately, "Tell Tracy to." "Tracy!" Brock yells to the living room, "You better wash the dishes, because Misty is in a bad mood. And you know how girls are when they are in a bad mood." "You better shut up before your head is not on your shoulder any more," Misty said moodily, exiting the kitchen. "Ash, do you know where is my backpack?" "I think it's in our room. Cake?" Ash asks, pointing to the pound cake. "Why not?" Misty sits down next to Ash, helping herself with the cake. "You're not worry about you matches?" "A little, but the fifth match is two days away, I guess I could relax a while." Ash said as he takes a huge bite on the ham sandwich. "What do you want to do tomorrow?" "I am not going to the mall with you." Ash groans. "Come on Ash, pretty please?" "Okay, but we're going to the food court after that." Misty sweat drops, "Okay." The next day, Ash and Misty woke up early and went to the mall. The mall was packed. Merchants selling their products while shoppers browse around. Misty takes Ash by the hand, making both of them blush, and drags him to the clothes section. The bags piles up as the shopping spree begins, Misty is basically having tons of fun picking out clothes, while Ash slouch behind Misty. After a few hours of shopping, Misty had put a hole in her wallet and decides to save up the few dollars that remains in her wallet. "Finally, food." Ash said brightly as they march to the food court with bags in their hands. "My treat." "Thanks." They order their food and chow down. "Ash? You have ketchup on your face." Misty said, looking at Ash's cheek, covered by red ketchup. "Where's Pikachu?" Misty laughs as she gets a napkin and quickly, but gently, wipes the ketchup off of Ash's face. That made Ash blush, "Uh, thanks." After eating, Ash decides he should start training to get in shape for the next match. Misty, on the other hand, decides to put the bags back in the cabin. They went their separate ways in front of the mall. Misty looks down at the dress she just bought. I don't know why I even bought it. It's not like I will wear the dress, but it does look good on me though. Misty sighs as she looks at the clock on the wooden table. 3:21. Better check on Ash, Misty though as she exits the room in hurry, but made sure that Togepi is being carefully watched by Brock. Misty walks to the area that Ash said he would be training. Misty sees nobody except some trees and benches; she's in a park. Misty walks around until she sees a couple on a bench, kissing. Misty can't make out their faces, but the guy does look like Ash. Kissing in broad day light, in public, I better give them a scare they could remember. Misty creeps over to get a better view and got the shock of her life. There it was, Ash and Kelly, kissing. Misty couldn't control herself anymore. "What do you think you're doing?!" Misty bellows, making the couple finch. "Misty? Is that you? What are doing here?" Kelly said, a little mad for Misty's rudeness. She breathes quickly, getting the air back to her lungs. "What do you think you're doing with Ash?!" Misty screams again, only louder. The two had to plug their ears with their fingers to prevent them from getting permanent damage. "He's not-" Kelly said calmly, rubbing her damaged ear. Ash puts a hand on Kelly's shoulder and shakes his head. "ASH! I can't believe you! I thought, I thought…" Misty runs with tears welding up in her eyes. She can't believe what she just saw, she didn't want to believe what she just saw. "Pikachu, that was some training, wasn't it?" Ash smiles exhaustedly, "But it was worth it." Pikachu agrees wholeheartedly on their way back to the Pokemon Center. "I wonder what Misty's doing." Ash asks himself as he enters the cool Pokemon Center. Ash finds Brock laying on the floor with red marks on face. Ash shakes Brock hard, "Get up Brock, Nurse Joy can't slap that hard, can she?" Ash grabs Brock by the collar and drags him to a chair. "No, but Jenny sure can." Brock chokes that phrase out of him and then fainted. Reminding that he has to get on Officer Jenny's good side, Ash continue to look for Misty. Ash marches down the streets with a great mood, reaching the cabin that he is currently living in. "Hey Trace, seen Misty around?" Ash asks cheerfully as he passes the small living room. Ash grabs one of the soda cans in the refrigerator and drank the whole thing in one gulp. "Yeah, but she's not in a good mood like you. Said something about you," Tracy said while determining which of his many most recent sketches he should sent to Professor Oak. "You might not want to bother her." "Thanks Trace, but I'll take my chances." Tracey shakes his head and murmurs quietly so that Ash doesn't hear him, "Kids these days." Ash said, trashing the soda can. Ash climbs the stair case easily, knocking on Misty's door. "Misty, are you in there?" No one answered. "Why am I knocking? This is also my room." Ash murmur to himself and barge in the room, finding no one except the bright sunlight illuminating the room. Ash notices there is a note on the wooden desk, it's Misty's handwriting. In a piece of small white paper, Misty wrote: Ash, a lot had happened lately, for you and me. Sometimes my emotion confuses me, hurts me, and even destroys a part of me. I don't know why I am telling you this, but since I am not going to see you again, I might as well… Have you wonder why I followed you around and be in a part of your magnificent adventure? Have you ever asked yourself why I never left your side no matter what? And did you know that every time I thought I lost you, I lost a big part of my life? But that doesn't matters anymore. I am off to my own journey, to fulfill my dream as a Water Pokemon Master. I know this is being very selfish and insensitive of me, but I just can't say goodbye face-to-face with you. I am going to the Hoenn region, I heard that there are many new species of Water Pokemon. We probably won't ever see each other again, but I'll let fate decide on that one. I hope you win the Jotho league, I really do. I'll miss you Ash, and Pikachu and Brock and Tracey. Tell them I said bye. Love, Misty Ash sunk. He felt that he just lost a whole chunk of himself as he practically lost balance and almost fell to the floor. He re-read the small piece of paper several more times before his brain cells starts to kick in, he then broke into the a run. I know this face I'm wearing now I've seen this in my eyes And though it feels so great, I'm still afraid That you'll be leaving anytime Don't say you love me unless forever Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it Make it real or take it all away I've caught myself smiling alone Just thinking of your voice And dreaming of your touch, is all too much You know I don't have any choice Don't say you love me unless forever Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it Make it real, make it real, or take it all away Take it all away, take it all away... "Misty…" Ash ran wildly through the forest that surrounded the Pokemon Village. Where is she? I can't just let her leave without letting her know my feelings. She would probably not leave and stayed with me. Then Ash stopped running. Or would she? As far as I know she would probably left even faster… He look frantically around himself, like Misty said, maybe I have to let faith decide that for me… "Today we join these eight amazing Pokemon Trainers gathered from all corners of the world, to compete for the greatest title of all! The Pokemon Master!!!" The male announcer shouted, but his voice is drowned by the roaring of crowd. "Let's check the board to see who's battling who, shall we?" Right after he said that, a big screen rose from the ground, displaying a board of the trainers' opponents. Quarter-Finals Ash Vs. Casey Gary Vs. Ritchie Jen Vs. Harrison AJ Vs. Lance "Well, looks like round one of the Quarter-Finals is between Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town versus Casey from Cherry Grove Town. Will Casey and Ash report to the arena." The announcer asked. Ash and Casey emerged from the opposite side and took their place in their trainer box. Ash scanned the crowd for some one he wanted to find, but no luck. "This will be a six on six Pokemon battle on the Grass Field, no time limit, you may begin!" The referee stood on the side, waving two flag in his hands. Ash took another glance at the big screen. He wondered why Satoshi isn't on the screen, because Satoshi had told him that he'll battle him in the Pokemon. Ash ignored this as he resume his concentration back to the battle that's about to start. Ash narrowed his eyes and threw out his trusted Pokemon, "Let's go Bulbasaur." Out of Ash's Poke-Ball, a seed Pokemon emerged with a flash of white light, landed softly on the tall grass. "Magmar, I choose you." With the similar white-flash, Casey had sent out her Magmar, a fire Pokemon with the intensity to melt boulders. "Red trainer Casey starts with Magmar while Green Trainer Ash kicks things off with Bulbasaur. The advantage is clearly Casey's, but type advantage doesn't grant a for-sure victory." The announcer analyzed. "Magmar, use Fire Punch." Casey commanded with confidence. She going to show this announcer that type advantage does grant a for-sure victory. Magmar dashed closer to the small seed Pokemon. With a charge of energy, Magmar's hand glowed red, preparing for a devastating Fire Punch attack. "Dodge it and charge for Solar Beam." Ash felt tired. Magmar leaped high into the air, then using its gravity to give Fire Punch extra strength as it flew down quickly. Bulbasaur jumped sideway at the last second, dodging the attack that burned the grass it was standing on. The Solar Beam was done charging while Magmar's molten fist had got stuck to the ground, unable for it to move. Bulbasaur released a greenish-white energy beam that hit the Fire Pokemon dead on. The referee looked at the fainted Pokemon, and waved the green flag he's holding, "Magmar have fainted, green trainer wins this round." The crowd cheered madly as Magmar is being sucked back to its Poke-Ball. Casey whispered 'good job' to the fainted Pokemon. "Ash's Bulbasaur just delivered a devastating Solar Beam attack, knocking out Casey's fire Pokemon. Casey now will sent out her second Pokemon." Casey seemed to be taking some time to decide which Pokemon to bring out, Ash used this time to scan the crowd one more time. There, above the stands, a familiar figure sat at the edge of roof. With her legs dangling over, she silently watched him. Feeling a little bit of strength coming back to him, Ash turned back to the arena, finding Casey just released her Beedrill to take on his Bulbasaur. "Casey decides to use her Beedrill while Ash sticks with his Bulbasaur. Round two begins." "Bulbasaur, grab it with Vine Whip!" "Dodge it-no!" Before Casey had given her commands, her Beedrill is tangled up by Bulbasaur. Beedrill struggled against the power vines wrapped around it, flapping it wings madly, but to no avail. "Solar Beam!" The Beedrill had fainted after another Solar Beam from Ash's powerful Bulbasaur. A smile appeared on Ash's face as he shifted his view to the person at top of the stadium. "Wow! Another Solar Beam from Bulbasaur... If Casey doesn't start to take matters into her hands, I think the match already ended." The announcer said, to much of Casey's annoyance. "Meganium, go!" Casey said as she threw her third Poke-Ball. A large plant Pokemon stood softly on the grass, looking at its small opponent. "Show 'em what's a real Solar Beam." "Bulbasaur, fight back with your own Solar Beam." "People, hang on to your chairs, because this is a match you don't wanna miss! These two daring trainer is going fight fire with fire! Or in this case, Solar Beam with Solar Beam!" Two greenish-white beams are released at the same time, consuming the air around it as it travel to the opposite side, clashing with another powerful Solar Beam. With some efforts, Meganium's Solar Beam cut through Bulbasaur's, knocking the small seed Pokemon out. Ash returned Bulbasaur, thanking it for such good work. Looking at the top of the stadium, Ash could see the girl had not move since he last looked. He has to make this round count if he wants to win. Giving that girl a final glance before he resumed his gaze to the electric rodent standing beside him. "Pika?" The lightning Pokemon's cheek spark with electricity, signaling his master that it's ready. Ash gave him a nod; then, the small rodent ran on all four to the stadium. "Pikachu, I choose you!" That's part eight of my first fic, after a couple more part, i think it'll be done! I will be delighted to hear you guys' reviews. Thanks for reading!