Ash and Misty

Part 11 (actually 10)

“What’s the point of saying something if you’re just lying?” May asked herself as she trampled angrily towards Daisy’s room. She had know idea where Ash was, but she went along with her instincts and followed along the rooms till she got to Daisy’s.

It wasn’t just anger that drove her. If anything else, it was hurt. May remember the time she had waited for Ash to arrive from the Orre Region and visit her within a year of Ash’s attendance of the Orre Region, but no such visit. Of course May wasn’t as hurt knowing how Ash is. From the very beginning when she had first met Ash, May has known to be a very distracted individual when it came to pokemon training. Despite the fact, non-the-less May was still hurt. Now, it’s even worst when Ash was just there. Ash has been at least five thousand miles away from May, but now he’s only just as far as May can kick him. She had to fight too.

******

Misty was running on adrenaline and never thought anyone would be there when she opened the door, but there she was. It was May.

May didn’t say anything, she only looked Misty in the eye and somehow her gaze ran down her body and caught the backpack that hung from her left shoulder. She had seen this Misty before. Rather, it was the same Misty, but Misty wasn’t ready for a wedding, she was ready for a journey. Shorts on that was longer than she remembered, but shorts none-the-less. Her shirt was also made for traveling, showing her mid-drift; just like her shorts it was more modest she would usually wear.

Ash wondered why Misty was just standing there, frozen as if her Dewgong had used icebeam or blizzard on her. He walked to her and on the corner of his eyes saw May who was also frozen as Misty was. He didn’t really know what to say to her at that moment. It would have been the same with anyone else he might have ran into.

It was an obstacle from the time Ash had first accepted the invitation from Brock to attend Misty’s wedding. All he has to do now is get his pokemon, Misty’s pokemon and try to avoid everyone else. Surely May won’t cause any trouble for them. Right?

This was her only shot. She had to plead her case.

“Ash,” spoke out May.

“Yes,” Ash said quietly acknowledging her presence.

“Why not me?”

Ash knew exactly what she was talking about and had no reasons that would not hurt his beloved friend.

“…I mean, why Misty and not me?” she continued. “Did you tell me the truth when you said you loved me as much as you loved her, or was that just lie so I would leave you alone?”

“May,” spoke Misty. She couldn’t finish the sentence, she didn’t know how.

“Don’t talk to me, Misty. I want Ash to answer. He’s the one who lied; I want him to answer me.” Knowing tears started to run down her face and not caring, May starred down Ash. It pained her to do so because at that moment, Ash was the last person she ever wanted to see and also the most she would want to be with.

“Fine, May. I’ll tell you the truth. I’ll tell you why I chose Misty instead of you. But I didn’t lie to you. I love you as much as I love Misty.”

“Then why her and not me? If you loved us the same, then why her and not me?”

Misty listened carefully knowing it was bad that she was proud Ash picked her before Ash picked May.

Ash began to think up a reason why this is so. How can he have chose Misty over May when he honestly loved them both. This was true, he did love them both equally. So many times Ash had already proved his love for his friends. There is nothing he would give or do to help his dearest friends and family. Still, the question remained: why Misty and not May?

Ash thought about what Love meant. It didn’t mean anything physical. It meant a peak, a plateau, an infinite. It meant that once he loved someone, he would never say the opposite of the person ever again. If he did, he’d never loved the person in the first place. What was the difference? Then it came to him.

For some reason it just came to him while he was thinking about Misty. It was while he was still a novice and he’d know nothing about more than trying to throw out his pokemon and commanding to attack. Misty had then commented that it wasn’t so simple just to through something and hopefully it’ll go well. No, it wasn’t the case with life. It wasn’t that easy. Also, Misty was just the type to give peaceful advise to you; Ash at least.

Ash remembered.

*****

“Ash, don’t just do that. Squirtle is a better suited pokemon than Pikachu is when he’s going up against a rock type pokemon.”

“Misty, I know Pikachu and he can take anyone no matter what the advantage or disadvantage he has.”

“That’s not the point Ash, the point Is that you’re pushing Pikachu towards this.”

“Misty, I wouldn’t send Pikachu or any other pokemon on the field if I didn’t know they’d be able to handle it.”

“Fine then, Ash. Don’t listen to me. Do whatever you want. See if I care.”

The battle raged and it seemed that Pikachu was more than out advantaged. It made sense that this was so. The Geodude seemed strong and looked to have seen serious battles. If Ash would say, the Geodude seemed right next to its second evolution.

Misty did as she always did. Despite saying she was backing out of the battle, she was right there giving advice unconsciously doing so.

Ash would always do things his way, but as he was battling, unconsciously he listened to Misty’s advice. The other trainer Ash was against noticed it was two against one and suddenly called back his Geodude.

“Hey, I wasn’t finish with you yet. Pikachu can still battle. Right, Pikachu?”

“Kid, I’m not stopping because you’re Pikachu is being beaten, in fact your Pikachu is very strong to stand up to a rock type pokemon. I’m stopping because it’s not a fair battle.”

“What do you mean, ‘not fair’? I agreed to use an electric pokemon against a rock type pokemon.”

“I’m not talking about that, I’m talking about a two on one battle. I thought I was battling you, but I was actually battling you and your sister.”

“Sister? Oh, Misty? She’s not my sister.”

“Fine your girlfriend. The point is that you two are ganging up on me and that’s not fair.”

“She’s not my girlfriend, she’s just a girl I travel with.”

“Him, he’s too young for me. I prefer the handsome sophisticated type.”

“Okay, fine, the point is what matters. So, you sir are disqualified for double battling against one. I’ll take my leave now.”

And with that he was gone.

Ash was angry. He was so close and was very determined to go to the next level of battle with Pikachu. He might have won, too if it weren’t for Misty.

Before he could even think about it, Ash spurted out, “Didn’t I tell you to leave me alone. I lost because of you!”

What was she to say? It wasn’t not true. If she had just kept her mouth shut, Ash might have won. It’s true, Pikachu seemed hurt, but so did that Geodude.

Misty looked away and timidly apologized, “I’m sorry.”

Ash knew that she was hurt but he was still angry and didn’t want to let it go.

“Next time just shut up and let me battle my own matches. You’re always doing that. You act as if you were better than me in everything when the truth is that you’re as new to this as I am. “ Ash hurt her more with the last comment.

“I’m sorry, Ash.” She knew it was her fault.

Ash knew he had hurt her. He felt bad about doing so, but in the same time he took comfort in his anger towards her.

For the rest of the day they traveled along the path not saying anything to each other. During lunch time, Misty advised that it was time to eat. Ash only acknowledged by saying “okay,” and stopping to get things ready.

It was quiet the whole lunch. The food seemed more stale than usual and everything tasted dry. Both of them could tell the other wanted to lift the quiet away and get back to their normal routine with one another. Ash had cooled down and was now regretting what he said. It wasn’t her fault at all. He was the one who did what she was telling him. He could have just done things his way.

Lunch was over and Misty acted as if everything was okay, but it was a gray as she smiled at Ash when he offered to clean up. They ended up cleaning together.

They continued their trip heading towards their next stop. It was still the same both of them not speaking with one another. It was a cold breeze they walked the whole time though it was sunny.

That night, after the fire was built, their sleeping bags set and dinner eaten, it was quiet again. Pikachu slept in Ash’s sleeping bag along with Ash and Misty was in hers a few feet away. Recollecting from the day, Ash stayed awake wondering if he should just come out and say he’s sorry.

In Misty’s sleeping bag, Misty did the same thing; worrying about what she should say to finally be back in speaking terms with Ash. She was tired and didn’t have anything else to say to Ash other than she wants things to be back to normal, so she decided to go to sleep.

“Misty,…” Ash called her from about two and a half feet away.

Misty thought she dreamed it, but it was really Ash calling her. “What is it, Ash?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Misty got up to a sitting position. “It’s okay, Ash” Misty said plainly.

*****

“May, you know how Misty and I met. From the very beginning she was rough with me. I don’t know whether she had acted that way because I ruined her bike, or if it’s because she had sisters that treated her like that so she treated me that way. Either way, despite how much I objected to following her advise, she kept helping me. I don’t know why she helped such a simple person on pokemon as I was. But, Misty continued and I knew that she really cared about me.”

“I care about you, Ash and if it were me in her shoes back then, I would have,” said May.

“I know you would, May. But, it wasn’t you who was there. And, I thank Misty that it was her.”

“So, you’re saying that the only reason why you picked Misty is because she was your first?”

“I’m an awful person, May. I want everything my way. Perhaps, I even tricked myself into thinking that I would really be happy with Misty being married to anyone else. From the very beginning when I first heard about it, I was adamant about not coming. Deep inside, I really hated the idea. I hated it so much the prospect of seeing all my friends wasn’t a consolation prize for me. You see, May. I am an awful person. I don’t deserve you or Misty. It’s just by some fluke that you two actually care for me.”

“Ash, don’t give me that,” said May with determination. “You give you’re self little credit. You are a good person. You care, you’re brave, you’re someone out of so many. If that’s not true, Brock, Tracey, Max, everyone you know and Misty and I wouldn’t care about you as much as we do. So, stop saying that you’re an awful person.”

“I am awful. For me to be doing this with Misty. I want too much.”

Misty looked at, Ash. “Ash, stop making decisions for me,” said Misty. “Don’t think that you’re an awful person. May was right in saying we don’t think you otherwise as a good person. I made the decision to go with you.”

“Misty...”

“Wait, just listen. Ash, I want to be with you. I’ve wanted to be with you before you ever left to the Orre Region. So, don’t lift this burden on yourself, it’s not fair.”

“Is that the reason why you chose Misty over me?” asked May

“May,” started Ash, “I don’t see myself with anyone else except for Misty. Somewhere deep in the forest, under the dark, blue, depths of the sea, the breeze of the open sky, the dusty sun burnt road, even the coldest rain; I see Misty traveling with me as since I was just ten years old. You should see Kasumi’s Grandfather and Grandmother. They’ve known each other for what seems like hundreds of years and they are still together. It wasn’t just familiarity that kept them together, it was more than that. Imagine life entering into a new phase with someone you know there standing by you ready to comfort and give you strength. Imagine you have nothing and everything knowing you have all you want in one single person. That’s what I see. May, I love you and when I say that, I will lay my life for you have the time ever call for it. But, I see only Misty.”

“...Ash,” said May as if asking for one more chance.

“A good friend once told me, a girl must be treated by the one she’s with as if she was the only person he sees.”

May understood very well what Ash meant. Still, she didn’t like the situation very much. May looked at Misty again and wondered if she despises Misty for having Ash’s heart. She then wondered if Misty was pretty. No, Misty wasn’t pretty, she was beautiful. Could it also be that it was Misty’s beauty that caught Ash’s attention? No, Ash would never be as vain as that, would he?

Misty looked at May and saw her gaze directed towards her. Misty imagined what May was probably thinking about her at the some. Some of the ideas that popped to her head was the thoughts that she had thought about herself. Like: what kind of person just runs away from her wedding day for another man? What kind of person would forget all her responsibilities and run off to a place she’s never been? What kind of person is she? Though all that, she would make the same choice a million times over and over again.

May kept looking and had decided not knowing that she disliked Misty. Did May dislike Misty before hand when she hadn’t taken Ash’s heart? Well, if she had disliked Misty for that reason, she would have never liked Misty ever since she had always a string tied around Ash’s fingers.

This was Ash’s faults: he had forgotten his friends for five years. Ash let his ambition almost cost him one of the most cherished person to another person. Ash had stolen someone else’s happiness.

Why was everything so wrong? They were all friends there, they had no reason to be angry with each other or have any grudge against one another? Why was Misty and May acting as if something terrible had happened? The real situation was; Ash was back from his journey, everyone Ash had cared very much about is there, there is plenty of food for everyone. It should be a party, yet the situation seemed bitter; at least to May.

It was over. There was no way. May looked at Ash one more time and saw the same boy that had opened a new world for her. The same boy who had given her something that no one else would ever be able to give to her. Maybe that was the reason why she loved Ash so much. Who can possibly give her a new world as amazing as the world of Pokemon?

Defeated!

“Ash,” May began, “I want you to know that I love you, also.”

May then turned towards Misty.

“Misty, we’ve been friends. I’m sorry, I want to say good-luck, but I’m not. I don’t want to say I hate you, but at the moment, I might just want to. I dislike you very much.”

What was Misty to say? Misty couldn’t say anything. She would have only fueled May’s anger at the moment. Though, if Misty were to meet May in the next week, Misty would still want to be friends with May. May is a good girl friend of hers and it’d be a shame to cast a friendship just like that.

It was over, May had turned around and walked off. Misty and Ash watched her walk off towards the stairs. They could hear her crying. Misty knew what it had felt like to be in her situation. Misty had been crying the same way last night, as if she had lost all signs of hope. Hope to be with the one she really wanted.

Ash had wanted to stop May as she poured her soul out to him. There was no way to consult her.

As May walked down the stairs, she thought about it more and more. Ash was her first true love and had been for more than five years. How can someone just forget someone that special? But, May knew it was over.

*****

Location and Setting: Ash and Misty were ready to go. As ready as anyone can get ready with just the things you find in your closet. The whole gym was the top story at the moment and it would be hard for Ash and Misty to get out unnoticed. Without knowing it, the media had already labeled Misty as the runaway bride and Ash as the dangerous rebel who takes your girl. Dorien knew all about what they were already saying. Dorien wondered what happened to his day in the sun. The day he could have been the happiest ever. It was Ash’s fault.

As if serendipity, Dorien was able to find Ash and Misty in the gym somewhere before they were able to leave with each other.

Dorien looked at Misty’s arm being held by Ash as if leading her towards his intentions.

Ash looked at Dorien shameful of himself for stealing Misty away from him.

Misty looked at Dorien and saw the hurt in his eyes. As if she had just pricked at him with a million knives. Just two days ago, Misty was kissing and clinging on to Dorien lovingly. Not in that light anymore.

It was a nightmare for Dorien looking at the two together. Ash still with his hand grasped tightly on Misty’s and Misty seeming to invite Ash to do so. What a awful and terrible looking sight. The very sight could have driven him mad.

“Misty,” said Dorien questioning reality, “do you love, Ash?”

Misty had to be truthful. That was the least she could do for Dorien at the moment.

“Dorien, I love Ash.”

To actually hear it and realize that it was true is heartbreaking. There was no more delusions that Misty might have been just sick or had butterflies in her stomach. There it was, simple and clean as Misty can make it; she loved Ash.

“What about us?” Dorien asked quite gently for the most shocking surprise he had ever heard.

“All I can say is I’m sorry,” Misty answered.

A moment of silence for a few seconds. It was as if someone had died.

“Why did you even take up my offer to marry you if you were just going to do this to me?”

It was hard for Misty face Dorien, but she did so with courage, though her very actions were cowardly; running away secretly, that is.

“Did you just want to make a fool of me? Did you just use me while you waited for your Ash to come back to you?” Dorien was almost close to tears as he slowly leaked his anger towards Misty. He was angry. How could he not be angry?

Misty remembered what Ash had told her the night before when they were walking back to the gym. Ash had told her to say what she wanted to say. No more pussyfooting around when what you really want in the world comes at you.

“Dorien, no I didn’t want to hurt you at all.”

“Then explain what you did out there. Explain what you’re doing now?”

“Dorien, I was waiting for Ash!” Misty herself hadn’t realized it until now. She was waiting for him. That night she had tried to corner Ash into telling her why she wasn’t invited to his journey. Also the fact that she had never forgiven Ash for leaving her. She was waiting for him and she would have waited again. She would wait for as long as it takes for Ash to come back to her. “I was waiting for him. I was waiting for the longest time. Ever since we were young, I had waited for Ash to mature. I waited for him to realize how stupid he was for not realizing how much I loved him. I waited for him to finally able to have the courage and have me kiss him.”

“If you really wanted to wait for him, you should of just waited for him alone!” Dorien yelled. “You really hurt me, Misty. I never experienced something this embarrassing and degrading. I don’t think you know the severity for doing something like this to someone.”

Misty stayed quiet trying to think of something to say, but there was nothing in the world to say to Dorien–at least not something to comfort him.

Ash was also at a lost of words. He only looked on at Dorien who was looking as if he were going have a nervous breakdown. Ash couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. Ash knew exactly how that felt like. He first experienced the claustrophobic-like sensation when he looked on towards the altar and saw Misty being asked if she had wanted to give her whole life up to be with Dorien. Ash knew what it was like and the greedy, vicious, selfish side of him took over. He was never ever going to tell Misty to go back to Dorien. Ash had wanted Misty for himself and he had always wanted Misty for himself ever since he had arrived a few days ago.

The three stood there, just standing looking at one another and at times one of them would avert their gaze towards the floor or the ceiling. All the time as they were doing this, Dorien was always trying to think of something that would justify what he was doing there. He loved Misty and he knew that Ash did as well. This reminded Dorien of two days ago when he had caught Ash right outside of Misty’s room waiting for May to come out. Dorien remembered that he was fondling and kissing Misty at the time. There was no sign that Ash had cared whether he did that to her or not. Ash had just looked so plain as he tried to coerce May to come out of the room.

How things might be right now if Ash had not been invited. Though, Misty would never have it if Ash wasn’t invited. Dorien thought about all the things that could have prevented this from happening. He could have stayed with Misty all day yesterday, or have kicked Ash out a long time ago. Dorien always knew that Ash was a threat, but it was so close to the wedding that he had not believed that Ash would actually do anything. How wrong Dorien was.

“What now, Misty?” asked Dorien.

What else?

“I want to be with Ash again. I want to travel the world with him as I did when we were still very young. I want to experience the life abroad. I want to experience new places; adventure. All with Ash.”

“Do you think that Ash would actually keep his promise this time?” asked Dorien condescendingly.

“Yes, he will,” answered Misty.

“How exactly do you know that he will this time?”

Misty was at a lost of words.

“Because I know exactly how you feel,” answered Ash. “Never again will I chance Misty ending up with someone else other than me. I don’t want to feel like I just lived through being shot in the heart. When you two were up on that altar, all I could think about is how I knew Misty. She was there from the start of my journey I couldn’t think of any other way I had started out.”

“So, you really think that you ambition will be second to Misty? Do you really think that you live your life knowing that you didn’t make it?”

“Misty is my life. I realized that now. Why do anything if it isn’t worth as much as letting go of something so great. I promise I will never leave Misty for my own ambition.”

Dorien was getting angrier. He knew what Ash had done to Misty. It took two years before Misty had gotten over Ash. He knew how Misty was like. Misty was angry, betrayed, denoted that she was forgotten. He knew the effect Ash had on her.

“I believe him, Dorien,” Misty stated.

The way she said it and the way she looked. He seemed so confident with herself as she did so. The way she said it, she looked like she’d be able to do anything in the world just by having Ash next to her side. Dorien knew he hadn’t a chance in the world when it came to Ash. It was over and he knew it.

Dorien when blanked-faced. It was over as he turned around and walked of as a zombie towards nowhere in particular. He was a defeated man with what seemed like nothing.

Misty then ran after him, stopping right in front of him. Dorien only shifted his pupils towards her. He didn’t look at her, he only directed his pupils.

“Dorien, this will be my biggest mistake I will ever make in my life. I’ve done you so wrong and I hope that some day you’ll forgive me. I know that’s asking for some much from you and I am eternally sorry. But, I do thank you for helping all the times I needed someone. You were there when I needed it. You’ll be in my heart forever. Thank you!”

Dorien straightened his pupils to where they were directed before Misty had confronted him. Her little speech had not affected him at the bit. Dorien continued to walk on towards where ever.

*****

Location and Setting: Just after the encounter with Dorien, Ash was able to round up his pokemon along with the pokemon Misty wanted to take along with them. Sometime later and somewhere that doesn’t really matter where it takes place.

Ash took a look at Misty who was by his side as usual again. It was great. It was amazing. It was life.

“What are you staring at, Ash?” asked Misty.

“I know exactly what I’m staring at,” Ash answered.

“What are you staring at, Ash?” she asked again.

“Have you ever wanted something, but never believed that you could actually obtain it?”

“No,” Misty answered.

“Well, if that’s the case, then you made me into a believer.”

“Why the sudden profound thought, Ash?”

“I don’t want to hear anything like that again.”

“Hear what,” asked Misty sort of agitated thinking that Ash was making fun of her.

“I was in the middle of the Orre Region when I first heard that you were getting married. I didn’t know what to think when I first heard of that. I remember the way Brock told me. He was so excited for you that he couldn’t conceal the most absurd grin on his face. He then asked me if I were happy for you. Of course I said I was.”

“You know Ash, if I were you back when you had heard that I would have done something different.”

“What would you do different?”

Misty thought about it. “Well, first of all, I’d ask who the person was. Then I’d ask Brock to wipe the stupid grin on his face and to tell me where the girl you were marrying lives. Afterwards, I’d find the girl and congratulate her.”

“That’s all?”

“Yeah, did you really think I’d try so hard for you?”

“I was at least thinking you would beat her up.”

“Ash, why did you let Dorien beat you up when he did?”

“Who said Dorien even beat me up. Didn’t I tell you that I fell of the ladder a few times coming up to your window?”

Misty didn’t need to hear Ash say he let himself get beaten. Misty isn’t stupid, she knew it was Dorien. Ash’s pokemon love him and they would never let anyone go that far as they did with Ash’s bruises and cuts. In some way, Misty was very grateful to Ash in the fact that he didn’t throw a single punch. She noticed that Dorien hadn’t shown any sign of being in a fight at all. For Ash to get beaten like that and not to fight back was incredible. It must have hurt a lot.

Misty touched the cut on Ash’s brow. Ash twitched a little bit not expecting Misty ever do that. It still hurt a little bit, still with just an ooze of blood.

“Do I always have to take care of you, Ash,” asked Misty.

“Knowing you, I won’t even have to ask for help before you give it, right?”

Misty thought about it and knew he was right. That has always been their relationship with one another. “You’re right, Ash. I’ll just know when you need my help. Like, right now with the gash on your brow. That needs to be cleaned.”

Misty walked of somewhere; it doesn’t matter where she walked of to. She then came back with a first aide kit; it doesn’t matter where she got it.

Just like before in Daisy’s room, Ash was sitting next to Misty, crouched as he was taller than her so she can properly treat him. Again, Ash looked at her seeming to be contempt with being like this, just like this for the rest of his life. To be honest, Misty did believe that Ash as telling the truth that he would stay with her forever. Ash had learned his lesson and now knows the next time would be the last time. There would never be a mistake like this ever again. It would be a sure bet.

“Ouch!” said Ash as he cringe.

Misty was thinking about the last few hours. She was too distracted to be careful with what she was doing. She remembered what happened last night and how the whole day turned out like this.

“You know, Ash,” began Misty, “that little incident with Violet yesterday, now that I think about it, it was pretty funny.”

“You think it was funny?” ask Ash insulted. “If I remember correctly, it wasn’t really funny being slapped and yelled at. Not to mention your sister naked on the floor screaming as if I was some pervert. In fact, it wasn’t funny at all. You kicked me out.”

“Okay, maybe it was wrong for me to kick you out, but you have to admit it turned out for the better, did it?”

Ash thought about it for a bit and knew she was right. “At this moment, I wouldn’t trade this for the world.”

“I wouldn’t either, Ash. I waited for this for the longest time.”

It never seems to end; life. As human beings, we always progress from one phase to another. We may be able to pass time from here to here, but the end is never in sight. That’s the good thing about life; it goes on. It’s not a show where we have season or episodes of a character’s life. Life means to keep moving from bad to good or to good to bad or even from bad to bad.

“Misty,” said Ash.

“Yes,” said Misty.

“What did you think of me when you first met me?”

“It will never be to long ago for me to remember. I will never forget my first impression of you.”

“Okay, that’s great that you never forget, but what is your first impression of me?”

“My first impression of you is: you’re not a water pokemon.”

“It makes sense.”

At the time, she was trying to catch other water pokemon, so it does make sense.

“Okay, what was your first impression of me,” asked Misty the same question.

“Hm, let me see. What was my first impression,” Ash had to think about it for a bit. Actually, Ash knew what his impression of Misty was. A scrawny violent girl that could call on her hidden strength when really angry. The second time Ash met Misty, she was carrying her roasted bike over her head. “Well, Misty, I thought you were a very pretty girl.”

“You’re a bad liar.”

“You want me to be honest?”

“Yes, Ash. It doesn’t matter to me what you thought of me before hand. All that matters now is what you think of me, now.”

“Okay, but you asked for it. I first thought that you were a scrawny girl. Of course, how can I make any right judgement of you at the time?”

Misty didn’t seem as if she was either pleased with Ash’s first reaction or if she was actually down because of it. Like she said before, it was the time and now that mattered to her. Five years back, Misty believed that Ash would call for her and didn’t. There would be no other way to describe how happy Misty was for having the chance to be there at that time.

“Ash, what do you think our future will be like?” asked Misty as she really wanted to believe that moment is really happening.

Ash who was contempt with what he had, didn’t want to think of the future, but did have an idea of what he wanted. “In the future, we’ll be happy. I do want kids, lots of them. Maybe five or six.” Ash saw Misty cringe at the idea of spitting out five or six kids, but she knew it wouldn’t be a bad idea. “All of our friends and family are healthy. The most important, we’ll have each other to lean on.”

Misty remembered how Ash looked when he was just outside of Daisy’s room looking out somewhere; content. She knew that Ash was happy just being there. Misty like to think the same thing. She faced the direction Ash was facing and looked on to somewhere; it didn’t matter where.

“It seemed like a whole universe started that day I left for my Pokemon Journey,” stated Ash. “It was as if, before that, there was nothing else. I remember I met you the same day.”

“That’s funny, I think of that day the same way. It was as if we were in a show and that’s when things started to turn magical in some ways.”

“Best friends forever, Misty?”

“Best friends forever, Ash.”

Misty wrapped her arm around Ash’s back and Ash did the same.

Somewhere in the direction the two were facing, they found a huge ball in the distance. It reminded the two of a Pokeball.

*****