Will You?

*****

Location and Setting: There was a buzz at the intercom asking to unlock the gym door. It was muffled and sounded hysteric, but Violet was able to make out who the person was. Daisy was the first to take off from the quarter where everyone had situated themselves waiting for Misty to bring back Ash and to later on have a hearty laugh about the whole misunderstanding that took place earlier.

When Daisy got to the door she quickly punched the security code that kept the door locked and opened the door. She saw a distraught Misty with puffy eyes sniffing habitually as if her dog was ran over. “What happened, did you find him?”

Mrs. Ketchum came to greet the two to find out there was only one. Along with Mrs. Ketchum was Brock and the whole gang behind him. All were disappointed that Ash wasn’t back.

Violet looked at Misty and was the same puffy eyes Daisy had, then remembered that she was muffled and sniffing hardly able to talk on the intercom.

Misty walked in disregarding the questions Daisy had asked and headed toward Deliah with open arms. Deliah caught Misty and patted her on the back in a motherly embrace wondering what exactly happened to her.

Misty spoke, “I’m sorry,” she said muffled and hardly being able to speak. “I wasn’t able to find Ash,” she continued as she cried on Deliah’s shoulders. “I thought he’d be in Route 4 heading towards Mt. Moon, but I couldn’t find him at all. I’m so sorry I made him go. I didn’t mean to. I want him back.”

“That’s alright, dear,” Mrs. Ketchum comforted patting her on the back trying to stop her from shivering. “Now, now, it’s okay, you know how Ash is. He isn’t the type to just sit around. You’ll see him someday.” Mrs. Ketchum silently signaled May who was just behind Misty to get a cup off water to try to calm Misty’s nerve. May did as she was asked and headed for the kitchen.

Everyone else, except for May who went for the water, headed towards the gym’s living room. There, in the giant room, Misty was sat in the couch and covered by her blanket. Golduck was released and was able to heat the room around her -another technique he learned on his journeys with Ash.

“What happened, Misty?” asked Brock.

Knowing exactly how inappropriate it was for Brock to ask, Max instinctively kick Brock in the shin. Brock gave a threatening look at Max, but held the urge of doing anything else.

May was finally back with the glass of water for Misty. May handed the glass to Deliah and quietly asked Tracey what happened so-far. Nothing, Tracey answered.

Mrs. Ketchum handed the glass to Misty and she slowly drank carefully so her twitches wouldn’t spill the water.

“Don’t worry, dear, you’ll see Ash again. Hopefully he’s not too pig headed and he’ll turn up sooner or later.” But, Misty knew that wasn’t true at all. It was a lie. She had found Ash and let him go again. She could have just gone home instead of lying the guilt trip on him, but she knew that she wanted an end to whatever they had. Only, her plan capsized on her. She had wanted to end it and she was successful. She didn’t realize that it wasn’t what she wanted when it was already too late.

Mrs. Ketchum was angry at Ash. How could he do this at a time like this? It’s not in his nature to be like this.

Everyone had left Misty alone. At times she would remember and replay what had happened over and over again. At times tears slipped down her cheeks and she felt like kicking herself. The night turned late and her body had finally settled. Her shaking stopped and she was finally able to tire herself into slumber.

*****

Location and Setting: The night seemed as nothing but a blur. It was dangerous what she did and she had knew it from the start. Yet she did and all night it tortured her. She was heavy as Brock had picked her up to place her in her bedroom. Daisy had first suggested to wake her up, but didn’t want to disturb her beauty sleep. Misty woke up in the same clothes and remembered it all. Was she proud of herself? No, of course not. Was she happy it happened? To be honest with herself, it was poetically deafening.

Her bedroom door opened and there was Daisy and the rest of the girls with her wedding dress folded in a white box with a Majestic logo on top. The wedding dress didn’t come from that company, but it was the only box they could find.

“Like, I can’t believe our little sister is getting married,” said Daisy joyously.

“Yeah, and, like, before us. That’s a disappointment,” added Lily.

“Don’t worry you three. You’re still young and rich,” comforted May.

“Oh, dears,” Mrs. Ketchum said, “I believe you’ll all be beautiful brides someday. You’ll find your prince just like Misty has.” It was dead as she said that. Mrs. Ketchum had not notice how dead it was when she mentioned Misty’s “prince.” It was more of a mention than a compliment on Dorien’s behalf.

Misty recollect on that; her prince; she had found him...

The women stepped out of Misty’s room to leave her to dress in her white satin wedding dress. It was beautiful, yet very traditional. At the waist it flurried cuts of water-flower petals that seemed to dance commenting on her fondness of water. Above the waist was a plush low layered cloth that boast reflection of a heavenly light. Her shoulders were bare, but from her wrist to her fingers were covered by the same sleek material as her top that stops forming a ‘V’ around her neck. It was as if she had commanded power as the gloves fitted her formed fingers. Below her waist under the waterflower cuts showed her beautiful petite ankles. Her shoes seemed from out of Cinderella as they cut off from the ankles.

Misty opened the door to reveal herself to Daisy, Lily, Violet, May and Deliah. All four women were in awestruck as Misty stood before them exuding the very definition of beauty. She stood there firm and straight shining like a goddess. The wedding dress was beautiful, but it was Misty’s figure that had the dress drew it’s beauty. There was only one thing missing from piece: a smile.

It went unnoticed as the attention was on how her dress looked on her as she stood there perplexed with the next couple of hours to take place. To be honest, they were jealous. They were all jealous in exception to Mrs. Ketchum. She had her moment and she’s contempt, but the others haven’t. It is one of the most romantic gestures that a couple could ever do. Tying two lives together and becoming one. Fights, happy, sad, angry, joy, fun, play, worry, afraid, time and many more uncountable moments it means to be married. It was a dream from a time, maybe, when they were just girls and they had always wanted to be treated by that special someone and they believed that Misty had found the one who treated her they way every women wants to be treated. They were jealous and had a right to be. They wanted that, too. The question for Misty was; does she have that?

After gawking at her dress and complimenting on every single thread, the girls sat Misty down in front of a three-way mirror and began to apply womanly fashions and her hair to be fixed just right. To be honest, Misty had always kept her hair in a fashion that suited the most needed of times. When she was traveling with Ash, fashion was only a minor necessity if any, but really she enjoyed it. Now that she’s able to act more of a woman, Misty missed feeling like she really didn’t have to do anything with her hair than tie it up with a scrunchy and setting the day as if no one cared.

After the applying and beautifying was over, the checklist needed to be checked.

“Something new,” Violet asked with the clipboard and a pen in her hands.

“The wedding dress,” answered May.

“Check”, said Violet as she marked the box next to the something new category. “Now, something borrowed.”

“Mrs. Ketchum’s bracelet,” yelled Daisy as if she were a military soldier in boot camp.

“Check,” Violet said as she marked the box next to the something borrowed category. “Now, something old.”

“Old Cascade Badge,” said Lily in the same fashion as Daisy did. They were serious about the wedding leaving nothing to chance, they couldn’t have a disaster for their best-friend and sister.

“Check,” Violet yelled in the same fashion as her sisters then marking the box. “Now, for something blue.”

Mrs. Ketchum walked to the counter where a pokeball lay on a miniature pillow that was made out of velvet purple as if the ball were on it’s pedestal. Mrs. Ketchum threw the ball in the air and called out, “Golduck, we choose you!” The pokeball opened with a brilliant light and released a suave blue pokemon. “Golduck,” yelled Mrs. Ketchum mimicking the three sisters.

“...and... check,” said Violet finally checking the box off finishing the long list. “You’re ready, little sister.”

They let Misty stand and look herself in the mirror. It was everything she had ever imagined her wedding would be. A beautiful dress, big event, lots of attendees, her family and friends, and of course, her love?

When Misty started to cry, they girls thought it was a cry for happiness; a very cliched act a bride does before a wedding. Yes, it was normal for someone to cry at their wedding day and Misty would be the type to. Nothin’ wrong with that.

“I’ll go tell Dorien that you look beautiful, Misty,” said May as she ran out the door headed to where the guys had Dorien kept.

Location and Setting: The caterers were parked in the streets as a crowd jumble the vicinity patiently waiting for their hometown princess to get married. Everyone in the town knew about the sisters. If it weren’t for them, Cerulean City’s tourist count would most likely be less than what they had now, though it was a pretty big city. Not as giant as Golden Rod City, or Celadon, but Cerulean wasn’t considered Pallet Town, either. In the room Dorien was kept, Brock stood as guard in front of the door making sure Dorien had no way out to see Misty before the wedding. The girls made it clear it was just bad luck to do so. Tracey and Max was inside the room along with Dorien who had be ready and nervous for a time now.

“I just want this to be over,” Dorien commented.

“What do you mean?” asked Tracey, “this is your wedding day, you should be enjoying every minute of it.”

“If you were in my shoes, you’d be nervous, too.”

“No way,” Max said sounding cocky, “if I were getting married, I’d have run a long time ago.”

“Yeah,” agreed Dorien, “maybe I should of just ran away like Ash did.” Dorien meant that as a little joke, but Max and Tracey seemed to take offense at that by they way they glared at him as he laughed.

“Ash didn’t run away, he was kicked out,” said Max matter-of-factly.

“Actually,” started Tracey, “ Max, Ash was kicked out by accident. Remember, if Misty had listened, the whole mess would have been avoided. Besides, I have a feeling he’ll come back. Ash would never let his friends down like this.”

“You guys are really good friends, huh?” asked Dorien a little peeved at the two for having such high regards for a person who lost contact with them for five years. Dorien had wanted to slap the two silly, but knew Misty would get mad.

From just outside the door, Brock was heard talking to someone.

“What’s the password,” asked Brock feeling important as he was given a password by Daisy earlier when she had asked him to guard Dorien.

“Brock, stop fooling around,” said May. “I have a message for Dorien.”

“Not until I hear the password,” said Brock militantly.

“I don’t know the password!” yelled May.

“Then, entrance, denied!” Brock fired back at her.

“That’s it, if you don’t get out of my way I’m going to move you!”

Seeing that May was serious about getting in, Brock knew he’d be moved one way or another.

“Okay, okay, I’ll let you in. I was just kidding anyways.”

“That’s better.”

Brock opened the door and went in along with May.

“Hey, May, what’s going on with Misty,” asked Dorien.

“I just came to tell you that she’s ready and all we have to do now is wait for the caterers to finish setting up the tables and food. The giant tank where the Sister’s perform has been removed and the room has been renovated for the wedding ceremony. Your pokemon along with Max, Tracey, Brock, Misty’s and the Sisters, and mines are already looking good in their skins and waiting. The guest are patiently waiting also.”

“Any thing else?” asked Dorien.

“What about, Ash?” asked Max impulsively.

“Sorry, little brother, no sign of Ash, yet,” consoled May in a sisterly manner.

“Don’t worry, Max,” Tracey enforced, “Ash is always late, you know that by now.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

Dorien felt left out hearing the others talk about Ash as if it were his wedding day. Dorien knew Ash meant a lot to them, but it was his moment not Ash’s. It was his life that was going to change dramatically, not Ash. After today, Dorien would have his one and only, and by the end of the day, Ash would just be off on his journey. Despite trying to shake the feeling, Dorien strongly disliked Ash. Does he have any reason for the dislike?

“Yeah,” remembered Brock, “when, Ash first competed in the Indigo Plateau, during his last match, Ash was almost disqualified for being late. But, Ash being Ash, he was able to get their in time before any disqualification would have been announced. But, then again, Ash did lose to Richie. In the other hand, Ash was only late because of Team Rocket. Hey, do you think that’s why Ash is not here, yet?”

At place where the wedding ceremony is being held, two costumed trouble makers and their Meowth tripped over each other as they took their seats. They got back up and were alright, but just found it a coincidence that all three of them tripped over the feet of other guests.

“No way, those three haven’t been heard of for the last four years,” answered Tracey.

“You never know. Maybe there right here, now. We never did find out how they were always able to follow us into the most bizarre places,” said May matter-of-factly.

Hearing his name being uttered habitually drove Dorien crazy. He had wanted them to shut up, but somehow he was able to restrain himself. Til, “okay, but can you guys help me here. I don’t know if I’m ready or not.”

They snapped out of their reminiscence of their anxious friend and remembered that Dorien was still trying to get over his, for lack of a better word, stage fright.

“Okay, let me take a look at ya. Straighten up!” May observed Dorien from all angles. To his sides, his back, close up, from far away and even from top of his head with the help of Tracey and Brock carrying her to Dorien’s height of about 5'12". “Well, I have to say, you are perfect. You look great.”

“Yeah, man,” Brock said as he patted Dorien in the back. “Don’t worry, you’re going to be okay. Don’t be so scared. Enjoy it, it’s probably the only wedding you’re going to have.”

“I know, I just can’t help knowing I’m finally getting married. It just seems like a blur.”

“I think that’s how everything is. That’s the way everyone feels when they enter something so life changing. It’s all just normal.” Tracey was right. It was like that when Dorien had first asked Misty to marry him and it felt that way now.

“Yeah, I have nothing to worry about. I’m getting married and I can’t be any happier.”

Location and Setting: Outside a misunderstanding occurred when one caterer company and another fought over who would serve the head table. One thing led to another and the owners of the catering company had a brawl. To clear us the misunderstanding and provide first aid to the guy whose nose was bleeding, the three Sisters had to take care of business personally, leaving Misty to the care of Mrs. Delia Ketchum.

“Mrs. Ketchum...,” said Misty in a drained whimper, “can I tell you something?”

Pre-wedding jitters, thought Delia. “Dear, you can tell me anything you want. I was scared, too on my wedding day when I married Ash’s father. I can remember how my legs felt like spaghetti every step I took closer to the altar. But, as I stood their looking onto his eyes, the fear fleeted and was wrapped around in our loving aura.”

“That was a wonderful story, Mrs. Ketchum, but that’s not it.” Misty gulped and prepared herself for what she was doing. To confide this to anyone would further her doubt of the wedding. Was she ready to take the step from vague to physically destructive? What can of worms will she open?

Misty looked serious and Delia knew it as her expression turned distraught. “What is it...?

With a breathe and a tortured conscience she confessed, “I was able to catch up with Ash yesterday.”

Deliah was taken aback. Why would she lie about not seeing Ash. “Oh, I see.”

“I had caught up to him and we were walking back to the gym, when I messed everything up. We could have taken a cab, but I wanted to take a final stroll. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Misty, it’s okay. Don’t blame yourself if Ash isn’t here.”

“No, it is my fault!” Misty urged. “I wanted to end it there. I wanted to tell Ash it was over. I wanted to tell him I moved on. But for some reason..., I just couldn’t let go.”

“Tell him what? What was over?” Deliah asked with her spirit quietly uplifting.

“The night before the morning you caught Ash and I on the same bed, that night we were dancing. And when the song stopped, I told him I hated him and a weight was lifted off of my, finally. I had wanted to tell him that he had hurt me so much. I had wanted to tell him to come after me so I could be with him as he traveled the world for his dream. That night, I was finally able to tell him. But..., to be honest, I wasn’t happy at all. And, I told him I hate him.” A single tear dripped down her cheek and splattered on the floor. “I told him I had hated him for four years.”

Just like a mother Mrs. Ketchum listen attentively to every sentence to every word uttered. It was nice to confide someone other than her sisters in something so personal and something so heart full to her. “What did Ash say?”

“Ash said all he could do was say sorry. He said it about three times and I knew he was being honest. He held me in his arms and swayed me saying sorry and I honestly believe he was being sincere and I still know he was telling the truth.”

“Ash has always been bad at telling a lie.”

“Then, yesterday, I told him again. I told him I hated him. This time it was over and done with. But, I was lying to myself. It was Ash’s turn to be angry. He asked me why I hated him, and I knew exactly why.”

“Can I asked you why you hated him so much?” Deliah asked considerately not wanting to cross the boundaries between being a friend and mother.

“The reason why I hated him was because Dorien isn’t him. And I still hate him with all my heart because Dorien isn’t Ash.”

“Misty...” Deliah looked at her, speechless. What was she going to do? She couldn’t forsake Dorien just because her son being prodigal.

“Ash didn’t want me to call him a friend with me hating him so much, so he got angry. He asked me so many questions why. Why, why, why; he ask and I was compelled to tell him and so I did. I told him I hated him because he wasn’t Dorien.”

“So... he knows, too?” Deliah was searching for something to say, but could only come up with that.

“It was so sudden, but I can remember is so vividly. It’s marked in my memory and I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It’s funny now that I think of it. After twelve years, he finally did it. It’s funny and sad, Ash has really bad timing.” Mrs. Ketchum was happy that Misty could smile after such a confession.

“What did he do?” she asked being ever so careful.

“He reached me. He pulled me to him and for the first time ever, he kissed me. And I did the same knowing how horrible it was, but at the same time it felt right. I know it was wrong, but he was finally Ash.”

How dare, Ash! Mrs. Ketchu thought to herself.

“I knew it was wrong, but Ash knew it was awful. He wasn’t the type to do that. He knew it couldn’t be, so he left. He let go of me and told me he didn’t deserve it. We both knew we didn’t deserve each other. So, Ash left. I was there frozen.”

“...I see.” She stopped for a moment to think of something to say. “Does that change anything about today?”

“Ash said it better himself before he left. He said I was happy now. Ash said that I should be thanking him for giving Dorien and I the chance to be together. But to be honest, I still hate him for that.”

Mrs. Ketchum thought more about the subject. The more she thought about what Misty told her, the more she began to like the idea. To love the idea. But, she herself wasn’t the kind of person. She couldn’t let Ash be happy for what he’s done and forsake Dorien for doing nothing but try to comfort a girl in her friend’s absents. And she was a girl. It is only recently that Misty can be called a woman. For making such a decision like this was a trait into the role of womanhood.

For Ash’s sake, Mrs. Ketchum didn’t know. For the last five years she thought of her son as a boy. How could he call her son a man when he would not even call her up to say hello. But, in recent developments, from the things Ash learned from the Orre Region, he also shows traits of manhood. He’s now able to take care of himself and conduct his way of life as a man would. This was all evident yesterday as Ash explain his hardships in the Orre Region backed by the results of his training. Then again, it comes back over and over again. He had left for five years without a word and no sign that he was okay. Back and forth to justify whether or not Ash was becoming a man. Yesterday, he gave something up, at least he knows what right and wrong is, still.

“Misty,” started Mrs. Ketchum, “I hope you don’t think I’m playing favorites. I just want to tell you this. Ash was right; he doesn’t deserve you at all. Not at all.” Misty peered down as if to acknowledge what she said was true. “He doesn’t deserve you..., but you deserve what ever you want from him, too.”

Misty’s hopes again were raised -as designated by raising her head- as she heard Mrs. Ketchum finish her sentence, but also knew it would only be a dream if she were to even think about it.

“It doesn’t matter, I couldn’t have anything of his even if he was here.” Her focus again peered down.

“It’s okay, dear. Your heart will tell you what to do.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Ketchum.”

The two looked at the clock and it said 11:32. The day is sunny and cool, the guest have seated, the food have been placed, pokemon ready, and in less than an hour, Misty would be married.

*****

Location and Setting: Somewhere, sometime.

He questioned himself overlooking the sites of the city wondering why? Why is he there? Why was he considering it, why was he moving, why was he walking? He knew he should be somewhere else doing the right thing, but as he pondered, his body took over leading him.

His Pikachu woke up last night to find himself and his master far from Cerulean City walking towards who knows where. Now, Pikachu is again questioning whether his master has snapped. Where was he going; forward or back? As Ash finally reach overseeing Cerulean City, the Pikachu had his answer. He was gleefully smiling now that he knew where their destination was.

As Ash hurried walking fast not intending as his feet were being controlled by some force. Pikachu was nervous that his master might just slow his track and head back to the opposite direction. Ash showed no sign of slowing down, but a battle was fought in his soul. It was a battle of morals. On one side; he’d be there for his best friend, but on the other side; he was there for himself. No sign of slowing, but the idea of walking away was ever so present and that was a threat.

Five minutes later and it was almost 12:05; time was running out. He began to hasten his pace. It was almost a running motion as he walked pass brush and trees.

“No...,” he finally made up his mind, “there’s a faster way.” Ash took out a pokeball from his belt and maximized its size to its fullest. “Pidgeot!” he called out. The ball hit the ground, broke and came out a flying pokemon.

“Pidge!” croaked the bird pokemon.

“Pidgeot, please fly me to the Cerulean Gym. And please, let’s get there as fast as we can.” Ash hopped on the bird pokemon’s back and place Pikachu in his backpack. The bird pokemon spread his wings and they were in air on their way.

*****

Location and Setting: The time has finally come. The guest have waited for this for days now and are finally getting to see the fruits of their labor. The groom waited on the altar looking at the huge crowd that made up more than two hundred guests. In fact, there were more than two hundred guests. There were also people on the stadium bleachers just being spectators. The Sisters, for some time now, have advertised their sister’s wedding and the audience were interested. If a approximate count were to be made, the count would be close to a thousand people, not counting the guest who were at the seats in the middle of the stadium where the wedding was being held.

Dorien faced the crowd and felt like an ant as the massive crowd look on. He decided not to pay attention to them and pay attention to those who really matter. He looked at the people seated in rows in front of him. Those were the friends and family he wanted to pay attention to. His pokemon also seated in those rows. He noticed Mrs. Ketchum sitting in front of the other guests and that lessen the tension of the Crowd. Gary was also there sitting by Mrs. Ketchum and to his left was Prof. Oak. Dorien hadn’t really gotten to know them-or anyone else that Misty invited-but nonetheless, he was comforted that he’d at least be close to people he knew compared to the audience in the bleachers. Just another one of the Sisters’ promotion gimmicks, Dorien thought to himself.

The top of the stadium, that would usually be cover, wasn’t covered. Misty and her sisters had planned that for days considering what the most appropriate day would be. Daisy had the hardest part of the job as she had to contact local weather watchers to plan on what day the wedding should he held. After a while of sniffing, Daisy was finally able to set a day when the weather was just right. That day is today. The sun was out, but did not glare. It was warm, but it wasn’t hot. The temperature was just right.

Misty’s pokemon were also there. Her Gyarados, Starmie, her other Starmie, Chinchou, Kingdra, Seaking, Politoad, and her other water pokemon looked on from the tank that was put in place for them to attend the wedding. Also in the tank, were Dorien’s pokemon. Most of the audience and guest commented on how compatible Misty and Dorien were.

In the hall that led to the showcase stadium were Dorien and the massive attendees were situated, Misty and her crew of bridesmaids and ushers waited, getting ready and trying to compose themselves.

Misty had made up her mind and was willing to go through with it. She had tears in her eyes and she didn’t try to hide the fact that she was. Brock and her friends just dismissed it as wedding day jitters. It was more than that and only Mrs. Ketchum and her knew about it.

Daisy, Lily and Violet fought over who was going to plan the wedding. Actually, all three planned for the wedding, the big problem was who were stuck with the bridesmaid outfit an who was going to go around checking if things were going as plan. As you have it, Daisy thrust a rock while Lily and Violet both lay scissors.

Misty was the only one wearing white. Lily, Violet, and May were wearing elegant bridesmaid dress-but not to elegant that they would upstage the bride.

“Like, I knew I should of picked paper,” lamented Lily.

“You girls look fine,” Tracey said trying to make the girls feel better.

The three guys had their own role. Max was first lead; his job was to walk Violet and Lily down the aisle and he would take his place to Dorien’s side. Tracey’s role was to lead May in and take to Dorien’s side and May, just like the Sisters, to Misty’s. Originally, Brock would have been the one lead May in and Tracey to lead Lily with Max leading Violet, but with Ash’s unexpected departure, Max, Tracey, and Brock’s roles were promoted. Ash’s job was to be the Best man and would give Misty away. It would have been so meaningful to have Ash give her away. No, Ash wasn’t there so Brock had to take his position.

Daisy finally went behind to the hallway to give Misty the final word on when the wedding would start.

“Okay, it’s time.” Daisy announced. “Are you guys ready?”

Everyone nodded except for Misty.

“Like, are you ready, Misty?” Asked Daisy making sure her sister was feeling okay noticing that she wasn’t as excited as she should be.

“Yeah, I’m ready,” Misty said answering deafly. Daisy just dismissed her demeanor as wedding day jitters.

Daisy looked out to the musician they hired to play the wedding march down the aisle. Daisy signaled and the music began to play.

The crowd roared as if it were a basketball game when the music finally started to play. Even more as Lily, with Max in the middle holding both arms, and Violet walk out from the hallway and started to make their way. Slowly and composed with Max loving every moment of it, they made their way.

“Okay, like, Tracey and May; you two are next.” Daisy informed the two.

Tracey and May also found it exhilarating as the audience roared at their appearance. Just like Max and the girls, Tracey and May slowly paced themselves down the aisle. Tracey hummed the sone and May did the same when she heard him.

It was finally time and Misty stopped crying. She knew it was time and something inside her just gave in. It’s time and there wasn’t anything she could do. It had planted itself in her head. It was time.

Golduck was behind Misty ready to walk behind her as a token of the wedding. Everyone had thought it was funny at first thinking that Misty was kidding about letting her golduck be part of the wedding, but now they just laughed that Misty would dangle what she had in front of everyone.

“Misty,” called out Brock as he smiled at her. She really is beautiful, thought Brock. “You make a beautiful bride.”

Misty smile and kissed Brock in the left cheek. “Thank you, big brother.”

“No problem, little sister,” said Brock back with a loving smile.

“Oh, sister, like this is it.” Daisy hugged her sister and gave her a kiss for luck. “You’re finally getting married. I love you sis.”

“I love you to, Daisy,” Misty said started to become teary eyed again knowing so much people cared about her.

It was time. Tracey and May had made their way-slowly-through the aisle and were settled forming and arc symbolically welcoming Misty.

Daisy gave Misty a finally thumbs up and wished her the best of luck. Brock offered his arm and she took it. It was time.

The crowd had roared before, but this time it was much more massive. Brock couldn’t swore he had heard someone scream bloody murder as he and Misty stepped out of the red curtain to reveal themselves.

Her heart pounded as a mix of the crowds reaction and to the next thing she does. Last night it had seemed a dream. Now, it was as if she was still in a dream, floating on air in disbelieve that it was really happening.

As long as she could remember, she had imagined her wedding day as a day of passion and romance. It was different now. It was very passionate, but in the sense that her heart thumped as if it were going to explode. Yes, it was passionate, but the romance wasn’t there.

During the last couple of days since seeing Ash back in her life, she had noticed things about Dorien that she hadn’t notice before. When Dorien had kissed her, it was more limp than anything else. Why she didn’t notice it before she didn’t know. At least she thought it was limp. When Misty thought about kissing someone, she thought it would feel the same way when the character from her romance novels kissed. She believed it was that tingling feeling you feel when you truly love someone. She had noticed Dorien had not made her feel that way.

Another step closer. The crowd kept at their pace hollering and yelling for the bride’s arrival. Golduck, who was ill-prepared, stumbled walking the aisle in such a slow pace.

She also notice another thing about Dorien. Misty noticed that Dorien lacked passion for what he was doing. In turn, Misty had noticed that she herself lacked passion for what she was doing. Habitual, habitual is the term she had used for herself. Am I happy? She asked herself. For the last three years the days in the gym have been the same. Misty would wake up, tend to her water pokemon, tend to the gym, then the day is over and all she has accomplished was the same things she did yesterday.

It was another three steps and they were closer than ever. Golduck had now gotten used to the prospect of walking slowly to delay the moment.

Another question Misty asked herself during the last three days as she had noticed that Ash and Daisy started to build a type of relationship with each other. She wasn’t sure whether she was jealous-at the time-that Ash had been spending his time with someone else, or if it was just that she wanted to hang out with Ash as she had intended to have. You know, they are best friends and she had been dying to ask Ash what his travels have been like, yet her chances were taking by May and even her older sister. No, she thought, there’s nothing there between Daisy and Ash. It’s not like they can start to like or even love each other in less than two days. That’s when she had asked herself; she wouldn’t be in love like me and Dorien.

Four more steps and they were closer. Approximately five more steps til there.

She wasn’t sure and she asked herself if she was. Why do I love, Dorien, she would ask herself throughout the day feeling guilty that she was. That’s was when she had caught Ash in Lily’s room with Violet naked with Ash watching on the floor like a lecher. She hated herself for jumping the gun and kicking Ash out of the gym. I should have just let Ash explain, she thought.

Three more steps closer. Just two more and she would be there.

She couldn’t find an answer to her question. She repeated it to herself yesterday and all day that day. “Why do I love, Dorien?” There was not answer. At least, no plausible answer.

Another step. Just one more.

Was it just that. Is it because Dorien was there that she agreed to marry him? Does passion and romance really matter in a marriage? She had never really experience romance and passion outside of her romance novels. She had experienced passion, but it was different passion. It was the passion that wasn’t directed at her. The closest thing to romance and passion she experienced was lusty and means of the flesh.

To be honest, she had experienced it. She had. It was yesterday when finally her heart felt the same way she did when she read about the characters in her novel finally reveal their feelings for each other or have shown it. She finally experienced the feeling, magnified. Too bad, it’s already too late. She had taken her final step. Brock had let go and went to stand next to Tracey and Max. She herself situated herself next to Dorien who looked scared himself.

The crowd let a final burst of excitement, then had the decency to be silent for the ceremony to start.

Misty and Dorien both face the man that was to marry them.

“We are gathered here, today,” he started, “among the many friends and family and also what seems like a audience...,” it was a little humor from the man met with snickers from the crowd, “to witness the joining of two.”

It was over, Misty thought as the man continued.

“It is a happy occasion, today, to see two that have found each other when the world is so cluttered with many. It is beautiful that foundation of marriage between these to will grow even further from what they have now. Though, nothing is set in stone, we know now, that these two young persons are truly in love.”

Misty could have snickered at that. She hated herself for degrading her most waited childhood dreams. She had wanted to get married to the one she loved, but she only cared for Dorien, not passionately and soulfully loved Dorien.

“Today,” continued the man, “is a stepping stone. It is not a beginning, it is just a step that will lead to more times. Times when you two will develop your love and life. But, no. I’m not saying it will be easy. It will be a life of both give and take, sacrifice and selflessness. It will be...”

The man suddenly stopped, as did everyone else as a skwock was heard over head.

It wasn’t clear at first as only a silhouette of a bird pokemon hovered in the air. Then, the bird headed down towards the crowd intentionally swocking as a it’s master try his hardest to try to keep on. Ash hadn’t really rode Pidgeot many times as one would think. Sure, Pidgeot had the stamina and strength to carry Ash from point A to point B, but it was Ash who favored walking instead. It was part of his training. The only time Ash had rode on Pidgeot’s back was when he would train.

Pidgeot picked a spot near Ash’s mother and softly hit the ground and Ash carefully stepped down.

“Ash, where have you been?” Mrs. Ketchum asked in a mixture of relief and anger.

Ash didn’t answer. He looked at the two surrounded by all his friends and gave the two a somber smile.

Misty looked at him and so did Dorien. The Man marrying the two looked on at Ash as well trying to figure out whether he was suppose to continue the ceremony or wait for the young man to take his seat.

A sign of hope. What hope? What was secretly expected by her? What did she really want? All these questions plague her mind as she stared-just stared.

“Oh!” said Ash finally snapping out of the trance like look he gave to the couple waiting for the Man to continue the ceremony. “I should take my seat.” He announce to everyone as they stared commenting about everything he was doing.

Just before he sat down, Ash took the balls around his belt and threw the two on the ground releasing Squirtle and Snorlax. Pikachu and Pidgeot were already out so they joined Squirtle and Snorlax on the side with the other pokemon to witness the marriage ceremony.

Dorien’s pokemon greeted Ash’s along with all the pokemon who attended the wedding. They were quiet about it being respectful of the time.

Brock turned his head and gave Ash a thumbs up as sign of his attendance. Max had caught the gesture and did the same. Tracey who had also seen Brock do it thought it was unprofessional, but since Max had done it, Tracey himself gave the gesture halved by the moment.

Ash waved back at them and smiled. Lily saw the little gesture from Ash and gave a little wave thinking Ash had intended it for her.

Violet, who saw Lily wave hello, did as her sister and Ash waved at her. Considering what happened with he and Violet, Ash didn’t want a to chance Violet carrying a grudge with him so he waved confirming everything was okay.

May had thought she would not get another chance to talk to Ash for another five years when Misty came home last night alone. Seeing the others waving at Ash set it in her mind that Ash was there and she would have another chance. Her heart skipped a beat as she acknowledge him being there.

May waved to Ash. She was surprised and flattered as Ash blew a kiss in her direction. It was apparent to Max and the other guys that she was blushing, trying to hide fact from the others.

Prof. Oak looked at Ash and gave him a look that said “quit it” and so Ash did.

The Man continued. “Many people have a definition or belief of what the word “love” is. It’s true, many people have different definitions. Throughout history, we have tried to define the word. We ask ourselves whether or not we have it. Sadly, most say we want it. Well, my definition of love is cannot be put to words. Love to me is actions. Here today, we see love being defined. It is in the eyes of these two. It is in the way they lock lives this day that tells me they are in love. They are not afraid of walking towards the future as they stand here now...”

Ash listened along side he mother who had a tender smile just close to half as she looked on.

Daisy who was had stayed behind the curtain on high alert to get the wedding just right had abandoned her post when Ash had made his appearance. To keep from the eyes of the audience, Daisy slipped to the sides of the wall just short enough to not be seen. She walked along the row keeping her eyes in the front crowd made up of Misty’s close friends. In the column of seats was Ash.

Mrs. Ketchum’s view was blocked by Daisy as she made her way between Gary and Ash. Daisy politely asked Gary if he was willing to scoot over and he did so with an uneasy look to him. Ash quietly greeted Daisy and smiled at her. She did the same.

The Man continued without haste including more of his philosophy on love and the meaning of marriage. It lasted a long time, everyone had thought, but for Misty, it was getting closer and closer. She would have to make the decision there and then.

Ash was in stitches as he looked on at the ceremony. Daisy could feel the tension inside of Ash and decided to hold his hands.

“It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?” Daisy quietly whispered to Ash as she held on tighter as if they, too, were a couple.

“...And to that, I say wonderful.” The man was silent as he looked Misty and Dorien in the eyes. Misty knew what was coming next. “Enough of my babble. Let’s get to the part everyone’s waiting for.”

Misty’s heart sank. It felt as if she had been shot out of the sky and had no parachute. It was time to give her answer. She knew the answer.

“...Do you Dorien, take Misty as your own, your partner in life, as your soul-mate from this day forward for sickness or for health, for richer or for poorer?”

It was as if Dorien were getting ready to jump off a cliff. It wasn’t suicide, it was more like bungee jumping. He knew he had a rope to his feet, but he didn’t know if he would survive or not.

Calmly as he gulp, “I DO!”

The Man smiled at him and he finally cracked a smile himself finally taking the big leap and is in free fall.

Ash looked on with Daisy keeping him secure as she had her hand on his shoulder and her leaning her body to him. Ash was grateful for that. He didn’t know what he might do if she wasn’t there.

The Man pointed his attention to Misty. The Man knew she was scared and just passed it as one of the jitters he sees every time he performed the ceremony.

“...Do you, Misty...”

Her heart beat twice, triple, quadruple times.

“...take Dorien...”

Ash’s heart beat twice, quadruple times fast as well. Daisy could feel it sink in him that it was over. She would be there to carry him.

“...as your own, your partner in life, as your soul-mate, from this day forward for sickness or for health...”

It was time and she had to give her answer soon. Her heart sank as it had never had done before. This wasn’t just saying goodbye to Ash, but it was a final farewell. Adieu. No more adventures with him. No more travels. Might it even be able said that she would never see him again after the day is over?

“...for richer or for poorer?”

There was a silence. The silence grew longer and longer. It was unexpected from the crowds, from the Man, from her friends, from the Man, from Ash, from Dorien and from Misty herself.

Everyone whispered to one another commenting on what was going on. A few in the back who couldn’t see due to the other audience standing up to get a better look had to ask the person in front of them. A familiar old couple with a Meowth commented on how they knew something like that was going to happen.

The pokemon, too, who attended the wedding were in stitches just waiting for her to utter the two words. Some of Dorien’s pokemon quietly roared for their master to have what he wanted most. Golduck, who was by Misty’s side looked up at her with the same confused look he had always given her as a Psyduck.

She was in her own world frozen in time 1/3 in the present, 1/3 reliving the past and 1/3 pondering the future. What would life be like? What is life now? What was life back then? All these questions popped in her head.

Misty finally moved from her frozen position. Her head started to turn. Slowly her head turned and everyone looked to the area her head pointed to.

Daisy tried her hardest to keep Ash sitting. To keep him restrained. Daisy knew what Ash wanted to do and knew she had to keep him from doing it.

Ash didn’t notice the extra pressure Daisy put on his shoulders trying to keep him down. He didn’t notice at all as he stood up to catch Misty’s gaze at him.

“...No, sorry, but I just can’t.” She shook her head looking at the hurt in Dorien’s eyes. She kept a close look at his eyes and the way they begged her to make up her mind.

“...Misty...” Dorien whispered hardly uttered.

The crowd were at the edge of their seats as they leaned in forward to catch what Misty had answered. The two looked concerned as they looked into each other’s eyes and had the sign of woe. The audience speculated that it was done and they were going to kiss. That wasn’t the case.

“Miss...” the Man waved her on the shoulder.

“I’m sorry, I can’t.” Misty stepped down from the pedestal and ran as fast as she could through the aisle. She disappeared in that hallway with Psyduck wondering what he should do now as everyone had their eyes on that exact spot Dorien was frozen and asking himself; why?

Ash couldn’t believe his eyes as Misty pass him in a blur. He could tell she was in her own world as she ran passed everyone she knew without a single acknowledgment of their being there. She had to be in her own world. It was her time to work things out with herself. Questions needed to be answered she had to ponder about. Questions like what have I done?

Dorien, too, was in his own world. He, too, needed to ask questions. How could this have happen? Why did this happen? No, he wasn’t sure at all. He knew what-rather-who might have caused things to develop as much as it has. He has had a bad feeling about him ever since he arrived. He knew they were close friends, but he never thought it would affect things with Misty. Why would he expect anything, Misty has never given him any reason to, ever. It’s only now that his relationship with her has wavered.

Daisy, who was in a panic as she notice the crowd in the audience began to arouse from their seats, walked up to her sisters. Ash stayed behind in his seat with his mother’s advice. She knew that Ash had a hand in this and Ash himself suspected that was his mother thought that.

“Like, what’s going on?” Asked Daisy besides herself.

“I don’t know,” answered Lily.

“Yeah, she was, like, ready to answer, but she froze and the next thing you know it she was running away.” Violet was the closest to Misty and she could have heard the most out of everyone else, except for the Man and Dorien.

Daisy moved towards Dorien to consult him, to try to offer a shoulder to lean on. She looked at his eyes and noticed it was fixated on Ash-who was himself fixated on Dorien. She saw the fiery anger that burned inside him as the moments pass at Ash’s direction.

Daisy knew there was going to be trouble if she didn’t do anything. What she would do she had no idea.

Dorien stepped down the altar. He looked angry, which was understandable. Brock and the rest believed he was going to follow Misty and settle what ever was happening with the two. Instead, Dorien’s direction turned to where Ash sat.

This was his punishment, Ash thought. Ash knew Dorien was coming and he stood up. The aggressive look on Dorien’s face said it all.

“Aaaaaaaaah!” screamed May as Ash fell over the seat to the other side.

“Hey!” yelled Brock as he ran up to help Ash up.

“What’s the big idea?” asked Max.

The crowd were having a real show, now. The wedding had turned into a street brawl with Dorien starting the brawl with a forceful right to Ash’s left cheek. The audience also noticed that it was the same person who was carried by the pidgeot.

“Pika!” said Pikachu as he raced over to his master and starred Dorien ready to pounce with any sign of another attack.

Dorien’s pokemon seeing this jumped out of the pool and surrounded Dorien in response to Pikachu’s threatening stare down.

As a response to Dorien’s pokemon, Squirtle, Snorlax, Pidgeot, Golduck, and Crobat joined Pikachu ready to protect Ash.

The audience clapped and roared ready to see a pokemon battle.

“You, get up!” yelled Dorien angrier than before.

Ash was helped up by Brock. His bottom lip was bleeding. “I’m up Dorien,” answered Ash nonchalant.

Dorien started for Ash again ready to give another punch. Pikachu seeing Dorien move stepped in front ready to pounce.

The cloyster to Dorien’s side used watergun on Pikachu, but Pikachu was to fast and dodge countering with a modified thundershock. The cloyster was fainted.

Dorien’s Gyarados then used tail whip to hit Pikachu, but Golduck’s powerful reflect attack was able to block. Squirtle then used his modified watergun to fire back at Gyarados immediately fainting the pokemon.

The audience were at awe to see such powerful pokemon. And the moves; not one of the people in the audience could say that their pokemon were able to produce the kind of watergun, thundershock and reflect Ash’s pokemon have done.

Prof. Oak, Gary and Tracey, who were at very close proximity to the pokemon were astonished by the moves Ash’s pokemon have produced.

“Well, Ash has been from Orre all this time,” said Prof. Oak to Gary.

“Yes, I know, but all the same, that’s just unbelievable. It almost makes me jealous I gave up competing.” Gary said acknowledging Ash’s accomplishment.

Dorien’s dewgong was next to try his luck with Ash’s pokemon. Dewgong, seeing that unconventional moves wasn’t going to cut it against Ash’s pokemon, decided to go for the gusto as he fired his most powerful aurora beam. Snorlax had only to put his had out to block Dewgong’s beam to stop the attack.

To counter, Pidgeot had waved his wing as a phantom it was hardly seen by the naked eye. It was like flash.

Dewgong was blown away tumbling back to unconsciousness.

The rest of Dorien’s pokemon knew they haven’t the chance unless they had attacked altogether. The only thing they could do was fire a barrage of water guns.

Quickly thinking, as Golduck had rarely done before, Golduck build a barrier to stop the attack and mentally flung the excess water to the pool and to the audience.

Crobat wanted the glory as he used a screech, a silent screech to subdue Dorien’s pokemon. It was another one of Ash’s new moves. It had not affect anyone else as only Dorien’s pokemon had fainted. The audience and mostly everyone in the room wondered what had happened. Only Ash and his pokemon knew.

The audience was a odds with themselves as they had wanted to cheer for Ash’s pokemon, but also knew that Ash was the bad guy in this.

“Stop!” Ash yelled to his pokemon. “Stop defending me.” His pokemon looked at him as if he were crazy.

“Pika pika,” Pikachu said stating his case.

“No, Pikachu. He has all the right to do this.”

Brock looked at him and wondered if Dorien had hit him harder than what it looked like. “Ash, are you crazy?” asked Brock bedazzled to here Ash say what he was saying. “You can’t just let a person beat you up because his woman won’t marry him.”

“Ash!” objected May, “it’s not your fault Misty ran away. You had nothing to do with her decision.”

Mrs. Ketchum heard all this and thought to herself how wrong they were. She wasn’t the type to let her only son be ravaged by the lions, but she knew as Ash did that if he wanted this, he’d have to fight for it. Mrs. Ketchum knew; Ash had to pay for what he wanted.

“No!” exclaimed Ash. “I do deserve this. For all the years I’ve been selfish and self serving; I deserve this. Before I left, this was my world. I left it behind and I don’t expect to get it back. But, to be honest... I want it back. That’s why, I’ll do anything to have it.” Ash took a look at Dorien who understood what he was talking about and was further angered by his intentions. “Dorien,... I’m sorry, but I want... her, Misty, back.”

Not everyone took it the same. Lily and Violet gasped. Brock stayed silent along with Max and Tracey. Prof. Oak with a “oh, my.” Gary with a “I knew it.” Mrs. Ketchum with a “oh, no.” And Daisy and May with a devastated sigh. No matter how anyone took it, they were all shocked.

The guests who saw Ash and Misty in the restaurant last had their suspicions confirmed. Luka remembered waving to Ash last night and remembered how candid he tried to be by covering his face. She felt like kicking herself for not seeing the obvious last night. She could of asked, but it wasn’t proper at all.

Everyone, who heard, were surprised, including the pokemon. Ash had always tried to set a good example of morals. He had told his pokemon to help someone who needs help, to do the right thing. There was Ash, his lip was bleeding and to his pokemon, looked worst than he had look during the first few months in the Orre Region. They stepped aside and looked away.

Brock was still between the two. He was devastated with what he heard. Brock has many brothers and sisters and he always considered Ash to be his blood brother. They have been through so much with each other and stayed great friends throughout the tribulations. With Ash, just like with his other brothers and sisters, he acted only as a guide to be followed. Brock would never lead his brothers and sisters to do the wrong things. Now, here was Ash. Brock was hurt to see his little brother acting so bad. Brock stepped out between them.

It wasn’t Ash’s world anymore. It was his. He put in the time. He put in the his soul to these people Ash had called friends and abandoned. He cared for Misty. He kept her company and provided care and love. It wasn’t Ash’s world, it was his.

Dorien walked over to Ash, clutched his fist together and gave Ash another right.

Ash noticed it hurt more this time. It was worst because it was a shot at his right eye. When he tried to peer out of his right eye, all he could see was dark, sparkly space. He knew it would turn black.

Dorien grabbed on to Ash’s shirt around his neck. “Listen to me!” Dorien commanded. “You had your chance with Misty. She’s with me, now!”

Ash didn’t try to wriggle out of it. “I still have to try,” Ash answered.

Dorien, who couldn’t believe the gall of the cretin, jabbed his left into Ash’s diaphragm leaving him heaving for air. “I said she’s with me!” Dorien yelled. “Just go back to your silly quest.”

Still heaving, Ash answered, “I just can’t do that.”

Dorien let go of his shirt and punched with a left to the face. This wasn’t a very effective hit, but it was critical as it drew blood from Ash’s left forehead. “What do you have to say, now?”

“I’m sorry, but I want Misty,” Ash answered provoking Dorien a lot more.

The audience, seeing that Ash put up no defense, began to boo Dorien. Unlike the guests who were close to Ash and Dorien, the audience weren’t as lucky to hear Ash’s confession. This only fueled Dorien to continue his rampage on Ash.

Max has many heros he can look up two. To mention a few: his mother, his sister, his father, Prof. Oak, etc. In the pokemon world, Max had lesser mentors than he has heros. On top of the list of mentors in the pokemon world, the top three, in order, were his father; Norman, Prof. Oak, and Ash. To be honest, Max was considering taking out Ash as one of those mentors.

Dorien had laid onto Ash plenty more punches. Ash’s face was cut up and for most part of his face, blood dripped. But still, Ash did nothing to defend himself.

He couldn’t take it anymore. With the way Ash was looking and with May and Mrs. Ketchum’s request, Prof. Oak had to stop this from continuing.

“That’s enough!” Ordered Prof. Oak. Dorien continued to kick Ash who was on the floor, but Prof. Oak finally pulled him away. “That’s enough, that’s enough,” he said frantically as he parted Dorien from Ash. “Your business isn’t with Ash,” informed Prof. Oak. “Your business is with Misty. Go to her and state your case. That’s all you can do.”

Dorien took another vengeful look at Ash on the floor looking pathetic, then made his way through the guests and to the hallways. He didn’t care at all that the audience had booed and thrown things at him as he passed.

Prof. Oak didn’t try to pick Ash up. Rather, he let Ash struggle to his feet. None of his friends that had heard what he had said to Dorien cared for him at that moment.

Ash felt alone, but knew with good reason. He looked at Max who turned away just as he did. He then took a look at Tracey who did the same. It was the same with everyone. Not even his mother looked at him.

With the attack from Dorien, it started a chain reaction with the guests. From the person in front of them, the guests heard what had happened to provoke Dorien to do what he did. Everyone agreed, it was Ash’s fault.

The three didn’t consider him to be their friend five years ago, but now, they do. It was amazing, knowing that they would have given their lives for Ash, but now they let him get beat up.

“What’s wrong with you people?” asked a shrewd woman trying to break through the crowd of guests.

Ash knew exactly who that person was.

“Yeah, you’s guys actually call him your friend?” added a voice close to the ground.

James heard what happened from another guest that Ash had provoked Dorien by claiming something Ash shouldn’t have. “That’s all?” thought James.

Finally, the fiery red-head made her presence known to Ash and his friends. By her leg was that wise-guy-talking meowth, Meowth. Just shoving his way through, James made his appearance.

“You three!” Exclaimed May.

“Hey, like, you three weren’t invited,” remembered Daisy, knowing everyone she had invited.

“We’re never invite, but we make our way in, anyways,” James stated.

“Team Rocket?” Asked Max. “I thought you three were finally put in jail, or dead.”

“Hey, you brat!” Meowth said taking offense to that. “I’ll have you know that we’re loaded now. We don’t have to steal anything.”

“They probably stole everything they have,” whispered Tracey to Brock.

“Yeah, they’ve probably never worked an honest day in their lives,” Brock whispered back.

“What are you three doing here, anyways?” Asked May sounding smug.

James whispered why Ash was attacked to Meowth and then to Jesse.

“That’s all!?” exclaimed Jesse in disbelieve. “And you call yourselves his friends?”

“If it was me, idda just do watever I wanted and not care about that Dorien guy,” stated Meowth.

“Of course you would,” started Tracey, “you three are thieves.”

“That was in the past twerp,” said Meowth matter-of-fact.

“We went legit, now,” James informed.

“Once a thief, always a thief,” Brock remarked.

Jesse knew this wasn’t going anywhere and was irritated. “Forget about that, it doesn’t matter anymore! I say Ash did the right thing. For years we did what we had to do to get what we wanted and I’m glad Ash finally did what he wanted.”

Ash decided to speak up. “No, it was wrong for me to expect things to be the same when I came back. It was my fault and I’ll take my punishment for what I did.”

“No, Ash.” It was from Prof. Oak. “We make our own decisions and we control our own future. It wasn’t you that made Misty run away. She did it herself and you shouldn’t have to get beaten for that. And it wasn’t my place to get between you and Dorien.”

“Then why did you step in, Prof. Oak?” asked Max.

“Your sister and Mrs. Ketchum asked me to. I couldn’t deny their plea.”

“So you’re agreeing with these miscreants?” asked Gary.

“Who are you callin’ a miscreant?” Moewth threaten.

James settled Meowth down and turned to Ash. “Look, we’ve followed you long enough to know that you’re the type of person who always followed what you wanted. You’ve even sacrificed five years to train and get better. From your pokemon’s performance, I see it served well. If that’s true, why back down from this, now?”

James had a point. This was just another goal he wanted to reach. It was wrong for him to have left his friends behind for five years, but it would have been wrong to let his dream slip away, also. He had dreamed that super dream before he had met his friends. He had made a promise to himself that fateful day he first set out with Pikachu and met Misty. He couldn’t have possibly broken that promise to himself.

It was true what Prof. Oak had said; Misty did make the decision by herself, even if she was influenced by Ash. It was her decision and her choice to do the right thing nor not.

Ash’s friends still didn’t see it that way, along with Ash’s pokemon. To try to explain their case, you’d have to understand what Ash meant to them. Just like Ash; Brock, Tracey, Max and May love Ash. He was more than a friend to all of them. They had a preconception of who Ash was. To them, he was kind, caring, brave, honorable, etc. All the good things that a person must have to be loved by so much people. For Ash to do this was against their image of their beloved friend.

Ash knew he wasn’t going to be forgiven so easily by his friends and his pokemon. It was strange that he had only Team... ex-Team Rocket to turn to.

“It was amazin’,” thought Moewth, I’d never seen a person get beaten like that without doin’ nuthin’ about it.”

“You do look awful,” stated James.

“Here,” ordered Jesse as she took out a handkerchief from her bag. “Hold still.” Jesse began to wipe the blood off Ash’s face.

Mrs. Ketchum couldn’t stay mad at Ash. Ash is her only son and she was at first a mother. “Jesse,” Deliah said getting Jesse’s attention, “let me do it.”

Jesse gave her the cloth and Mrs. Ketchum wiped the blood off his face to the best of her abilities. It reminded Mrs. Ketchum and Jesse of doing that to their young child.

“Mom,” said Ash, “I have something to do.”

Deliah was concerned Ash might be worst than he looked and wanted him to go to the doctor. “No, Ash. You have to wait. You need to get checked up.”

If anything, you had to call Ash militant. If he said he had to do something, then he will. There was no stopping him.

“No, I have to do it now. This can’t wait.”

Ash’s Mother let go of Ash.

Ash ran to the pool of water and dunked his head inside. He then pulled out his head and shook off the water as if he were a dog.

Ash, as fast and as able as he could, ran to the hallway and as fast as he could, headed to Misty’s room.

*****

Here you are, hope you like. Review? Posted 11/17/2005.