Misty made her way into the hotel room, setting a newspaper down upon the table before turning her attention to Ash. At the other end of the room, he was sat before the videophone, speaking to his mother.

“Don’t get upset, Mum,” Ash said, attempting to pacify his mother’s apprehension. “Everyone’s doing fine. There’s only a couple more days of hearings left. Then we’ll all be home again, ready to annoy you.”

His words made her smile. “I know, sweetie. I’m just worried about you and your friends.”

“We’ll manage.”

Misty walked over towards her boyfriend, bending down so as her face was in range of the webcam. “Hi, Mrs. Ketchum,” she greeted cheerfully.

“Hello, Misty dear. How are you feeling?” Delia asked, her ever-present maternal concern radiating.

“A little anxious about tomorrow.” She made a victory sign with her fingers. “But I’ll be okay.”

“I’m happy to hear that.” She glanced down at her watch. “Oh, it’s getting late. I better allow you kids to get some rest. If there is anything you need, don’t hesitate to call. And, Ash, make sure to change-“

“Mother!” he shouted in exasperation. “Night.”

“Goodnight, you two.” And with that, the screen went blank.

“I kind of feel sorry for your mum,” Misty began, standing and travelling back to the table. “She’s so far away from this that she can’t be sure how we’re keeping.”

Ash followed her. “I’m glad she didn’t order us to take her along, like Izzie. I can’t say no to her.” He threw himself into one of the chairs, pulling the previously discarded newspaper towards him. “Hey, Mist. What’s this for?”

“Oh, I forgot all about it.” She sat next to him and proceeded to open up the broadsheet at its fifth page. Pointing towards a feature at the top of the page, Ash studied the picture displayed. There they were, their foreheads placed together, slightly smiling. It had been taken the first day of the trials. He read the headline; ‘Love Still Reigns After Conflict‘.

“Is this about us?”

Misty rolled her eyes. “Of course it is, idiot.” She focused upon the printed words. ‘From some of the worst-” She paused for a moment, scanning further into the article. “This stuff isn’t important. Ah, here we are.

“’ Close friends ever since Master Ketchum began his Pokemon journey, it seems that the hardships of the occupation have drawn both he and Ms. Williams together.

‘Many have speculated about their relationship over the past few years, and the kiss they shared after the successful rebel attack upon the Team Rocket HQ, as well as the closeness displayed during the court hearings, seem to prove the rumour that the two are dating.

‘The relationship is a refreshing sight after the turmoil of the last few months, showing that no matter what occurs, there is always tenderness and love in the world.’

“Clichéd line or what?” Misty laughed.

“Well, it seems that everyone’s pretty happy for us.”

“You haven’t gotten to the ‘best’ part.

“’Neither Ketchum nor Williams have spoken to the media since before the occupation, so it is unclear how serious their relationship is. But despite the fact it most likely won’t last for more than a few months, it’s good to see that each of these experienced and admired trainers have someone to rely upon in the harsh weeks ahead.’”

Ash’s jaw fell open, outraged by the journalist’s words. “Hey, why the hell do they think we’re gonna break up?”

“Probably because of our age. Of course no one can stay committed when they are merely teenagers.” She let out a derisive snort.

He shook his head. “You make it sound like they want us to split. You’re too cynical sometimes, you know that?”

“Maybe,” she answered with a shrug. “But they didn’t have to add that last part, unless that’s what they truly believe.”

Ash wrapped his arms around her neck from behind. “Well, if they do, then we’re just gonna have to prove them wrong, ne?” He kissed her deeply upon the lips.

“Good idea,” she uttered, as soon as they separated.

He relaxed his hold a little, settling his chin upon her shoulder. “So, how are you really feeling about tomorrow?”

She fidgeted slightly, instantly making Ash regret his question. “Awful. I’m really terrified.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“You’re just worried about me.” She moved out of his grip, standing from her seat. “I’m going to get a nice long bath. Use some of those nice salts and creams in the bathroom. Hopefully that will help me relax a little.”

Shaking the delightful image of his redhead immersed in bubbles from his mind, he glomped her once more before she made her way to the other room. “I’m sure it will.”

11th June, 2021. 15.21.

Attention centred upon her hands, Misty pressed one nail against another, chipping the light blue polish off the surface. She didn’t want to look up, didn’t want to focus upon what was going on in front of her. Concentrating upon her nervous habits, picking at her nails, biting her dry lips, served as buffer between everything and her. But time was sailing ahead. It was coming any moment now. She knew it.

She glanced down at her watch, feeling nauseous as she read the information it presented. As the second hand rotated further and further, she could feel that horrible sense of dread and fear increase. Her breathing was shallow, growing harsher by the moment, to the point she worried she might hyperventilate, that panic just serving as additional fuel for her unease. She wanted to get out of there, escape, but she couldn’t show her anxiety. She wouldn’t let HIM know what he had done to her. She couldn’t give HIM that satisfaction. She would deny HIM of that pleasure.

She was scared, terrified, but within mere minutes, her part would be over. It was then she could scream, cry, do anything she needed to do. She just needed to stay strong for a little while longer. That assurance was the only thing keeping her from running.

Half hearing Mr. Seto dismissing his current witness, she lifted her head just in time to see the solicitor face her, his stern face examining her tense features.

It was time.

“I would like to call Misty Williams to the stand.”

She felt her stomach sink at his words. She looked both to her left and right, slightly reassured by the comforting expressions her friends displayed. She felt Ash subtly touch her arm, causing her to attempt a weak smile. She stood from her seat, her weak legs threatening to give way, and proceeded towards the stand.

Awkwardly placing herself into the chair, she took in her altered surroundings. She’d never truly acknowledged the size of the hall, the number of people it could accommodate. Her back had always been towards everything. But now, every eye, every video camera and microphone was upon her.

She was sweating more than she could ever remember doing. Her breathing remained haggard. She couldn’t allow herself to act like this. They would all notice. HE would notice. She permitted her eyelids to shut for a moment, taking in a lungful of painful air. As she exhaled, she repeated the same mantra over and over again in her mind. It’s almost over. It’s almost over.

Her body seemed to ease a little, and as she opened her eyes, she forced that practiced look of assertion upon her features. She could fool them into believing she was invulnerable. She’d done it numerous times before; when her classmates had teased her, when her sisters had laughed at her. Those experiences were just a run though for this, the main performance. It was her time to dupe the world.

Seto walked before the stand, preparing himself for the first question he wished to ask. “Ms. Williams. On the night before the Viridian uprising, how were you and Master Ketchum captured?”

She inhaled deeply before speaking. “We were heading down a corridor in the HQ, looking for others to help us face a group of Rockets. But, before we got far, we were surrounded by Butch and Cassidy, along with a number of their subordinates. They dragged us to an interrogation room…a knife against each of our throats. That’s when we met Nakamora.”

He nodded. “Could you please explain to the court the details of the night you both spent under interrogation.”

She saw Ash’s head bow in her peripheral vision. Without a conscious though, her eyes gravitated to him, watching as he rose his head once more. As she stared into his eyes, she could see that prevalent trace of melancholy, that emotion no one else seemed to detect within his dark orbs. She knew he could see the same reflected in her own. She just prayed her outer composure was as impregnable as his.

Misty forced the painful memories to the forefront of her mind, replaying the images that had bleed so often into her dreams. “The first thing he did was handcuff us to chairs. When we tried to resist, his guards smacked us in the face with the but of their rifles so hard I thought for a minute they had fractured my jaw.

“Both he and the guards then proceeded to punch, kick and beat us with as much force as they could, using their boots, fists…anything they could put their hands on…while taunting us with vile stories of how they were going to murder us.”

Walking casually towards the prosecutor’s desk, Seto picked up what seemed to be a small stack of photographs. Retracing his steps, he handed them to one of the judges, but not before Misty was able to take a glance at the top image; a photograph of a bruised and battered leg.

It was her limb. She recognised the pattern of wounds instantly. The photographs had been taken at the hospital, a few hours after the uprising. She knew that the documentation of her injuries were vital, but she still viewed standing there, wearing nothing but her underwear, as a form of violation. And now those pictures were being passed around for the judges to ponder over.

But she pressed herself not to react.

“These photographs,” the solicitor began, “show the physical wounds both Ms. Williams and Master Ketchum endured, the vast majority caused by that man.” He cast a cold glare towards Nakamora, one Misty couldn’t help but follow.

He was still the perfect icon of confidence; no emotion showed within his grey eyes. She felt her teeth clench. How could he embrace this whole situation with such a caviller attitude? Did he not have a compassionate bone within his tall, lanky body?

“But they don’t show the full extent of his crimes” Seto continued. “The mental turmoil he has caused them can never be quantified.” He turned back to his witness. “Did he, at any point, attempt to carry out his insidious threats?”

Breath, Misty. Breath deeply. “Yes. When Ash and I refused to give him any information, he put a gun against my head and pulled back the safety. He was just about to fire when he was interrupted by his boss.”

“Giovanni Sakai?”

“Yes.”

“Are you certain he would have killed you if not for the interruption?”

Misty swallowed, trying to prevent her mind from reliving the terror she had felt at that moment. “Yes, I’m sure.”

“And you were the one to personally apprehended him the next day?”

“Yes, I did.”

He nodded - his seemingly consistent reaction to any given answer - before allowing an uncharacteristic grin to crack. “Mr. Nakamora was found with numerous injuries, including three broken ribs. You admitted that these wounds were caused by your own two hands, isn’t that correct?”

“Yes, sir.” She heard a slight murmur pass over the audience. Not one of disgust, as she had expected, at how she could have carried out such vengeful actions, but instead support. Support that it was her right to punish the man who had tortured her so viciously. “I lost control,” she continued, a little more securely. “When I saw his face, all I could think of was the hell he put both Ash and I through. I wanted him to feel at least a little of the pain we had.” She cast one more glance towards the defendant, bestowing upon him the fiercest expression she could provoke upon her features. “And I haven’t regretted my actions for one second.”

“Thank you, Ms. Williams. That will be all.”

Misty couldn’t move for a moment. That was it? That was all he wished for her to discuss? She had been there for barely more than five minutes.

But she wasn’t going to argue with his decision. She almost jumped from the seat, keeping her eyes focused away from the crowd, and the man behind the glass wall, and upon her goal; the chair situated between her friends.

It was over.

Gary confidently strode over to the door, rapping lightly upon its wooden frame. He couldn’t believe how unassailable Misty was, how…amazing. She had stood up and faced the bastard who’d hurt her so much, without so much as a tear or sob. Just sitting there, intently listening to every striking word she spoke, transfixed by her resolute gaze, he could keep his mind on nothing else.

After a few moments, and another two raps with no response, he sighed. He was sure Misty and Ash had said they were heading to their room after the heading. Giving up, he made his way over to and knocked the adjacent door.

“Hiya, Gary,” Izzie greeted as she opened the door.

“Hey,” he returned, adding, “Hi, Brock,” as he entered the room. “Is Misty about?”

“I think she and Ash are in their room,” Brock informed.

“Oh.” His previous elated state faded.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Izzie asked, settling herself upon the sofa next to her lover.

“I tried their room but got was no answer.”

Brock smiled “They’re probably just wanting to spend some time alone after today.” He exhaled loudly. “Poor Misty,” he muttered, almost under his breath.

Gary hadn’t hear the whisper. “Misty was incredible, wasn’t she?” he proclaimed, instantly perking up. “I never realised she was so strong. God, I couldn’t believe it. She’s just so…great.”

Izzie studied Gary’s composure; the delighted smile upon his face, the animated movements, the spark within his eyes. He looked like a lovesick puppy. Everyday her suspicions seemed more and more accurate.

“You haven’t known Misty that long, have you?” Brock questioned, smiling at the teen.

“Er, no. Just really since you guys got back to Pallet. Why?”

Brock shook his head before answering, “Well, you are right; she’s one of the most independent, opinionated and spunky people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. But, at the same time…she is very sensitive. It’s just that she doesn’t like to show that side and has a knack of rolling the wool over people’s eyes. There’s only a few instances where I can remember even recall her crying.” His eyes fell to the ground, his mind affected by his deep fraternal emotions. “She was hit pretty hard by what happened to them that night. I really don’t want to think about the state she’s in at the moment.”

Gary contemplated the older man’s words. He had seen an aspect of Misty’s personality that he had previously never thought to exist, the more tempered part of her being, and had become drawn to it instantly. But Brock was right. She’d never shown a trace of vulnerability in his presence, and he’d never even contemplated that she possessed any form of weakness. Yes, he’d seen the partially healed bruises over her body, but he’d never really thought of how, other than physically, the torture she’d endured could have affected her. How uncaring of him.

Noticing the melancholy upon Gary’s face, Izzie smiled up at him. “But, don’t worry. She’s with Ash so she’ll be okay.” There was a small reaction of annoyance to her words, but overall he seemed content.

“Yeah.” Making his way to the room’s door, Gary called back, “Thanks, guys,” before leaving.

Ash felt the last of Misty’s sobs die, her trembling body slowly calm. He looked down at her body, still gently rocking her in his arms. Her face was still settled upon his chest, that area of his shirt now slightly damn. Combing her hair with his fingers, he smoothed out the ginger strands, stopping every now and then to kiss the top of her head.

They had barely gotten into their room before the tears came. A wave of relief had flooded him upon seeing them. It was what she had needed for a long while. He’d carried her to their bed and just held her as she’d cried, basking in the feeling of helping the one he loved. “You feeling a little better?”

She nodded simply, lifting her head and pulling herself up a little. “Yeah,” she whispered, her voice still low and rough. She sniffled and wiped away the remnants of tears from her raw, puffy eyes.

“I think you needed that.”

Once more, she nodded. “I just wish I could have held it back for another day. It’s your turn tomorrow. I don’t want to put any more weight upon your shoulders. It’s going to be hard enough for you already.”

He tightened his grip upon her. “I know, and I’m really dreading it, but taking care of you is never a burden. You know that.”

Looking up into his face, she could only agree. Her feelings were identical. “It’s just that, when I saw his face, the fact that he still doesn’t give a shit about what he put us through… I mean, how can someone be like that?” She whimpered slightly.

“I can’t understand it either.”

“I don’t know how many times I felt my strength waning in there.”

“I know. I could tell.” He noticed a thread of worry pass over her, instantly recognising what it was in regards too. “Don’t worry. I’m sure I was the only person who could. You really did yourself justice. I’m so proud of you.” He kissed her gently. “If I do half as well tomorrow, I’ll be happy.”

She felt herself brighten at his reassuring words. “You’ll be okay. I think Seto is trying to make it easier for us by just asking essential questions. Maybe behind that cold exterior he’s actually quite compassionate. If he only asked me about Nakamora, you may just have to talk about what happened with Giovanni.” As soon as her words had passed, she felt his arms unwrap as he fell back upon the bed.

“Yeah, the last thing I do want to talk about.”

She quickly turned, lying down beside him. The despondency in his features brought a sense of helplessness to her mind. She wasn’t really sure what she could say to lift his mood. She still felt drained herself. She shifted herself towards him, laying her head upon his chest, reaching a hand up to cup his jaw. After a few moments, her passive actions provoked a response.

“I don’t think the public would be too delighted to hear that their exalted Master almost…” he paused, trying to force the words. “…Almost killed a man, that I wish I had killed him.”

“Ash, I don’t think people would suddenly turn against you if you admitted to that,” she told him gently. “And you don’t even have to tell them that.”

“Maybe…but at the same time, what will they think of me when they find out I had the chance to put an end to his worthless life and chickened out.”

“Ash…” But she found herself lost for words once again.

He rubbed his hands over his face, trying to massage the tension from his temples. Moving down upon the bed, he pulled Misty into a needful hug. “At the moment, I just want to stay here and forget about it.”

“Okay,” she submitted, grabbing onto the front of his t-shirt.

Ash awoke with a start.

He brought his hand up to his forehead, wiping away the layer of nervous sweat collected there. How could he…how could he be thinking that way?

He’d been tormented by nightmares about the occupation and the potential return of its leader, but now…

He’d had similar dreams before, even before they had begun dating, but in the past they’d always stayed fairly innocent. This time though…

Why now, of all times? Why was he thinking these thoughts now more than ever? He was under so much pressure with the trials, he was to testify the next day, but at the same time he couldn’t get Misty out of his mind.

He lay back upon the bed, casting his vision to her still sleeping body. What would she think of him if she knew he had been dreaming about them in the most intimate of circumstances? It was only a matter of time before they did sleep together, but until then, he knew he shouldn’t be even be contemplating her in that way. But everyday he could feel his desire for her increase.

Sighing, he turned to study the digital alarm clock. Eight thirty. They must have drifted off. “Mist,” he whispered, shaking her slightly. “Misty, it’s getting late. We better get some dinner.” She murmured an incoherent response. “Come on.”

“Why did you have to wake me?” she uttered half-consciously before sighing happily. “I was having the nicest dream.”

Smiling, elated by her cheerful mood, he inquired, “What about?”

“You were-” Her eyes opened suddenly, a blush rising across her cheeks. “Ah…I can’t actually remember. You know how it is. You always forget about five seconds after waking up.”

“Yeah,” Ash replied, every image from his own dream still looping in front of his mind’s eye.

12th June, 2021. 12.03.

Ash’s gaze was fixed solidly upon Misty. He didn’t want to turn away from her kind expression or see the numerous faces focused upon him. She was enough to keep his strength consistent. All he had to do was look into her soft features, and he instantly felt reassured. He needed her strength for what was to come.

“Master,” Seto addressed, “you personally planned a number of the rebel attacks, yes?”

Ash shook his head. “Not exactly planned. Each one was the work of countless people.”

“But you did head a number of the them, devised strategies and tactics, stood as a figurehead for the rebels, called for the attack upon the Team Rocket HQ the day before the uprising, and were considered by the organisation to be their most wanted ‘criminal’?”

Ash contemplated the list, finding no single issue he could disagree with. “Yes,” he unwillingly admitted. Was Seto attempting to make him sound like some kind of war hero? Ash inwardly laughed at his thoughts. Wasn’t that what he was? He feared he was never going to grow accustomed to either this or his position as a Pokemon Master.

“And many of your colleagues held you as the leader of the cause. So, it would be accurate to say that you were the most important individual within the resistance?”

Once again, Ash forced his simple answer, “Yes.”

“So, when they captured you and Ms. Williams, it must have seemed like an ideal situation for them. To be able to make examples out of two of the most respected resistance leaders. The fact that such a force fought for both of your lives is a true testament to how much the rebels believed in your leadership.”

Ash knew that, even through a veil of melancholy, he was reddening. It was weird to even imagine people he had never met thinking of him in that way, risking their lives in for a cause he had called for. Even idolising him. There was a sense of uncomfortable pride in it all.

“This was far from your first experience with Team Rocket?”

His vision momentarily altered from the solicitor onto the ex-Rocketeers, sitting in the front row along with Misty, Brock, Izzie and Gary. “No. Members of the organisation have been following us since the first day of my journey. Giovanni wished to capture my Pikachu, but was never able to get his hands upon him.”

“So, do you think the man may have already had a grievance against you beforehand?”

“Possibly. He did admit to me that he had planned the execution of both me and my friends before the occupation happened. The only reason we’re still alive is thanks to Kiyoko Misaki.”

“After the disturbance that prevented your execution, and Giovanni’s initial escape, you located him in his office within the HQ. Would you inform the court of what occurred between you both?”

The words the fugitive had told Ash echoed in his mind; ‘I owe you a lot of pain, little boy, for all the anguish you have caused me over the years … one day we will be face to face again, I vow, and that time, I will not lose!’

He felt a chill run through him. Their impact never failed to floor him. They could strike fear deep within his heart. “I walked into the room, my hand upon the gun tucked into my jeans. Without even turning, he knew that it was me, and said that he was hoping that’d he get the chance to talk to me before he left. He told me that this wasn’t the end; that at some point, he’d be back. And he would pay me back for what I’d done to him, for the failure of the occupation. Then he made an attempt to escape, and I lifted my gun and aimed it on him.”

“But you didn’t fire.”

The moment he had dreaded. The question that he’d feared. “I-I couldn’t. I tried…but froze. Instead, I had Pikachu destroy his mini-teleporter. I wish I-” He halted his words. He wanted to shout that he regretted hesitating, but he couldn’t cope with the rest of the world knowing that dark desire. Misty was the only one permitted to know something so intimate, even if people did look down upon him for his inaction.

“But he still fled once more?”

Ash knew that Seto’s words weren’t an accusation, but he couldn’t help but blame himself. He regretted only a few of the choices he had made in his life, and this was the one he desired most to go back and correct. Why did he have to be such a coward? Even if he had aimed for a non-fatal wound, he could have prevented Giovanni’s getaway. Who knew how many lives he could have saved with just a single bullet. For one, Kiyoko would still have been alive. He could have saved her. He should have saved her.

Guilt still weighing deeply upon him, he took in a deep breath to steady himself. “Y-yes. He threw a small explosive device in between us. The explosion knocked me out.” He touched the pink scar upon his temple. “A piece of shrapnel or debris hit me here. I’ve been told I was probably unconscious for about 20 minutes to a half an hour. I have no idea of how he escaped; whether it was through the cavity in the wall or he travelled back through the building.”

“Thank you, Master Ketchum. That will be all.”