The Best Gift by Mr. Sleepy Head Prologue It was a beautiful saturday afternoon in the hills of Pallet Town. Ash Ketchum, Pokemon master, and Misty Waterflower, the Water Pokemon Alpha Omega and Ash's girlfriend ran and played there. By a nearby tree, Brock was cooking his famous stew while Pikachu was playing with Togepi.They had met up at at Viridian City after having split up for about a year and a half, Ash went to the Indigo League, beat the Elite Four and became Pokemon Master. Misty went to the Whirl island in the Johto Region and won the Whirl Cup. And Brock travelled the world and became a famous Pokemon breeder.As he was passing by Pewter City on his way home, Ash met Brock at the Pokemon center, who was apparently done with a date with Nurse Joy(that's right!). They both headed for Pallet Town and when they arrived at Viridian City , they met up with Misty who was also on her way to Pallet Town. Since it was already dark, they decided they should stay the night at the Pokemon Center and leave for Pallet Town tomorrow after breakfast. That fateful night, Ash and Misty were alone, and Ash admitted to Misty his true feelings for her, that he wanted to be more than just friends. Misty, in turn, said that she too wanted to be more than just friends. And so, they had become boyfriend-girlfriend. As they neared Pallet Town the next day, a messege-carrier Pidgeotto brought an invitation to Misty that she was invited to the birthday of her childhood friend, Ace, whom she hasn't seen in 5 years. It was to be held at Pallet Town on a saturday, seven days from when they recieved it. It was already Monday and she still couldn't decide if she should or shouldn't come. Part 1: Decisions Misty I didn't expect to see him so soon. Although he had been gone for five years, it seems more like he just left yesterday. I can clearly remember his reassuring bright smile, comforting brown eyes and happy attitude he always had for as long as i can remember. But, on the fateful day, he was to leave with his family somewhere faraway. All I saw in those eyes was sorrow and he wore a frown of sadness. As they were about to leave, his smile appeared and he handed me a small blue box and said "Don't worry, we'll see each other again. This is for you to remember me by and promise never to forget me,". Those were his last words before he left on the van that would take him to the boat that would then bring him to the faraway place. And after all these years, I've kept his gift, a pendant which held a picture of the both of us when we were young. "Misty!!!" A voice shouted which shook her from her thoughts, "YAHHHHH!!!" Misty said surprised, Ash and Brock were staring at her. "What's wrong, Misty? You zoned out there for a bit," Brock said, "Sorry, was just thinking about the invitation," She said, "Well, then are you coming?" Ash asked, "...Yes," Misty replied, "It would be good to see him again," "Well then we should get him a gift," brock said, "Okay," Misty said, And off they were, to Pallet Town Mall, to buy Misty's mysterious friend a gift. On the way, Misty couldn't seem to take her thoughts off of him. Part 2: Gifts Ash Misty was acting weird since she got that invite. She zoned out a few minutes ago and on the way to the mall, she was quiet the whole time, she didn't even react when i tried to get her attention by trying to annoy her(though I don't do it much ever since we started dating). And when we got to the mall, she went to the bookstore and bought a card, i decided to get him(whoever he is) a red cap with a green pokeball logo in front. When we all met up at the entrance, Brock decided he should give him a bag of his famous Pokechow (which all Pokemon liked). Back at the Ketchum residence... "So, Misty, what's his name anyway?" Ash asked, "Yeah, tell us," Brock said, "His name's Ace. He's a year older than me and used to live in Cerulean City until 5 years ago," Misty replied, As Misty said his name, her tone seemed a bit depressing. Her eyes were toward the ground and after that was just silence. She must have missed him a lot to be like this. Part 3: Preparation Brock Misty's friend is gonna love my Pokechow. Though he won't be the one eating it, he'll be happy that his Pokemon are gonna enjoy it. I learned this from many professional breeders I met on my own journey. I've met no Pokemon that said it wasn't the least bit good or delicious or enjoyed it. Its gonna be a great gift for this guy. Ash just got him a hat and Misty got him a card but I'll give him some of my famous homemade Pokechow. I wrapped it up and wrote "ACE" on it. Misty Brock just finished cooking up his gift and Ash had wrapped his two day ago. I finished writing my long letter to him on the card I bought. His party's tomorrow and I'm a bit shy, wondering if he still remembers me. I found his farewell present a few minutes ago as I rummaged through my things. it still looked the same way it had when he first gave it to me, sparklng in the light. The picture inside was undamaged nor faded. It was still perfect, and I would show it to him to tell him I never forgot, hoping if he would, this'll make him remember me and our promse. After I show it to him, I'll give it back and tell him I've already found someone.Ash. I hope he won't be mad or sad. Ash Tomorrow's the day we finally get to meet Misty's mysterious friend. Brock made some Pokechow to give and some barbeque and stew for supper. The smell of good food made me hungrier than ever. Misty's been really quiet in her room since we arrived. Still deep in thought I guess. "Ash, Misty, time to eat!"Brock shouted, Oh boy! At last!Supper!I'm starved! Ash rushed downstairs, nearly bumping into Misty in the process. "Woah! slow down, Ash, or it'll be a train wreck," Brock said as he entered the hall, "Then tell you food to stop calling out my name," Ash said sarcastically, "Yeah, Brock! It smells so good, it's practically calling our names," Misty said in agreement, She seemed to be out of her daze because of Brock's food. "Well, come on in!" Brock said, Ash's mom was already on the table with a half-empty bowl of stew and a few empty barbeque sticks on her plate. She seem to already be full and was preparing to leave the table. "Make sure you clean your own plates,"she said taking her plate to the sink and washing it, Ash, Brock and Misty began eating as soon as she left. Ash and Misty ate like there was no tomorrow(which is what might happen when Ash started choking on a big chunk of food). "Swallow it first,Ash! Unless you want it to be your last meal," Brock said, Part 4: The Party Misty It's the day of the party and I got my present ready. I wonder if he looks different than the last I saw(which was about 5 years ago). I can't wait to see him. We arrived at the place of the party. There were plenty of people but I recognied him as soon as I saw him. He looked older, more handsome and seems smarter. He was busy talking to someone(wait was that Professor Oak!!!) but I decided to approach him. As we got near, he saw me and a huge grin appeared on his face. That sparkle in his eyes which I last saw as he promised to me that we'll se each other again appeared and he approached me. "You came, Misty" Ace said, "Yes, I did," Misty replied as Ash and Brock appeared behind, "These are my friends, Brock and my boyfriend, Ash" His smile didn't disappear when I said my boyfriend. In fact, it great even wider then he said, "Good to hear you moved on and found one. I'd like for you to meet April, my girlfriend," He said, I was so surprised to hear he found a girlfriend. She had chestnut colored-hair, fair skin and gloden brown skin. Her voice sounded as sweet as honey, her smile shined like diamonds and she seemed to move like water, swift and graceful. Ace I'm truly gald to meet Misty again. I's been a long time. i'm also glad she could move on and got herself a real boyfriend( wait!Isn't that the Pokemon master!?). Ash gave me a new cap( though I have tons of caps), Brock gave me some pokechow( nice!) and Misty gave me a card( simple but sweet). After which she showed me the pendant I gave her. She wanted to give it to me but I told her to keep it as a friendly rememberance. At the end of the party, when everyone left, I bade them farewell for April and I were returning to the Tropic Region in the east tomorrow. THE END... _____________________________________________________________________________ _________ Done! All in one day. i decided to change my first version of The Best Gift( which is the meeting of Misty and Ace) cause I felt like the first one just needed a different story. In real life, April is not my girlfriend( I wish) but just my crush. Anyway, thanks for reading and please review and visit my sit at www.mrsleepyhead.webs.com. SEE YA IN THE NEXT ONE!!! (By the way, here are the changes in the two stories) ver 1.0 - more characters - requested for actual birthdays -characters clothes are described -age of characters presented -my character got hit with Misty's mallet -my chracter doesn't have a girlfriend -Misty and Ash aren't dating -Ace doesn't leave -Pokemon are mentioned -less descriptive and seemingly more speech focused -pendant doesn't contain photo -has flashbacks -story takes place in Cerulean City ver 2.0 - less characters -no requests -clothes are not described -thought focused -Misty and Ash are dating -Ace leaves -pendant contains photo -my character doesn't get hit -my character has girlfriend -Pokemon not mentioned -ages aren't shown -no flashbacks -story takes place in Pallet Town