Ash ran as quick as he could, with Misty doing the same, but not as fast as him. As soon as he got there, the people were down on the ground, unconscious, as two tall figures and a small Pokémon started collecting what PokéBalls that were on them.
"Stop right there!" Ash yelled at them. They suddenly perked up. The female figure laughed triumphantly.
"You won't be beating us this time, twerp!" She announced, as she jumped out of the shadows along with her male partner. Ash frowned as he saw their faces. It was...
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people's within our nation."
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To protect our reach to the stars above." They both created their own poses.
"Jesse!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight, fight, fight!" The small Pokémon then jumped out in front of them.
"Meowth! That's right!" ...Team Rocket. And they looked exactly the same as they ever did.

"Well, well. If it isn't the World's Greatest Pokémon Master in the flesh." Jesse said with a smirk. "Happy Birthday, twerp." James said with the same grin.
"And as our gift to you..." James held up Pikachu in a glass cage. "We'll take your Pikachu!" James then let out a goofy chuckle as they all jumped in their Meowth balloon.
"You won't be winning many battles now!" Meowth called out from the balloon as they all began to laugh continuously. All Ash could do was stand there and watch. He had no Pokémon on him, and if he went to get them, Team Rocket would be too far away to catch. But it was his only choice. He began to sprint toward his house when a voice shouted behind him.
"Go! Starmie!" A PokéBall opened in a flash of light, revealing a purple, star-shaped Pokémon with a red jewel in the middle of it.
"Quick, Starmie, use your Hydro Pump!" Starmie let out a loud cry somewhat like a "Hunh" as it leaped up into the air beginning to spin and emitting large, spinning blasts of water at the balloon. Team Rocket, still laughing, didn't notice Starmie until a pop echoed out from the side of the balloon. They both had a shocked look on their face and began to scream and run around the balloon like crazy. As the chaos proceeded, James threw Pikachu out of his hands and out of the balloon.
"JAMES! You idiot, you dropped Pikachu!" James screamed as she whacked him harshly upon the back of his head.
"I didn't mean to!" James whined, covering his head.
"You never mean to! And thanks to you..." The balloon began to quickly float across the horizon.
"We're blasting off agaaaaaaaaain!...." They faded away with a bright twinkle.

Ash breathed a sigh of relief. Starmie was quietly returned to it's respective PokéBall in a flash of red light. At that point all the people who were knocked unconscious slowly opened their eyes and sat up, groaning and holding their heads. The DJ opened his eyes and quickly jumped up, shouted into his microphone.
"Uh...Let's give it up for our hero! Ash Ketchum!"
"Hey! I popped their balloon!" Misty shouted at the DJ.
"You did? Well, then, give it up for Ash Ketchum and his red-headed girlfriend!" Misty sighed, the slight hint of pink once again becoming visible upon her delicate cheeks. As her eyes were closed, faced toward the ground, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist once more. She quickly looked up to see the face of the boy she just confessed her love for. She smiled to him, but he pulled her closer to him, not letting her go, feeling her body against his. "Ash, I--" Before she could say another word, her lips were sealed by his. At that point, she felt a warm sensation flow through her veins, and she was transported to a world of pure bliss. Yet another blinding spotlight loomed over their bodies.
"Wow, Ladies and Gentlemen isn't this a touching scene??" The DJ yelled through his microphone. Ash's Mom started to cry waterfalls as she watched her boy turn into a young man. Brock casually placed his hands in his pockets, a big smile on his face.
"Very lucky guy." Brock whispered to himself. At that moment, everyone began to clap for Ash, some whistling and cheering. Cameras flashed by the millions, taking pictures of their kiss. And Gary stood and watched with a happy smile upon his face. But, Gary then quietly hopped in his car, his fan club jumping in with him, and he drove off. Despite all of the lights and cheering and clapping and shouting, Ash and Misty held their lip-locked position for about a minute. They slowly and gently broke their kiss, in sync, silently looking into each others eyes. Misty was feeling stunned, totally in awe of what just happened.
"Ash, I...You don't know how long I've wanted to do that..." Misty whispered to him.
"I think I can tell it was a long time." Ash replied, with a smile. Misty smiled back, and gave him a big hug around his neck.


Just a few hours later, after everyone had given a congratulations to Ash and Misty. After all the hugs and handshakes, the party finally ended, leaving the original party of three alone amidst the night sky.
"I...Man, oh, man. I knew it was just a matter of time before this happened," Brock spoke to them, quietly, looking up at the star-dotted sky. "But, I'm happy for you both." He looked at the two, who had one arm wrapped around each other's back, with a smile. Misty sighed.
"Well, Ash, I would guess it's time for us to get going." A bit of sorrow in her voice.
"Yeah..." He acknowledged with the same sorrow.
"You wouldn't mind giving us a ride home, would you?" Misty asked Ash.
"I...Sure, hold on." Ash quickly ran inside his house, returning with one PokéBall. He tossed it toward the sky, opening in mid-air as he shouted: "Pidgeot! I choose you!" In a quick flash of light, a large bird escaped from it's PokéBall. It slowly laded gracefully upon the ground with a happy caw. Ash climbed on top of Pidgeot's back, motioning for the other to do the same. "Okay, guys, hop on." Ash extended a hand down toward Misty. She grasped his hand and he pulled her atop the large bird with ease. She sat upon the back of the creature, placing her hands on Ash's back for support. Brock was the next to climb aboard, right behind Misty. "Okay, Pidgeot! Fly to Pewter City!" The bird shouted a loud caw and it began to slowly flap it's wings, flying up off the ground. Misty was a little bit nervous, but she reassured herself that Ash was right there. Pidgeot was about 10 feet off the ground when it thrust it's wings swiftly, darting up a good 100 feet. Then, Pidgeot used the same strength and grace and began to shoot at a quick rate of speed toward Pewter City.

Misty felt nauseous going so fast, but neither of the boys seemed affected. Within just several seconds, Pidgeot rapidly decreased it's speed and they were hovering above Pewter City. Pidgeot slowly began to fall toward the earth, stopping as it reached a few dozen feet from the ground. It then used it's same grace to gently land upon the ground, just outside of Pewter. Brock hopped off of Pidgeot, and waved to them as Pidgeot began to ascend to the sky.
"Bye, guys! Hope to see you again!" Ash and Misty waved back.
"Bye, Brock! Hope to see you, too!" Pidgeot was now up about 100 feet again, when Misty tapped Ash's shoulder.
"Uh...Ash...Could you possibly have Pidgeot....not go so fast this time?"
"Sure. Pidgeot, fly to Cerulean City, but not too fast this time, okay?" Pidgeot gave a quick nod of the head, and began to fly not so fast toward Cerulean City. At this rate, Misty was able to admire the sight of the earth below from so high up. Pidgeot, now approaching Mount Moon, ascended just a bit higher so it could get over the mountain. Before Misty knew it, they were hovering above the outskirts of Cerulean City. "Pidgeot, land in front of the Gym." Pidgeot cawed in response, making it's way just a bit further, above the Gym, then slowly descending. It once again used it's same grace to gently land in front of the Gym. Ash hopped off of Pidgeot first, giving Misty a gentle escort off of Pidgeot. Misty smiled to him.
"I had a really great time at the party, Ash. Thanks...Oh wait! I almost forgot." Misty reached into the right side pocket of her dress, pulling out a small, velvet box.
"Your Birthday gift." She handed it to him and he gently took it in his hand, With his free hand, he opened it, to reveal a very smooth blue sapphire stone upon a golden ring.
"It's a friendship ring. You know, for being my best friend." Ash gave her a warm smile.
"Thanks, Misty."
"No problem...Would you...like to come inside?"
"No, no. It's okay. I should get going."
"All right." Misty slowly opened the from door to the gym, only to be blasted by the sound of loud party music and many loud voices. She quickly shut the door. "Maybe you shouldn't come in, anyway..." Misty rubbed her arm, a bit embarrassed.
"It's okay. I don't mind, anyway." Ash just started to turn around when Misty stopped him.
"Hey you, wait." Ash quickly turned back around to look at Misty. "Aren't you...forgetting something?" Ash looked around, and checked his pockets.
"No, what am I forgetting?" Misty swiftly anime fell, but picked herself back up quickly, sighing. She walked up to him, wrapping those familiar slender arms around his neck, whispering to him.
"I mean, this..." Misty looked to Pidgeot who happened to be staring at them. "Hey you, turn around." Pidgeot perked up, and turned its head around. Misty looked back to Ash. "I mean this..." Misty gently placed her lips upon his, applying the hold for a just a couple of seconds.
"Oh, that! I should've known." Ash replying with a playful smile. Misty unraveled her arms, and turned around and walked towards the Gym. Ash hopped back up on Pidgeot.
"All right, Pidgeot, let's head home." Pidgeot once again made its slow descent toward the sky. Ash waved good-bye and Misty did the same. Ash was about 20 feet in the air as he watched Misty walk into the Gym, covering her ears. Ash couldn't help but smile as Pidgeot began to fly off back home.