A/N: Here's the second half of chapter 8.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, and I know I never shall.

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One week later on Thanksgiving night, Haruka and Brock still hadn't totally patched things up. The two still weren't looking eye to eye. Brock had moved back home after Haruka found out that Brock's story was true. But since both Haruka and Brock were too proud to admit it, they were still a long way from bonding.

Rudy was delighted when Misty told him she would go with him to the dinner. Haruka smiled when Kasumi came to her today for fashion consult. For the last few years, on Thanksgiving night Misty never bothered to dress up for the affair. She only went because of her role in the founding of Thunderbolt.

Junsar had agreed to look after the kids since she couldn't go the dinner due to her medication. Brock had left the suite early due to unknown business at the last second leaving Misty and Haruka in the suite. Lucky for them, since Misty hadn't been though two pregnancies her figure was slimmer than Haruka. Misty could easily fit into one of the unused gowns that Haruka bought before she discovered she was pregnant with Crystal.

Haruka gave Misty a near light baby blue dress. It was cut down low, and the sleeves were loose. Haruka found Misty a pair of high heels to clash with the dress. She gave Misty a pair of clip on earrings. To this day Misty had no intention getting her ears pierced. Lucky Haruka kept her old clip on diamond earrings. Haruka let Misty borrow a diamond necklace with a crystal at the end. Haruka fixed Misty's hand into a nice style before she going to get herself ready.

When Haruka was done dressing, she noticed that Misty still hadn't moved from the mirror that Haruka left her at. From her reflection Haruka could see that Misty was deep in thought. She saw that within her hands was a small necklace that held a heart with a single star upon it. Misty was currently deep in a trance as she looked down at the necklace. Haruka knew that still Misty was debating whether was she was doing was right or wrong.

Haruka walked over to her friend's side and gently laid her hand on it. "That's a nice necklace, Misty."

"Thanks."

"I've never seen it before. Where'd you get it from?" asked Haruka. Misty didn't answer instead opened the locket. Haruka gasped at the content. From the locket a holographic image of a legendary rainbow bird flew out. Upon the bird Haruka could easily identify the people upon it. A song played, one that Haruka knew was Misty's favorite.

"It's beautiful," muttered Haruka.

"He gave it to me instead of an engagement ring. Said that it was next best things that he could find in Houen. He promised me a real ring when we could back to Pallet." Haruka saw upon Misty's eyes a single sparkle. Haruka rarely saw it in her eyes anymore. Now she understood why Misty wouldn't go out with another man. The two were engaged, and no one knew.

"I never knew…" muttered Haruka.

Misty turned around. "No one did. We were engaged in last moments I saw him."

"Misty… I… I don't know what to say. Making you go to the dinner with Rudy. Getting you all those dates the last few years."

"Now you know, but I got to go with Rudy to the dinner. I promised him, and I can't break it. It’s a law of Thunderbolt."

Haruka shook her head. She remembered those stupid rules of Thunderbolt that they had created. Keeping a promise was one of the most important ones on the list. Right now she hated the rule. She didn't know it, but she had been tearing Misty apart the last few years. How she know they were engaged? Misty had lived through a lot. She didn't even her family with her when she had Brock. She had her loving husband and a family when Misty had none of it. Her only living family had died years ago. Her sisters had been killed before the gym leaders joined Thunderbolt. She felt so foolish now. Just because of a stupid thing as pride she was refusing to be with Brock when Misty had to live seven years wishing for her love. Now she understood what Misty meant that day…

She had seen the sadness of her eyes that time. Haruka knew it now. Misty had learned it the hard way. She wanted her to find happiness. To pay her back Haruka tried giving her dates, but at the end it saddened her more. Haruka felt so awful at herself as the two generals left the suite. They walked to the train depot where they would take the train to Masera. This year the dinner was to be held in Masera.

It was ironic that the one- year she had a date for the Thanksgiving dinner would be the one place that was her lover's hometown. Rudy was there already. In one hand he held a bouquet of flowers and in the other was a box of chocolate. Haruka watched Misty greet him as Haruka's blood boiled in frustration. It was all her fault.

"You look beautiful, Misty," said Rudy.

"Thank you, you look great yourself," said Misty. Rudy grinned stupidly as he handed Misty the candy and flowers. Misty accepted them before boarding the train that had just pulled into the station. Rudy hurriedly went aboard the train that was overly crowded. He had to score big with Misty. It was probably his only chance that he would have with her. Rudy immediately groaned that he didn't rent a car to take her to the dinner.

Misty and Haruka climbed aboard to find Rudy was missing. They looked around to find no seats available. "Ms," said a small voice behind them. Misty turned around and gasped. "Gary." She was thundershocked at the sight before her. She had never seen Gary dressed that well before.

Gary's eyes widen when he saw Misty. "Misty, is that you?"

"Yeah."

"I… I never seen you this dressed up before for a Thanksgiving dinner."

"Yeah, me too," said Misty surprised.

"Here, you and Haruka can take my seat," said Gary. She ushered the girls to his and Tracey's seats. Tracey immediately stood up and gawked at Misty.

"Whoa Misty! You look glorious," muttered Tracey. His eyes were plate sized as he got up to let the generals sat down.

"Wait!" said Misty pulling Gary and Tracey back.

"Huh?" asked Gary.

"Where you guys going to seat?" asked Misty.

"We can stand," said Gary.

"Yeah," said Tracey. The two guys left as Misty and Haruka took the seat before bursting into laughter.

"Did you ever see Shigeru and Kenji's eyes grow that big before?" asked Misty.

"No, they… looked like two love stuck guys," said Haruka.

"Oh yeah," smirked Misty. The two laughed all the way to Masera there they were met by a horrified face. "Rudy, what happened to you?" asked Misty. Rudy's mouth was bleeding, and his hair was a complete mess. The poor man looked like he had been beaten up badly.

"It's nothing Misty," said Rudy plainly.

"Here take my kerchief," said Misty. She opened the latch of her purse and handed it to Rudy. Rudy immediately took it and wiped the blood off his mouth.

"Thanks," muttered Rudy as he handed the kerchief back. Misty groaned as she took the bloody kerchief back. She would be sure to dispose of it at the party. Haruka shook her head as she left the two alone. This was definitely not a good idea. I'll have to watch those two after I find Brock. We have some talking to do.

Misty placed her purse on her hand as Rudy held out his hand. "Coming milady?"

"Err yeah," said Misty. The two walked into the hall where most everyone was already there. The moment Misty and Rudy entered the hall the room went stone quiet. "What?" asked Misty surprised. A woman broke from the crowd, and Misty immediately recognized her. Misty left Rudy's side and gave the woman a hug. She had been like a mother she never had the last few years.

"Mrs. Ketchum," said Misty.

"I'm glad you found love again, Misty. I know Ash would be happy for you just as I am," said Delia.

"Mrs. Ketchum… I… you don't understand," muttered Misty. Delia released the girl and stroked her face.

"I understand. Now go to your date. He's waiting," muttered Delia. Misty looked at the woman who she had shared all her secrets with the last seven years. As she walked away, Misty could see a hint of tears from her eyes. Misty could easily guess what the older woman was thinking. She must have thought that she had given up on her son. It was nothing like that or was it? Had she too given up him?

A/N: I don't know why I wrote that but, okay? What you guys think of the ending? The next chapter some startling realization will hit Misty. Will Rudy get Misty? Or with Ash's absent yet strong love for Misty live on? Are Brock and Haruka going to patch things up?

 Junsar---- Officer Jenny

Kimori----- Treecko

Achamo---- Torchic