Disclaimer: If I owned Pokémon I'd have lots of money. I don't have lots of money so… I don't own Pokémon.

Categories: AAML, Angst

Rated: T just to be on the safe side

Summary: Four years after Ash's unexpected death two of his closest friends make a painful journey in his Honor. The unsuspecting trainers learn about themselves and discover new truths that will change their lives forever as they reflect on the events that led up to his death and revisit the same path they have taken each year for eleven years.

Stormy Nights

Chapter 1: Reflections of a Grieving Maiden.

From my window I could see the devastation the storm left in it's wake. The heavy shower had departed early that morning but the sky was still gray because of it. The severity of the storm was evident because the ground was not only muddy and scattered with puddles but fallen tree branches also littered the ground. So the downpour that departed before noon left the world in a dreary and injured state. The scene outside my window mirrored the feelings in my heart and despite everything I knew what had to be done.

As I turned from my window I idly glanced at the calendar…This was not a smart move on my part. Today was one day that I didn't have to look to see what the date was. I knew this date by heart but I still focused my eyes on the date and tried smile despite the pain. April 6th… Tears filled my eyes as the searing pain in my heart reached a new level of intensity. How it can still hurt like this after all these years I'll never understand. People have told me that it gets easier but after four years I don't feel a difference. Not even a small change. So, I don't believe them. I know that I'm going to feel like this forever.

I'm unsure when it happened but sometime during my reflections it found it's way into my hands. My slender, no longer childlike fingers caressed the edge of the tattered hat. I took a seat on my bed as I started to reflect upon the four-year anniversary. "I can't believe another year has passed this soon. It seems as though only yesterday…"

"Misty, where's your stuff?" His gruff voice startled me as he interrupted my thoughts. I don't know how long he stood there before he said something to me. I didn't even hear him come in. Tearing my gaze away from the calendar I blinked back the tears to look at him.

"I'm sorry Brock." Turning away from him slightly I continued, "I'm haven't packed anything."

"What? Misty, we have to leave in 5 minutes or we won't make it in time!" Because of his harsh response I knew he was trying to sound annoyed but his tone betrayed his concern.

Choosing my words carefully I told him, "Don't worry about it Brock. You won't be late." I knew looking at him again would be a mistake so I hung my head as I spoke these words. "I'm not going this year."

Upon hearing my response he took a step towards me and softened his voice. Pleading with me he said, "Please Misty, let me help you pack."

He took two steps forward before I could compose myself enough to respond. "No Brock, I…" I was speaking only in incomplete sentences but he allowed me to continue without interrupting. "can't do…" My voice gave out and I began to sob uncontrollably.

At this point he took a seat next to me on the bed and gently placed his arm around me. Tears that didn't belong to me began raining down upon my bedspread. I couldn't keep myself from looking at him any longer. His eyes met mine and the pain that was causing my tears was visible on his face as well. The same pain. The same tears. His tears were falling in unison with mine. I felt like he was looking into my soul as he pleaded, "Please, Misty. I need you. I can't do this alone." He paused briefly to take my hands in his, "Misty, I know you haven't forgotten about the promise… We have to do this in honor of Ash."

A painful wave of guilt and grief washed over me as he said that name. Of course, I knew he was right. This is what Ash would have wanted us to do. When we made our pact so many years ago we didn't know that it would just be the two of us going together. It's still hard to make the trip every year without Ash. We promised that we would always go even if one of us couldn't make it so in honor of Ash we take the same journey each year.