Author's note(s): This is my first, so be nice. I also do not how spell check if this site doesn't already have it, so forgive if I spell anything wrong. And I do not own Pokemon, not that anyone would sue me anyway, but just to play it safe. I always write in Ash's point of view, so bear with the stupidity. *Ash comes out with Misty's mallet of doom and flattens me.*

*groans* Reviews, comments and suggestions are greatly appricated, SO GIVE 'EM!! Thoughts are in italic and Pokemon speech are within stars. Enjoy!

I breath out a heavy sigh as I sort out my traveling gear. Wallet: Check. Cell Phone: Check. Pokeballs, potions and Pokemon: Check. Food for Pokemon and myself: Check. Picture of Misty and Me; I pause to look at it; It was at the Cerulean Fair, we both had on kimonos on, mine green, her's lazy blue, we were dancing with each other when we noticed Brock snapping away with a camera. This was the only copy we could beat out of him. In the picture we were both blushing furiously, I looked like a complete dufus, but her? She was beautiful. I always loved the way she looked when she was blushing. I loved her so much back then. Hell, I still do. But I never had the guts to tell her. With her as pretty as she was, and me leaving for the Hoenn Regoin, I hoped with all my heart and soul she would find someone better than I to make her happy. She probably never liked me anyway. She was two years older than me and never acted liked she liked me.

I sigh noisily. "Misty..." I whisper to myself.

Pikachu tugs on my pants leg with a small paw. *You okay Ash?*

I look at my small yellow compainoin and smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just walking though Memory Lane." I put the picture in my left breast pocket of my pull over jacket. "But I'm done now. Time to head out bud. We're going home."

*Alright! I can taste your mama's cooking already!* Pikachu squealed in delight. Hopping on my shoulders and resting on my head, I put all my gear in my backpack, throw it over my shoulder, and head out the hotel room, locking it for the last time. I walk out of the hotel, giving my door card to a worker, and made my way to the nearest port, which was in Sunyshore City. So me being in Pastoria City, I head East for what seemed to be a four day journey.

Hold on Misty... I thought, I'm coming. And this time, no more holding back my feelings. It's you and me, or life is nothing anymore. It's taken me seven years to realize that Misty's the only one for me, but it's better now than never at all. I walk for the entire day, only stopping because it's gotten dark and no more street lamps are out. I make a small fire with some kindle wood and Chimchar's help. I release all my Pokemon and feed them.

After eating myself, I lay down, using my backpack as a pillow. I close my eyes and fall in a dreamless sleep. It seemed like seconds before Pikachu shaking my head to wake me. I groan and sit up with a yawn escaping my mouth. I eat a little, return my Pokemon to their red and white spheres, let Pikachu rest on my head, and continue on my way. I go though the same routine for three and a half days until I reach the pleasant scene of Sunyshore City. The cries of Wingull fill my ears, and the salty smell of the sea reaches my nose.

I sure wish Misty was here. I thought gently. She always loved the sea. She would be out fishing right about now. She always said the best catches are in the middle of the day. I scratch Pikachu behind his left ear. "Almost there buddy. Almost there." I continue walking though the lavish city when I hear I roar of a engine right behind me. It feels like I jumped up about ten feet off the ground.

I spin around to see a expensive looking, ruby red sports car, it's spiky, brown haired driver grinning smugly at me. "Well, if it ain't Ashy-boy! What are you doing here of all places?" Asked the cocky Gary Oak.

"Gary!" I was shocked, I haven't seen him in three years. "What the hell was that for?" I yelled.

He hopped out of the car and his grin only got wider. "I called your name, like, six or seven times." He walked over to me. "It always was hard to get to you when you were in too deep in thought." He said, rasping his knuckles on my head.

I rubbed the back off my neck. "I've had a lot on my mind lately."

Gary's feature softened to that of an understanding friend. "You're headed to Misty's, aren't ya?"

My face heated up so fast I didn't have time to force the blush back. "No! Well...I mean, sorta... Fine! I am! Do I have a sign that says 'I love Misty Waterflower' on my back?!"

Gary threw up his hands in an innocent gesture. "Hey man, calm down. It's cool, alright?" He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let's catch up."

So we got into the car and drove to local burger shop. We sat at the bar and drank soda.

"So," Gary said, breaking the silence. "Sinnoh League Champion? Big break, huh?"

I took a sip of my cola. "Yeah. They want me to be one of the Elite Four, but I don't know what to do at the moment."

"Big things are happening Ash. We're both old enough now to the the choice about what we want to do with our lives." Gary mumbled darkly.

I sigh. "Yeah. Nineteen years old and being practically begged to join the greatest Pokemon Trainers ever." I take another sip, the fizz burns the back of my throat. "I never really thought about what I would do if I ever did become a Pokemon master." I glanced at Gary. "So what about you? Heard big things about you too. Heard you opened a new Lab in Hoenn."

Gary took a big gulp from his Orange pop. "Yeah, just so Pops could take a vacation. I've actually been in Kanto for a while. Came here to visit a friend."

The was an awkward pause. "So," I said. "Heard anything about Brock or Misty?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, actually, Brock's gotten married to nice gal. Her name's Bridget I think. Misty's left the gym to her sister's for good and opened up a pool and spa for Trainer's and their Pokemon."

I grinned a goofy smile. Misty would do something like that. And it's about time Brock stuck with one girl and stopped chasing after Joy's and Jenny's.

Gary continued. "Yeah, Misty's new place had a name, I told her it need to be sweet and simple, but needed a verbal acronym." He looked at me and smiled wickedly. "So I suggested: Affordable Spa Health."

It took me a while to process it though my head, but once I got the message, my ears started to burn. "You did not." I said with a threatening voice.

"Oh, but I did. And she got the message too, she started make blueprints for the sign as soon as the words left my lips."

The blush went from my ears to my face. "Gary, if you weren't paying for this, I'd probably kill you." I growled.

"Oh, please!" Gary said with a wave a hand. "You were the only thing that girl talked about. If she wasn't eating or sleeping, she was talking about how much she wished you would come home."

I could feel my blush deepening. "Lair..." I whispered.

He slapped a hand on my shoulder. "Ash, what do I have to gain to lie to you about this?" He got up. "Come on, I drive you to the port." He said, chugging the rest of his drink down.

I did the same and got up. Gary paid and we walked outside and hopped in his car. We were in port in about ten minutes. I got out and picked up Pikachu.

"Thanks Gary. I'll see you later." I said

He gave me a thumbs up. "Yeah, just don't forget we're rivals."

I grinned and nodded quickly. Gary took off with more speed than necessary. I paid for a ticket bound for Kanto and boarded the ship. Half and hour later, the ship left port. I'm coming Misty. I thought again. I'm coming.