Modern-Day Moses
By KasumiSatoshi
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Pokémon characters, nor the rights to say that they are mine. I only own the gameboy games, some plushies, quite a few of the cards (I think it's over 1,000 cards by now, without repeats), a majority of the videos, six of the CD's, about 30 of the books, a computer card-game, some of the comics, and I only have a few dollars, so it's useless to try and sue me. I do own the plot to this story.
P.S.: This is sort of an A/U story. I have a sort of prequel in the works too. I'll get it posted sometime. Also, I started this story before I knew much about the Hoenn Region and the characters, like Drew, and as such I won't include them unless they are Gym Leaders, Elite Trainers or Champions from the Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald games. The chapters which do include direct Hoenn episode references were rewritten after I had seen those episodes, since I had mostly written the first ten chapters during the last month or so of Master Quest and the first few months of Advanced.
Chapter 1
The Sad Goodbye
Misty woke up before sunrise. She left Ash's room and went outside, finding a place to sit on the front porch, facing the sunrise. Ash woke up and noticed that Misty was gone, and thought she was probably outside. He went out to the porch and sat down next to her. Today she had to leave to go home. Brock had to go home too; his father needed help with his ten younger brothers and sisters, as well as the Gym. Ash was going to Hoenn with Gary, and from there they would go in different directions.
Two hours later…
Mrs. Ketchum was fixing breakfast in the kitchen. She looked out the window and saw her son and Misty sitting together, with his arms around the red-haired girl. She smiled at the two, knowing how hard it is to have to leave a friend behind. Pikachu and Togepi came running into the kitchen, playing tag. They stopped as soon as they smelled breakfast, and Togepi's stomach rumbled. Mrs. Ketchum had a plate of food sitting on the counter, so she put it on the floor for the two Pokémon to eat.
Ash and Misty came into the kitchen, and sat down at the table, next to each other. The red-haired girl was quiet today, and Mrs. Ketchum noticed this. She didn't say a word though, because she knew Misty was upset about having to go home. Brock came into the kitchen, and put breakfast on the table. Ash ate as usual, and so did Brock, but Misty just picked at the food. Pikachu and Togepi jumped onto the table. Both of the Pokémon tried to cheer Misty up. It didn't work.
"Mist, come with me." Ash said to Misty. They walked over to Professor Oak's lab. When they went in, Tracy greeted them. The three went upstairs to see the professor. Professor Oak was talking to Professor Ivy. There was a Poké Ball sitting in the machine that transported Pocket Monsters between the professor and other people, like Ash, Gary, various PokéCenters, and Professors Ivy, Elm, Birch, and Hale. Professor Oak turned around and was glad to see Ash.
"Well Ash, you made it in time. Professor Ivy has sent over a Pokémon that seems to be glad to see you." He took the Poké Ball from the machine and gave it to Ash. Ash was surprised. He didn't think that Lapras was in the Poké Ball, but he couldn't wait to see if she was.
"Come on out!" Ash threw the Poké Ball and it opened up. Out came Lapras. When Lapras saw Ash, she was glad and nuzzled him. Ash couldn't believe it–Lapras remembered him!
"Lapras missed you. I guess she wants to travel with you." Tracy said. He didn't know that Lapras were not normally found in Hoenn.
"Hey Lapras." Misty walked up to Lapras and started to pet her. The Water/Ice combination Pocket Monster looked at Misty and cried happily. Misty smiled.
"Um, Professor, Lapras aren't normally found in Hoenn. " Ash was confused about taking Lapras. "Besides, I'm starting over with Pikachu and only using the Pokémon I capture in the Hoenn Region.
"Professor Ivy said that Lapras would be better off with either you or Misty." Professor Oak had been told by Gary that Misty wouldn't be going to Hoenn, so he thought that this would be the best time to give Lapras back to Ash, thinking that Ash would let Misty take care of her.
"Thanks Professor!" Ash recalled Lapras, and he left the lab with Misty. As they walked away, Ash had his arm around Misty.
The next day...
Misty put the last of her belongings into her backpack. She left out her presents for Ash and Brock on the bed. As she looked out the window, she saw what looked like a Legendary Pokémon, much like the one that Ash and her saw five years ago after just meeting him at the beginning of their journeys. There was a rainbow forming behind it, and it was beautiful.
Ash saw the same thing while he was sitting on the porch. He looked up as Misty walked out the door. She saw that he was wearing different clothes, but his hat and blue over-shirt were folded neatly in a pile next to him. Ash grabbed his backpack and the pile of clothes, and took Misty's hand. They walked to the edge of town together in silence, not wanting to say anything that would disturb the peacefulness of the moment. Brock was waiting there for them, and he had a present each for Ash and Misty.
Brock gave his presents to Ash and Misty first. Ash got an army mess kit and some Pokémon food pellets for his Pokémon. Misty had also gotten some Pokémon food pellets that Brock had made especially for Togepi and her water Pokémon. Ash and Misty gave Brock his presents: a recipe book and a new apron. Brock and Ash gave each other high fives, and Misty gave Brock a quick hug.
"See ya Ash! See ya Misty!" he called as he waved goodbye.
"Ash, here's your present." Misty blushed a little when she gave him the present. It was wrapped in one of her handkerchiefs. There was a PokéGear and a PokéNav.
"Thanks Misty." Ash was glad that he had something to remind him of Misty, and also to keep in touch with her. Misty explained how the PokéGear and PokéNav worked.
Ash gave Misty his over-shirt and hat. Misty was surprised. "Why are you giving me your league cap and over-shirt?"
"Mist, you've wanted the hat, and you can be reminded of me when you wear the over-shirt and cap. And there is something wrapped inside the over-shirt, so be careful with it." The raven-haired boy smiled and walked over to a nearby bush and pulled out an orange bike. The wheels were a little bent, but the bicycle could still work.
Ash put the kickstand down to support the bike, then looked over to the red-haired girl. His grin widened, seeing the expression on Misty's face. He walked over to her and put his arms around Misty and held her close. "You've got your bike back so you can get home quickly, not that I'm telling you to leave. I'm gonna miss you." He whispered in her ear.
"Thanks, and I'll miss you too Ash." Misty and Ash hugged, then kissed each other good-bye (Ash kissed her on the forehead, Misty kissed him on the cheek). Both of them had tears in their eyes. "I guess I'll see ya when my sisters get back. Bye!" They let go of each other, and went their separate ways.