A Thousand Years

AN: In this story, Brock hasn't become a doctor yet and hadn't ended up with the Nurse Joy of Kanto. Also, in this story, Ash is 22; Misty is 23 and Brock is 26. Don't ask for any additional info, because I've made the characters here OLDER and MATURE; despite their ages in the show. This story is more of partial AU (Alternative Universe) fan fiction. I do not own Pokemon and I wrote this story to my liking, not because I own the Anime or the fandom: Pokeshipping. I dedicate this story to my awesome twin sister Feliz, my "Max" impersonator Alex, my partial "Kasumi" Gracie, my lovely daughters; Caryl and Joan, our proud Tropang PG Marcelino. I love you, Tropang PG! This two chapter-cut angst-y love story is for all of you guys. Thanks for being the inspirations I never knew I had. Enjoy!

"Absence from whom we love is worse than death, and frustrates hope severer than despair."

~William Cowper

4 years later after Ash's adventure at the Unova Region...

The knock was unbearable to the ears; it was like having an "air" earthquake. In annoyance, Misty huffed and swung her feet off the foot of the bed. Eventually, on the process of getting off the bed, she staggered incoherently. A knock resounded once again and by that time, it was louder than a Larvitar's cry.

"Misty, like, get up! There's a trainer waiting outside the lines asking for a battle!" The chirpy yet annoying voice of her sister, Lily, yelled in utter laziness.

Misty frowned and shook her head with a sigh. There are times like these when she wished her sisters would be more of the "big sister" type than having their "little sister" do their dirty work at the Gym. Misty grabbed for the knob before Lily had an attempt to open it herself.

"Can't you see I'm busy here?" Misty asked in an almost too pleasantly calm voice.

Lily peeked into her sister's room. Soon, then, the sensational sister's frown reformed into a grin. Lily started cooing in delight.

"Aw," Lily cooed, giggling in the process. "Is my little baby sister still writing letters to Romeo?"

A deep shade of scarlet crossed Misty's face. Shoot, she should have kept the papers and pens away before opening up for Lily. But noooooo, she was just too damned and too lazy to even think about hiding them.

"N-no, I'm n-not." Misty stammered almost a bit too unwaterflower-like. Lily grinned at her little sister and decided to drop it just this time.

"So, anyway, like, here's the thing," Lily said in an almost too lazy voice. Before saying anything else, Lily sighed and took the envelopes at the end table beside Misty's door. Lily waved the envelopes at her little sister's face. "I woke you up just for this and I'm kidding about the trainer. You've got 3 mails. One's from Mom and Dad, one's from Uncle Alec and the other one is from…" Lily looked at the light purple colored envelope embodied in curls of gold. The sensational sister grinned so bad that it reached her ears. "Well, your Romeo might have answered back, Little Juliet."

Misty's eyes widened as she took the letters from Lily in one swift movement. She moved out of her room and walked past Lily as she entered their ocean colored kitchen. The smell of waffles and pancakes had wafted throughout the gym, making Misty's stomach growl, but she ignored the plea of her dying appetite as she so hopelessly tried opening the envelope in sheer excitement.

"Well good morning to you, Little Juliet." Daisy greeted with a giggle just as she saw her little sister enter the kitchen, eyes totally fixated on the purple envelope.

Violet had just taken out the pancakes out of the pan and served it up with maple syrup and strawberries. The blue-headed sister grinned as she put the plates down on the table where Misty had been prying the purple envelope open.

The sensational sisters just smiled at each other, knowing not to get into Misty's business with letters, especially letters from the one person their sister had been dying to see for almost a decade. Well, once it was a habit of theirs, but they've grown out of it and they needed to change, at least then for the better. A few minutes later after breakfast, Lily cleaned up and as soon as she picked up Misty's plate, she frowned, still seeing the huge pancake untouched by the red-headed gym leader.

"Misty, I know you're probably swooning having Ash to answer back to you," Lily said, almost a bit too strictly. "But you have got to eat your breakfast."

Misty finally relented from the letter to take a moment to look at her sister with a grin. Lily arched an eye brow, suddenly curious of what her little sister had read in the letter.

"He's back, Lily," Misty said almost as if thinking over the fact of it all was too much for her. The gym leader's grin widened as she stood up from her seat giggling. "Ash is back! I have to get ready..."

"Get ready?" Lily asked as she almost let the dishes fall off her hands. Luckily, though, Dewgong was there to break the sensational sister's fall. "For what?"

"For coming over to Ash," Misty said almost a bit too obviously. "It's been a long time since I last saw him because of the broken calls. We only sent letters but that's just it. Lily," She turned to her sister with hopeful eyes. "This could be my only chance."

Heartbeats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

Lily looked unsure of her sister's decision. "Maybe you shouldn't go."

Misty blinked and raised her eye brows, asking, "What?"

"I said you shouldn't go." Lily stiffly remarked as she turned to look away from the angry eyes of her sister.

"What the hell, Lily?" Misty asked, raising her voice. "Why not? What's wrong about going?"

Lily bit her lip, wanting to say it out loud so that her sister won't get hurt in the process, well, eventually. But her sister deserves to see Ash even though it might break Misty's heart... but couldn't she just her now than let her come home heart broken? It has been a month since she found out the news, but she didn't want to tell Misty, not those days when she was so happy in getting letters from Ash after a few years of silence.

"Do you really want to?" Lily asked in a low voice.

Misty blinked, bit by bit on the verge of calming her senses. "Lily, all my life I've wanted to be with Ash. All these years of loneliness had led me to love's desperate calls. The only way I can answer is to go to Ash. Now that he's back, I'm not sure if I am able to oblige to your request of not going, because you can't stop me."

But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer

Ah, yes, it was true. It has been a long time since Misty had seen Ash. The last time she saw her was when she arrived at Pallet only to see Ash with another girl named May. Although Brock said that they were just friends, she still couldn't shake the uneasiness and the possessiveness she feels whenever Ash is around with another girl. It has always been that way and Misty can feel that Ash had been that way too; keeping her away from any other guy except for Brock. They were so young back then, so fragile and still didn't know how the world would become in a way as such. But now that they're young adults, they realize that life in the world where they are is short and you have to live it before it's all too late to; considering on what happened at the Pokemon tower.

Misty admits it, she did have feelings for Ash. The bike by then, she remembered, meant nothing and out of nowhere she seemed to have followed Ash to three regions for 5 years which was enough for her to know Ash better and enough for her to forget about the stupid bike. But alas, it was not meant to be. Right after Ash lost at the Johto League and as they headed out back to Kanto, their hometown, the bike suddenly came back to view. Without that bike, she wouldn't have go on with her life around her friends. It might have been a blessing, but in the end, it was all a trick-wise consequence - having to grab her bike and leave Ash on his own.

Misty knew that all of it was fate, hope and trust. Fate because all those years of just being, well, Misty and all, she's back on the old track of her life when she gets to see Ash once again. Hope for all of it and wishing that Ash might come back as more than just the old Ash she knew. Trust to let her know that this was what she was waiting for all these years and her trust on fate had seem to grant her desire. But as Misty stares at Lily's uneasy and unpleasant look, she wondered if anything had ever happened to make her stay for something so... mysterious.

Lily sighed, already defeated by the thought of all the chores she would do alone right after talking to Misty. Although, she needed the extra help, she still did have her Dewgong and a few of the other Pokemon they had in the gym to lend a helping hand. Violet was going on a trip to Paris to check out Chanel's "latest" fashion. Daisy, on the other hand, is engaged to Tracy and are settling out to fixate the wedding that would be coming within the next week. But as the oldest of all the sisters, she has to sacrifice, even if the load isn't enough for one person.

"Just... don't go. Please Misty, I beg of you." Lily said in an almost too tired voice. She didn't want to talk about this, not right now with all the chores she has to do, which Misty was supposed to help her with until the stupid letter came. "Whatever you do, don't go to Pallet."

"Give me one good freaking reason why I shouldn't, Lily!" Misty yelled which startled the Dewgong that had started to clean the dishes. "I'm flipping 23 and I can go as I can!"

"Well, surprise me, but I'm flipping 28 and your oldest sister!" Lily countered, a murderous glare crossing her face. She had numerous fights with Misty and it did not come down to just, well, this. "Now do as I say and by all means, stay inside the Gym. I don't want you to go to Pallet without my knowledge. You'll..." The sensational sister faltered, her glare slowly softening. "You'll get hurt."

"What are you talking about?" Misty asked, still in a raised voice only lower. "What's so bad about me going to see Ash that'll make me feel... hurt?"

Lily's eyes twitched as she bit her lip, yelling her final remark. "Fine! Have it your way, then! Go to your little Pallet Town! But don't come crying to me!"

Misty's eyes widened for a while before realization dawned and she huffed, yelling back, "Fine! I'm not a baby anymore to have you ordering me around! I'm out of here!"

Before Lily could respond to her sister's remark, Misty had already left with her Sheal bag, her Azumarill trailing behind her in just a hurry as it's trainer is. Oh, she'd be back home, just late enough for Lily to not see her enter.

As Misty traveled on to Pallet, she wondered what her sister was so afraid about Misty getting hurt because of Ash. But as she walked on the thick yellow dirt of the road, Misty thought of nothing that would make her want to stay away from Ash. She knows that Ash would never do anything to hurt Misty. Unless... unless he already has a girlfriend. The thought led back to all the girls Ash had met; Bianca, Macy, May, Dawn... then she heard from the letter that he had a new friend named Iris. Well, they might have all fallen for Ash but... did Ash ever fell for any of them? That's what Misty feared the most, Ash loving someone else.

Misty shook all the negative thoughts away. The only thing that kept Misty going on to getting to see Ash was the half broken necklace of a heart that everyone seemed to question on about. The silver necklace that symbolizes that a long distanced friend is yet to come back unexpectedly. Well, like right now.

"What is that?" Brock asked, taking a seat on one of the plush greenery of the Ketchum residences's couch.

Ash turned to look at his friend who seemed to be on the edge of glory just by sitting on the couch. It has been days since he and Brock last felt the softness of a real bed and the sweet taste of a home cooked meal. It took them awhile to get over it, but as soon as they arrived at the front steps of Ketchum residence, it was all worth it. All of it was worth it. As soon as his Mother answered the door, Delia Ketchum had hugged him in a tight hug that almost suffocated the life out of him. What made his dearest mother so proud? Well, it's all because Ash had become the Unova Champion of the year, defeating it's past Champion, Alder, in the Finals. It took him a few years to earn the title and due to his never ending time of battling gym leaders and training his outstanding Pokemon; it was impossible for any trainer to beat Ash Ketchum by that time.

It was all over the news that it drove her Mother and more preferably, Professor Oak; his adviser, insane. Ash was completely blessed and didn't expect any of it to happen. But after years and years of training, it was all really worth it. And to come back to Pallet, was one of those "worth its" that made himself proud.

But as Ash quickly hid the item in his bag, he never would have thought that bringing it out wasn't "worth it". Brock arched an eyebrow, staring at his friend in complete disarray.

"Seriously, Ash, what was that?" Brock asked, completely curious as soon he lay eyes upon the item.

"Nothing," Ash countered in an irritated voice. "It was nothing, Brock."

But like Brock always is, he couldn't help it. After all, curiousity does kill the cat. Brock grabbed for Ash's pack and zipped it open, searching for the item that Ash had taken out a few moments ago.

"Hey, give it back!" Ash whined; it almost sounded like he was a little boy again. Before Ash could successfully reach out to grab his pack, Brock had already brought the dangling silver out. Which, apparently, made Ash give up. When Brock has something, it's hard to get it back from him, well, most of the time.

"What do we have here?" Brock teased with a grin as he waved the silver broken heart necklace with the word Together on it in front of Ash. Ash grabbed for it, but Brock shook it away. Brock gave Ash a look, "I won't return it until you tell me where you got this."

"I got it at a store!" Ash said as he effortlessly tried to take it away from Brock. But the Pewter Gym Leader was consistent and still wanted to have answers from Ash.

"Where's the other half?" Brock asked.

Ash arched an eye brow. "Excuse me?"

"I said," Brock repeated. "Where's the other half?"

"I bought it like that." Ash said, almost a bit fazed by the thought of saying it.

"Impossible," Brock laughed. "Only a fool would buy a broken heart necklace with the word "Together" on it alone. Someone must have the other half." Brock grinned at this. "Unless the other half is with a special someone."

"What? No!" Ash said nervously as he put his hand up in surrender. "You had it all wrong. I really just bought that for myself."

"So why must it be half of a broken heart?" Brock asked, cornering Ash into the hot seat. "Come on, you can tell me. We've known each other long enough for you to trust me."

"I know, but," Ash faltered, almost in pain which surprised Brock. "But I promised to keep that necklace a secret."

Brock smiled sadly and nodded, giving his friend back the silver half of the broken heart necklace. Ash received it and quickly put it on his neck, hiding it under his shirt. If there's one thing Ash didn't like, it's people asking about the necklace. It has always been his lucky charm ever since he left Pallet for Hoenn. It may sound coincidental, but even as he traveled alone; he can sense the presence of his best friend even if she isn't even there. The thought of it made him smile because without the necklace, all hell would probably break lose in his life; which is why he doesn't want anyone asking, thinking, talking or whatever living action about it.

"Have you called Misty?" Brock asked after a few minutes of silence.

Ash's head shot up, suddenly bluffing from hearing the name of his old best friend. He hadn't seen Misty in, well, years. It almost felt like a decade since he last saw Misty, which was not a good feeling. As every year passes, he feels the pain of loneliness at the pith of his stomach, despite the companion of Brock, or May, or Max, or Dawn, or Iris, or Cilan, it just wasn't enough. He needed more than just his newly discovered friends. He needed something that came way back in the past which made him feel nostalgic all over just thinking about it. A decade. For what seemed like a decade, felt like a thousand years. He hadn't seen her after Hoenn and he wondered whether he should call now or after the long distance friendship... never. Unless Brock has a say...

"No, uh, I haven't." Ash replied uneasily, taking a seat beside his friend.

Brock arched an eye brow. "Why not?"

"I, well, uh, I was planning on calling her now." Ash scratched his back. "I have to tell her anyway."

"Tell her? Already?" Brock asked, suddenly flustered of the decisions his friend was making. "Are you out of your mind? You just got here and you're willing to tell her on a time like this?"

"Well, it's better late than never." Ash shrugged, seeing not a problem about his decision.

"Oh by Ho-oh's spirit," Brock grieved. "Trust me, you do not know what you're going to do. If I were you, I wouldn't break it down to her just like that. That's insane!"

"What?" Ash asked innocently. "She's Misty. I'm sure she'll understand."

Brock shook his head. "Oh, I'm sure she will."

"Pikachu, pi!" Pikachu, Ash's yellow mouse Pokemon yelled in delight from behind the front door of the house. From the sudden uproar of his Pokemon, Ash stood up and went straight for the door. He pressed his ears on the green wooded door to hear what all the racket was about.

"Azumarill, water gu-"

"Wait! No! I swear by Ho-oh, I'm not a bad guy anymore!" Meowth's wretched plea resounded from behind the front door.

As soon as Ash heard his other Pokemon yell, he immediately pulled the door open only to find the most unusual group ever known; all thanks to Meowth's image.

Standing at his front steps was the girl he longed to see, which apparently had grown to what he never expected in a good way. And in just seconds of seeing her, the pain at the pith of his stomach faded; the uneasy weight of his chest suddenly subsided and his muscles relaxed as he gazed at the one person he would do anything for; well, aside from his Mom. Before him was a red headed young adult, her hair still tied up to the left like he last once seen. Her clothes were surprisingly different; wearing skinny black jeans and a long ocean blue tank top. Below her was a cheeky little Azumarill, who was now at the moment glaring at Meowth in disapproval.

"Ash! By the Pokemon of Kanto," Meowth said in anxiety as the cat Pokemon started for his master. "Tell her that I'm not a part of Team Rocket anymore. No matter how I barter, she just keeps on attacking that little pip squeak on me!"

"It's okay, Meowth." Ash assured him with a smile. "Just get inside, she won't harm you," He looked up at the girl before nodding, "Hopefully."

"Pika, pi, pika." Pikachu told Meowth who nodded in relief as they entered the house; creating a silent "Pokemon" conversation.

As soon as the two Pokemon left, Ash turned to the girl, grinning in the process.

Before Misty could say anything, Ash had enveloped her into a warm hug, the weight of the silver necklace she wore loosening as it started to perfectly fit her than it usually doesn't.

"I missed you," Ash whispered against Misty's ear which sent chills down the Cerulean Gym Leader's spine.

Misty laughed softly. "You have no idea, Ketchum."

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetime, is certain for those who are friends."

~Richard Bach

AN: That's it for Chapter 1! Chapter 2 (last chapter) will be up in a few days or so. Still need to find more ideas for the last part. All the Drama, Angst and Romance begins at the 2nd Chapter, so this is just an "appetizer". Main dish is served hot. The story is actually inspired by Christina Perri's song, "A Thousand Years" which is also a song my friends enjoys singing. I have missed writing and I cannot believe I just wrote a chapter after three months. So, enough non sense. Leave a review and tell me what you think about it. This is my 8th Pokeshipping Story and as you can see, most of my Pokeshipping stories have been crappy since I wrote it when I was a kid. But now that I'm older, thank God I've improved; well, a little bit, I've made things around the fandom more... different. But you get my point. Anyway, reviews please! They inspire me and motivate me to keep writing. :)