"Hey, do you think we'll end up together in the end?" Misty asked her boyfriend. She couldn't imagine a life without Ash. They have been with each other for a very long time even before they admitted their feelings to each other. They were enjoying the beautiful sunset by the river where they first met, accompanied by their old companion Pikachu who was sleeping soundly on Ash's lap.

It was the end of the line for both of them. The Pokémon League is over and they have to go on separate ways. Misty knew it would be really hard on her part because she just got so used being with Ash. And a day without Ash isn't…normal. But she also knew that it's for the best. Someone needs to run the Cerulean Gym; Ash needs to continue his journey.

"Hmm," Ash titled his head to the side and sighed. "I'm not sure, Mist. We'll probably end up with someone else. Or not. Time only has the power to tell."

He could see the sadness of Misty's eyes as his words weren't reassuring. He was only being honest. He deserves someone who would choose her over their passion; it wasn't him at the moment. He grabbed hold of Misty's hand and squeezed it gently. "But I know one thing's for sure," the aspiring Pokémon Master said with a cheerful voice. "We'll always be friends forever."

"And even if we don't end up with each other, I know one thing is for sure that right in this moment, where the river flows with a comforting memory of a red-headed girl who fished out a certain Ash Ketchum, I love you," a crimson red blush could be seen from Misty's view. Ash scratched at the back of his head and looked up in sky. "Maybe it won't be like this forever. But I'll always remember that I did and I'll always remember how it felt."

"Is that good enough, Mis – AW! What did you do that for? I thought you already lost your mallet!"

"Well, you're being all mushy and stuff! You are being weird again, Ashy boy!"

"YOU STARTED IT!"

"NU-UH!"

"UH-HUH!"

"NU-UH!"

"UH-HUH!"

"PIKA-CHUUUUUUUUUU!"

"WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR, PIKACHU?!"

*INTO THE FUTURE*

"What are you doing, mommy? Why are you staring at the lake?"

"Oh, just remembering some silly childhood memories."

"Is it about the boy in your stories, mommy? That you fished out of the lake?"

Misty smiled at her daughter of eight years. She was fond of telling stories of her crazy antics with Ash and the gang. "Yes, sweetie."

Mary scrunched her eyebrows together and clasped her hands together. "You never told me what happened in the end! Tell me now!"

"Hi, Darling," someone from behind hugged her and gave a quick kiss on the cheek. "Are you two ready to head home?"

Misty looked at her husband and gave him a kiss. "Yes, honey." Misty loves her husband so much that she would never ever trade him for the world. Even for Ash.

"I'll tell you the rest of the story later; it's time to head home. Your dad still has a meeting to catch."

"No," Mary began sitting down on the ground making her dress dirty. Misty knew her daughter has the same stubbornness as she does when we was younger.

"Mary Therese Oak! Let's go home; your father still has an appointment!"

Misty's daughter mood changed and hugged her father. "Daddy, mommy is being scary again!"

"It's alright, darling. Everyone is afraid of your mommy sometimes," Gary Oak chuckled. He kissed the forehead of her daughter and led her towards their car.

Misty gave one final look before leaving as the words of her old companion whispered through her ears: "And even if we don't end up with each other, I know one thing is for sure that right in this moment, where the river flows a comforting memory of a red-headed girl who fished out a certain Ash Ketchum, I love you."