(a/n: I STILL don't own Pokemon or Yellowcard. Thanx to Nick Johnson for helping me clean up my act. I really needed to get this story in perspective-- I respect your creative critisism. And please tell me if anything is mispelled-- I don't have a spellcheck.)

Ash sat on a rock, his head cradled in his hands. It had been nearly six months since he'd left-- it was Misty's 18th birthday, he noted with bitterness. He missed her so much. Dangit, why did I let her go! We had something special… Ash cursed, raising his head to see the setting sun tinge the world a lovely orange, the trees filled with Beautiflies over Verdian Forest.

His hand closed over the only Pokeball he even carried anymore-- that of his Charizard. His Pikachu lay draped across his shoulder. Ash fingered the small silver chain around his neck. He should never have let her go, he thought sourly. He stared at the sky, wondering what Misty was doing now. He thought about the night he left. He remembered all to well…

There's a piece of you that's here with me
It's everywhere I go, it's everything I see
When I sleep, I dream and it gets me by
I can make believe that you're here tonight
That you're here tonight

((Flashback))

"Misty?" Ash hesitated and sat down next to Misty.

Ash noted that Misty looked even lovlier than usual, he noted. Being in her home town had done her good-- the weariness was gone from her eyes. Cerulean was where she belonged, he thought. Not out adventuring... not out with me.

"Hm?" Misty looked up brightly.

Ash decided there was no nice thing to say, so he went for bluntness.

"I'm leaving." He sighed, deciding that there was no easy way to put it. Misty stared at him, stunned. Suddenly she broke into pleas.

"Ash! Don't leave. Please… not now, not tonight! Everything's perfect!" she whispered.

I remember the look in your eyes
When I told you that this was goodbye
You were begging me not tonight
Not here, not now
We're looking up at the same night sky
And keep pretending the sun will not rise
Be together for one more night
Somewhere, somehow

"I understand. But I gotta. I haven't fulfilled my dream yet." Ash hugged her.

"I know. I don't want to be alone though…."

"Me either. I won't be gone forever, though, Misty."

"Here. You HAFTA give it back someday though!" Misty handed him a thin silver necklace with a tiny heart-locket charm, trying to sound cross.

"Okay." Ash squeezed it in his hand and suddenly hugged Misty tight. "Hey, promise not to forget me when I'm gone?"

"Yes… I promise."

"And hold these for me, will ya?" Ash asked, hesitantly handing her his sack-- in it were his Pokemon. He couldn't take them all with him-- he wanted to start from scratch, with just Pikachu, and maybe his Charizard.

"I will. I'll take good care of them."

"Good then. G'night Misty." Ash smiled sadly at her once last time.

At the break of day Misty heard a faint rustling. She looked blearily up and saw Ash's knapsack and sleeping bag were gone. A figure was silhouetted against the rising sun. She leaned up on her elbows.

"Goodbye Ash. I love you." She whispered, watching him fade away.

((End of Flashback))

Ash fingered the locket.

"I'll love you forever."

If I could find you now things would get better
We could leave this town and run forever
I know somewhere, somehow we'll be together
Let your waves crash down on me and take me away