Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Summary: What would have happened if Misty had stayed on Trovita Island?
Heartbroken
Chapter 1: Farewells and Reunions
"What?" Ash and Tracey asked.
"Pika?"
"Rudy asked if I could stay." Misty told them. "You know…in case Maurie gets into more trouble."
"It's your choice." Ash told her with a shrug.
"We'll sure miss you." Tracey added shaking Misty's hand.
When Tracey and Misty were done with their goodbyes, Misty turned to Ash.
"hard to imagine that this is goodbye." Ash said.
"I know." Misty said softly as she held Togepi tighter.
Ash suddenly took off his backpack and dug through it as Pikachu said his goodbye. He then pulled out a thick envelope.
"Don't open this until I'm out of sight." Ash instructed.
"Okay?" she said wondering what was in it.
He and Tracey then climbed onto Lapras with Pikachu on his shoulder.
"Goodbye Misty." Ash said.
"Pika Pikachupi."
"Take care." Tracey said
"Togi? TOGIPRRRIIII!" Togepi shouted as he jumped out of Misty's arms and ran to the water's edge.
Lapras doubled back after Ash told him to because they were thinking that Togepi just wanted to say goodbye.
"You want to say goodbye?" Tracey asked the egg as he and Ash jumped off of Lapras.
Togepi ran RIGHT past Tracey and Pikachu and clung to Ash' jeans with tears in his little eyes.
"Come on Togepi." Ash said picking up the baby. "You know I have to travel to win the Orange League and then get the G.S. ball to Professor Oak. You and Misty have to stay here."
Togepi started sobbing as he clung to Ash's jacket. Ash gave Misty a 'please do something' look.
"Looks like Togepi doesn't want the team to split up." Tracey observed as he sketched the scene
"But he didn't act like this when BROCK left." Misty argued before taking Togepi. "Togepi. Sometimes our friends HAVE to say goodbye. But you can still be friends in your heart."
"Take care Togepi." Ash told the egg.
"Togi?" Togepi said with a bit of a broken voice as it cried
"you too Misty." Ash added to the 'mother'
"Same to you." She said gripping Togepi close to her chest and the envelope in her hand
Ash turned to see Tracey and Pikachu already on Lapras. He then climbed onto the Pokemon and they pulled out to sea. Misty, Rudy, Maurie, and the referee waved until they were out of sight.
"Take Togepi for a few minutes." Misty told Maurie as she handed the sobbing baby over. She then open the envelope and found a large amount of money. There was a small note inside
I told you I'd make good on your bike. Truthfully, I've had it since Saffron. The reason I kept it from you is my little secret if I haven't told you already.
Ash
"Misty?" Rudy asked.
"He owed me a new bike." Misty explained. "I had forgotten about it."
0000
About a month later,
Ash had won his fourth badge and the Orange League. Now, he was back on the mainland on the outskirts of Pallet looking at Tracey funny.
Tracey was sitting on the grass with MOUNDS of sketch books surrounding him.
"Tracey. Let's do that at my house." Ash suggested.
"Okay." Tracey agreed
The two boys ran down to the house and Ash opened the door.
"Hello?" Ash called.
"Is that you Ash?" a familiar male voice came.
Ash ran into the freshly waxed kitchen and slid clear across it past a teenager in a pink apron and crashed into the opposite wall.
"Brock?" Ash asked
"Hey Ash. Hey Pikachu. Looking good." Brock greeted before turning to Tracey who just walked in. "You must be Tracey."
"Yeah." Tracey confirmed.
"Well, how about a nice cup of tea. I just made a pot if Indigo Oolong which has a delightful peachy flavor. It has a floral fragrance and I think you'll find it very refreshing. For me I like it straight, but for you I'll add a dash of milk and two heaping teaspoons of sugar. Watch out. It's hot."
Brock gave Ash and Tracey the tea.
"Brock?" Ash asked. "What are you doing here? You loved Valencia Island. It seemed like you were going to stay there forever. Why didn't you stay with Professor Ivy?"
Brock suddenly curled into a fetal position.
"That…name…" Brock groaned.
Ash and Pikachu exchanged a confused look and a shrug.
"You're finally home." A familiar female voice said.
Ash turned and saw him mother.
"Hi Mom." Ash greeted.
"I'm so glad your back!" Delia exclaimed.
Ash ran to embrace his mother, but she knelt down and hugged Pikachu.
"Pikachu!" she greeted.
"And me?" Ash asked.
"Oh. Hi Honey!" Delia greeted
"Some things will never change." Ash muttered.
"hey Ash?" Brock asked coming in with Tracey from the kitchen. "Where's Misty and Togepi."
Ash jerked a bit before looking down.
"I don't want to talk about it." Ash said grabbing his backpack and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Delia asked her son concerned.
"I've got to get the G.S. ball to Professor Oak." Ash said leaving. "meet me at the lab Tracey."
"That was weird." Brock mused.
"Misty stayed behind with the Trovita Island Gym Leader." Tracey explained "It's obvious Ash is upset about it, but…"
"he likes to hide his feelings." Delia finished. "he's always been like that. Especially after his father passed away"
TBC