Ash awoke bright and early to the sound of a Dodrio in the distance. It was cawing away, echoing through the vast hills of Pallet Town. The sound didn't bother him, it actually kind of reminded him of his first day as a trainer. Waking up late to get his Pokemon. He smiled to himself, eyes still closed. He felt Pikachu stretch out by his head. Then the light thud of Pikachu jumping to the floor. Ash opened his eyes in time to see Pikachu's tail zip out the door. Ash stretched himself out, his feet slightly hanging off his bed. He sat up, and scratched his messy hair. Ash arrived downstairs fully dressed and ready to take off, but the smell of eggs caught his attention. He almost floated into the kitchen. Delia has just finished cooking, and was sliding the eggs onto a plate.
"Oh good you're up" she said, "I though Pikachu was going to have to eat without you".
"Pikachu".
Ash sat down next to his friend, who was propped up on the table. Ash rubbed Pikachu between the ears, making his Pokemon squeak with delight.
"That'd be ok, right buddy"?
"Chu"!
Ash ate quickly, of course he always ate quickly. Brock used to try and make him slow down, but to no avail. Within an hour Ash was off, first stop Professor Oaks lab and all of Ash's Pokemon. Pikachu on his shoulder. He passed old neighbors, and friends along the way. A few stopped him to say a few words, most just called his name and waved. Ash waved back, enjoying all the familiar faces. He arrived at the lab to find Professor Oak out front, surveying some Diglett as they passed by. Oak saw Ash approaching and waved.
"Good to see you Ash" Oak said, "This is a welcome surprise! And how are you Pikachu"?
"PiPikachu"!
"How are you Pofessor" Ash asked.
"Fine, fine" Oak said, "I imagine you're wanting to see your Pokemon".
"You know it"!
Oak chuckled and led Ash out back. There they were, all of the Pokemon Ash had caught throughout his years. Bulbasaur, Snorlax, Totodile, Oshawatt, and so many more! Ash and Pikachu spent the majority of their day there. Catching up, playing, and battling with his Pokemon. It was around 4 when Ash decided they should begin their walk towards Pewter city. It was time they paid Brock a visit. Ash patted all of his Pokemon goodbye, and waved back as him and Pikachu began to leave Pallet Town one last time.
"Gyrados! Dragon Rage"!
The female voice filled the room, echoing across the water in the large pool. The Gryados reared it's head, and fired blue flames. They engulfed an unfortunate Golduck. It called out, and fainted in the water.
"Golduck is unable to battle" the referee called out, "Gym Leader Misty wins the match"!
"Gyrados return" Misty called, returning her Pokemon to it's PokeBall. The young man on the other side of the field, recalled his Golduck, looking sullen.
"Hey" Misty called out, "It's ok! Gym matches are supposed to be tough! You never get any better if you don't lose once in a while".
The young trainer looked up at her.
"Trust me! I didn't become the Gym Leader by quitting when things got tough. Just keep practicing and you'll win the next time I see you" she said to him, giving him a thumbs up.
The trainer smiled, and shouted his thanks. He left, the last challenger leaving for the day. Mist walked into the other pool room, which was larger, ment to fit all her Pokemon. She released her Gyrados so it could swim with the others. She sat down on the edge of the pool, and stuck her feet in the water. She took a long slow breath, finally able to relax today.
'Either those trainers are getting better, or I'm beginning to lose my touch' she thought to herself.
Misty ran the gym alone. Along time ago, her sisters used to help her out, but they had moved on. Trying other things out with their life. Much like her friends had done too. She sighed. She seemed to be the only one not out doing more adventurous things, she missed it. Spending all those days walking through the trees, or across a field. Watching the wild Pokemon running around, or watching her friends awe over them. Especially Ash! She smiled at the thought of him.
'I wonder what he's up to' she thought, 'probably competing in another Pokemon League'.
Her smile faded a little. She missed Ash, she could use some of his confidence right now, Lord know he has enough to share.
'I guess it doesn't matter if I miss him. He's off on some adventure, and I have to run this Gym'.
She pulled her feet out of the water, and stood up. She looked over all her Pokemon playing happily. Splashing and swimming. She walked out of the pool room, thinking she might take a quick nap before dinner. She did have a date she needed to be prepared for after all, and she didn't want to make Mark wait on her.
