Misty let out a gasp before cupping her face with both of her hands, too afraid to see what would happen next. All Ash could do was close his eyes and hold in a shriek. Time stood still as he tried to recollect what was happening, until he realized he had been in the same position for awhile now. He turned his head to see what was visible to him, but all he could see was a small hint of yellow. Although Ash had no idea what was going on, Misty had the perfect view of a Pikachu biting onto the collar of Ash's shirt with all its might. It took Misty awhile to reconcile her thoughts and decide to aid the mysterious Pikachu that had appeared from nowhere. It was a struggle…but after a couple 'heaves' and 'hoes', they finally managed to rescue Ash from the inevitable.

"Pi-ka-chu!"

"It must be a wild pokemon…"

"What kind is it do you think?"

"Pokemon can only say their names, right? Well, this one just said 'Pikachu'."

Ash smiled, "Thank you…Pikachu."

"You're soo cute!" said Misty as she smothered herself onto the warm electric mouse. Usually it's in a Pikachu's nature to thunderbolt a stranger on contact, but this one must've liked Misty's smothering and cuddling.

Misty faced Ash with a more serious look on her face, "Listen…I just want to say I'm sorr-"

"There you are!" The two children turned to see that it was Officer Jenny, who seemed to be catching her breath as if she'd been on a long hunt for something. Misty and Pikachu ran to hide and Ash tried to follow them until Officer Jenny grabbed him on his shoulders.

"Oh no you don't. I've been looking all across town for you."

"Pikachu we have to go save him…" said Misty from behind a small water tower, not too far away, "…let's come up with a plan."

"Now now, don't cry little one," Officer Jenny said to calm the kicking and screaming Ash, "Are you lost?"

Officer Jenny was shuffling with the little boy's hair until she heard Ash give a chuckle. Just for one moment, Ash felt a warmness tingle through him that reminded him of only his mother. His tears started to dry up, and he was suddenly comfortable in her arms.

"Can't get me! Can't get me!" Misty said hopping up and down tauntingly, as it disturbed Ash's trance.

Officer Jenny was confused for a second until a Pikachu jumped onto her head and took her hat. She was forced to let go of Ash so she can sway the problem that had stole from her.

"Come on kid!" Misty told Ash as her plan was unraveling quite nicely.

Ash reluctantly followed her towards the elevator entrance as Pikachu tailed a good yard behind. But Ash and Misty realized they couldn't reach the button without one climbing on top of the other, and Officer Jenny was closing in by the second.

"Hey kid! Climb on top of my shoulders this time and…" Misty offered until Pikachu sprang up high enough to press the button in a single jump.

They rushed inside the elevator and Ash gave Officer Jenny one last glance before the doors closed.

"Hey…I think that lady was trying to help us."

Misty looked surprised. Then she stared into his eyes, "Don't worry 'bout it. I'll help you find your mom. I promise."

Ash wasn't sure if she was able to carry out that promise, but he wanted to trust his friend. As they stepped out of the elevator and into the streets, the streets were finally deserted (which might explain why the elevator was empty as well). They continued to look around, checking the places that were too crowded earlier and double-checking the places they'd already gone to. But with the streets empty and all, they were searching in places at half the time. After another couple of hours, they decided to rest at a nearby playground.

"Wheeeeee!" said Misty and Pikachu gleefully as they rode a slide that went in circles. Ash, however, could not find the heart to play while his mom was probably worried sick about him.

"Come on kid! You should try the slide. It's fun!"

"Stop calling me Kid! You're the same age as me! Stop acting like you're so much older…because you're not!" called out Ash, hugging his legs.

Misty was about to call him a baby instead, but she bit her tongue. Instead she gave Ash a menacing glare…a glare that would be the first of many to come. Ash was horrified by the sight, so Misty slowly turned her menacing glare into a cherry smile.

"I'm sorry…"

Ash's tears stopped flowing so he can listen.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't find your mom…and I'm sorry that I almost got you killed back there…" The tears that had been flowing from Ash's eyes had somehow shifted to Misty, as this was the first time he had seen her cry. "…I always cause trouble and I don't know why…I just do."

"it's okay…" Ash's words made Misty jump, "…because…you're still my friend."

Misty still didn't know why she was such a sucker for that line. The mood was broken as a police car came rushing near them, with a hatless Officer Jenny running out hurriedly.

"You're not getting away from me this time!"

"C'mon! We have to start running again!"

But Ash was frozen from the neck down. He wanted to follow Misty but there was a part of him that just wanted to be wrapped in Officer Jenny's arms that reminded him so much of his mom.

"I-I want to see what happens if I'm caught."

"That's suicide. We have to leave now!" Misty tried tugging on Ash's shirt but he refused to budge an inch. As a last resort, Misty stood in between Ash and Officer Jenny with her arms spread out in a protective stance with a fierce look on her face. But Officer Jenny just kneeled down before Misty and gave her a sweet comforting smile. Quickly, but hesitantly, Misty let her guard down and slowly stepped out of the way. Officer Jenny picked up Ash and he once again felt the warm love that came from her hug; whereas, Misty carried Pikachu and hid behind a nearby tree.

"Pikachu, we'll have to do the plan one more time…"

But Pikachu leapt out of her arms and ran off to hills unknown, and was never seen again.

"Pikachu wait! Pikachu! My friend is in trouble…"

Just then, another lady from a police car that had just arrived ran directly towards Officer Jenny and Ash.

"Oh my little Pokemon master! My little boy…" squealed the lady as she was handed her son by Officer Jenny.

Ash seemed to have cried his self into exhaustion, as he fell asleep in his mom's arms. Officer Jenny gave Delia a momentous salute, strongly and proudly, before she went into her police car and drove away.

"Oh my little man! My son…" Delia continued.

"Her son? So that must be his mother. And here I thought I was helping…but it turns out that I was just causing trouble like I always do…I was just leading him away…I'm the reason he has suffered this long…How did I not figure this out sooner? I can't do anything right…" Misty continued to mope behind the tree as the swell of her tears began to ruin her eyelashes. She didn't know whether she was either experiencing tears of joy because Ash just reunited with his mom or tears of sadness because she realized she'd been no help since the start. But it seemed she was leaning more towards the latter.

"Hello? Are you still there?" Misty – still facing away – was in shock to discover Ash's mom was talking to her. Misty kept her silence, though. Misty wanted to run away but for some reason she was sedated to the spot.

"Perhaps this is what happened to him, maybe I'm also curious what would happen if I was caught."

Delia would've gone closer to Misty but she was sure she'd scare Misty off running if she did. Instead, she called out, "Are you the one who has been looking after my son this whole day? You know…he would've never survived without you. You were a big help. Thank you so much!"

Misty's eyes widened and ended her tears. For once in her life…she had been helpful. Her emotions had shifted from broken and inspirited to unyielding and resolute. There was a warm feeling in her heart that she could never remember experiencing once in her life. She didn't know whether to respond with a 'thank you' or a 'you're welcome'; in the end, she realized it was just best to leave it how it was.

Misty turned around wanting to see his mom's face – and Ash's one last time – but she could only see the back of their heads as they were walking in the other direction, never seeing them again…or so she thought.

.::.

10 year later in the present

Ash had woken up from a not so pleasant slumber – not surprising considering the time he went to sleep. He heard noises coming from outside the room and noticed Brock and Misty had already left their beds made and tidy. He left the room soon after – with Pikachu on his shoulder – and saw his two best friends standing impatiently inside the entrance.

"Ash, you sleepyhead, what time did you go to sleep?" Misty was the first to speak.

"I-I just couldn't sleep at all last night."

Ash gave out the longest yawn and it made Misty giggle.

Misty, in a gentler tone, said, "So Ash…you do know what day it is, am I right?"

"Yeah, of course, it's the day I first started my journey."

But Misty was signaling like she was pleading for more.

"Um…it's also the day I first met Pikachu."

Misty signaled again to say he was so close to the right answer.

"It's…um…the day I first met Team Rocket?"

Misty face-faulted for that one.

"Ash Ketchum! How can you forget something so simple like the day you and I first met?!"

"Chill out Misty, I was just jokin'. How can I forget such an important day?"

Misty sighed, "You're still just a kid aren't ya…"

At that moment, Ash felt a jolt that gave him the weirdest thought. "Misty, don't you think it feels more than just 4 years…it sounds strange, but it just feels so much longer than that."

Misty had a confused look on her face until she suddenly had the same weird feeling, but she quickly dismissed the thought. "No, not really…of course not…that's crazy."

"Yeah pretty silly huh?"

The two both gave awkward laughs to show that they agreed. But Pikachu gave a smile like he knew something that the other two didn't.

"Happy Anniversary Ash..."

"Happy Anniversary Misty…"

They both exited the Pokemon Center in unison, without knowing they'd left Brock behind. Brock let out a whimper because he couldn't help but feel left out. Standing there alone in the Pokemon Center for a few more minutes, he suddenly realized something and jetted out the door to catch up with his friends.

"Hey fellas! Our anniversary is not too far away either!"

THE END

There you go…I hope it wasn't obvious that there was an inconsistency grammar-wise. I also hope I didn't bore anyone out. Again I'm not sure if this is a dead topic, so I hope that whoever reads this can take their time to leave a comment.

PS: I was thinking of having an ending where Misty says she has only loved one boy (young ash) in her life, but she never saw him again…well I hope you like this ending better.