Hi, everyone! I'm finally back with another update to this story. Sadly, this is the last chapter. I was surprised to find that this particular fanfiction is my most viewed work on this site. I'm so proud :D Anyway, I'm so sorry to have kept you all waiting for so long. I am pleased to announce that I have sent my first novel to three publishers. The first publisher I sent it to wanted a bunch of money to publish my novel, so I don't think that's gonna pan out too well. Anyway, thank you for all your wonderful support. I honestly couldn't continue to write on here without you guys! On with the chapter!

Chapter 4: Love, Loss, and Heartbreak

Misty sighed as she hung up the video-phone. The phone-call she had feared for the past couple of days had finally arrived. She could only hope that she was making the right decision.

I'll have to tell Ash, the red-head thought with another discontented sigh.

Maybe a hot shower would calm her nerves a little?

Nodding in silent affirmation, the teen Pokémon trainer slung her red satchel over her shoulder. She would take a shower, then tell Ash the news. Maybe he could ease her guilt a little?

Misty gave another tired sigh. She had really blown it with her sisters this time. She couldn't help but wonder how long Daisy would be angry with her.

Shaking her head slightly to clear her thoughts, the red-head began to make her way back to the room she and Dawn were sharing.

Misty's brow furrowed slightly. She hadn't really seen Dawn since they'd returned to the Pokémon Center that afternoon.

I just hope she hasn't taken off again, she thought sourly as she climbed the stairs that would lead to the bedrooms of the Pokémon Center.

Passing by the room Ash shared with Brock, the red-head was surprised to see the door cracked open.

Odd, she thought curiously. Her thoughts were cut off, however, when she heard a voice begin to speak.

Straining to hear, Misty slowly crept to the door and peered inside.

"Ash, I, uh, I think we need to talk," Dawn stammered as she sat down beside him on his bed.

Ash paused from petting Pikachu and glanced up at coordinator with a curious expression.

"Uh, sure, Dawn. What about?" the boy asked after a moment.

Truth be told, he really just wanted to go find Misty. He hadn't seen her since dinner and was already beginning to miss her warmth. Of course, Dawn's odd behavior didn't help any. She had been trying to get him alone all evening, and, now, he just wanted to resolve whatever issue she had so that he could spend some more time alone with Misty. He was actually beginning to get worried about the possible issue with her sisters. What if they had called her back already?

That would sure explain why she disappeared after dinner, the Pokémon Master-to-be surmised with a slight frown.

"Well, I was kinda lying when I told you guys the reason for me dropping out of the contest," Dawn finally answered, snapping Ash from his thoughts again.

Ash gave the girl another confused look.

"What do you mean, Dawn?"

The coordinator gave the boy a sheepish look before glancing at her feet.

I know this is kinda wrong…but I just can't help myself. I have to let him know how I feel, at least, she thought with a rather bitter sigh.

"Dawn?" Ash questioned when she remained silent. He wasn't so sure that he liked where this conversation was going.

"I saw you at the park, you know," Dawn finally muttered, avoiding eye-contact.

Ash's eyebrows furrowed lightly.

"Wait a minute! You mean that you were there the whole time?"

Dawn flinched at his accusing tone, then nodded slightly.

Ash fell silent. Why hadn't Dawn answered them then? Unless…

"Dawn…what's wrong? What made you think that you had to avoid us?"

Dawn bit her lip lightly.

"I saw you there with Misty, okay?" she finally blurted, looking away.

Ash cocked his head in confusion.

"So? You could've still come over and said hi. At least then we wouldn't have gotten so worried."

Dawn hung her head. He still didn't get it. There was no way she could've gone over to them…not after she saw Misty kiss him.

"I know…but…I just couldn't."

"Why? Misty doesn't hate you. Actually, Misty's really sweet, once you get to know her," Ash replied with a smile.

Dawn glared slightly at the mention of the red-head's name. She knew who he loved. He didn't have to rub it in!

"You just don't get it, do you? I saw her kiss you and it hurt, okay? She's not the only one who loves you!

Ash couldn't breathe! This was definitely NOT how things were supposed to turn out. He never thought in a million years that Dawn would develop feelings for him. Getting the coordinator to fall in love with him certainly wasn't in any of his plans. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but he'd have to let her down gently. Misty was his one true love, and he refused to risk their new relationship. The boy had no more time to think on it, however, before Dawn reached over and pulled him into a tight hug

Misty quickly jerked away from the door. Leaning against the wall to steady herself, the Water Pokémon trainer clutched one hand tightly over her mouth while the other pressed tightly over her heart in a vain attempt to stop the throbbing pain she now felt.

She should have known!

Holding in a strangled gasp, the teen closed her eyes against the on-slot of tears. This is what she had feared all along. Maybe the real reason he hadn't called all that time they were apart was because of Dawn?

Misty quickly shook her head. This was definitely not what she had in mind when she had planned to join up with her friends again. The red-head had no more time to think on it, however, as she heard Brock making his way down the hall.

"Oh, hi, Misty. I wondered where you had gotten to," the Breeder spoke as he spotted her.

Unable to supply any coherent replies, Misty rushed by him and down the hall to her room, quickly closing the door behind her.

Odd, Brock thought briefly as adjusted the bag of groceries he'd bought in his arms.

"So…you're leaving?" Ash questioned as Dawn finally released him from their hug.

Dawn nodded.

"Yeah. I think it would be for the best. Who knows…maybe I'll run into Kenny?"

Ash gave the coordinator a slightly sympathetic look. He had to agree with her. Perhaps it was for the best that she left for now.

"That would be cool," he replied finally.

Dawn nodded once again.

"Yeah. I think I'll leave in the morning. I want to get an early start."

"I guess I don't really blame you. I wish you the best of luck," Ash replied with a small smile.

Dawn smiled for the first time that evening. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard?

"Thanks. The same to you," she replied as she held out her hand.

Ash complied, shaking the coordinator's hand in friendship.

Both turned their attention to the door when they heard Brock come in.

"Hey, Guys. I got some supplies for our journey. Oh, and is there any reason why Misty was waiting outside the door?"

Dawn and Ash both exchanged panicked expressions. Misty had been at the door? Had she heard their conversation?

This can NOT be good! Ash thought in panic.

Misty gave a quiet sob as she locked the door behind her. Dawn wouldn't need back in their room anyway. She was brought out of her angst-ridden thoughts when her baby Pokémon came bouncing over to her.

"Azurill?" she squeaked in question. Something was definitely not right with her mommy, and she demanded to know what it was.

Misty gave a small fission of a smile. Her baby Pokémon could always cheer her up a little.

"I'm okay, Azurill. How about I get you a snack before I take a shower?"

The blue Pokémon bounced excitedly on her tail.

"Azurill!" she chirped ecstatically.

Misty giggled lightly.

"Well, she isn't answering, and the door is locked," Ash informed his friends with a rather defeated sigh.

Misty had definitely heard their conversation. That was the only explanation.

Ash bit his lip. He was honestly beginning to worry. He had knocked on her door for nearly ten minutes.

"I'm getting a little worried," Dawn spoke up, interrupting the wannabe-Pokémon Master's thoughts.

Ash held in a huff of annoyance. He couldn't really blame the whole thing on Dawn. After all, he had been just as guilty.

"Well, there's really nothing to do except let her cool off. You know how she is, Ash. I mean, you've known her long enough to know how jealous she can get over you," Brock supplied after a moment

Ash blushed slightly. He couldn't really argue with that. For as long as he could remember, Misty always seemed to become enraged whenever he was alone with another girl.

"Of course I know that, Brock! I know my own girlfriend."

Suddenly realizing what he had just said, Ash quickly covered his mouth.

Brock's eyes widened.

I knew it! I just knew it! That explains everything! The Breeder thought with a grin. "Ash, that's the problem. She's your girlfriend, and she saw you in here alone with Dawn. She thinks you're cheating on her."

"That's crazy!" Ash retorted, crossing his arms in a childish manner.

"Actually, it all makes sense when you think about it," Brock replied.

"No," Ash corrected, "I mean the idea that I would cheat on her."

Brock nodded in understanding, giving Dawn a curious look when she looked down at her feet sheepishly.

This is all my fault. I've got to do something to fix this, the coordinator thought regretfully, glancing at the penguin Pokémon at her feet.

"Pip…," he murmured soothingly.

Dawn nodded. Everything would be okay…it had to be.

Misty sighed as she packed the last of her things into her satchel. It was too late to leave for home tonight, however, first thing in the morning, she would leave. By the time her friends got up in the morning, she would be half-way home.

The red-head felt her eyes sting with unshed tears and shook her head. She wouldn't cry anymore. It wouldn't do any good to dwell. If Dawn was who he really loved, she wouldn't wish any ill will on them. However, she wouldn't simply sit and watch it unfold.

"Azurill!" her baby Pokémon chirped from the bed, interrupting her thoughts.

"Don't worry, Azurill. Why don't you get a nice rest? We're going home tomorrow, so you'll need your energy," Misty soothed.

"Rill?" the baby replied, cocking her head in confusion.

Misty gave a long, sad sigh. Tonight was going to be a long night. She was brought out of her thoughts when a scratching sound at the door caught her attention.

The red-head frowned. If that was Ash, Brock, or especially Dawn, she wasn't gonna open the door. She wasn't interested in talking. Tears began to burn the back of her eyes as she muttered the first verbal communication to the outside world that she had in nearly an hour.

"Go away."

"Pikachupi!" came a pleading reply.

Misty gave a relieved sigh. So it was just Pikachu? Well, Pikachu had done nothing wrong, so why be angry at him? Finally making her decision, the red-haired Pokémon trainer quickly unlocked the door and opened it, allowing Pikachu into the room.

The little, yellow rodent darted into the room. He quickly climbed onto Misty's shoulder as she shut the door behind him, locking it again.

"Pika!" he chimed as he nuzzled the girl's cheek, causing her to giggle lightly. He just had to find some way to tell her that it wasn't what it seemed with Dawn and his trainer.

Misty gave Pikachu's left ear a gentle rub, to which he gave a grateful purr.

"I'm sure gonna miss you, Pikachu," she said quietly after a moment.

Pikachu's ears drooped.

"Pika…"

"I can't really let my sisters down, can I?" Misty offered in an attempt at an explanation.

The electric rodent gave the girl a rather critical eye. He knew the real reason for her plans to return home.

"Pika Pi Pikapi," he lectured, waving his furry paw for emphasis.

Instantly recognizing Pikachu's name for Ash, Misty cut the mouse Pokémon off.

"I don't wanna hear about Ash and Dawn, Pikachu. I know what's going on already. If Ash has put you up to this-"

"Pika!" the mouse quickly protested, waving his arms frantically.

Boy, the others weren't kidding when they said that Misty was stubborn!

Ash ran a hand through his messy, black hair as he sat on a bench in the Pokémon Center lobby. He knew that it was almost curfew time, and Nurse Joy would, most likely, send him to bed. He could only guess that Pikachu had gone to see Misty. The little guy had disappeared shortly after Brock had returned

Poor guy! Pikachu was probably the most confused of all. The electric mouse had always been particularly fond of Misty.

Ash smiled slightly.

Back when their journey had just begun, Pikachu refused to even participate in battle against Misty for the Cascade Badge. Most of the time, Pikachu seemed to enjoy Misty's praise and affection just as much as Ash's; a phenomenon that Ash never did quite understand.

Ash's brow furrowed.

Misty, herself, was a phenomenon. No matter what she did, she never ceased to amaze him.

The boy was startled out of his thoughts when he noticed another figure sit down beside him out of the corner of his eye. Ash turned to face them, coming face-to-face with a pair of blue eyes that he knew all too well.

"M-Misty, I-," he stammered, only to be cut off when Misty waved her hand in a dismissive gesture.

"Ash, it's okay. I understand. Pikachu explained everything…or at least that's what I think he was trying to tell me," she giggled lightly. She wasn't as fluent in understanding Pikachu as Ash was, but she was getting there.

Ash was speechless. He would definitely have to thank Pikachu later!

"I think he was trying to tell me that I was over-reacting," Misty clarified after a moment.

Ash, still too shocked to speak, only nodded. This was a side of Misty that was going to take some getting used to. Normally, Misty hardly ever admitted to making any kind of mistake.

"So, you don't love Dawn?" Misty questioned, drawing her knees up in a defensive pose.

Ash's mouth fell open. Brock was right! Did she honestly think that, after all that they had been through together, he would simply abandon her like that?

"Of course not!" Ash replied in mortification, "Dawn was saying goodbye. She's leaving tomorrow on her own journey."

Misty blinked a few times, the information seemingly sinking in for the first time.

"Misty, Dawn has her own path to follow, and we have ours. Did you honestly think that I didn't mean what I said earlier when I told you that I loved you?" Ash continued when the red-head remained silent.

Misty's bottom lip trembled lightly, as if restraining herself from crying.

"Oh, Ash, I don't know what I thought," she murmured as she pulled him into a tight hug, "I just-I just got so upset that I wasn't even thinking straight. I'm sorry that didn't trust you a little more."

Ash breathed a sigh of relief, gently wrapping his arms around her. It was then that it clicked; Misty's strange behavior in the park when they were looking for Dawn. She had thought that he had feelings for Dawn all along! No wonder she had gotten so upset!

"Well, you WERE right. Dawn does have a crush on me," he paused when he felt Misty tense in his arms and began to rub her back soothingly, "but that's why she's leaving. She knows about us, and she doesn't want to cause any hard feelings. We both agreed that it would probably be best that she travels on her own, at least for a little while."

Misty nodded silently in understanding. And to think that she had come so close to leaving for good.

"M-my sister, Daisy, called. That's why I disappeared earlier," she finally murmured, closing her eyes tightly when she felt Ash go still.

Ash felt a cold shiver run down his spine. Yeah, definitely no wonder she had gotten so upset. She had needed him, and instead of being there for her, he was saying goodbye to Dawn. He immediately felt a sense of self-loathing run through him. They would definitely need to stick together, now more than ever.

"W-what did she want?"

Misty scowled slightly. What a dumb question!

"What do you think, Ash? She wanted me to come home, that's what!"

Ash flinched slightly at her tone, though he could hardly blame her. He should've guessed that her sisters would call for her eventually, but he couldn't help the rush of selfishness that ran through him. He had just gotten her back, darn it, and he was determined to do everything within his power to stay with her!

"I told her that I couldn't come back, and she got kinda mad at me. Let's just say, I'm not the gym leader of Cerulean City anymore," Misty spoke up as she tightened her hold around his waist, hugging the boy for all she was worth. Why couldn't she just have a normal life? Did the gym really have to be all HER responsibility? Well, it's not anymore, she thought with a sigh.

"Y-you did that for me?" Ash replied in a breathless tone.

Once again, the red-head had amazed him. She had given up the glamorous life of a gym leader in order to stay with him. No words could ever describe the pure elation he now felt.

Misty pulled back slightly.

"Of course I did. I couldn't just-" she began, only to give a startled gasp when Ash cut her off with a kiss.

Ash smiled as his hand found her fluffy ponytail, causing the girl to giggle into the kiss. They were going to be alright. If they could make it through this, they could make it through anything that was to come. He could just bet on it.

Misty gave a pleasant sigh as Ash pulled back, flashing her a bright smile. Things were going to be okay, she just knew it. A feeling of belonging swept through her. This is how it should be. The way it was when she used to be a traveling Pokémon trainer. One day, she would have to return home, but one thing was for certain; they would always have each other. That was one thing she was certain of.

A/N: Well, I hope you all have enjoyed this story. I'm sorry it took me so long to complete it. I know that it sure makes me proud to know that so many people have read, and reviewed, this story. As you can tell from my profile, this is hardly the end of my Pokémon fics, so definitely stayed tuned for more Ash/Misty stories. I know that I may not be the most frequent of updaters, but I'm sure trying. Anyway, feel free to leave feedback. Peace!