This took a while to put up but I've been superduper busy. I hope you guys like it! REVIEWS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME:D

MISTY POV

Okay, these dramatic exits have got to stop! I wish we didn't get each other so riled up.

I remembered that the phone was still ringing and cautiously picked it up.

Ash's image popped up on the screen but we both stayed silent. After awkwardly staring in shock, Ash broke in.

"Wow, Misty! You look so different!" Ash exclaimed with a smile. There was something strange about the way he was smiling at me.

I laughed weakly, "Me? I haven't changed a bit since last time you saw me. You are the one who changed!" I couldn't believe that this was the same Ash. He actually looked his age, with shaggy black hair and slight stubble on his chin. I never noticed how square his jaw line was and his eyes looked grayer. I gasped when I noticed he was wearing a different hat, "Where did your lucky hat go?"

Ash slid off the snapback-looking cap and laughed, "It was time for me to throw that thing away, Mist! It was filthy and torn." He must've caught my horrified look. "You got rid of your suspenders, remember?"

"I know but somehow, it seems different." I whispered, looking down. "Anyway," I cleared my throat, this was Ash after all, and he is still my best friend, "Why the sudden call?"

This transition pleased Ash, "I have great news actually..." He gave me a teasing look that was a bit too flirtatious for my liking. I shifted uncomfortably and inquired what it was.

"It has to do with a certain young lady traveling with a world-renowned trainer." This time, he winked at me. Gary was allowed to wink because, well, he's Gary. But ASH?

"Oh?" I said hesitantly, "OH!" I shrieked, as the words finally sunk in.

Ash threw his head back and laughed, "You'll be getting a call from your sisters any day now! I bumped into them and they said their tour was ending!" This was followed by him retelling the conversation but I was too distracted to listen.

I'm going to travel with Ash again? This is the day I had been dreaming of and it was actually happening! Why am I not excited? I knew why, Gary. Gary came in my hour of need; he brought me back to life. Yes, we fight a lot but I've grown so…dependent on him. Well, I'm sure Ash will have the same effect, I mean; I was content when I traveled with him for five years. A voice inside of my head reminded me that I was a lot younger then. I pushed it away; I'm still the same person.

"Misty?" Ash called, interrupting my thoughts, "Will you come back? I already know that you will…"

Words came out of my mouth before I could even think, "I don't know."

I looked up at Ash who looked confused, hurt, and more like the old Ash. "What?" His voice cracked a little in a familiar way. This was definitely more like the Ash I knew.

"Ash, I don't mean it like that! I would love to go on a journey with you," I reassured him, making him relax instantly, "I've just gotten used to running things down here and I can't just get up and leave just yet" I just couldn't get up and leave Gary is what I should've said.

Ash signed off a little bit later and my first thought was to call Gary. I didn't want to have this conversation but how am I supposed to avoid it?

GARY POV

I simmered down by the time I arrived back home. Funny, before I became friends with Misty, I would never have outbursts like this.

"That crazy red head's temper is rubbing off on me!" I chuckled and shook my head. I probably should call her but I didn't want to interrupt her conversation with Ash.

What she was most likely finding out at the moment was that Ash wasn't the innocent little kid he once was. In each call we received, he changed a little more every time. About two weeks ago, he explained what brought on his 'epiphany'.

While traveling through Unova, training hard, and defeating gym leaders, he ran into a group of friends. One of these guys invited Ash to party with them but he politely declined because he wanted to keep a move on. Instead of taking Ash's answer, they convinced him to take a break. This was when Ash was introduced to the lifestyle of parties, girls, and reckless choices. He loved the rush of being irresponsible, I suppose.

Misty doesn't like that rush. Sure, she enjoys the adrenaline of doing something spontaneous but she is way too smart to make idiotic decisions. Cliff diving? Maybe. Partying all night right before a gym battle? Not so much.

I decided to work on the individual project I was researching about Eevees, so I went out to the field with my Umbreon and an Eevee to watch their behavior. After about an hour, I realized someone was standing behind me.

I turned and jumped in surprise, "Misty? What are you doing here?"

She didn't answer, just sat down next to me. "So…the call didn't go so well with Ash?"

Misty winced and drew in a breath, "Nah, it went fine. I just wasn't prepared how much he had changed." Her voice was monotone and her eyes stayed blank. "Well, I wasn't prepared for a lot of things…" Misty trailed off, looking as if she was hiding something.

"Mist…y, people change. Ash wasn't going to stay a little kid!" I reassured her but her eyes still avoided mine and she kept silent.

"You can call me Mist. I really don't mind." She said finally. I laughed and shook my head, which got her attention. "What? That's what you want to call me anyway! It's not like its sentimental or...or…anything!"

Misty did this when she was vulnerable. She worked herself up so she wouldn't seem weak, "Calm down, Red, I was just expecting you to tell me what exactly you ARENT telling me!" I gave her a surrendering smile. After a minute or two, Misty looked up and made eye contact with me for the first time since she arrived.

"My sisters' tour is ending…and…!" She sputtered out, slurring her words together.

"Whoa, Ash wakes Armageddon?" I knew I had misheard but I wanted to make her smile. I hadn't actually understood what she said anyway.

Misty didn't smile though, she just gave me a pained look, "No, Ash wants me to travel with him again."

"Oh…" This time, I avoided her eyes. Just when I made a friend whom I could actually trust, Ash whisks her away. I couldn't let Misty see my disappointment; after all, this is what she wanted. "Great!" I, being the great actor that I am, gave a thumbs up.

This threw her off guard, "Yeah…great." She stared at me curiously, trying to read my emotions.

"When are you leaving?" I asked with fake interest. I honestly didn't want to know when.

Misty bit her lip, "I'm not sure whether I'm going," She caught my confused expression, "Who do you think I am? A hormonal teenage girl who drops everything for a guy?" I shrugged and she jokingly shoved me.

"I dunno, Red. You seem pretty hormonal to me!" I remarked, dawdling away. She got up and grabbed a poke ball from her backpack. I rose and eyebrow at her, which she returned with a smirk. I called Umbreon over and took a battle stance.

"I brought over my Vaporeon, in case you were interested for your research," Misty twirled the poke ball in her hand, "But I can think of a better use."

"Oh, and what is that exactly, princess." I teased.

"Kicking your arrogant butt!" And she released her grip, unleashing a high-leveled Vaporeon.

I basked in the moment, realizing that the inevitable would eventually happen. Misty might act like she doesn't know what decision to make but I know she'll take the offer. Better enjoy her presence now.

"Bring it, Waterflower."

So the chapter ended with them NOT being mad at each other...yay!
As you can see, I postponed her decision to build dramatic suspense. Mwahaha!