No matter your position in the world of Pokémon trainers, the Indigo Plateau was always an intimidating place. Whether you were an aspiring competitor who had done the journey, collected the eight badges and traversed Victory Road, a Gym Leader coming for a meeting or a professor being called to share a discovery or present something to the governing body, the feeling of awe and insignificance at times was smothering. Standing outside the walls, looking up at the huge imposing gate with a slight purple hue to it, Misty took a deep breath and clenched her fist. Instead of taking longer to get there, going by foot and getting some more training in which Ash was keen to do, they used Charizard to get there quicker, shaving a few days off the journey from Cerulean.

"You can do this Misty... You have control here..."

The redhead wasn't in her usual attire of bright clothing and denim cut off shorts for once. Wearing a knee length pale blue skirt with white trim, a plain white shirt and a long blue floor length duster coat, also light blue, the Cerulean gym leader stood there, waiting for the welcome party. They had sent word they would be arriving to discuss official business with the gym board and their reply qas quick - informing her that preparations for her arrival were in place.

"They're just messing with me, trying to make me crack... Misty Waterflower does not break under pressure..."

Eventually, after what seemed like forever, The gates opened and an official from the League walked out.

Ash: "You want me to come in with you Misty?"

Misty stared ahead as she answered, keeping her focus.

Misty: "No thank you Ash... I'll call you when I'm done... You might as well go find somewhere to get some training in, I don't know how long this could be"

Ash nodded.

Ash: "Just remember Misty... It's all on your terms, no one elses... Go with what you want to happen, not what they want to happen... You know me and Brock are behind you all the way on this!"

Misty nodded and walked forwards. As she greeted the official and headed inside with them, Ash watched the gates swing shut behind them. Reaching for his Poké gear, he started to type out a message before sending it. After a few seconds, the phone rang. Walking towards the shade of a tree, Ash answered it.

"Yeah... She's gone in... Didn't want me to go with her... I hope she gets what she wants from this... Yeah, I've spoken to them already... It's all confirmed and rubber stamped... Yeah.. I'll be back in the next two or three weeks... I got a few things to wrap up... I'll call you when I'm setting off for Johto again... Yeah, See you soon..."

=...=...=

The meeting room where the league had chosen to hold their metting with Misty was rather ordinary. Nicely furnished wooden walls with pictures of various champions and outstanding trainers adorned the walls and the flooring was a deep red carpet which was soft to touch. Sitting in a hefty oak chair, Misty straightened herself up and looked at the papers in front of her - Her Gym Leader licence, her contract for being the Gym Leader and her trainer record, detailing all the significant events in her career as a leader. Across the room from her, seated at a long table were the five League representatives. Agatha, the now retired Elite four member who acted as master of ceremonies for official meetings sat in the centre. To her left was Lance, the current Johto and Kanto league champion and next to him on the end of the table was Loreli, the water specialist of the Elite Four. To Agatha's right was Sabrina, a Kanto Gym Leader representative and the president of Silph. Co, one of the league's biggest sponsors. Sat to the side of everything was a well dressed man, presumably a league representative who was there to merely observe and pass his questions over to the panel when required. As everyone took a moment to review their papers, Misty looked to Sabrina. Given how both were gym leaders, they had a good working relationship and surprisingly had a good friendship too. The psychic type trainer who had psychic powers herself looked Misty in the eyes and smiled.

Sabrina: "Fear not Misty... I am not on this panel to read your thoughts and block you at every chance to let 'the league' get what they want... I am simply here as a representative of the gym leaders in our region."

Misty felt relieved as Sabrina telepathically communicated with her.

Agatha: "Ok... We are gathered here today to address the issue Misty Waterflower, Cerulean City's Gym Leader has brought to our attention regarding the status of her gym leadership and the impending league review... Misty, would you care to start us off?"

Misty nodded. She went to stand but Agatha shook her head.

Agatha: "Relax girl... You are amongst equals and peers here, whilst this is formal in apperance, you do not need to rise whenever you speak."

Misty smiled and thanked Agatha. Taking a drink of water from the glass on her table, she took a deep breath, cleared her throat and began to speak.

Misty: "I am here today, to hand in my notice as leader of Cerulean City Gym... I have held this position for the best part of a decade now, and I have decided, due to a multitude of factors, that the time is right for me to step aside and to allow someone else to experience this wonderful opportunity which you gave me."

There was a look of shock on the panel's faces. None of them had expected this and they began to whisper amongst themselves until the league representative handed a piece of paper to Loreli.

Loreli: "Misty... Why are you deciding to take this course of action? Would this have anything to do with the upcoming inspection and review? Is this a case of jump before you are pushed?"

Loreli hid it well, but the slight inflection in her voice gave away she felt disgusted for asking what the league's representative had wanted. Misty felt for her, she had always admired Loreli, her being an elite water and ice type trainer and such a strong personality. Putting these thoughts aside, Misty replied with a firmness to her voice.

Misty: "Whilst the timing may make it seem like it is, I can assure you it is merely a coincidence. My reasons for wanting to leave the gym are purely motivated by personal feelings and not any professional capability questions."

Loreli looked to the league representative who simply shrugged as if to say no further questions. As Misty let out a subtle sigh of relief, Lance spoke.

Lance: "It is a very bold move, choosing to relinquish your position as a gym leader. You do realise that the privaleges you once enjoyed will only be minimal, given your status and service you have gave the league?"

Misty: "I understand... I have weighed up all the outcomes and possibilities and I do feel that this is the best course of action for myself, for my Pokémon, for the trainers looking to challenge the league and for the league itself."

Lance: "What are your plans?"

Misty: "If I am honest... I would like to travel again. I managed to journey round Johto ten years ago, but since then, I have only had a few small excursions out of Kanto due to my commitments. I would relish the chance to see more of the other regions and to learn about their Pokémon so I can pursue the dream I held so long ago - to become acknowledged as a Water Pokémon master"

The president of Silph Co. quickly asked the follow up.

President: "So you feel that you have reached the full potential you can have as a gym leader then?"

Misty: "Yes, I believe that to be the case"

All eyes in the room went towards Sabrina who spoke calmly.

Sabrina: "Misty has an adventurous spirit and a brightly burning flame inside of her. The life of a gym leader is not always suited for those who hear the call of the road and Misty has done admirably in putting her desires second to her commitments and responsibilities to our organization, I feel that if Misty believes she has done what she can, then she should be allowed the courtesy to do as she pleases now"

The panel nodded in agreement with Sabrina's assessment, but the League representative handed another question over. This one made its way towards Agatha.

Agatha: "As you know child, this is not what I think, feel or believe..."

Misty felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on edge as Agatha pretty much delivered her a disclaimer which bluntly spelt out bad news.

Agatha: "The League has looked at the figures from your gym in terms of success rates and reviewed official reports, they are of the belief that you are not capable of being a Gym Leader and are merely resigning in order to keep your licence as a fallback should your 'adventure' not pan out... How do you plan to convince the league of this?"

Misty could feel her blood beginning to boil but she knew she couldn't throw a tantrum here. Instead, she chose to stand. Walking from round her table, she took her paperwork and walked towards the league representative and laid it out on his desk. Leaning forwards, both hands on the table, she looked at him with steel-eyed determination and spoke with a controlled aggression to her voice.

Misty: "If that were the case, then I would have handed my resignation in with immediate effect and not cited any reasons. As you can see, I have carried out my duties as gym leader to the fullest of my abilities. I have helped usher in the next generation of hopeful champions, I have helped train people in the ways of battling and have given plenty of instruction to aspiring water trainers like myself. I have helped raise the profile of the league by being one of its best known personalities which has helped the sponsors generate more revenue for your organisation..."

Misty pointed to her record.

Misty: "I have one of the best overall records against trainers who are expected to face me, and i have multiple teams tiered to trainer ability so the challenge they face is proportional. I have never turned down a challenge to my gym, no matter how out of their depth the trainer may be and I have executed my duties to the letter..."

Misty forcibly shoved the papers forwards towards the league official.

Misty: "Speaking personally, it is my opinion that you should be delighted that I am stepping down... Did you not think I would not find out about the land purchases to the south of Cerulean where the new gym is to be built?"

All the panel turned their attention to the league official. He didn't expect this curve ball and before Agatha could question him, Sabrina spoke.

Sabrina: "It's true... Though this man is only a low-ranking official, he has knowledge of the plans for Cerulean... He is aware of their plan to build a gym and put in their own preferred candidate. No matter how good Misty is or how well she passed this review, they were going to fail her anyway... Talk of... How did you put it again sir... A Leader who isn't bigger than the league?"

There was a shocked gasp from the people in the room.

Misty: "If that was the case, then I definitely call it quits. I'd rather be free to do as I choose rather than be punished for doing my job."

Agatha: "Though I no longer hold a place on the elite four, I do hold some weight with the league and this matter will be investigated... This is very underhanded behavior and should knowledge like this reach the public, it would be disastrous for the league's integrity..."

Lance: "Indeed... I will call the president of the league and raise this issue... I suggest you do the same"

Lance directed his comment to the president of Silph Co. Right away, he got the message and spoke.

President: "Indeed, should the league loose one of its biggest sponsors, it would be disastrous for them financially..."

The league official finally broke his silence.

Official: "I will not sit here and be subject to an interrogation of which is no concern to anyone in this room... I consider my part in this done... Misty Waterflower, consider your request to keep your license denied..."

Sabrina: "He's bluffing... He has no intention of cancelling your license Misty, he simply wants to humiliate you"

Misty: "You know what... Even if you do pull it from under me, in Kanto I will always be treated as a Gym leader, no matter my status given how I have faithfully served them... So go, do your worst, just know that any punishment you may inflict will not effect me given that as of this moment, I am simply a trainer now"

Agatha: "Misty... do you wish to reconsider?"

Misty watched as the league official scurried out the room. Turning back to the panel she nodded.

Misty: "No... My mind has been made up for some time now, I just needed the right things to put everything into a better light and to make it seem clearer for me... As much as I loved being a gym leader, I long for adventure once again..."

Standing up, Sabrina walked from her seat towards Misty. Pulling her into a warm embrace, she spoke to her telepathically again.

Sabrina: "You have a replacement in mind yes? Whilst you have all but stepped down, until your replacement comes, you will be expected to stay on, don't get your hopes up too soon"

Lance: "Misty... As you know we are in the middle of the season, there are still trainers to claim the Cascade badge... Do you have anyone in mind to take over from you?"

Misty nodded.

Misty: "Yes... Her name is Kirsty, but she often goes by her nickname, Crystal"

Loreli's eyes widened.

Loreli: "Crystal... The girl who caught Suicune?"

Misty: "Yes... I am certain she will be a more than adequate replacement for me... She will have no concerns about taking up the role. She has already finished high in the Johto championships several times in the past and she fared well in Kanto too, I feel she is more than capable of becoming one of the best Gym leaders Kanto has seen"

Lance: "If you are certain, then I see no qualms about releasing you immediately"

Agatha looked to the other panel members. All of them nodded, echoing Lance's sentiments.

Agatha: "OK... This matter is settled, the Gym leader's commission accepts your immediate resignation and will ensure you retain your license. We will contact Crystal at once and inform her of her new role... Misty, it will be a shame to see you go, but please, feel free to call by anytime... My door is always open"

Misty bowed her head as she thanked Agatha before she left the room. Standing outside, wiping the sweat from her forehead, Misty trembled with anticipation. She'd done it... She'd taken the first step on a new journey, a new beginning for her and with any luck, her best friend would be by her side for it.

"I gotta call Ash and let him know!"