This was definitely weird for Misty. Not only had she never needed to present a new Champion title to anyone before, given she had never been defeated, she'd certainly never had to present one to her new fiancé after having just accepted his proposal. And yet there they were, on the stage that had been rolled out during the short intermission, preparing to crown Ash as the new Champion of the Pokemon League. She and the tv makeup crew had done their best to clear up the mascara that had run down her cheeks in her emotional moment after Ash's victory, and she was now standing with the other three members of the Elite Four and the President of the League, Charles Goodshowe (who incidentally was also the television announcer) as Ash left their group of friends at the side of the stage to approach them to receive his title.
Goodshowe, a small wiry older gentleman with an enviable beard and energetic spirit, stood directly to Misty's right holding the trophy that they would soon hand over to Ash. He inconspicuously leaned closer to Misty and whispered, "So that was a bit surprising."
She blushed slightly and nodded, "I suppose some explanation is due?"
Goodshowe nodded, "Perhaps, but it can wait."
Ash finally reached the top of the stage where the Elite Four and the President stood as the crowd erupted once more, cheering for their new Champion. Misty couldn't help but mirror Ash's huge smile as his excitement was contagious. She was so happy for so many different reasons. She was happy for him. His lifelong dream had finally been realized. He was a Pokemon Master! And not only that, he was the Champion of the toughest Pokemon League in the world, which meant most people would consider him the greatest Pokemon Master in the world! But of course Misty had some selfish reasons for being on cloud 9, like being the new future Mrs. Ketchum.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Goodshowe began, "I am beyond pleased to perform a ceremony that has been many years coming. Since the retirement of our last Champion, Master Lance Grayson, it has been many years since we've had a League Champion. And it's been even longer since I've been able to present this trophy to a new victor. We are proud of our esteemed Elite Four, but we are also not complete without a Champion to guide us. And so, it is with great pleasure that I present this trophy and title to the newest Pokemon Master, Ash Ketchum!"
Misty had to place a hand over her mouth to fight back more tears as her heart swelled with pride as Ash took the trophy in his hands and looked at it with wide eyes. He stood there for several moments just staring at the award as the crowd bellowed their sustained cheers and chanted his name. As tears began to roll down his face, he grabbed every pokeball on his belt and released all of his pokemon. Goodra, Garachomp, Venusaur, Greninja, Charizard, and of course Pikachu all surrounded him as he raised the trophy into the air and yelled at the top of his lungs. His pokemon followed suit, and they could all be heard even above the crowd noise.
The celebration went late into the night. The group of friends, league representatives, and some lucky fans were able to congregate in an event room catered by the league. There was food, an open bar, and some recorded music as the group congratulated their friends not only on a victory, but on their new engagement. Misty stuck close to Ash most of the rest of the night as they laughed and celebrated with their friends. The night finally began to wind down as people began to filter out of the event room. Eventually, even their friends had to leave, but everyone agreed to meet the next morning for breakfast.
Ash walked Misty back to her apartment and they took the opportunity to talk and joke together as they hadn't been able to do in months. He leaned on her a little more than normal as he'd had a few too many drinks as he hummed one of the Pokemon League themes that had played throughout the day. His trophy in hand and Pikachu on his shoulder, they made their way up the stairs of her complex and finally to her door.
Misty turned and faced him, taking in his tall frame and smiling at the glow that surrounded him. He was clearly bursting with joy.
"So, Mr. Pokemon Master," she said with a wink, "you did it!"
He laughed and pulled her into a hug, "Which thing are we talking about here? Becoming the champion, or getting you to agree to marry me?"
She giggled, "Why can't it be both?"
"Well I can tell you which one I'm happier about," he said as he leaned in for a kiss, which she happily reciprocated.
"Your mouth tastes like a liquor store," she laughed.
"Well you only get to get drunk as the new Pokemon League Champion every so often, Mist."
"I'm so happy for you, Ash. I'm happy for us," she said sincerely, and then more teasingly she said, "I'm happy you finally made a first move in our relationship."
He gave her a faux scowl, "C'mon, I've gotten better at this."
"Clearly," she said and kissed him again before pulling out her keys. "I've got to get some sleep, and so do you. We have breakfast with everyone before at least half a dozen news channels knock down your door for interviews."
"Oh, uh, that reminds me," he said scratching the back of his head, "sorry about, you know, revealing us to the entire world."
She shrugged, "We were going to have to do it at some point, and frankly, I wouldn't have had it any other way." She waggled her eyebrows at him with the last remark as she opened her door. "We'll just deal with whatever fallout we have to from the league curators. Frankly, after that match, I don't really care what they do."
"That was an intense match. How did you get a keystone?" Ash asked, suddenly remembering some of the biggest moments of their battle.
"I'm an Elite Four member, Ash. How did YOU get one!?"
"Uh, well, I didn't just go to Kalos this last time to train with Clemont," he admitted. "Professor Sycamore gave it to me while I was there for the Indigo Conference after I got the eighth badge. Charizard and I only got to train for like a month with the new transformation."
She smiled, "Since when did you get so sneaky, mister?"
"What about you!? Where did that thing with Golduck come from!?"
"Heh, that silly duck evolved and introduced a whole new concept of weird to me."
The conversation seemed to end there and a comfortable silence settled over the two pokemon masters. Misty snuggled her way into another hug as she placed her head against Ash's chest and listened to his heartbeat briefly before pulling away and patting him on the chest. "I love you. Goodnight."
"Love you too, Mist," he replied while leaning down and ending their night with a kiss.
The next morning, the group of Ash, Misty, Daisy, Tracey, Violey, Lily, May, Drew, Max, Dawn, Barry, Serena, Clemont, Iris, Cilan, Brock, Lucy, Delia, and Professor Oak all met up as planned at a popular restaurant in the business district near the Pokemon League complex. There was laughing and reconnecting as the friends became reacquainted, or got to know each other better. The girls enjoyed discussing things revolving around modern fashion, pokemon coordinating, and other things that interested them. The guys discussed various things revolving around their shared interests in pokemon battling, coordinating, research, and just catching up in general. Eventually the conversation turned to Cilan and Iris.
"I can't believe you guys cut your honeymoon short to come out and see me battle," Ash said smiling at the newlyweds.
They shrugged and Cilan answered, "We figured it wouldn't be too hard to work it in. We couldn't miss this big moment for one of our friends! Plus, I got to see some amazing and contrasting styles in one of the greatest pokemon battles I've ever had the pleasure of evaluating!"
"And I got to see a kid finally grow up," Iris said, giving Ash a teasing grin. "You know how much this guy talked about you when we were traveling with him, Misty? And yet he'd never admit what we both knew. That he was in loooooove!"
The group laughed as Ash rubbed the back of his head.
"So how exciting is it you guys!? You know, to be engaged! It's so romantic!" Dawn said getting a dreamy look in her eyes, and clearly making Barry a little uncomfortable.
Misty blushed, "I guess I haven't had a lot of time to think about it yet. It was a whirlwind last night."
Ash nodded, "Yeah it just kind of happened. I wasn't really planning on it per se."
Gary laughed, "Ashy-boy acting spontaneously? Say it ain't so!"
Leaf nudged him, "You know, sometimes spontaneity is a good thing. Maybe you could learn a thing or two." Gary sputtered.
Delia suddenly piped up from her spot that Ash just then realized was conspicuously close to Professor Oak, "Speaking of spontaneity," she said, "I have a proposal. Samuel and I were talking about it, and he thinks he could help get it organized through some of his contacts…but what if we were to have the wedding this weekend?"
Ash suddenly choked on his eggs requiring a stiff pat on the back from Brock, while Misty nearly spat her coffee into her plate.
"Mom, what!?" Ash said after recovering.
"Think of it," Delia explained, "it's not like you two don't know each other. You've been together for so long, so do you really need a long engagement? You two may as well have been engaged for the past few years anyway. And all of your friends are already here! No one would have to do any extra traveling. They'd just need to stay through the wedding on Saturday. We could have the rehearsal in two days and then the wedding the next evening. I know it's a tad sudden, but certainly doable."
Ash and Misty looked at each other with wide eyes, and then back to the smiling face of his mother.
"I-I mean," Misty started hesitantly then looking back to her fiancé, "what do you think?"
Ash, a bit surprised Misty was even considering the spontaneous proposal from his mother, had some trouble finding the ability to speak, "I-uh…"
"She's not exactly wrong, you know," Misty said thoughtfully.
Ash slumped back in his seat and took his hat off to run his hand through his hair, "Mother is always right." He looked back to Misty's cerulean eyes and smiled slightly, "Do you want to?"
She tapped her chin with her index finger for a moment, considering the sudden proposal for a few more moments. Then smiling and grabbing Ash's hand she said, "Sure. Why not?"
The girls at the table all let out loud pitched squeals simultaneously as the guys groaned at the prospect of preparing for a wedding in 3 days. But it was settled. Ash and Misty were going to get married that weekend.
"I wonder if anything like this has ever happened," Cilan remarked thoughtfully, "two champions from different regions marrying just a few weeks apart. Fascinating!"
"Who cares!?" Iris exclaimed, slamming her hands down on the table.
"That's right!" May said standing up and grabbing Misty by the arm, and one could almost swear that the Reveille was sounding as the rest of the girls jumped to their feet as well, "Let's go girls, we have a wedding to get ready for!"
The girls began to file out, talking amongst themselves and dragging Misty along as she looked back to Ash with a pleading look and he could almost swear she mouthed 'Help me' to him as they exited the restaurant.
"Well," Delia said standing up, "I'd better go with them to make sure there's a bit of guidance on that end of things. Boys, Samuel will help you get ready on your end of things. I'll work out what color theme Misty wants and let you know what tuxedoes to order, Samuel," she said, winking at the group.
"Oh, and Ash, honey," she said in her sing-song voice and held up her hand while pointing to her finger, "go get Misty a ring, like, now."
"I don't know what kind of a ring to get," Ash grumbled as he and the guys wandered through a local jewelry store.
"Just get something with a shiny expensive rock, Ashy-boy," Gary replied, "like this one here!"
Ash looked to where Gary pointed and saw at least half a dozen rings (all extremely expensive) and he couldn't really tell any difference between them. "I mean do I just close my eyes and randomly pick one? They're all the same!"
"Ash," Brock said crossing his arms and suddenly towering over the younger man, "how could you still be so stupid about women!? How are you getting married before me with an attitude like this?"
"He's right, Ash," Cilan agreed, suddenly appearing next to Brock, "do you not know women can tell if you've put thought into a jewelry purchase? It's not like you're hurting for funds as the Champion. You need to put some thought into this and spare no expense."
Ash and Gary both looked at each other, both slightly shamed by two snobbish romantics.
"Ash," Tracey said as he scanned through the selection of rings in the cases, "think of your feelings for Misty. What do you think of when you think of her?"
"Well," Ash stroked his chin as he thought, "she's hot…" Cilan facepalmed, "Hang on I'm not done. She's determined, strong and supportive, loves the water and has eyes like the sea…"
"Can we tone down the mushiness here before lover boy gets into what she's like in bed?" Gary said with a grin.
Ash glared, "How would I know?"
"These are beautiful, Misty!" Serena cooed at the choices the group of women had narrowed the wedding dresses and the companion bridesmaid's dresses down to.
"Oh I love the green, oh and the blue! AAH I can't choose!" May squealed.
"You kids," Iris chuckled.
"Oh come on, Iris, you're having fun too," Dawn winked.
"That's true. It's much more fun picking out dress for the bride than having to try it on!"
Misty came out in the light blue dress and spun around in it for the rest of the girls in front of the mirror. She liked it.
"That is so you," Daisy said with Lilly and Violet nodding their approval.
"It would make sense for a water master to wear something blue at her wedding, wouldn't it?" Lucy commented.
"It does look nice," Misty finally offered her opinion with a slight smile.
"It'll look even nicer when it's bundled up in the corner in a few nights," Leaf said leaning against the wall.
"Leaf!" Serena looked scandalized and May and Dawn giggled and blushed. Misty just glared at Leaf with a look of slight amusement and annoyance, and the other girls followed suit with a mixture of similar reactions.
Leaf just smiled mischievously. "What?"
Ash had figured out what to do for a ring and had placed a custom order that would normally take a week to get, but, as the shopkeeper put it, "for the Pokemon League Champion, we can speed things up a bit." He promised the custom ring in time for the wedding.
"Wait, wait, wait," Gary suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and held up his hands chest high as the rest of the men filed down the street. The other men stopped to look at the young researcher and he continued, "I'm over here putting two and two together, and if Ashy-boy is telling the truth, and he has no idea what Red is like in bed, then think about it. Even with all those girls he's traveled around with he's never had another girlfriend. So what does this mean guys? Anyone? It means he's a..." he leaned in close to the group and motioned for them all to do the same. Then loudly and without regard to the passing crowd he finished, "VIRGIN!"
The group groaned and rolled their eyes, and Ash placed his face in his hand.
"Oh like you aren't, Gary," Brock said while swiftly turning to continue his way toward their destination.
"I am not the issue here," Gary retorted, "Ashy-boy is."
"So what if he is? I don't think anyone cares, Gary," Drew shot back.
"I can't believe we're talking about this," Clemont face-palmed.
"I can't believe no one else thinks this is noteworthy," Gary said shaking his head. "The most powerful trainer in the world is a virgin! The most hilarious things are lost on the weak-minded I suppose."
Misty and Delia had finalized the color scheme for the wedding and the girls were now on their way to book a venue that Professor Oak had instructed them to reserve. Delia walked several steps in front of the group of younger girls and they were attempting to keep their conversation low.
"So wait, you're telling me in almost five years you and Ash have never….eh?" Leaf's gesture was too crude to repeat here.
"Oh my GOSH, Leaf!" Serena screeched through an embarrassed chuckle, her face as red as a beet.
Misty, for her part, simply rubbed the bridge of her nose. It wasn't like the conversation bothered her that much. She wasn't a little kid, but still, Leaf. Really?
"Leaf, when would they have found time to do that?" Dawn asked.
"Girl, you make time for stuff like that," she responded.
"So how much time have you made for Gary?" Iris asked from behind.
"I am not the issue here, Mrs. Champion," Leaf said crossing her arms.
"Ash is dense about that kind of stuff, and he's a gentleman, and I never pushed the issue. So no. Why do you care!?" Misty said exasperated. She just wanted to get past the ridiculous and embarrassing gossip that Leaf Green seemed to revel in.
"I care about juicy gossip surrounding powerful people," Leaf said as if everyone should have known. "And this is juicy! So wait, Misty," Leaf raised an eyebrow and grinned, "is the most powerful woman in the pokemon world...a NUN!?"
Misty rolled her eyes, "Can we talk about something other than my sex life?"
"You've dated a few guys though, haven't you Misty?" May asked tapping her chin.
"Barely," Misty replied. "Look, I went out on a couple dates over the years, but I haven't been in a serious relationship until Ash, okay? That should answer your question. Can we move on with our lives here?"
"Girls, what are you talking about?" Delia suddenly stood in front of them with her arms crossed and a stern look on her face.
The guys all stood in front of various mirrors in the men's clothing store as they tried on the tuxedos that Delia had specified in a text. Ash grinned at the sight and thought that it made them all look like a group of secret agents.
"Ketchum, Ash Ketchum," he whispered while giving the best James Bond face he could muster.
"I'm really going to have to fine you if you ever do that again," Barry laughed patting Ash on the shoulder.
"We do look damn good though, don't we?" Gary said as he gave himself the once-over in his mirror. "I mean dayumn, how are those ladies going to keep their hands off us?"
Ash's phone suddenly vibrated and he pulled it out and then groaned.
"What's wrong?" Clemont asked.
"Oh I've got this interview scheduled with The Pokemon Times in an hour. I almost forgot about it."
"Perks of being a big shot in the league I'm afraid, Ash," Brock said knowingly, "and given your interesting display at the end of your match, I'd have to say they'll be more interested in your romantic relationship than your battle prowess."
Ash's phone vibrated again, this time with a text message from Misty. "Well it looks like you're right, Brocko. They just invited Misty to the interview. Ugh, do I have to do this?"
"No," Brock said, "but it is good for the fans to know their Champion, and it's a good look for the league to have the Champion put on a good face for the media. Don't worry, they just ask questions and you answer them."
"I guess. I do want to inspire young trainers," Ash said.
"And this is the perfect way! Since I've been promoting pokemon health care as an Elite Four member, interest has nearly tripled in the field. We've seen the number of young trainers plummet in the last few years, so I think you as champion and Misty as the Elite Four leader sharing your stories will help a lot. I know the media is annoying, Ash. But they can serve a purpose."
The couch on the interview set was firm and not nearly as comfortable as Ash had always imagined it to be. He kept having to adjust himself in the seat to get comfortable, and the fact that he was going into this thing nervous didn't help. Why was this so nerve-wracking when a pokemon battle in front of hundreds of thousands of screaming fans wasn't?
The makeup lady came by and dabbed her brush on Ash and Misty's faces once again as a final touchup before they went live. It tickled Ash's nose and he sneezed, which caused Misty to begin giggling, and Ash was afraid that they were both going to be going into the interview in a fit of laughter that they couldn't stop. But once the producer began glaring at them (she was surprisingly intimidating) they were able to attain a more serious tone.
Ash was surprised to see that it was Alexa who was conducting the interview. He hadn't seen her for several years, but recalled the short time they spent together in Kalos fondly. He and she caught up a bit, but he could tell that Misty didn't like her much.
The director instructed the trio to get ready to begin and then counted down from ten. Then Alexa started once the cameras went live, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I'm Alexa Paquet and this is Pokemon Times Live. Today we have a special and exclusive interview to bring to you. Initially we were slated to only have the new champion on the show, should there have been one. But the, shall we say, interesting developments at the end of the Indigo League Conference have caused us to amend our initial plans and we have joining us the new Pokemon League Champion and his new fiancé, Leader Misty Waterflower. Thank you both for joining me."
"Thanks for having us," Misty responded and Ash nodded.
"Now first, let's talk about that battle," Alexa began, and Ash lit up, "Many are calling it the best official Pokemon League battle they have ever seen. What was it like for you two seasoned trainers?"
"It was certainly one of the most intense I've ever been in," Ash responded.
"I'd agree," Misty said, "I haven't had that much fun in a battle in years."
"And people know your record, Leader Waterflower, as you haven't been beaten in an official league match in years," Alexa said.
"Yes, it's my first loss period in at least five years. I honestly can't remember the last time I lost. Probably when I was still a gym leader."
"And Ash, what did it feel like in that moment you became champion?"
"I don't think I can describe it, Alexa," Ash responded. "It was something I've been working toward for over half my life now."
"Now you two, as it turns out, have quite a history together. We did a little digging after your battle, and as it turns out you two have known each other for over ten years?"
Ash and Misty nodded.
"You traveled together for several years it looks like until, Misty, you took over full time at the Cerulean Gym?"
"That's right," Misty replied.
"And Ash continued traveling and battling in various leagues around the world until a few years ago?"
"Actually," Ash said, "I took a break to help Mist and Brock prepare for their Elite Four exams after my stint in Kalos."
"So the world is interested since your little display after the end of your battle, as you may have guessed. Have you been a couple this whole time?"
Misty laughed, "Are you kidding? No."
"Well it depends on what you mean by 'couple,'" Ash said grinning.
"I couldn't stand this guy the first time I met him. He stole my bike and then destroyed it!" Misty said.
"She won't get over that, twelve years later," Ash laughed.
"But you two started traveling together after that?" Alexa pressed.
"Yeah," Misty said, a look of nostalgia crossed her face as she recalled the fond memories. "Initially I started following him with the goal of having him pay for my bike. But…"
"Yes?" Alexa leaned forward.
"But I kind of ended up falling in love with him," Misty blushed slightly.
"But you weren't a couple?"
"How could we be when he only had eyes for pokemon?" she laughed.
"I didn't just have eyes for pokemon. Just mostly pokemon. It's not like I didn't notice Misty, it's just that girls weren't a thing I thought about that much back then. We were only ten for Mew's sake," Ash defended himself.
"But you noticed him?" Alexa looked to Misty.
Misty rolled her eyes and then grinned at Ash, "Yes, and you don't know how inconvenient that was at times."
"And you two traveled together for over four years?"
"Thereabouts," Misty nodded. "Brock was there as well for most of it, and our friend Tracey when we traveled through the Orange Islands."
"So for over four years you hid that you were in love with him, he didn't seem to realize it, and then you had to leave? That must have been hard."
"Yeah, it was, but we were young, and I think it was for the best. I was able to develop as a trainer and a gym leader, and Ash was able to live his dream to travel around on his path to becoming a pokemon master."
"So when did you two make it official?"
Ash and Misty looked at each other and smiled, and Ash said, "That's a story in itself."
Almost five years ago:
"Like, wow sis, you look good," Daisy said as Misty rushed back and forth through her bedroom putting the finishing touches on her outfit. "You have a date tonight?"
"No, it's not a date," Misty replied tersely.
"So why the extra makeup?" Lily piped in suddenly standing at the door.
Did her sisters have a sixth sense about her love life or something? They always showed up to make comments whenever she had a date. Or a non-date in this case.
"So what is going on?" Violet was the next to appear.
Misty pushed her last earring into place and smoothed out her sweater as she turned and looked at herself. Finally satisfied she turned to her sisters, "How do I look?"
"Like you're going on a date, sis," Daisy laughed again.
"If you three must know, Ash is coming today," Misty blurted as she pushed past her sisters and headed toward the main living area in the gym.
"Oh her little boyfriend is coming! That's so cute! So it is a date!" Lily cooed.
"It is not a date. And he's not my boyfriend," Misty said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Okay, so let's just say you getting all gussied up is, like, not an indication of whether this is a date or not," Violet smirked, "then what exactly is going on?"
"Ash is going to help Brock and me prepare for the Elite Four entrance exams," Misty said crossing her arms. "He's one of the most knowledgeable trainers I know, and he offered to help when I talked to him last. He's going to stay here for a few weeks."
"He's going to live with you? But this isn't at date?" The sensational sisters just grinned at their younger sibling. Misty rolled her eyes and headed toward the lobby of the gym to wait for Ash.
And then he walked in, the doors slid open and revealed the tanned young man. He was taller, much taller, than the last time she'd seen him. His coat fit tighter and his shoulders were broader. Pikachu, who was riding on one shoulder, suddenly jumped to the ogling Misty and she gasped in surprise as she caught him and began to laugh.
"Pikachupi!"
"Hey Pikachu! It's good to see you too!" She cooed at him as she scratched him behind the ear. She then looked to the object of her affection, "Hey, Mr. Pokemon Master."
"Hey Mist," he replied, sending that annoying shiver up her spine. She never knew what to do at that point. She always had an urge to give Ash a hug or something, but she was never sure what the limits should be in their relationship. She knew she loved him, but he had never completely revealed how he felt other than being close friends. She was scared to complicate that friendship, and was scared of rejection. Luckily for her, she didn't have to react at all. Ash closed all of the distance between them and pulled her into a big hug. She stood surprised for a moment, but happily wrapped her arms around him and returned the gesture.
"It's good to see you again, Ash," she said softly.
He pulled away and looked at her, "Your hair is long. You actually look like a girl now, you know?"
She pushed him and lifted her index finger to scold him, "I'll have you know, Ash Ketchum, that I always look like a girl, and I have the date requests to prove it!"
"Sure, Mist," he laughed putting his hands behind his head.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu scolded Ash unintelligibly from Misty's shoulder.
"At least your pokemon isn't as dense as you are, Ketchum," she giggled.
"So," Ash said clapping his hands together, "let's start your training, Miss Pokemon Master!"
The weeks passed by and Ash, Misty, and Brock spent an inordinate amount of time together. Brock would come and go as his responsibilities demanded he be in Pewter City a good bit of the time, but Ash and Misty were almost inseparable. Hours out of their day they would study, train, and talk. But Misty began to get restless as things never seemed to progress beyond their close friendship. Occasionally there would be a close moment where their shoulders would brush or their hands would touch and the moment would linger, but Ash would always pull away or quickly distract himself with something else.
During a moment alone with Brock, Misty finally confided in him. Of course Brock revealed to her that everyone already knew she and Ash had a thing for each other, and scolded her for not seeing it herself, but she wasn't for sure. What was Brock's advice? "You may have to make the first move, Misty. Ash is as dense as they come in the affairs of love."
Of course the irony of taking love advice from the man she used to drag away from annoyed women by his ear was thick, but it was something she pondered for several more weeks.
One day, their time together nearing its end as the Elite Four trial dates approached, Misty awoke early to fire up a pot of coffee to prepare for more sparring with Ash. She walked into the living area and was surprised to see Ash's raven locks peeking over the top of the couch. Pikachu was nowhere to be seen. Ash was alone in the dimly lit room simply staring ahead. She approached him cautiously, not really sure what to make of his posture. She made her way around the couch and sat next to him.
"Hey," she said as she smiled at him.
He looked up and attempted to wipe the look of sadness and defeat off his face with a smile, but he wasn't completely successful.
"Hey Mist," he replied, "You're up early."
"I thought I'd get some coffee going. Have you slept?" she asked, noticing the dark circles under his eyes.
"Oh, uh, not really. Couldn't."
"You're going to be tired for our training today," she said.
"Yeah, sorry," he said softly.
"What's wrong, Ash?" she asked, placing a hand on his.
"I was just thinking, I'm having so much fun helping you and Brock prepare to become pokemon masters. But it's going to end soon."
She sighed. She too was dreading the prospect of their time together ending. She'd enjoyed being with him so much for those several weeks, and she still was no closer to exploring whether they could be something more. "Yeah, I'm not looking forward to it either, Ash. What will you do?"
"I don't know," he said with a sigh. "You know, I was so close in Kalos to becoming a Pokemon Master. I was right there! But no matter what I do, it seems I always fall just short."
She wasn't sure what to say, but she could tell his mood was melancholy, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him like that.
"I hope you and Brock fulfill your dream," he said and smiled at her. "One of our group at least ought to."
And it hit her what the problem was. Ash was pouring so much into his friends, he always did after all, and he was about to see them reach a level that had always eluded him. Yet he was doing everything he could to help her become a Pokemon Master. Her dream was at her fingertips while his always seemed miles away.
"Ash," she said softly, not realizing how close she'd gotten to him on the couch, "I don't call you Mr. Pokemon Master ironically anymore. You're one of the best. I know you'll do it someday! You can't stop trying!" Misty looped her arm in his and laid her head onto his shoulder. Ash tensed slightly, but then she felt him relax as she allowed more of her body to lean against his. "Thank you so much for what you've done for me."
They sat there in a comfortable silence for several minutes. Misty simply enjoyed the warmth of Ash's body and the smell of his cologne and deodorant.
"Ash," she finally said softly, "I want you to know something."
"Uh, yeah?" he asked as she straightened up and shifted on the couch so she was facing him.
This was it. She wasn't going to put it off any longer. She had to say it, no matter what came of it.
"We've been friends for a long time, right?" she started.
"Well, yeah," Ash answered smiling, "best friends."
She smiled at him, "And I never want that to end. But…" she paused and took a deep breath, "there's been something that I've wanted to say to you for a really long time. I…uh…" she growled in frustration and put her face in her hands as her courage seemed to falter, "why is something that's so easy so hard to say!?"
Ash looked at her puzzled and then took her hand, "Mist, you can say whatever you need to me. It's not going to change the fact that you're my friend."
She looked back up at him and directly into his brown eyes, "Ash, I…love you."
The eyes she looked into widened and his face morphed from a smile into shock. But it was too late to stop now. She had to finish.
"I…I've loved you for a long time. Since I was a little girl, actually. And I don't think I can go on without you at least knowing how I feel." She looked down, scared and embarrassed of what his reaction would be.
They both sat in silence for another few moments. Misty still stared at her crossed legs in front of her, and began to worry when Ash didn't say anything.
"Mist," he began, "I'm not good at this kind of stuff at all, and I'm really bad at even deciphering my own feelings a lot of the time. But I do know that since I met you, nothing has been quite the same. I've met other girls and spent time with them traveling and training, but I've never spent a day without thinking of you, wishing you were there too. I've always thought it was strange that I think of you when I'm with them, and that I've always felt differently about you. I'm not sure I've ever been able to articulate what it is that I feel when I think of you, and it's honestly always been a little frustrating," he chuckled slightly. "But….I think I finally understand it."
He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face and looked deep into her eyes, "I'm pretty sure I love you too, Mist."
And for Misty, the moment became all she'd dreamed and more. She laughed as she lunged at him and wrapped her arms around his neck and smashed her lips against his. Their first kiss was rough and uneven at first, but then as Ash's shock wore off and Misty evened herself out, it became pleasant and sensuous.
They finally pulled apart as their air supply began to run out, and Misty smiled, still riding her high, "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that," she said.
"I'm not going to lie," Ash said, "that was really nice. Can…we do that more often?"
Misty laughed, "I would think so, Mr. Pokemon Master," she said and leaned back in to kiss him again.
Suddenly, a loud, "A-HA!" rang through the living room as Misty suddenly shot to the far end of the couch, her face red as a beet, as Daisy stormed around from the other side of the couch to stand in front of the new official couple with a teasing smirk on her face.
Present day:
"And I guess the rest is history," Misty finished the story. She hadn't talked about herself to anyone for so long like that in a long time, and didn't particularly enjoy doing it, but knowing the media's appetite for a romantic story, she figured it was best to get the whole thing out there and behind them so she and Ash weren't fielding questions about it for the next five years.
Alexa had taken to simply listening and had placed her chin in her hand as Misty and Ash had recounted their story. "That was beautiful," she said softly before straightening up and remembering she was conducting an interview. "Uh…so…the word around town is that you, Leader Waterflower, have been seen in a bridal shop as late as today in fact."
Misty looked at Ash and he shrugged. She figured there was no use hiding it, "Well actually, we've decided to forego a long engagement and are going to be married on Saturday."
"That is big news, and you're hearing it here first folks, on Pokemon Times Live. Unfortunately we're out of time, but we'll be sure to have continuing coverage of all of the upcoming Pokemon League events, and it seems even some wedding coverage!"
And with that the director yelled "cut" and the interview was over. The three stood and Alexa reached her hand out to Misty, "I know there's been some tension between us given our respective positions, Misty," she said as Misty took her hand and shook it, "but seriously, congratulations. You two look really happy together. And this interview was probably my best one ever! I could win an award for this! Thank you both so much!"
Misty smiled and nodded. It was always a little annoying to deal with the media, but not even that could bother her at that moment. And with Ash by her side now, she wasn't sure there was much of anything that could bother her anymore.
A/N: Happy 20th anniversary, Pokemon Anime! My recent stories have all been tributes, but this chapter specifically is a celebration of 20 years of the Pokemon anime. I haven't agreed with everything they've done in the show, but it's my childhood. Especially the first few seasons.
And it's also the 20th anniversary of Pokeshipping aka AAML. The original! So you get a lot of that in this chapter. I'm trying to include romance in the story without being too sickeningly fluffy. Let me know if I'm doing a good job.
I hope this slice of life chapter was enjoyable. Gary and Leaf I always imagine like to try to embarrass their friends. I hope those parts weren't too awkward.
Again, let's celebrate 20 years of Ash, Misty, Brock, and the others. Till next time!
